From the top of Afton Mountain, you can see for miles around, and this 15-acre site could be the perfect place to stay while visiting Shenandoah National Park and other local attractions. Rebekah Castle, is the Director of Economic Development for Augusta County.
“It’s the southern entrance of Shenandoah National Park, the northern entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway. You’ve got the Blue Ridge Tunnel right there and it’s close to the Appalachian Trail.”
Until now the owner didn’t want to sell, but he died last year, and his family is hoping to find a development partner who shares their vision of what Afton Mountain could become. Augusta County is pitching in – inspecting the property and getting estimates on what needs to be done. Jennifer Whetzel, Deputy County Administrator, says that will make it easier to market the site.
“By completing the necessary due diligence tasks – water and sewer infrastructure, demolition plans and establishing an economic vision for the site, redevelopment becomes more attractive to developers but also outlines how the public sector can assist in redevelopment of the site."
And she says developers are already calling. Augusta has dubbed this the Afton Mountain Renaissance Project. It will include the mountaintop and property below – now occupied by the ruins of a Howard Johnson’s restaurant with its signature bright orange roof.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story wrongly claimed heirs of former owner Phil Dulaney were willing to sell the site. In fact, they hope to find a partner who can help redevelop the property.
