EXECUTIVE ORDER 11508 REAL PROPERTY SURVEY OF THE FAIRBANKS RESEARCH STATION FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION LANGLEY, VIRGINIA ON AUGUST 13, 1970 BY NATHANIEL K. SMITH AND GEORGE LAZER PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 4, 2003
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: September 28, 1970
• Content Type: REGULATION

Approved. For Relea%e 2003/04/29 CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
Executive Order 11508
Real Property Survey
The Fairbanks Research Station
Federal Highway Administration
Department of Transportation
Langley, Virginia
on
August 1.3, 1970
by
Nathaniel K. Smith and George Lazer
Property Management and Disposal Service
General Services Administration
7th and D Streets, SW.
Washington, DC' 20407
September 28, 1970
?I
ILLEGIB i
Approved For Release 2003/04/29 : CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
 A
:1
Approved For Release 2003/04/29 : CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
The subject site is located about 9 miles porthwest of the center
of Washington, DC, in Fairfax County, Virginia, and is bounded
by the George Washington Memorial Parkway on the north, Virginia
State Highway 193 near its intersection with State Route 123 on the
south, the Central Intelligence Agency facility on the east and by
private ownerships and Turkey in on the west.
'The property is near the communities of Langley, and Mc Lean
and until 12 or 15 years ago this general area consisted of open
country with small farms, some scattered home sites and a few
clusters of housing dispersed about the countryside.
Today this area is considered prime suburban home site land.
Developers have been acquiring large tracts for subdivisions;
whole communities are being created. Because of. its natural
beauty, its proximity to the city and the availability of good roads,,
this area has been attracting a more affluent population with prestige
homes; many selling in the $40, 000 to $75, 000 range and higher.
The Capital Beltway (Rte. 495) by-passes this property about two
miles to the west. This area is accessible from the city by two
dual highways, the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the
Dolley Madison Highway (VA. Rte. 123).
LAND AND IMPROVEMENTS
J
The subject property consists of approximately 361 acres of land.
It is improved with a 2-story and basement brick industrial type
structure, a 2-story and basement annex of similar construction'
and a brick constructed water tower. The tract is further improved
with a macadam roadway, extending from the south entrance. off
Virginia State Highway 193 to the north entrance off the George
Washington Parkkay. Fencing and all utility service lines except
gas are on the property. The gas lines are available at the south
.entrance to the property.
AIproved For Release. 2003/04/2b : CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
 Approved For Release 2003/04/29 : CJA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
The facility is known as the Fairbanks Highway Research Station,
(Bureau of Public Roads), of the Federal Highway Administration.
The main structure was designed primarily for laboratory and
scientific testing purposes. The annex was constructed as a boiler
plant to accommodate a large complex of buildings; however, since
no other buildings were ever built, the large boilers have been
replaced by smaller ones and the resulting space gained is utilized
for testing and laboratory purposes. The station originally provided
its own source of water; however, the water service is now furnished
by the county. The original water tower is no longer in use. The
sewerage system is connected to the disposal facilities of the Central
Intelligence Agency.
A staff of approximately 175 employees, primarily professional and
technical personnel, ~s based at this station. The mission of this
station is to provide services for improving the designs, construction,
traffic flow and safety of the nation's road network. These responsi-
bilities are accomplished through "in house" functions and by means
of contracts under the control and surveillance of the station.
Reportedly, only 6 percent of the functions that the Bureau of Public
Roads is responsible for is accomplished by their staff on the
premises, the balance being handled by contracts under the super-
vision of the station personnel. The vast discrepancy in the ratio
of "in house" work versus the work accomplished under contract
is less than ideal according to officials of the facility. The Federal
Highway Administration has developed plans for the expansion of
the station which, if implemented, would eventually utilize
virtually all of the land, more than double the personnel, and
increase the "in house" research capability considerably.
The Department of Commerce, then the parent agency of the facility,
acquired about 582 acres of land in the years 1940-1941 and 1948 at
a cost of $332, 652. The main building and annex were constructed
at a cost of $1, 906, 000. Roadways, water and sewerage systems
amounted to $127, 000; and subsequent improvements to buildings
were made at a cost of $158, 300.
