Searching for a Site for the New Campus
Having been authorized in the spring
of 1956, the University College of the University of Virginia
began its life in a temporary location in the fall of 1957. While
the college took up residence in the tiny 35-year old elementary
school in Bailey’s Crossroads, its backers from Arlington,
Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax sought a permanent site
for the two-year institution. Though the Northern Virginia area
was neither as densely developed nor as populated as it is today
(available land was relatively plentiful), the selection of a
permanent site for the future George Mason University was not
as simple as it seemed in theory.
UVa, the college’s parent institution, created two boards
consisting of local leaders from Northern Virginia to assist them
in selecting a permanent site for the college. Early on they agreed
on the following criteria for site selection:
* The site must be near as possible
to the geographic and population *center
of Northern Virginia.
* The location must have access to and be near major traffic arteries.
* Suitable tracts should contain between 100 and 200 acres.
* There must be access to sewer and water facilities.
* The site must have aesthetically pleasing surroundings and
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