Town Council Opts To Demolish Former Vienna Baptist Church, Long-Term Use Undecided

VIENNA, VA — The former Vienna Baptist Church property now owned by the Town of Vienna will be no more after a Town Council vote. A long-term option remains uncertain, although the public has indicated interest in a pool.

Last Monday, Town Council voted to demolish the property at 301 Center Street S on a motion from Councilmember Nisha Patel. The town purchased the building in fall 2020 and let the Vienna Police Department use it as its temporary location while its police station was being rebuilt.

Demolishing the building was the least expensive option under consideration for the building. The other option was demolishing part of the building while keeping the gym and renovating the building. The town has determined the gym could be halfway through its life expectancy.

But Council members noted rising costs associated with renovating the building. The estimated cost of demolition is $250,000, while partial demolition with minimal changes and keeping the gym would cost an estimated $2,936,000. The town estimated a partial demolition with concourse renovation and keeping the gym would cost $3,346,600.

"I think we get the damn building down because it's just costing us too much money right now," said Councilmember Howard Springsteen. "And it gives us a clean slate there. And every time we turn around, it's another price jumps up."

Councilmember Steve Potter said the options to partially demolish and renovate were 10 times more expensive than demolishing the structure.

"It's as clear as it can be right here that the best way to go through this is don't put good money into bad, and knock it down," said Potter.

"I think that the most reasonable thing to do at this point is to send the current building to house heaven, and then start looking at what our options are for the long term," said Councilmember Chuck Anderson.

Anderson disagreed with residents who believe the property should remain vacant until a long-term use is determined.

"I will tell you from personal experience having lived next to an abandoned Marco Polo restaurant for approximately four or five years that you do not want to live next to an abandoned property," said Anderson. "It just basically attracts all sorts of bad stuff."

The council's decision comes after the town started a study to determine a long-term use for the town-owned former church. A consultant team led by Kimmel Bogrette Architecture + Site found in the study a pool was a popular option sought by the public for the property. It was noted at a May Town Council conference session that a pool would require a 10 to 15-year funding plan.

"We're better off coming up with a good use of the land, putting it down flat on the ground," said Councilmember Ray Brill. "And I've heard comments that it will take maybe 10 years to come up with that plan. I want us to do it sooner than that, because it's a wonderful piece of property, and we need to use it."