George Mason University announced a major land gift of 37 acres in Loudoun County, Va., from Van Metre Companies. The property is located in Ashburn, near exit 6 of the Dulles Greenway. It is within one mile of a future Dulles Corridor Metrorail station.

“We are very excited and appreciative of the great generosity of the Van Metre Companies,” says Mason President Alan Merten.

“As we assess the university’s future and determine how best we can continue meeting the educational needs of our region, this significant gift provides us with strong options to make many of our programs more accessible to many more people.”

Mason is part of the Loudoun Planning Project, a partnership with Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun County Public Schools, the Town of Leesburg and the Loudoun County government. The group is exploring the possibility of using the land to establish a Loudoun County campus for George Mason University.

Preliminary research conducted as part of the Loudoun Planning Project has demonstrated considerable demand among Loudoun County residents, as well as those of surrounding counties, for higher education opportunities.

“I would like to extend my thanks to Van Metre for their generous gift of land to George Mason University in the Broadlands,” says Scott York, chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.

“This signature location will become a cornerstone of our educational community. Loudoun County is a dynamic location in Northern Virginia with a motivated and educated workforce. A high-quality university campus at this site will provide a valuable resource to our citizens.”

“Education is the cornerstone of all our futures,” says A.G. “Beau” Van Metre Jr. “This campus of George Mason University will be a milestone in the development of the Dulles Greenway frontage within our flagship Broadlands community.”

Mason currently offers a number of courses at a site in Sterling, Va., in areas such as nursing, education, information technology and management. It also offers undergraduate general education courses and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute courses.

Van Metre Companies are the developers of Broadlands, a mixed-use planned community of more than 2,700 homes, Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm restaurant, the Loudoun County Public School Administration Building, Broadlands Village Center, Broadlands Marketplace and Broadlands apartments.

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