Opportunity:
The Courthouse Area encompasses the Stafford Courthouse,County buildings, and an eclectic mix of offices, shops, and homes. Few other entities mark this area as the geographic heart of Stafford County, although three redevelopment projects are underway: a new state of the art hospital, Stafford Medical Center; a new public safety building, and a new interchange at I-95 exit 140. The Stafford Medical Center will bring additional employees and visitors to the area and the proposed new interchange will make it easier to reach this future concentration of activity.
Potential:
The Courthouse area includes the intersection of US-1 and Courthouse Road(RT-630). Free-standing retail and office buildings generally supporting government activities have evolved along US-1. Courthouse Road, aside from providing primary access to the County Administration Building, has traditionally simply connected US-1 to I-95. The upcoming projects in the area; Public Safety Building and Hospital bring the potential for reinvestment in the area.
Vision:
The rendering shown above suggests a potential vision for the Courthouse Area that marks the intersection of US-1 and Courthouse Road through a "town square" approach. Each corner of the intersection provides space for a different community use. The green-space in front of the historic courthouse provides community open space, . Mixed-use developments could be designed and built to include multiple accesses by a variety of methods.
Project Status:
Redevelopments Underway:
- Stafford Hospital Center: A full service, acute care facility. Scheduled to open 2009
- Public Safety Building is now OPEN! This is a new County building, which opened in February of 2008, to accommodate Stafford's growing emergency services needs. The building houses Fire & EMS offices, the Sheriff's Department and central dispatch.
Courthouse Area In The News:
- 06/02/2008. The Free Lance-Star. VDOT and Stafford Discuss Projects
- 05/27/2008. The Free Lance-Star. Safety Units Gathered Under One Roof
- 05/02/2008. The Free Lance-Star. Stafford Hospital Rounding into Shape
- 03/30/2008. The Free Lance-Star. Redevelopment Going Forward
- 7/27/2007. The Free Lance-Star. "Region's Medical Care Getting a Shot in Arm Health Stafford Hospital Topped Off, Rehab Center Ready"
- 7/03/2007. The Free Lance-Star "Residents get initial look at 'Downtown Stafford"
- 7/02/2007. WFLS Radio Station. "A Downtown Stafford"
- 6/29/2007. WFLS Radio Station. "Audio Clip"
- 6/21/2007. Stafford County Sun. "Courthouse area will be discussed at forum"

