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Woodbridge Vision Frank J. Principi Woodbridge District Supervisor Winter 2012 Woodbridge District Resident Follow Us on Twitter Supervisor Frank J. Principi We have accomplished many great things in the Woodbridge Magisterial District during the past four years and I look forward to building on this momentum over the next four years. We will continue to implement our vision of a New Woodbridge. A vision the community developed that focused on improved economic development, multimodal solutions to traffic congestion, and the revitalization of our neighborhoods. In four years, we will look back with satisfaction at the progress we have made. Our goal is to manage growth and redevelopment in ways that will provide “smart”, transit‐oriented, mixed‐use communities where residents and workers can walk to recreation, shopping, employment, and transit stations. Better Neighborhoods Better Transportation, We will see continued growth at Potomac Town Center. The completion of Phase II will add additional upscale restaurants, retail, and office space to the Woodbridge District. Better Development, Like Us on Facebook Save Taxpayer funds — Get this by email. Let us know your address at [email protected] Frankly Speaking The funded and approved expansion of Route 1 from Neabsco Mills Road to Featherstone Road and from Mary’s Way to Annapolis Way is underway. In addition, we will work with regional stakeholders to In This Issue complete a market analysis for passenger Frankly Speaking..…….......1 ferry service and the feasibility of Better Development…..…..3 Better Transportation……..5 extending Metrorail to Eastern Prince Better Neighborhoods …....7 William County. WPCCA ………..…...….…..9 Continued on Page 2 www.NewWoodbridge.org www.NewWoodbridge.org (703) 792‐4646 (703) 792‐4646 Around Woodbridge….....11 Frankly Speaking, con’t Future growth and development must involve our older commercial and residential areas. I will continue to encourage strict enforcement of zoning laws, proactive business and neighborhood inspection sweeps and resident involvement to improve the appearance of our community. Additional sidewalks, trails, and streetlights will allow all our residents the opportunity to better enjoy our parks and waterfront. Senior Holiday Dinner December 4, 2011 We need your help to continue our progress. Please consider getting involved by joining the civic association, participating in an upcoming litter clean‐up, or joining us at a future town hall meeting. For information go to www.NewWoodbridge.org or call me at 703.792.4646. Swearing‐In Ceremony Rippon Lodge Holiday Open House On Monday, December 19, 2011, Prince William County had a momentous occasion when the men and women officially accepted the office that the people of Prince William County elected them to serve. 2 www.NewWoodbridge.org (703) 792‐4646 December 10, 2011 www.NewWoodbridge.org (703) 792‐4646 11 Better Neighborhoods cont’d Partner With Neighborhood Services Prince William County is committed to helping neighborhoods maintain their character and continue to be a be great place to live. It is through the development of strong communities that Prince William has become one of the more desirable places to live in the United States. In 2007, the Board of County Supervisors devoted resources to a new Neighborhood Services Division within the Department of Public Works. The Division assists communities with property maintenance issues, litter control and neighborhood capacity building. The Neighborhood Coordinator brings together County and volunteer resources to help residents develop and strengthen community ties while working to actively improve their neighborhoods. A balance of proactive, progress‐oriented outreach to residents and businesses, the mobilization of citizen volunteers and community advocates, and active enforcement of property codes is what makes Neighborhood Services an effective proponent of strong quality of life throughout the County. To contact Neighborhood Services call (703) 792‐7018 or email [email protected]. 