Lorton Historic Nomination Adopted
<bt>The Virginia Department of Historic Resources voted to accept the historic nomination for the former Lorton Prison site during its final meeting of 2005, on Dec. 12 in Richmond.
The D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory Historic District, as it was listed with the VDHR, was one of 33 properties added to the Virginia Landmarks Register, which also included the primary residence of chief Powhatan in Gloucester County, the Tauxemont Historic District of Fairfax County and the Francis/Gulick Mill in Loudoun County.
A release announcing the decision stated "A VLR listing places no restriction of property owners ... Listing on the state register is honorary and intended to increase public interest and awareness of Virginia's history." More information is available on the VDHR Web site, www.dhr.virginia.gov.
<sh>Planning Commission OKs Marriot
<bt>The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved one of the major projects in the revitalization of Central Springfield on Dec. 8.
Marriot's Residence Inn, a six-story hotel, will be built at the intersection of Old Keene Mill and Backlick roads. The L-shaped building will have 163 rooms for long-term guests and will be about 108,000 square feet.
In keeping with the plans for a revitalized Springfield, the project will place utility lines underground where possible and will offer landscaping along the streets to present a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
The hotel is also going to be working with the developer of the nearby "Midtown Springfield" project to coordinate a shuttle bus service through the area.
The plan must now go to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.
<sh>Christmas Tree Robbery
<bt>A Christmas tree vendor was robbed Friday, Dec. 9 in Burke, said a Fairfax County Police report. Around 8:30 p.m., two men entered a trailer near a Christmas tree stand in the 9500 block of Old Keene Mill Road. According to the report, one of the men confronted the victim, a 21-year-old Springfield man, brandished a firearm and demanded money. The victim opened an outside cash register and gave the suspects an undisclosed amount of cash, and the suspects fled down Lee Chapel Road.
The suspects were described as dark-skinned men, in their late teens, and approximately 6 feet tall, said the report. The suspect with the gun wore a green winter coat, black hat and face mask, said the report, while the other suspect wore a blue winter coat, black hat and face mask.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131.