Fairfax County has officially gotten underway with phase two construction activities at the Lorton Community Center following the demolition of the Murphy House — the Lorton Community Action Center’s (LCAC) former headquarters — earlier this month.
The new Lorton Community Center and collocated Lorton Library opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony last fall following the completion of the first phase of construction, which involved the delivery of the building and partial completion of the park, field and parking area. Now the county’s project team will focus on completing the open park area, connecting the walking trail around the park and completing the vehicle parking area with additional lights and landscaping, according to a spokesperson from the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. The contractor’s work is expected to be complete by May 2023.
The March 6 leveling of LCAC’s former home was an emotional experience for the nonprofit’s staff members who have since adjusted to their new surroundings in the community center.
“We felt an element of time passing,” said LCAC director of development Jessica Cogen. “A passing of the torch from those who created the opportunity to center LCAC in the old house and an element of great excitement knowing LCAC has entered another strong era since we moved into the new Lorton Community Center on the lot adjacent to the old house.”
LCAC’s trailer, which sat next to the Murphy House, will also be knocked down, creating more open space — including for an extension to the community center and library’s main parking lot, which often is quite full, according to Cogen. What will remain standing at the site, however, is the large monarch oak tree, located just north of where the Murphy House once stood.
According to county sources, LCAC had leased the Murphy House since 1984 and the adjacent trailer since 2011. A facility assessment report performed on the house in 2003 showed the structure needed extensive and costly renovations, including to meet accessibility requirements.
The Lorton Community Center and LCAC are located at 9520 Richmond Highway.
