FBXAdvance - Preserving Hunter’s Iron Works: Balancing History and Development in Stafford

A proposed data center project in South Stafford has sparked concern due to its proximity to historically significant sites, including Hunter’s Iron Works and the Gari Melchers Home and Studio. The Blaisdell Property Data Center, planned for 181.3 acres near the Rappahannock River, would bring 1.48 million square feet of industrial development to an area tied to the Revolutionary War effort. While the project’s backers argue it will support economic growth, preservation advocates see an opportunity to protect the remnants of Hunter’s Iron Works, which once supplied weapons and supplies to the Continental Army. Discussions are underway regarding a potential land donation to the newly formed Fredome Forge Foundation to safeguard the site’s legacy.

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