Loudoun Freedom Center Announces Plans For Mixed-Use Development

ASHBURN, VA — Toll Brothers, through a partnership with the Loudoun Freedom Center, will construct a new mixed-use development near Route 7 and Belmont Ridge Road, the company announced. The new 108-acre development will be called Mercer Crossing and will offer residential, retail, and public open space.

As part of the development, Toll Brothers will also donate four acres of land to the Loudoun Freedom Center to build out their facilities, according to a news release. Toll Brothers said plans have been submitted to Loudoun County for approval, but they did not provide a timeline for the new development.

The Loudoun Freedom Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and recognition of "African-American heritage sites, sacred burial grounds and communities throughout Loudoun County," according to their website.

Toll Brothers, a luxury homebuilding company, previously worked with the Loudoun Freedom Center in 2017. The company conveyed more than two and a half acres to the Loudoun Freedom Center so they could establish the historic African-American Burial Ground for the Enslaved at Belmont, according to the news release.

Pastor Michelle Thomas is the founder of the Loudoun Freedom Center. "We are excited to partner with Toll Brothers to help us realize our vision for this important historical site," she said. "With this Toll Brothers donation of additional land to expand our operations, the Loudoun Freedom Center will be able to not only preserve our history, but to share our story and educate others in our community for generations to come."

The Toll Brothers' news release said the Mercer Crossing development will have residential, retail, civic, and public spaces. They also noted that at least some of the available residential units will be reserved for affordable housing.

Developers also plan to include a large central park for the development that will lead to various walking trails.

Mike Turner is Loudoun County's district supervisor for Ashburn. "The initial plans for the Toll Brothers Mercer Crossing development incorporating a vital and unique cultural feature reflecting a largely untold chapter of Loudoun County history are innovative and exciting," he said. "The extensive shared-use path network and robust affordable and workforce housing included in the project are especially important and prove once again why Toll Brothers is such a strong community partner."

Mercer Crossing is named for Margaret Mercer, an abolitionist who commissioned the Belmont Chapel, where white children were educated alongside African-Americans.

Currently, the development is pending approval by Loudoun County. The county would have to rezone certain parts of the property and receive approval from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.