FAQs Regarding Future of Mosaic Campus

1.     Was the failure to reach an agreement due to rent or financial considerations?

No. This was not about rent. The central issue was the long-term vision for the Paxton Campus and how best to serve more children with a greater diversity of needs. Ultimately, the parties could not agree on the structure and terms of a future partnership. The decision to move forward was based on the Trust’s mission to expand impact, not on revenue or financial gain.

2.     Is the Mosaic Campus a “business park”?

No. The Mosaic Campus will remain a center for education, therapy, and support services for children. It is not a commercial business park, shopping center, or residential development. It will be a mission-aligned, collaborative hub for children-serving organizations.

3.     What is an anchor tenant?

An anchor tenant is a primary, long-term occupant that helps define the purpose of a shared campus and attracts complementary service providers. The original plan for the Mosaic Campus envisioned The Arc as the anchor tenant in a custom-built, state-of-the-art facility. This role would have positioned The Arc as a central partner in a collaborative, mission-driven environment designed to serve children with a broad range of needs.

The Trust engaged in extensive discussions over several years, offering multiple proposals that would have made The Arc a cornerstone of the new Mosaic Campus. However, the two parties were ultimately unable to reach agreement on terms and vision.

The Trust is actively identifying new mission-aligned organizations that are deeply committed to serving children and families and ready to collaborate in building a vibrant, multi-tenant center of excellence on the Mosaic Campus.

4.     Why are there plans for a coffee house and amphitheater on the Mosaic Campus?

The current plans anticipate one or two anchor tenants, and an area for smaller users including startup and incubator space. While an early concept plan included an amphitheater, it is not central to the vision. The campus will include a park or recreational area to support children and families. A coffee house or welcome center has been discussed as a potential community gathering space, but like the amphitheater, it is not core to the mission or final design of the Mosaic Campus.

The primary goal of the Mosaic Campus is to bring together shared services in one location, easing the logistical and emotional burden on families by creating a coordinated, supportive environment.

5. Did the Paxton Trust evict The Arc of Loudoun without warning?

No. The Arc voluntarily amended its lease in 2021, waiving its five-year renewal option and agreeing to a fixed expiration date of August 31, 2024. Following the lease expiration, the Paxton Trust initiated a formal mediation process to work toward a new agreement, hoping to preserve the relationship and continue The Arc’s presence on the Campus. After nine months of mediation and four years of broader negotiations, the parties were unable to come to an agreement on a path forward. The Arc informed the Trust it was planning to move to a new location, and the Trust made the decision to move ahead with its long-term redevelopment plans without The Arc.  Without a legal lease agreement, The Arc can no longer continue to use the property.

6. What rent was The Arc paying to be on the Paxton campus?

Zero. The Arc has occupied the Paxton Campus rent-free since 2008. The Trust has supported the Arc with over $9 million in cash and in-kind contributions.

7. What efforts did the Paxton Trust make to preserve the relationship?

After four years of negotiation, the Paxton Trust initiated a formal mediation process to work toward a new agreement, hoping to preserve the relationship and continue The Arc’s presence on the Campus. The Trust also made multiple proposals, including offering to help plan and fundraise for a custom-built facility as part of the Trust’s expanded Mosaic campus. In order to provide time for a smooth transition to another location, the Trust also offered a two-year lease extension to give the Arc time to find a new home. These proposals were rejected by The Arc.

8. Why is The Arc being asked to vacate the Paxton Campus?

The lease expired in August 2024, and The Arc has continued to operate on the campus without a lease or written agreement and without providing a timeline for vacating. Without a legal lease agreement, the Trust can no longer allow The Arc to remain on the property.

9. Was The Arc surprised by the Trust’s decision or request to vacate the Campus?

No. The Arc had previously informed the Trust that it was planning to leave the Paxton Campus. The Trust worked in good faith for nearly four years, including nine months of formal mediation, to reach an agreement that would allow The Arc to stay as an anchor tenant in a redeveloped Mosaic Campus. After the Arc declined the final lease proposal and communications stalled, the Trust formally concluded mediation and moved forward with notice. This was not a sudden or unexpected development, but rather the result of a long and well-documented negotiation process.

10. What is the Mosaic Campus?

The Mosaic Campus is the Trust’s vision for a multi-tenant center of excellence that serves more children with a greater diversity of needs. Planned since 2021, it reflects the Trust’s commitment to children and families through innovative, coordinated services. Learn more here.

11. Will the Paxton Campus be sold for commercial development?

No. The Trust is not selling the Campus and has no plans for a commercial or residential development on the property. The Paxton Campus will be transformed into the Mosaic Campus, a mission-aligned, multi-tenant educational center focused on serving children of all abilities from Loudoun County and throughout the DMV. The Trust is a not for profit and serves a charitable purpose to provide affordable educational services to children and their parents with unmet needs.

12. Was The Arc offered a role in the Mosaic Campus?

Yes. The Arc was envisioned as the anchor tenant in a custom-built, state-of-the-art facility. The Trust presented multiple opportunities for collaboration, but due to The Arc’s resistance to long-term planning and insistence on certain conditions these discussions never progressed.

13. What is the purpose of the  Margaret Paxton Memorial Trust?

 The Margaret Paxton Memorial Trust was established to carry out the charitable vision of Rachel Paxton, who donated the property to serve children in need. The Trust’s mission is to steward the Paxton Campus as a place of learning, support, and care for children of all abilities, particularly those with special needs. The Trust is committed to honoring that legacy by expanding services through the Mosaic Campus, a new multi-tenant model designed to increase access, foster collaboration, and ensure long-term sustainability for future generations of children and families.

14. What happens next for the Paxton Campus?

The Paxton Trust remains deeply committed to its mission and will advance the new Mosaic Campus—a transformative redevelopment designed to serve more children and families across Loudoun County and beyond.

Overview of the Mosaic Campus Plan:

·       A multi-tenant campus of excellence, bringing together complementary early childhood and family-serving organizations in one modern, collaborative setting.

·       Custom-built facilities to meet the diverse needs of children, from early intervention and therapy to enrichment and after-school programming.

·       Emphasis on shared spaces and partnership, enabling providers to coordinate services and support families more holistically, while also controlling costs through economies of scale.

·       A commitment to community resilience and sustainability, with state-of-the-art buildings, accessible design, and flexible shared-use spaces to adapt as needs evolve.

Why This Matters:The Mosaic Campus honors Rachel Paxton’s original vision of a nurturing, collaborative place for children in need—enhancing capacity, improving access, and amplifying impact for many generations to come. This redevelopment ensures the Campus remains a durable, mission-driven asset for the community. Learn more about the Mosaic Campus vision and its progress here.