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Stone house at Hillside Park

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by vacliff, Aug 24, 2012.

  1. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    You can't be serious.
     
  2. hornerjo

    hornerjo Senior Member

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    I haven't seen the place from the inside, but I've heard from those who have gone in it. It's a mess, you can't just re-shingle the roof for example because all the roof wood is rotten. And that can't be replaced because the walls are bad, flooring etc. The bricks are most likely so old they would need replacement too, I had a friend that lived in a house of similar age in Haymarket and you could literally tear away the bricks with your fingers. Then you have electric, water, sewer, list goes on.

    Others that have gone in it can describe it more than I can, but I'm guessing bringing it up to code means rebuilding the entire thing. I don't see how any business would have the money to restore it. Someone call Ty Pennington! :)
     
  3. Tech91

    Tech91 Member

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    I was thinking the same thing. I would think there could be specific rules stated in the contract for the use of the building.
     
  4. Tech91

    Tech91 Member

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    Agreed!

    I like the idea of a nieghborhood coffee shop (with an old character flare).
     
  5. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    VM is out of the picture. It will cost several hundred thousand to make the house useable. It would be very difficult to make it cost effective to turn into any type of business, due to its small size and cost to rehab. If it was feasable, then VM would have sold it to a business.

    The house is not about to fall in on itself, and the outside stone walls are solid. TerraBrook spent $50,000 having it all repointed several years ago.

    I wholeheartedly agree with Boomertsfx's opinion and would hate to see the house removed.

    The $100,000 would easily pay to replace the roof and repair/replace the front porch. This would make the house sound until something is done with it. THe longer that roof stays the way it is, the more the bulding will erode. I have mentioned it several times to the HOA to at least get this done.
     
  6. Sunny

    Sunny Chief Advisor

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    We should definitely preserve it for the time being until a better idea comes along.
     
  7. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Not my direct concern, but I am interested in following you you guys do with this house.

    Seems to me you need both sides of the equation before making a decision. How much to keep it from deteriorating more? And then how much to make it something usable? Seems to me a couple estimates would help the dialog and decision. Just my two cents. Good luck this is a significant decision for your community.
     
  8. kevinq

    kevinq Member

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    Parking would be an issue for retail use. Nonetheless, a restored Stone House would be a great part of the Broadlands community.
     
  9. mikebnllnb

    mikebnllnb Active Member

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    Spending more money on what amounts to nothing more than a visual aesthetic is absurd. Spend the money on something the community can use not just look at. Old things don't have importance just because they're old. If we want something pretty build a water feature the kids can run through or something. Or build a proper amphitheater for Broadlands Live. Do we as a community want to spend a $100,000 + on a pretty old stone house that serves no purpose other than eye candy?
     
  10. loudgrowler

    loudgrowler New Member

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    A few thoughts but first did have a question. Is the $100k only to be used for the StoneHouse restoration or demolition? If so...

    *If it if feasible for $100k for it to be saved it sounds like a good idea as it is sort of a neat old character part of the neighborhood. Perhaps fix up the roof and porch and add some nice exterior cosmetic upgrades (shutters? new door? paint? window boxes?) and add some sort of plaque with historical information about the house. It could be a nice cosmetic touch to the community. Might be nice to decorate it with wreaths at the holidays too?

    *Also, maybe have it professionally landscaped all around the house so it is nice part of the existing park.

    *Also, maybe the community could sell those engraved name bricks to make a pathway to the front porch and/or around the house and interested homeowners could purchase a brick with their family names inscribed which would also might be a nice touch and addition to the community to become part of Broadlands history too. Proceeds from the bricks could pay a local company to create the walkway and/or perhaps someone living in the neighborhood owns that type of business and would be willing to help with that?

    *Would be nice if the interior was able to be used for something practical as well, and if nothing else at least storage, but it sounds like that would probably take much more than the 100k unfortunately.
     
  11. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    vacliff, does VM or the HOA have a current appraisal on the books? Is the structure insured?
     
  12. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Not sure on question 1, yes to question 2. When the house was turned over to the HOA it was included in our insurance.
     
  13. TopCoachGifts

    TopCoachGifts New Member

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    Get rid of the eyesore stone house. It serves zero purpose and really is just a waste. level it and do the responsible thing with the money and give it to the homeless shelters/childrens hospital or help those folks who can't find a job....C'mon...people. Do something righteous with the cash.
     
  14. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Yea! Give it to Planned Parenthood. :angel:
     
  15. cobymom

    cobymom Sheila Ryan

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    Some information about the Stone House from the previous thread about it;

    I've really enjoyed reading about the ideas people have for utilizing the house in a way that contributes to the character of our community.
     
  16. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    I'm not entirely certain that Cliff's assessment is totally accurate in this case. We have reached out to the County and they seem quite responsive to whatever we decide to do.
     
  17. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    :joust: touché!
     
  18. SarasMom

    SarasMom Member

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  19. Forum Administrator

    Forum Administrator Member Forum Staff

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    Please keep personal attacks off these forums and this thread - they will NOT be tolerated.
     
  20. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    My quoted comments were from a previous thread, long before the house was actually turned over to the HOA.
    Maybe a current Board member can look into it and let us know what the current proffer reads.
     

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