Washington County, Va., supervisors sign off on a $2.37 million land deal for a joint town/county re

ABINGDON, Va. – Two days after the Washington County Board of Supervisors voted on a $2.37 million land deal, board Chairman Kenneth Reynolds signed the contract Thursday morning with Jimmy Stewart of Clifton-Stewart Rentals.

The land, purchased for $40,000 per acre, is for a joint town-county recreation complex near Exit 22.

Stewart said the land would have sold for more had it been used for a residential development – but the complex is sorely needed because as it stands now, youth sports teams practice in empty lots behind supermarkets because there’s nowhere else.

"It is so sickening to go to these towns and see these beautiful ballparks … that we could not have one here," said Stewart, whose 12-year-old daughter plays Little League softball.

He said though the price is high, the development cost of the parcel will be less than the cost of developing others.

The deal also includes an agreement by Mac and Carol Clifton to swap some of their adjoining land for a piece of the parcel being sold so the county’s tract of land will be the proper shape.

"There’s a perfect level spot that will make a complete ballfield, and they’re needed," Carol Clifton said. "I think it will benefit all the kids in our area."

Stewart said the company is already pursuing another land deal near Exit 19 for the development of condominiums and retirement villas that was planned for the property sold to the county.

He said the project will begin next fall – and he expects more growth in the Exit 19 area because of existing infrastructure.

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