Washington County, Va., Agrees To 60/40 Rec Complex Partnership

By Debra McCown
Reporter / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: June 11, 2008

ABINGDON, Va. – The Washington County Board of Supervisors voted 6-1 at its Tuesday meeting to a 60/40 partnership with the Town of Abingdon on a planned recreation complex.
“I think we can live with 60/40,” said Supervisor Phil McCall.

The board voted in favor of a 60/40 cost share for the project with 60/40 representation on a joint recreational facilities authority to be created to manage the project.

“I think the county has to take care of its interest,” Supervisor Jack McCrady said. “If we’re going 60 percent we have to have 60 percent authority ownership.”

Supervisor Paul Price was opposed; he expressed concerns that the wording of the proposal would tie down the county to a specific piece of property for the complex.

“Let’s say that we’re obligated to buy it. We buy it, turn it over to the IDA [Industrial Development Authority], sell it for $2,000 more an acre, move down the road,” Price said. “I think there’s a possibility things could happen that the ... sports complex could be moved somewhere else.”

The complex is planned for a swath of farmland that stretches from U.S. Highway 11 to Interstate 81 near Exit 22.

The county and the Town of Abingdon agreed in November to purchase the 60-acre site from Clifton-Stewart Rentals for $2.37 million.

When the agreement was signed, Mac and Carol Clifton, who agreed to swap some of their adjoining property to make the site the proper shape for the complex, and son-in-law Jimmy Stewart, who claimed the land could have brought more money, said a good ballpark is badly needed in the area.

Since the land deal was made, however, questions have been raised about the cost, especially since a cheaper site at nearby Exit 24 was passed over because of a purported Little League regulation that would require the complex in certain boundaries. Later, it was learned no such requirement would apply.

Members of the Board of Supervisors have also expressed concerns that the purchase was rushed into – and the details about control and financing should have been worked out with the town before the purchase agreement was made.

Since then, the two entities have gone back and forth over two key issues – who would pay what and how much representation each entity would have on the governing authority for the complex.

First, the town proposed a 70/30 split, with the county picking up the bulk of financial responsibility for the project; the supervisors wanted a 50/50 financial split.

As of Tuesday, both entities have agreed to a 60/40 financial split. However, they are still at odds over representation on the governing authority for the complex.

The supervisors want a controlling interest on the board to match their financial backing of the project, while Abingdon Town Manager Greg Kelly said Monday town officials still want a 50/50 representation and a vote for 60/40 “would send us back to the drawing board.”

The representation issue will likely go back before the Town Council.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board authorized its County Facilities Committee to proceed with plans to evaluate Johnston Memorial Hospital for possible use as county office space.

The hospital has plans to build a new facility on U.S. Highway 11 near the site of the planned recreation complex.

The board also voted unanimously to allow “recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds” by special exception permit in the Konnarock District.

The proposal to amend the zoning district regulations originated from a landowner interested in creating such a business in Konnarock, which comprises a special zoning district because of its proximity to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.

| (276) 791-0701