10 Restaurant at Osprey’s Landing Has Reopened! Located in the heart of Belmont Bay, Osprey’s Landing restaurant has reopened with a full bar, a menu of classic American fare, and of course, fresh seafood. They offer a menu of “fresh, locally inspired cuisine for lunch and dinner with special event menus and weekly Sunday Brunch.” Items include: calamari, ahi tuna sliders, grilled pork tenderloin, butternut squash ravioli, fish and chips, fresh catch of the day, and much more. The décor is casual and elegant, exactly what you would expect from the serene surroundings of Belmont Bay. What is the perfect way to end a meal at Osprey’s Landing? With a long stroll along the majestic Potomac River! Happy Hour Wednesday ‐ Friday, 4:00 pm ‐ 7:00 pm Featuring ʺBuy One, Get One Freeʺ Appetizers Hours of Operation Wednesday ‐ Friday, 11:00 am ‐ 9:00 pm Sunday Brunch, 10:00 am ‐ 3:00 pm Sunday Bar, 10:00 am ‐ 5:00 pm The Cranes Are At Potomac Town Center Construction is moving swiftly at Potomac Town Center. Be sure to stay tuned for information regarding the opening of the newest section later this year! The Center will have a mix of office, homes, retail, and entertainment locations. www.NewWoodbridge.org www.NewWoodbridge.org (703) 792‐4646 (703) 792‐4646 3 Frank Principi Elected Chairman of the Council of Governments Board of Directors Better Development cont’d Shopping Center Facelift The Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) elected Prince William County Supervisor Frank J. Principi as its Chairman for 2012. The Board is made up of 250 local and state elected officials from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. The group is responsible for regional policy and funding decisions related to economic development, jobs transportation, homeland security and the environment. You may have noticed bulldozers and large piles of dirt at Marumsco Plaza recently. Construction is underway for several new businesses to line the plaza along Jefferson Davis Highway, including a retail building that will house a Little Caesar’s Pizza and a Sherman‐Williams paint store. Additional tenants planned for stand‐alone buildings include Walgreens Pharmacy, BB&T Bank, and Pollo Campero (a Peruvian chicken chain). While attracting new tenants is key to revitalizing the Route 1 corridor, encouraging the current business owners to reinvest in upgrading and maintaining their facilities is also a priority. Carlos Castro, owner of Todos Supermarket, invested millions of dollars to bring his grocery chain to Marumsco Plaza. He was recently quoted in the News and Messenger staying, “It took the commitment of the property owner [to breath new life into Marumsco Plaza], and I hope others will see that, mimic it, and fix up their properties.” There are many challenges to redevelopment along the corridor, but Supervisor Principi is committed to working with the community to find creative ways to move forward. The vision of a revitalized Route 1, will require significant investment from both Prince William County and the business community. Supervisor Principi also serves on a number of regional organizations, including the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), the Virginia Association of Counties (VACO) Community Development Committee, Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), and the National Capitol Region’s Emergency Preparedness Council (EPC). Woodbridge Potomac Communities Civic Association All residents, business owners, and church leaders located in the Woodbridge District are encouraged to join the Woodbridge Potomac Communities Civic Association. Not only will you find out first hand what is happening in the District, you will have the opportunity to provide your input on new development and zoning changes before they happen. The Civic Association is building a sense of community among residents throughout Woodbridge. Join your neighbors in working to create a “New Woodbridge.” Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month in the Leesylvania Room at the Ferlazzo Building at 7:00 pm. To become a member go to www.NewWoodbridge.org. Upcoming meeting topics will include: new development, road improvements, Prince William County Budget and improving our neighborhoods. 4 www.NewWoodbridge.org (703) 792‐4646 www.NewWoodbridge.org (703) 792‐4646 9 Better Transportation cont’d Woodbridge/VRE Kiss and Ride Lot Now Open Supervisor Principi is pleased to announce that residents are now able to utilize the newest addition to New Woodbridge! The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Station now has a “Kiss and Ride” Lot. The addition provides car and bus access from the northbound lanes of Route 1, as well as improved pedestrian access. Construction included adding a turning lane on northbound Route 1, concrete curb and gutters, sidewalks, storm water drainage, crosswalks, a bus shelter, lighting, and signage all within a limited area, on a very busy thoroughfare. Due to the impending construction of the North Woodbridge Interchange, the project required coordination with VRE, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and Prince William County. VRE