Although the Fairfax City Council has been backing away from building an interpretive center at the Blenheim Mansion, most of the citizens who came to a Jan. 18 outreach meeting want it built.
The meeting drew about 60 residents from neighborhoods surrounding the 12-acre property on Old Lee Highway across from Heritage Lane. The land was bought in 1999 to preserve open space and the Blenheim House, which contains inscriptions made by Union troops during the Civil War.
Since the city purchased the property, it has engaged in a $3.2 million renovation of the grounds. The Interpretive Center, about $1.6 million of the total cost, would contain a replica of the house's attic, where most of the inscriptions are located. This plan would allow people who are not physically able to climb the stairs into the attic to see what it looks like.
The replica would fulfill the requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates that access be provided to those with physical impairments, said Christopher Martin, director of historic resources for the City of Fairfax.
Funding for the Center, which would cost an estimated $300,000 annually to operate, was included in the current budget year. However, the design process was halted on May 25 pending a more thorough review of the plan.
During an Oct. 27, 2004, work session, the City Council discussed the proposal in terms of the number of other "big ticket" projects, such as the $86 million school bond and downtown redevelopment.
"We're trying to grapple with size and scale, and where it fits in the community," said Councilmember Jeffrey Greenfield during the work session.
"I'm not opposed to doing this [Blenheim]," said Councilmember R. Scott Silverthorne during the work session, "but we have a lot of things we're trying to do at the same time in this city."
During its Jan. 11 work session, the City Council examined alternatives to building the Center right now. Members asked what the minimum would be to make the site functional and if it would be possible to break the construction up into phases.
"Should the whole Interpretative Center not be attempted at this time, are there intermediate stages?" Councilmember Joan Cross asked during the January work session.
THE CENTER, which would to be one story in height and 6,200 square feet in size, would include a large multipurpose room and small kitchen, and could be used to host corporate outings or possibly small weddings.
Based on the use at other similar sites, Rob McGinnis, an architect working on the project, estimated that the site would draw 13,000-15,000 people per year. "On a peak day, a weekend day sometime in July, we would estimate about 150 people would come over the course of the day," McGinnis said.
Additionally, the replica would allow more people to see the inscriptions, because space and load limitations would allow only a little over 100 people per day to enter the actual attic, Martin said.
Mayor Rob Lederer and most of the City Council (Gary Rasmussen was absent) came to the Jan. 18 outreach meeting to hear what the neighbors had to say about the Center.
The first few speakers were against the Center, citing cost and impact on the neighborhood. "We're taking on a little bit more than we can chew," said Ed Murphy. "Are you going to accept all the costs involved with this?"
Murphy doubted the city's ability to pull off the project. "I don't believe we're equipped to operate what we're proposing here," he said.
Frank Carbo's property backs up to the Blenheim Property, and he would be close to the proposed Center. He was upset by the idea that the Center might be used to host weddings and corporate events. "Do I get to choose the music I get to listen to in the afternoon?" Carbo asked.
Most of those who spoke against the Center lived in adjoining properties. Residents who live farther away were more supportive.
"We are now beyond the point where you can put a bathroom on the site and a donation box and run the place," said Jim Gillespie who lives on the opposite side of Old Lee Highway. "I think the reality is we do need the Interpretive Center to make this a reality."
Other residents spoke of the historical preservation aspect of the site. "The Blenheim Estate preserves the memory of the veterans," said Paul Sullivan. "It's for ourselves, for community and for history. It's the right thing to do."
"I think it's a great idea," said Cindy Budzynski. "I'm not a history person. I'm not a Civil War person. But it's cool."
Not everyone who lives near the estate was opposed to the Center. Doris Taylor's property backs up to where the proposed parking lot would go. "I think it's overwhelming that we need to build the Interpretive Center," she said.
After the meeting, Lederer's desire for the Center was reaffirmed. "I've always believed in this project," he said.