Camp 7 Extended Due Diligence

Project Goal

REQUEST: Clarke County is requesting $250,000 in GO Virginia – Region 8 funding from
the Site Development Planning Grant for preliminary infrastructure & engineering design and a
site characterization report for the Camp 7 project at 219 Ray of Hope Lane, White Post, VA.

PROJECT: The $250,000 requested funds would be used to complete the following services
with the procured civil engineer, Hurt & Proffitt.

1) A Topographical Survey of approximately 164 acres using Drone, GPS and conventional
surveying techniques to produce a 1 foot contour map showing existing structures, ground
features (slopes-ditches), overhead utilities, storm structures, sewer structures, water valves,
pavement, pipelines, easements, parcel lines, etc. $19,900

2) Developing preliminary Sanitary Sewer Line Design from the Pump Station (currently
under construction in collaboration with Frederick Water & Frederick County) to the existing
on-site sewer and plans for the future line extension at the southern end of the property.
$82,100

3) A Preliminary Infrastructure and Engineering Site Plan to include three site plan
options, road layout, future utility locations and preliminary design, stormwater planning, subdivision
lot lines, existing utility easements, and potential building locations.

4) A Site Characterization assessment and report.
$150,000 ($150,000 is the combined cost of 3# Preliminary Infrastructure & Engineering Site
Plan and #4 Site Characterization).

The scope of work included on two Hurt & Proffitt proposals 19,900 + 82,100 + $150,000 =
total $252,000 + $12,600 a 5% Grant Administration Fee = $264,600 for total services cost.
The additional $14,600 over the grant request of $250,000 will be paid by Clarke County with
a total match of $167,495.77.

ACCOMPLISHED: With the closing of the first GO Virginia grant for $170,625 and the completion of the due diligence and site assessments, Clarke County would like to continue to advance the improvements of the site development for Camp 7 on an efficient timeline. Clarke County has accomplished many goals in efforts to maintain the momentum on the Camp 7 project. In December 2024, the Camp 7 property was purchased from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Board of Supervisors deeded Camp 7 to the Clarke County Industrial Development Authority for site development into a light industrial manufacturing business park. The Planning Commission created a Double Tollgate Planning Committee to create the Double Tollgate Light Industrial District as a zoning ordinance text amendment to the Clarke County Comprehensive Plan. The Board of Supervisors adopted the new district on June 17, 2025. A VBAF application was submitted on October 7, 2025, to VEDP for remediation funding to remove asbestos and lead paint hazardous materials in the main prison building and to conduct additional soil testing per the Phase I ESA report. The Board of Supervisors approved the Double Tollgate Light Industrial rezoning on November 18, 2025. Clarke County will apply for the DHCD – 2026 IRF grant to remove property blight and upgrade the main prison building for reuse.

HISTORY: Clarke County designated Double Tollgate as an area for economic growth as stated in the Comprehensive Plan and Double Tollgate Area Plan. However, due to the lack of public sewer availability, economic development was stagnated in Double Tollgate. In 2021, Frederick County and Clarke County collaborated with Frederick Water to install public sewer at Double Tollgate to be completed by early 2026, a $19.6 million project. The Virginia Department of Corrections Camp 7 facility closed in 2014 and has since been vacant and deteriorating. Clarke County purchased Camp 7, a 24,000 square foot main prison building, outbuildings and 40.03 acre property with the intent to develop it into a light industrial manufacturing business park. Rappahannock Electric Cooperative purchased 65 acres adjacent to Camp 7 to build a new headquarters within the next five years. The 154 acre property surrounding Camp 7 is owned by the Virginia Military Affairs who plan to use it as a training facility for the National Guard. All these new developments will revitalize Double Tollgate into a commercial hub and create economic revenues for the community.

GOALS: The first goal of this requested project funding is to assess and define preliminary engineering plans for infrastructure by conducting a topographical survey. Secondly, create a sanitary sewer line from existing lines to the pump station and for future sewer lines for new businesses to hook-up. The third goal is to complete a preliminary site planning design for future utilities, easements, stormwater, subdivision lot lines, potential building and road locations. The final goal is to complete a site characterization report for the stage the Camp 7 property is currently and a checklist of items to advance to the next tiers.