The Free Lance–Star, which has been headquartered in downtown Fredericksburg since 1885, is moving to the Central Park Corporate Center at 1340 Central Park Blvd. in December, Publisher Dale Lachniet announced.
The Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority approved a $25,000 grant to help cover moving expenses, on the condition the company remain in the city, Lachniet said.
The paper has been leasing back its offices from Spotsylvania-based W.J. Vakos & Co., since that company purchased The Free Lance-Star property at 616 Amelia St. for $5.575 million in November 2015. W.J. Vakos & Co. does not have any specific plans for the building and property after The Free Lance–Star leaves, Lachniet said.
Alpha Media, which purchased The Free Lance–Star’s radio group last year, is also looking for a new location. Its lease at 616 Amelia St. expires in April 2017.
Lachniet also announced the paper is changing from a 12-inch to 11-inch format, and will be providing more state-wide coverage. “With our new ownership, we now have access to news gathered by the seven other Virginia dailies that are part of BH Media Group. We believe the resources of these other state newspapers will allow us to provide you even better coverage of the commonwealth.”
Jamie Scully and Sharon Schmidt of Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer, along with Susan Bourgeois of Rappaport, represented the landlord in the Central Park Corporate Center lease deal.
Ben Keddie and Heather Hagerman with Coldwell Banker Commercial Elite represented The Free Lance-Star in the lease negotiations.
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