Remaking Dale City remains on minds of Prince William officials

Planners in Prince William County remained focused on Dale City.

A public workshop last summer on the revitalization and reshaping of the bedroom community. On Tuesday, county leaders were briefed on the plan which includes developing multi-story buildings, new homes and finding new uses for parking lots that largely go unused.

The study, known as Sustainable Design and Assessment Team report (SDAT), recommended making Center Plaza on Dale Boulevard, and Mapledale Plaza on Dale Boulevard and Mapledale Avenue centers of community.

At Center Plaza, new two to three story buildings could be built along Gerry Lane, which today serves as an access road to a residential townhome neighborhood. The buildings would front Gerry Lane instead of the four-lane thoroughfare Dale Boulevard so the community would feel more walkable, with a better sense of place.

“We want to tell investors this is a place that you want to invest in because there’s people here who are interested in shopping locally,” said Prince William County planner Chris Price.

Ultimately, it would be up to property developers to make deals to redevelop the land. County officials would be needed to address any zoning concerns or changes.

At Mapledale Plaza, a new amphitheater is envisioned, where shows and community events would be held. There’s also a call to create a new street behind a BP Gas station that would connect Mapledale Avenue with Ridgefield Road.

Planners are expected to meet with the SDAT team again later this year.

You can check our 3-part series on “Remaking Dale City” we published last year in parts one, two and three.