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Owner of historic Virginia property battles to keep century-old century home as county tries to drive her out
A nearly century-old home in Arlington, Virginia, has caused a dispute between a family and their county government.
The house, located at 1802 Columbia Pike and built in 1929, has been in Sandra Fortson's family since the 1950s and is currently owned by her cousin, Karen Newman.
However, after a carbon monoxide leak at the home left Newman with brain damage, Sandra has been named as the home's conservator and is fighting to save it from demolition.
Arlington County is attempting to invoke eminent domain to acquire the property for traffic and safety improvements.
'[Karen] can't fight for herself, so I'm fighting for her,' Sandra told Fox 5. 'There are very few African-American-owned properties in the neighborhood, and they're trying to take this one.'
The century-old house, located at 1802 Columbia Pike, has been in Sandra Fortson's family since the 1950s and is currently owned by her cousin, Karen Newman.
'If they offered me a million dollars, I still wouldn't want to take the money. I want the house to remain in the family,' Sandra said, emphasizing the historical and sentimental meaning behind the home
Negotiations have been ongoing for several years, but Sandra maintains that the county's offer of $620,000 falls well below fair market value.
She also emphasized the home's historical and sentimental significance.
In fact, to Sandra, she said the home is priceless.
'If they offered me a million dollars, I still wouldn't want to take the money. I want the house to remain in the family,' she said.
Dr. Scott Taylor, president of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, highlights the disproportionate impact that situations such as Sandra's have on historically black neighborhoods.
'Let's just talk about it because if you've got a plan A, there's got to be a plan B somewhere where everybody can be satisfied,' he said.
'This is repeating history. Every time it feels like a project comes through, and they have to demolish something, it happens to black residents.'
Sandra said renovations are already underway inside the house, and her attorney is preparing legal action before the June 8th deadline set by the county for a title change.
After a carbon monoxide leak at the home left Newman with brain damage, Sandra has been named as the home's conservator and is fighting to save it from demolition. (Pictured: old pictures of Karen and her family at the dinner table in the house decades ago)
Negotiations have been ongoing for several years, but Sandra maintains that the county's offer of $620,000 falls well below fair market value. (Pictured: Old family portrait with Karen)
She said she also has the backing of her neighbors, who sent a letter to the county, expressing their opposition to their demolition plan.
Arlington County Board candidate Natalie Roy, voiced her support for Sandra's case, echoing Dr. Taylor's words that there has to be a better solution to the problem.
'This is outrageous,' Roy said. 'This is a situation where - think about it - where else in the county would this be happening? I think the county should reassess quickly, regroup, and say we've come up with a better plan.'
Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey released a statement to Fox 5, acknowledging Sandra's concerns but also maintaining her reasoning.
'The resolution and offer are the procedural steps the County needed to take to keep the possibility of the realigned intersection in play while we continued negotiations with the property owner; it was not meant to signal the end of all negotiations and conversations,' the statement said.
Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey said in a statement that demolishing the house (pictured) is vital to the 'Columbia Pike Multimodal Project' for traffic and safety improvements
Dr. Scott Taylor (pictured), president of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, highlights the disproportionate impact that situations such as Sandra's have on historically black neighborhoods
The statement also maintains that demolishing the house is vital to the 'Columbia Pike Multimodal Project, which seeks to turn this major road into a complete street that balances all modes of travel and supports high-quality, high-frequency transit service in one of Arlington’s most diverse neighborhoods.'
Garvey also claimed that the county has been attempting to communicate with Sandra and reach an appraisal agreement, but they have not received a counter appraisal.
'The County is committed to exploring as many options as possible to come to a mutually agreeable solution,' the statement concluded.