The Prince William County Department of Transportation aims to build a seven-story, $53 million parking garage near Wegmans grocery store in Woodbridge.
The plan for the new structure dates back more than 10 years. Initially, planners said commuters would park at the garage during the day, while baseball fans would flock to it on nights at weekends to watch Minor League Baseball games at a newly-constructed stadium.
Fast-forward to now. The baseball team moved out of Prince William County, headed 30 miles south, and became the Fredericksburg Nationals. Then the pandemic hit, prompting more people to work from home.
To date, commuter lots in eastern Prince William County see a fraction of the cars that once parked in them.
The Horner Road Commuter Lot at Prince William Parkway and Interstate 95 is the state’s largest and is considered a possible site for a new Washington Commanders football stadium.
- Of the 2,300 available parking spaces, 710 are used, as just 30% of the Horner lot is used.
- At the Dumfries Commuter Lot at Routes 1 and 234, where drivers used to illegally park curbs and grassy areas to Slug or catch a bus to the office, only 35% of the lot’s 925 spaces are full.
At some lots with hundreds of spaces, 50 or fewer spaces are used. We’re citing recent data sent to us from the Virginia Department of Transportation, recorded last year.
Since then, there’s been a slow return to offices in the Washington area. OmniRide, a commuter bus service from Prince William and Stafford counties, says it’s busiest during the week but sees few passengers on Monday and Friday.
Virginia Railway Express can only fill 25% of its trains compared to 2019 pre-pandemic ridership numbers.
Meanwhile, The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will hold a Design Public Hearing for the seven-story parking tower at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, at the Prince William County Government Center, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge.
Residents will learn more about the plan to build 1,400 more commuter parking spaces at the projected cost of $38,000 per space. If built, the lot next to I-95 will likely become the central transit hub for eastern Prince William County, shifting the transfer point for OmniRide buses from its headquarters to the parking garage.
In addition, the county wants to build pedestrian improvements to and from the garage. Plans for the new garage are on the county’s website. Transurban, the I-95 E-ZPass lanes operators, will build a new access ramp from the lanes to Opitz Boulevard to provide better access to the parking tower.
In March, Prince William County leaders awarded The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company a design-build contract to build the garage. The construction cost has increased by about $16 million since planners envisioned the project in 2017.
The parking tower will replace commuter parking spaces used by commuters at Potomac Mills mall until 2011. The mall stopped allowing commuters to park and built several restaurants, like The Cheesecake Factory. The lot will also relieve capacity at commuter lots on Routes 1 and Route 234 and Prince William Parkway and Horner Road, near Interstate 95.
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A Night on the Riviera
Experience a magical evening at the Embassy of France with A Night on the Riviera, an event that will transport you to the glamour of the French Riviera while celebrating the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras!
Indulge in an exquisite selection of French wines and champagne, paired with the finest French cuisine prepared by the talented Chef of the Embassy of France. Additionally, Chef Hugh Cossard will be carving ham live, ensuring freshness and exceptional flavor. Don’t miss out on the authentic French crêpes, made to order and sure to transport you straight to the streets of Nice.
For those seeking an extra touch of exclusivity, the VIP experience includes unlimited champagne, adding an extra layer of sophistication to this festive celebration.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
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