WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Residents know more about the Potomac Science Center planned for the growing Belmont Bay neighborhood.
A science center has long been slated for the planned mixed-used neighborhood located on the Occoquan River at Virginia Railway Express’ Woodbridge station. George Mason University will now spearhead the project to build the 50,000 square foot center to study the watershed of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.
Plans for the new center were presented to a crowd about at least 80 people at Thursday’s meeting of the Woodbridge Potomac Communities Civic Association.
Because Northern Virginia is one of the most rapidly growing regions in the nation, science center spokesman Alex Iszard said the planned center will study the affects of growth on ecosystems and organisms in the area.
“Having a facility on the Occoquan River with direct access to the Potomac River is something we have been looking for a long time,” said Iszard.
George Mason University also plans to partner with Prince William County Public Schools as part of the educational mission of the Potomac Science Center. About 20 to 30 full-time staff will work in the new building, as well as undergraduate and graduate students.
A community outreach space, and a three-story, 200-space parking garage are also in the plans for construction.
This will the first building in a planned town center that has been slow to take off. While residential housing like single family homes and high-rise condominiums have sprung up around a marina, commercial development has stayed away.
Once the science center is completed in 2015, two other commercial buildings will also be built nearby. It’s too early in the process to say what types of businesses they will house or what they will look like, said Iszard.
A fully funded interchange improvement at the nearby busy intersection U.S. 1 and Route 123 should begin sometime next year. When complete, planners said it will be easier for drivers to access the Belmont Bay development.
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Fredericksburg celebrated the grand opening of its new Visitor Center on January 10, 2025, with an open-house event that drew hundreds today at the newly renamed City Center government building, formerly known as the Executive Plaza. Community members gathered at 601 Caroline Street to explore the revamped space, enjoy light refreshments, and learn about the Visitor Center’s offerings.
The new facility, described as brighter and more accessible, provides an inviting hub for showcasing Fredericksburg’s artists and businesses. “The center is fabulous,” said Mayor Kerry Devine. “It has space for showcasing our artists and businesses, and we’re just so excited to welcome people to this new center.”
Rita McClenney, President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, emphasized the importance of the Visitor Center as a resource for wayfinding and discovering unique experiences in Fredericksburg. “A lot of people research before they travel, but there’s nothing like being on the ground and finding out about a place through the people who know it best,” said McClenney.
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Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
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