Click Here for the Southern Gateway Redevelopment Vision
Opportunity:
The Southern Gateway area is located adjacent to US-17 between its interchange with I-95 and Berea Road. US-17 is a highway of national significance since it's is used by traffic traveling from the Northern, and Midwestern States,and Canada, to the Southeastern States. It is a preferred alternative route for vehicles seeking to avoid the Washington DC Capital Beltway. As traffic on US-17 has continued to grow, so has private investment. Two major initiatives are now underway. Celebrate Virginia - Corporate Campus, a 2, 400-acre mixed use development and Carter's Crossing a 35-acre retail center.
Potential:
Currently, since US-17 is not a limited access roadway like an interstate highway, US-17 also serves adjacent commercial and industrial developments through driveways and side roads. The frequent access to adjoining properties is necessary because each of the properties house standalone commercial uses. Since there are no roads paralleling US-17, this mixing of local and through traffic causes some congestion as through-traffic is interrupted by traffic signals allowing access to and from adjacent businesses. Now is the time for the area to be included in a master plan which will provide direction for future land-use decisions.
An incremental approach to redevelopment will allow a measured pace of improvement to the quality of life for the thousands of Stafford County residents in the surrounding area. The vision suggests an alternative development pattern which focuses on compact, mixed use neighborhoods with access to new civic and cultural uses, shopping, work and public green space. A grid based local street system is proposed to serve the neighborhoods, thereby allowing the neighborhood to focus away from the US-17 roadway. Access to US-17 would be redesigned to take advantage of the benefits of the local grid network.
Project Status:
A request for proposals (RFP) was released on 09/26/2007.
Redevelopments Underway:
Southern Gateway In News:
- 6/22/2007. The Free Lance-Star. "Highway Projects Get a Jump Start Transportation Area Choke-Pints to Get Aid Local Road Projects"
- 1/5/2006. The Free Lance-Star."Retail Developments Underway"