Southern Gateway Redevelopment Vision
Click to view conceptuals. Rendering for visual purposes only
Opportunity:
The Southern Gateway area is located adjacent to Warrenton Road (US Route 17) between its interchange with I-95 and Berea Road. Warrenton Road is a highway of national significance 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 Warrenton Road 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 Warrenton Road is not a limited access roadway like an interstate, it 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 Warrenton Road, this mixing of local and through-traffic interrupted by traffic signals causes some congestion. 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 Warrenton Road. Access would be redesigned to take advantage of the benefits of the local grid network.
Project Status:
- 07/13/10 - Design Public Hearing on Route 17 Improvements. VDOT is seeking public comments on the plans to widen Rte. 17 / Warrenton Road. Use the Public Comment Form to submit feedback by July 23rd.
- 03/03/10 - Presentation to the Planning Commission
- 03/02/10: Southern Gateway Redevelopment Plan was endorsed by the Board of Supervisors and forwarded to the Planning Commission for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan.
- 01/12/10 - Southern Gateway Redevelopment Plan Summary
- Presentation to the Board of Supervisors
- 1-Page Poster, presented to the Board of Supervisors
- 2-Page Excerpt, Southern Gateway info from the Master Redevelopment Plan
- 04/23/09 - Public Workshop II
- 02/02/09 - Public Workshop I was held at Belmont to obtain the public's input on the redevelopment vision for this area as well as Falmouth Village. Workshop materials* included: *(Note: These are large files, and may take a few minutes to download.)
- Presentation: Falmouth Village & Southern Gateway
- Workshop Report & Survey Results (PDF file)
- Workshop Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4
- 09/26/07 - A Request for Proposals (RFP) was released.
Private Redevelopments Currently Underway:
Southern Gateway In News:
- 07/12/2010. Free Lance-Star. VDOT sets hearing on widening U.S. 17
- 02/14/2009. Free Lance-Star. Transportation cuts $26 billion, keeps Falmouth upgrade
- 01/22/2009. Free Lance-Star. Digital storage company moves to Falmouth
- 01/17/2009. Free Lance-Star. Data firm is opening operation in Stafford
- 01/13/2009. Free Lance-Star. Accident-prone crossing now has signal
- 12/31/2008. Free Lance-Star. A Silver lining for U.S. 17 drivers
- 12/03/2008. Stafford County Sun. Wal-Mart begins construction
- 11/25/2008. Stafford County Sun. South Gateway Dr. accessible to traffic
- 10/01/2008. Free Lance-Star. Radical change possible on U.S. 17
- 04/17/2008. Free Lance-Star. Falmouth and Southern Gateway