Groups, VB aim to preserve land

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) - Environmental groups and the city of Virginia Beach plan to buy the city's last major tract of undeveloped land along the Lynnhaven River.

Under a preliminary $13 million deal, The Trust for Public Land would buy the 122 acres from Wells Fargo Bank, which has taken control of the controversial Indigo Dunes property. Local firm L.M. Sandler & Sons had planned to build more than 1,000 homes in the area, but the company has struggled through the housing market's collapse.

Virginia Beach would contribute $5 million, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation would buy 20 acres for about $1 million.

The trust has until Oct. 31 to finalize the deal and ensure that it has the $13 million for the purchase. City officials hope to close on the property by year's end.