Approved For Release 2003/04/29 : CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
2
 Approved For Release 2003/04/29: CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3,
In 1957 the Bureau of Public Roads of the Commerce Department
transferrec) to the Central Intelligence Agency 131. 56 acres of this
property,, nd another 84 acres to the National Par1c,Service. The
land transferred to the Central Intelligence Agency now contains
the Headquarters facility of that agency.. The facility is managed
completely by the General Services Administration, Public
Buildings Service. In 1958 the original tract was further reduced
by, the conveyance of 4. 64 acres of land to the Commonwealth of'
Virginia for road expansion, leaving 361 acres, more or less,
under control of the Fairbanks Highway Research Station.. In
addition, the, station permitted to the Central Intelligence Agency
30 acres for recreational purposes and 20 acres for parking and
a heliport between the years 1960 and 1965. The Central Int~,lli-
geznce Agency is interested in obtaining permanent jurisdiction of
these areas and certain other additional areas.
The two buildings on the land were constructed in the 19401's and
were to be the first of a complex to house. the functions of the
Bureau of Public Roads. However, funds were not obtainable and
the.station was never fully developed as intended..
UTILIZATION FINDINGS
From a visual inspection of the property only 25 or 30 acres of the
361 acres appear to be utilized currently for their program. This
consists of the area in the vicinity of the two main buildings, the
parking lot, and a small isolated area for the aging of road
samples. The two additional areas presently utilized by the Central
Intelligence Agency are under 30-day revocable permits. The
recreation field is located adjacent to the south entrance of the
property and contains three ball diamonds. The parking lot is
located about midway between the south entrance of the property
and the building -complex. This area is paved acid fenced with access
from the Fairbanks Station entrance road as well as from the Central
Intelligence Agency roadway. .
The remaining 280 acres are not being utilized. . A sizeable portion
of this acreage is mowed and maintained in a park-like manner and
forms a backdrop for the approach road through the grounds to the
Approved For Release 2003/04/29 : CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
3,
 Approved For Release 2003/04/29: CIA=RDP86-010198000100030009-3
buildings area. A larger portion, however, As screened by trees
and hidden from view of the visitor. Virtually all of this vacant
land could be used to far greater advantage.
As mentioned earlier in this report, the Federal Highway Adminis-
tration has very detailed plans developed for the utilization of nearly
all of this station. It is understood that the Bureau of Public Roads
has obtained approval for expanding their facilities,, but appropri-
ationrf funds have not yet been forthcoming. The proposed plans
provi e for. construction to take place. over a period of 4 years with
completion scheduled for 1974 at a total cost of $21, 950, 000.
As of this report, the funding for the expansion program is still not
available and no starting time for the commencement of the project
can be anticipated.
EXCESS RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the 330 acres of land not presently utilized
(including the 50 acres under permit to CIA) be reported excess to
the General Services Administration. The utilization )requirements
of the Federal Highway Administration, Central Intelligence Agency,
and any other agencies would be carefully studied before any disposal.
(sale-or exchange), as surplus property is. contemplated.
HIGHEST AND BEST USE
The highest and best use for the subject property would be best
served by- its retention under Federal Government ownership to
meet current and future expansion requirements of agencies for
:'.office and related buildings. .
Approved For Release 2003/04/294: CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
 Approved For Release, 2003/04/29 : CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
APPROXIMATE VALUE - $S, 100, 000
The estimated value is based upon residential zoning of Fairfax
'County for.one-acre lots. 7Discussi,ons with County'officials con-
cerning alternate zonings indicate that'approval of commercial
zoning of the site is highly unlikely.
COMPATIBLE COMMUNITY USES
Except for the facilities of the Federal Highway Administration
and. the Central Intelligence Agency, the surrounding a-,-ea is open
country in character primarily developed for residential use with
extensive parkland along the George Washington Parkway. However,
the Federal activities are not considered incompatible with the area
and additional construction would have no adverse impact on the
community.
ANTICIPATED INTEREST
Iii'addition to the Federal Highway Administration, Central Intelli-
gence Agency and the National Park Service have expressed
interest in this property for expansion of their respective facilities.
? APPROVED: .
(Signed) L. E. Nunnally
L. E. NUNNALLY
Regional Director
Property Management
and Disposal Service
Approved For Release 2003/04/295 CIA-RDP86-01019R000100030009-3
e