Herndon Mayor Signs $3.5M Deal To Buy Downtown Land

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Image: Mayor Lisa Merkel, at right, signs the land contract on Wednesday with landowner Ronald K. Ashwell (Town of Herndon).

Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel signed a contract Wednesday with a local developer under which the town will purchase 1.67 acres of land in Herndon’s historic downtown for $3.52 million.

Combined with three acres of land already owned by the town, the purchase clears the way for a comprehensive development project in the downtown, according to Herndon officials. In a public hearing Tuesday night, the Town Council adopted an ordinance to authorize the purchase from Ashwell LLC.

Following an environmental assessment, the town expects to close on the purchase within 120 days. The land will then be rezoned in conformity with the adjacent town-owned property, creating a five-acre parcel available for mixed-use commercial and residential development.

On Wednesday, Merkel and Ronald K. Ashwell of Ashwell LLC, the private holder of the land, met at the Herndon Municipal Center to sign the contract, according to a town statement.

Town officials expect to issue a solicitation to developers by year’s end, the statement added. Herndon’s master plan envisions a mix of retail, office and residential development, to include four-story mixed-use/residential structures; three-story mixed-use/commercial structures; a public/private parking garage; an arts center and more.

Development currently under way in downtown Herndon includes the construction of 17 single-family homes at Center and Vine streets, and plans for mixed-use development (townhomes, condominiums and retail space) at the corner of Elden and Monroe streets.