Frame Factory Building to Be Demolished

The building located at 7130 Little River Turnpike beside that previously housed the will soon be torn down in accordance with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decision to approve the blight abatement plan for the fire damaged property.

The property was one of two Annandale properties presented during a public hearing at Tuesday's regular monthly Board of Supervisors meeting. According to Victoria Dzierzek with the Department of Code Compliance, the building was given a preliminary blight determination when it was assessed by the neighborhood enchancement pass board on Sept. 27, 2011. 

Annandale residents are familiar with the sight of the boarded up building. Originally built in 1954, a fire on Jan. 1, 2010 destroyed much of the 9,900 square foot single-story structure and it was deemed a total loss by the fire marshall who estimated damages were around $1.34 million.

The owner, 84-year-old Patricia Riesett, was not present for Tuesday's hearing, but Andrew Painter, a lawyer with Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley, Emrich, & Walsh PC, spoke on her behalf. Painter said Riesett is no longer capable of managing the property due to her age and has relocated to be with her children. She originally intended to reconstruct the building using fire insurance money, but said a lengthy investigation by the fire department and "difficulties maintaining property" slowed the process down. Riesett has applied for a demolition permit and plans to tear the building the building and sell the property. Painter said it's been listed as "for sale" on the market since last week.

Chairman Sharon Bulova said the designation of blight shouldn’t interfere and will help expedite the demolition permit. Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross agreed with Bulova during the remarks and moved to declare the building as blighted and approve the abatement plan outlined by the Department of Code Compliance. The motion was seconded by Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust and carried unanimously.

According to online records, a “Blight Nuisance Vacancy” complaint was issued to the property in April 2011, just two months after it was recommended to the blight committee. All blight properties must meet four conditions to be considered for spot blight abatement: vacant and/or boarded for at least one year, be the subject of complaints, no longer being maintained for useful occupancy and it must be in a dilapidated condition or lacks normal maintenance or upkeep.

Eliminating blight can be completed in as few as 60 days, according to the county's website.

Editor's note: This story has been modified to clarify the distinction between the owner of the property, Patricia Riesett, and the Frame Factory business, which is not owned and managed by the Riesett family.