Vienna Church Property To Be Sold To Town Government

VIENNA, VA — On Monday, Vienna Town Council approved the purchase of the three-acre Faith Baptist Church property. The town is expected to close on the property at 301 Center Street South on Sept. 18.

According to a town news release, Faith Baptist Church is changing its mission and recently notified town officials that it would consider an offer for a purchase. The church also accepted bids from other interested parties, and the congregation voted to accept the Town’s proposal in July. The church had been located at the property since the 1950s.

"This is an amazing opportunity for the Town of Vienna and our community," said Mayor Linda Colbert in a statement. "The property is centrally located among many civic and community facilities. This is a strategic purchase that will provide extraordinary long-term benefits for the community."

The purchase of the property has been discussed by previous Town Councils due to its location. The property is located next to the Vienna Police Station and Bowman House, the latter of which is a town-owned property hosting art classes. The town has not determined a use for the Faith Baptist Church property but anticipate it will benefit the community. Colbert noted that Vienna's Town Green ultimately started with real estate opportunity 18 years ago.

The Town Council will begin discussing potential long-term uses for the property during a capital improvement plan work session on Sept. 21. However, the town may not determine, fund or implement the use for several years. The process will include public feedback and likely a feasibility study.

When closed, the town's purchase will total $5.5 million. Funding will come from general obligation bonds issued earlier this year. The town government issues bonds every two years to finance capital improvement projects, and potential property acquisition was identified as a goal when the bonds were issued. The $34.5 million in bonds issued this year will also support the new police station construction. Bonds are repaid with meals tax revenue collected at restaurants in the Town of Vienna.

For now, the Vienna Police Department will use space in the church while its new station is constructed. The groundbreaking of the station is expected in about six months, and the police department will use the building for 18 to 24 months. Before the purchase of the property, the police department was planning to use the town's Beulah Road property as temporary space for police functions.

The town could also use the property for additional meeting space. Once the pandemic is over, it could be considered for additional recreation space. The existing parking lot will be available to the community for event parking and nearby activities.