Executive Director Dale Zehner stated that once final plans were signed off by all parties, the work was completed in 3 months. Last year, the VRE station received a second platform to facilitate boarding and exiting the daily trains. The platform will enable future high‐speed trains to stop here in Woodbridge. Supervisor Principi would also like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers who planted the gardens that flank the VRE Kiss and Ride. They have spent many hot Saturday’s picking up trash and landscaping the area. 6 Veteran Park/Marumsco Creek Clean‐up Volunteers recently worked to clean‐ up litter and large debris from parts of Marumsco Creek and Veterans Park. The Prince William Clean Community Council and Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District organized the clean‐
up to remove debris which was left there as a result of Tropical Storm Lee. Volunteers consisted of local Woodbridge citizens, members of Prince William Trails and Streams, and community volunteers from each of the organizations. Please join the Clean Community Council on Saturday, March 17, 2012 for a second major clean‐up at this location. For more information go to www.NewWoodbridge.org for dates and times. 24th Annual Senior Holiday Dinner On December 4, 2011, approximately 140 seniors joined Supervisor Frank J. Principi and others for the annual Holiday Dinner. The meal, the fellowship, and the live music was wonderful. It was a great Sunday afternoon, and everyone who attended enjoyed this event. Next year we will have a newly paved parking lot at the Woodbridge Senior Center. It will add 52 additional parking spaces to the rear of the building. www.NewWoodbridge.org www.NewWoodbridge.org (703) 792‐4646 (703) 792‐4646 7 Senior Assistance with Income Taxes Once again, the AARP Tax‐Aide Program will be at the Woodbridge Senior Center, 13850 Church Hill Drive, Woodbridge, Virginia. Volunteers will be available every Wednesday and Thursday except for the last Wednesday of the month. All tax preparations will be filed electronically and each person will be given a hard copy for Bridge Closure on Blackburn Road During a routine inspection on January 9, 2012, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) noticed damages to the substructure of the small 2‐lane bridge on Blackburn Road over Cow Branch Creek. VDOT closed the bridge immediately. Severe weather events in 2011, including Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, most likely caused one of the two abutments under the bridge to fracture into two halves, with part of it rotating almost 5 inches. The bridge needs to be replaced, and will remain closed until construction is complete. their records. The preparers are allowing at least a 45 minute appointment time, but will take whatever time is needed with each individual. VDOT will accomplish this through an emergency contract at an estimated cost of approximately $1 million dollars. VDOT plans to have the bridge construction completed by the start of the coming school year. Supervisor Principi is in discussions with VDOT and Prince William Department of Transportation for possibilities of a future pedestrian crossing over Cow Branch Creek. Please call (703) 792‐5081 for an appointment or sign up at the front desk. In addition to the Woodbridge Senior Center, Tax representatives will also be at the Bull Run Regional Library in Manassas. The library is located at 8051 Ashton Avenue; phone 703‐792‐4500. Volunteers will be there Monday’s ONLY through April 16, 2012, from 10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. No appointments will be scheduled. VDOT Projects in Woodbridge District If you are not a senior and need assistance with tax preparation you may be eligible for free tax preparation services. To learn more about tax services offered in Prince William contact the Prince William County Department of Social Services @ (703) 792‐7500, or call the Internal Revenue Service at 1‐800‐TAX‐1040 for further information. Route 1 at Featherstone Road. This project will replace the traffic signal equipment and optimize signal timing at the intersection of Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) and Route 636 (Featherstone Road). It will also, upgrade signal hardware, enhance safety and improve traffic flow along this section of Route 1. Route 1/123 Interchange. Separating and widening Jefferson Davis Highway and Gordon Boulevard construction will being in the Fall 2014. The purchase of right of way and utility relocation has already begun. 8 www.NewWoodbridge.org (703) 792‐4646 www.NewWoodbridge.org (703) 792‐4646 5