Principi Rejects Traditional Developments

Those types of developments don’t fit the mold of mixed-use town center developments, like Potomac Town Center, Belmont Bay and the much talked about but yet to be developed Harbor Station.

Principi says he’s turned down a new shopping center, a drive through fast food restaurant and a new car dealership because they don’t fit his vision of a new Woodbridge, one that is built around higher densities, mass transit and open access to the Occoquan River.

Of the shopping centers that do exist along Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1), Marumsco Plaza has already refaced the façade of the center and nearby Featherstone Square owners plan to do the same, said Principi.

The U.S. 1 corridor has long been known for its blighted buildings, snarled traffic, and a place where day laborers gather to find work.

Principi has said he has little ability to relocate the day laborers to another location because they are gathered on private property.

When it comes to improved roads, county officials approved plans to widen U.S. 1 between Mary’s Way and the Occoquan River from four to six lanes, including a new elevated interchange near the Woodbridge Virginia Railway Express station.

To fit the vision, some buildings will have to come down.

“We have been successful at collaborating with business/property owners to renovate and/or tear down 32 buildings along Route 1, targeted neighborhood and commercial sweeps by teams of county and state inspectors, and organized two dozen litter and landscape planting events, including clean-ups in Neabsco Creek and Veterans Park,” said Principi.

County inspectors have issued notices to property owners about their under maintained properties, and some property owners have decided to go to court after being issued the violations, added Principi.