Suburban encroachment claimed another victim, as plows knocked down a barn on Freds Oak Road, clearing the site of the future Burke Regional Library.
"Originally, the family wanted to sell it [land] and develop it," said Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock).
The Short family owned the 7-acre site located on Freds Oak Road near the Fairfax County Parkway. The family wanted to sell the property to developers to build a 7-Eleven store or gas station. When Fairfax County officials failed to approve that proposal, the county decided to buy the land instead, in the late 1990s. The land was then earmarked as the future home of the Burke Regional Library. Funding to construct the proposed library is dependent on a bond on this November's ballot. Funding has already been obtained for the design of the library. The house and garage were torn down shortly after the county purchased the land.
"The surrounding neighbors wanted to see the site secured," said Florence Naeve, Bulova's chief of staff.
Walter Rosch, construction management director of Fairfax County Public Works, was familiar with the county efforts regarding the property.
"There was a house we demolished and a two-car garage we took down," Rosch said. "We're taking the structures down for safety concerns."
Al Miller's yard backs up to the property. He doesn't think the library will present any problems for the homeowners that border the property.
"I don't think a library will have that much of an effect on us down here," Miller said.
Development is a sign of the times to Miller.
"Let’s face it. Developers are building on every square inch around here," Miller said.