Jeff W. Rountree '91, CEO of the UMW Foundation and President of Eagle Property Holdings, LLC, welcomed guests and acknowledged city leaders and financial partners.

"Eagle Village will do many exciting things for the University and the Fredericksburg community as a whole. The Village will promote creativity in design and function; it will create new and innovative ways for people to shop, work, and live; at its core, Eagle Village represents the very essence of urban renewal and revitalization."

Kathleen Shepherd Mehfoud '70, Vice Chairman of the UMW Foundation, talked about the role of the UMW Foundation in the Eagle Village project as well as with other University priorities.

"This project is certainly a unique example of how various entities --a private foundation, a public university, city government, and members of the community -- can come together to create a mixed-use village to benefit everyone."

Sean O'Brien '09, President of the UMW Student Government Association, shared his excitement about the modern building project.

"From the students' perspective, this is one of the most exciting projects in recent history, and I will certainly follow it and come back to visit when it is open. These modern apartment-style residence halls and the other amenities that Eagle Village will bring is a welcome addition to the UMW community."

UMW President Judy G. Hample thanked state leaders Bill Howell and Mark Cole for their attendance at the event and acknowledged the contributions of all public and private entities in the continued development of Eagle Village.

"A lot has been said and written about 'town/gown relations.' In my opinion, neither 'town' nor 'gown' can exist or operate without the other. The new pedestrian bridge will physically connect Eagle Village to our existing Campus Walk and will also signify the coexistence of the University with the City of Fredericksburg. I think everyone will see and enjoy the benefits."

Mayor Thomas J. Tomzak, M.D. said Eagle Village fits the goals and aspirations of two key city documents: the City's Comprehensive Plan and the JumpStart Plan.

"I commend the UMW Foundation for putting up such a large amount of capital to meet these goals and to revitalize one of our key target areas here along the Route 1 corridor. Eagle Village is the perfect blending of two histories, two purposes, with one goal. The term 'mixed use' says it all."

R. Jeffery Arnold, President of Concord Eastridge, acknowledged the UMW Foundation and the work of consultants, architects, construction managers, and property managers.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us.  Demolition of this building is scheduled to start as soon as we get the final go-ahead, and then crews will begin preparing the foundation for the residence halls, the parking garage and transportation center, while also working on the site for the bridge. I look forward to the opening in the summer of 2010."

Eagle Pipe Band member Becca Sargeant held up a silver shovel as the final speaker, UMW Board of Visitors Rector Nanalou Sauder, told about the historic connection between the shovel, the City of Fredericksburg, and the University of Mary Washington.

Groundbreaking photos by Terry Cosgrove

"If this shovel could talk, it would tell you it was used in 1909 to break ground for Willard Hall, the first building constructed at Mary Washington. Then-Fredericksburg Mayor H. Lewis Wallace threw the first shovelful of dirt. Now housed at Simpson Library, this shovel has retired from the dirt, but we have drafted it today to signify the importance of this community event."