Workhouse Arts Center Challenges

By now many of you have probably seen the article in the Washington Post about the financial challenges at the Workhouse. Perhaps some context would be helpful in addressing the Workhouse Arts Center challenge.  In the transfer of the Workhouse site (55 acres of the total of approximately 2300 acres) from the federal government to Fairfax County, there were explicit guidelines provided to ensure preservation of this national historic registered site.  Fairfax County is required to preserve its architecture and adaptively reuse buildings. 

They cannot be bulldozed!  They cannot be altered in a way that would lessen their historic value. Given the prior history of the Lorton area (prison, landfills, incinerator, etc.), there was local interest in the Workhouse fitting in with an emerging residential community surrounding it and at the same time enhancing the characterization of the word “Lorton”. 

The Lorton Arts Foundation, Inc. (LAF) took on the task. LAF assumed the $53 million in bonds and has accomplished extensive renovation of a dozen buildings and instituted visual and performing arts programs.  LAF is committed to ensuring that the programs operated at the Workhouse are self-sustaining.  The bond debt remains a challenge.  It’s logical that Fairfax County assist with this obligation as the bonds were used to renovate County buildings.  In this sense, the County has invested in the preservation of a national historic site that it owns. Over the next few years, LAF, in collaboration with the County, looks to gain a restaurant, complete an event center that will be a major element of its business plan, perhaps some type of housing (apartments are on the site plan), and other amenities. 

LAF is committed to developing a strategic business plan that will decrease the level of County support each year going forward.  Any discussion about the future of the Workhouse needs to consider these realities.