The closing on the long-anticipated City of Falls Church acquisition of the 1.93 acre Fellows Tract at 604 S. Oak Street is expected with a vote of the City Council this coming Monday. It was explained at Tuesday’s Council work session that, even though the City filed a petition for the condemnation of the tract last March, the transaction for $4,671,110 will represent a voluntary settlement agreed to by the seller.
The tract had been listed on the City’s Open Space Acquisition plan since 2005, and the plans for the acquisition moved forward following the passing of Betty Fellows in September 2018 after living her entire life, since her childhood, at the site. When Ms. Fellows had to vacate the site for poor health, an administrator of the property’s trust entered an approved seven-lot subdivision into the land records before terms were reached.
The land is designated as one of the largest open spaces in the City, and is located across the street from the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.
