The University of Mary Washington Foundation has been recognized by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce for the economic impact of its transformation of the former Park & Shop retail center into the Eagle Village mixed-use development.
The chamber presented an Economic Impact Award to the private, nonprofit UMW Foundation and its Eagle Village project for leading the way for “urban renewal and revitalization of the aging U.S. Route 1 corridor.” The foundation received the award during the chamber’s annual gala January 28.
“It is an honor to receive this award from the chamber, just as it is an honor to be able to serve the Fredericksburg region with projects like Eagle Village,” said Jeff Rountree, CEO of the foundation and president of Eagle Property Holdings, LLC.
“With regional engagement one of the university’s top priorities, Eagle Village plays a significant role in our efforts to strengthen the ties between the community and the university,” said UMW President Rick Hurley.
The foundation bought the 1960s-era Park & Shop center in 2007, and the first, $115 million phase of the 23-acre property’s redevelopment into Eagle Village was completed in summer 2010. In August, UMW students moved into the 156-unit Eagle Landing apartment complex, which is connected to the university’s Fredericksburg campus by a new, covered pedestrian bridge over busy U.S. 1. An adjacent new building features restaurants, shops, offices and a multilevel parking garage.
The chamber also recognized the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Fredericksburg for its economic impact. Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center received the chamber’s Large Business of the Year Award, while the First Choice Better Homes and Land real estate firm won the Small Business of the Year Award. Leigh Anne Van Doren, founder and publisher of Fredericksburg Parent and Family magazine, was named the chamber’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Tom Bricken, an attorney with Sands Anderson, received the Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award.
In December, the UMW Foundation was one of three finalists for the Virginia Torchbearer Award in the 1st Congressional District. The award recognizing the foundation for Eagle Village was presented by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce at the annual Virginia Economic Summit in Williamsburg.
