Bahai Center Construction Becomes A Reality

The group held a groundbreaking in 2002 to indicate to its members that the building would arrive soon, Izadi said. Since then, it has been working to get permits in order and had a ribbon-cutting in May to mark the start of construction.

Construction began in the past two weeks and will take about 18 to 24 months, Izadi said.

"It's a place to worship, but also a place where everyone can come together in the spirit of service and service to humanity at large," he said.

Loudoun has experienced an explosion of new houses of worship. Buddhists are planning to build a temple in Sterling, and the county's first synagogue opened last year. A mosque and Muslim cultural center opened along the border with Fairfax County. Christian churches open frequently, many of which start by meeting in private homes or in schools and then move into permanent buildings.

Neighbors of the new Bahai center, however, have expressed concern about the traffic it will bring to the already congested Route 7 corridor.

The center is being built at the entrance to a small subdivision, and worshipers will be using the same road to enter the building that residents use to drive into the development. That, too, has neighbors concerned, said W. Brad Frank, president of a homeowners association that represents 119 homes near the center.

He said that the Bahais will find tremendous traffic entering and exiting the building and that they may find a different site more appropriate to their needs.

"All I know is, the land is too small, they have a parking issue and it's a real burden on Route 7 for this community and anyone who uses the route," he said.

But Zebarjadi said the neighborhood will find the new center to be a useful meeting place and landmark.

"I'm confident their feelings will change," he said. "We will be very good neighbors. We'll bring love and unity."