My Summer with Loudoun Schools: 03/01/2022

Arcola School, 2022

I took off posting about the 1939 Arcola School last year because there hadn't seemed like much of a change from 2017 to 2019, and there hadn't been any news. Well, there is news now!

Last week, the Board of Supervisors voted to transfer the building and its land to Capretti Land Inc. Capretti plans to develop the land and adjacent parcels into 300 housing units, at least 74 of those being affordable housing. The transfer is contingent on Capretti filing and getting approval for the properties' rezoning, as well as securing financing for the affordable housing. If these two things don't happen within the next two years, the school property will go back to Loudoun County.

Capretti's current plans call for the Arcola School to be renovated and house 10 of the affordable housing units and one community room. The property would also feature "public recreational and parking facilities, a public recycling facility and two bus stops."

This project has a couple more things going for it than Windy Hill Foundation's 2016 proposal did. Capretti's project also includes the project across the street, while Windy Hill only involved the Acola property. There's also the fact that the county's noise zones are currently changing. Based on a new noise study, Arcola's property will no longer be in Dulles Airport's noise zone.

It all sounds pretty good. I'm typically against new housing in Loudoun County. (I thought there was too much housing building when I was in elementary school! And yet it keeps happeningggggg) But if development has to occur, it's nice to see old buildings being preserved and incorporated into the plans. There can be a balance between a community's past character and the enhancements the present can bring.

So, that's the news and my two cents on it. Let's look around the property!

Front of Arcola School

Front Door Handle Detail

There does seem to be a lot more paint chipping, which is sad to see. It's looking a little ragged.

Light above the front door

Flagpole and eaves

The backside of the school

I discovered there are stairs leading down to a basement. Probably never noticed them before because I usually go in the summertime, when there is full vegetation. Unlike Sterling's annex school, the drainage here appears to still be working and is not flooded.

Stairs to basement space

Some boards over windows have come off, allowing my first peek into the building since 2011. It appears people have been able to break in and vandalize the space.

From the front door, 2022

From 2011, the same view

View into one classroom

A broken window, covered up

Looking around the rest of the property...

There are two deteriorating wooden sheds along the back of the building. One was open, revealing field equipment and an old concessions sign.

"Welcome to Arcola's Holiday Craft Bazar
Sponsored by Arcola Community Center Advisory Board
& Loudoun County Parks & Recreation"

The field still looks good and usable.

Arcola Field

The basketball court is clean, but there are no nets anymore.

Arcola Basketball Court

One of the playground structures has been removed.

Arcola Playground

There is also some security presence. There is one security camera set up by the County Recycling Drop-off. Hopefully, this will deter anyone from vandalizing the front of the building.