HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Henrico County announced the purchase of two vacant properties on Williamsburg Road on Tuesday. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, county officials announced the purchase of the former Bowl America and All Day Inn properties as part of the countywide reinvestment initiative “Rebu ild Henrico,” according to a release from the county. “These strategically located sites will be cleared and marketed as prime redevelopment opportunities,” Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson said outside the Bowl America. “With this jumpstart, we hope that other property owners and investors will see similar opportunities up and down this corridor.” In May, the Henrico Economic Development Authority (EDA) bought the former All Day Inn, located at 5500 Williamsburg Road, for $3 million. They expect to close on the $2.9 million purchase of the Bowl America property, located at 5018 Williamsburg Road, by next week, according to the county's release. (Photo: 8News)(Photos: Henrico County Government)(Photos: Henrico County Government)(Photos: Henrico County Government)(Photos: Henrico County Government) These purchases just outside the Richmond International Airport come as the airport approaches both its 100th anniversary in 2027 and a security checkpoint consolidation project. The Department of Planning held a community design workshop in 2019 aiming to revitalize the Williamsburg Road corridor, officials said. The Henrico County Board of Supervisors has since adopted the recommendations, which aim to create spaces for hospitality, retail, commercial, residential and other uses along the corridor. “By owning five [acres] along this commercial corridor on Williamsburg Road, we are taking control of what’s driving the investment, adding jobs, increasing the tax base, and more importantly, improving the quality of life for the neighbors on Sydclay Drive or Sanburne Parkway that are living right behind these fallen properties,” Cari Tretina, executive director of the EDA, said, according to the release. County officials said these properties have posed challenges to county code inspectors and police, who have received reports of illegal dumping, inoperable vehicles, dangerous stairs and other concerns. ...read more read less