Board of County Supervisors - Selling out!

 

From the desk of the Editor.

Bristow, VA.

On May 6, 2008, the Prince William County Board of County Supervisor (BOCS) voted unanimously to the development and construction of commercial properties across from the Historic Bristoe Battle Station along the scenic byways for commercial business ventures. In addition, the re-zoning of a small parcel of land between Devlin and Linton Hall for a drive through Pharmacy, a daycare, and a small office complex has been approved.

 According to BOCS, the approval meant additional revenue stream for the county. We all agree the local economy has slowed down in the past year and a lot of home owners particularly in Prince William County side have been hit hard by housing foreclosures. So my question to local residents is this construction really going to stimulate our local economy? The fact is our local economy hasn't snapped out of this economic doldrums leads me to believe we may be in this economic stalemate for a little longer than what we all have anticipated.

According to one of the BOCS, the Bristow Commons is going to bring the center a sense of community. How may I ask is a drive through shopping center, a day care, and a small office space going to bring the community together? Do we wave at our neighbors as we drive by or stuck in the traffic while we are waiting for the light to change?  How about commercial development on portions of the historic byways?  Did the BOCS approve these measures because the county is desperate and lacks the sufficient funding and revenues in supporting programs such as 287g (i.e. illegal immigration) which is currently under public scrutiny? We don’t know for sure how these future funds will be expended.

As many readers of the online news magazine pointed out what we really need are not additional shopping centers or more homes, but a place for people to get come together such as Public Parks, Community Center, or a Bristow Central Library. The primary issue facing local residents right now is not commercial or additional housing development, but Transportation. Richmond has not adequately addressed some our local transportation needs. Commercial developers with good intentions are adding more stress to our local roads. Given the fact our local economy has slowed down considerably, these additions to our community will add commuting time and affect our overall quality of life. Is an additional hour commuting time for you really necessary? Will there be a bus service to accommodate all these new commercial developments along Linton Hall Road? And who is going pay for all these upgrades? A reader pointed that we need to address issues facing our young adults who would like to take advantage of shopping centers nearby.

With the prices of gasoline probably peaking to about $4.00 plus a gallon in the summer months, and the prices of food going up steadily, many local consumers like me would give a second thought in additional spending. Furthermore, we do not know the traffic conditions will be once the construction commences this year or the next year particularly on Linton Hall Road at the height of the school year. Wally Covington has done an excellent job in opening Sudley Manor Road and has alleviated major road problems in the past several years, but with these additions, how is it going handle additional traffic for local commuters? It remains to be seen.

We surveyed a few businesses in and around the Bristow Community. Most shop keepers indicated business has dropped considerably as the result in the slow economy. Part of the reason why people are reluctant in spending is because of gasoline prices, food price increases, utilities, and basic costs in running a house hold.

We hope the BOCS decision is right and good for the local economy. We may not see the fruits of their labors until the upcoming months particularly in the upcoming election this year where local residents may be asked for additional funding in form of a referendum.


 

 

Date Published: 2008-05-14 04:00:00

Section: Editorial Comments,