The Leesburg Town Council last night narrowly voted to approve the $5.75 million purchase of Rock Spring Farm, intending to use it as parkland.
The 13-acre farm and historic manor home along West Loudoun Street just blocks from the downtown core has been owned by members of the diZerega family since 1899. It also served as the main source of Leesburg’s water supply up until the 1980s. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
It was the hope of Dr. Jack Cook, following the death of his wife Agnes “Di” diZerega Cook, that the property would become a town park.
The council has held a series of closed session meetings to discuss the merits of purchasing the property. Under last night’s action, the acquisition will be funded from a combination of the town’s reserve of data center revenues and its Utility Fund…