Dumfries Vice Mayor Monae Nickerson is leading a renewed effort to attract more small businesses to the town as it prepares for the opening of The Rose, a 300-room gaming resort and hotel set to become the largest gaming destination in Northern Virginia. Town leaders are focused on creating a diverse mix of retail and service businesses to complement the expected influx of visitors with the resort’s opening.
Nickerson outlined the town’s strategy, which includes a year-long contract extension with Retail Strategies, a firm hired to identify and attract potential businesses to Dumfries. “We are hopeful that the Rose will serve as a beacon, an anchor, that will attract more businesses to Dumfries as a destination,” Nickerson said. The Rose, which will offer video slot machines but not table games, is expected to draw visitors from across the region.
Retail Strategies has been working closely with the town to represent it at national retail shows and identify opportunities for new business development. The firm has identified 45 real estate assets within Dumfries, including vacant areas that could be developed into business spaces.
Nickerson highlighted the town’s challenges, particularly competition from neighboring areas like Woodbridge and Stafford. “What we had been told is that it’s been difficult to get businesses here,” Nickerson said. Despite these challenges, the town council remains committed to its vision of Dumfries as a destination, not just a place people pass through.
Dumfries has one grocery store, U-Mart, located on Fraley Boulevard. The town is working to attract more businesses, particularly those that can provide healthy food options. “We do have what would be considered a food desert when you look at the amount of people we have in the town and the income levels,” Nickerson noted.
The Rose is seen as a catalyst for change, hoping to encourage more businesses to set up shop in Dumfries. “Now that the Rose is coming, we believe it will make other businesses want to come because there will be more traffic driven right to Dumfries as a destination,” Nickerson added.
The town council also revitalizes existing commercial spaces, including two strip malls that could benefit from new tenants. Nickerson emphasized the importance of supporting current businesses while attracting new ones. “If we could come up with resources to help these businesses bring in more tenants, hold on to the tenants they have, and provide them with resources to grow, we can be defined as a business district,” she said.
Nickerson also discussed the possibility of streamlining the business opening process in Dumfries, including permitting and inspections, to make the town more business-friendly. “We need to make it easier for businesses to start and stay here,” she stated.
Winners Church is partnering with Sentara to host the annual Community Health Fair on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 17877 Old Triangle Road in Dumfries. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with various health services and screenings available to the community.
A significant feature of this year’s fair is the presence of Sentara’s Mobile Mammography Unit, offering 3D breast cancer screenings from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The screenings are aimed at the African diaspora, African American community, and those who may face financial barriers to accessing this service. The event will also focus on raising awareness about breast cancer and other prevalent health issues.
In addition to the mammography services, attendees can access blood pressure checks, diabetes screenings, and cholesterol testing. Local health organizations and clinics will provide information on mental health resources, nutrition, and fitness. The fair aims to offer comprehensive health services and education to the local community.
Heather S. Byrne, a Breast Cancer Patient Navigator at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, will be the keynote speaker. She will address breast cancer awareness and the importance of regular screenings.
Winners Church tracks participation rates and follows up with attendees to assess the event’s impact on community health outcomes. Last year, the event led to an increase in early detection of health issues and a rise in health awareness. This year, the goal is to increase participation by 20% and extend outreach to underserved populations.
Winners Church located in Dumfries was founded December 12, 2010, under the pastoral guidance and leadership of the senior Pastor Henry Godwin. Then, it was known as the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners House, VA.
Death Investigation – On August 7 at 9:56PM, officers responded to a residence located in the 1900 block of Fort Monroe Cr in Dumfries (22026) to investigate a death. When officers arrived at the home, two individuals, a 33-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, were located inside the residence suffering from gunshot wounds. Both parties were known to one another and pronounced dead on scene. At this time, the incident appears isolated to the residence and there is no active threat to the community. The identities of the deceased will be released pending next-of-kin notification. More information will be released when available. Anyone who may have information that can aid in the investigation is asked to contact the police. The investigation continues.
Original post 11:58 p.m. — A shooting occurred in the 1900 block of Fort Monroe Court in Dumfries, resulting in the deaths of two people in Williamstown. Police were called to the scene at 9:56 p.m. Upon arrival, authorities pronounced the victims dead.
Initial reports indicate the incident involved a man and a woman. Police have confirmed there is no threat to the public. Area residents should expect a continued police presence while the investigation is ongoing.
We’ll update this story as soon as we have new information.
INCIDENT: #Shooting | #Dumfries; Officers are investigating a shooting in the 1900 block of Fort Monroe Ct. in Dumfries. There is no threat to the public. Area residents can expect continued police presence while the investigation continues. pic.twitter.com/D7LauYBML4
— Prince William County Police Department (@PWCPolice) August 8, 2024
The Van Buren Road project in Prince William County has received approval from the Board of Supervisors. The project will build a four-lane road with a sidewalk on one side and a pedestrian path on the other, connecting Dumfries Road to Cardinal Drive, aiming to address traffic congestion and improve mobility in the area.
Mary Ankers of the Prince William County Public Works office presented the project, stating, "It will provide some congestion relief, enhanced mobility, include pedestrian facilities, and improve safety."
The project has spent $1.3 million on environmental documentation and will move forward with $8 million allocated for design funding. Ankers noted, "We do not have money for right-of-way, utilities, or construction at this time. We really don't have a good schedule set for this."
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The event featuring the Faycez-U-Know Band played from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees are brought lawn chairs to enjoy the live music, family activities, and food trucks.
Additional concerts are planned for August 10 and August 24. Admission is free.
@DumfriesTownVA held a summer concert at Garrison Park, behind the town hall, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. pic.twitter.com/fSt9XwoJjo
— Potomac Local News (@PotomacLocal) July 28, 2024
The Potomac Shores Trails Committee invites the public to participate in the Historic Dumfries Trail Walk on Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. This free event will take place along the scenic paths of Heritage Ridge Trail, located at the intersection of Potomac River Blvd and Belle Isle Drive in Dumfries, VA.
Participants will have the opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of local history, guided by experts from the Historic Dumfries organization. The walk will highlight significant events from the area’s past, including insights into the pre-colonial period, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War.
The event is designed to be educational and engaging, allowing attendees of all ages to gain a deeper understanding of the historical importance of the Dumfries area while enjoying the natural beauty of the Potomac Shores trails.
Attendees are asked to gather at the Heritage Ridge trailhead on Potomac River Blvd by 9 a.m. on the day of the event. This unique historical outing promises to be an enlightening experience for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
The Dumfries Town Council seeks to amend the town’s charter, which dates back to 1749, making Dumfries the oldest continuously chartered town in Virginia. The proposed changes were discussed during the council’s July 3 meeting.
According to a town spokeswoman, the amendments, which must be approved by the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, are primarily administrative and aimed at promoting greater clarity concerning the existing text. One substantive proposal would empower the Mayor to declare a local emergency if neither the director of emergency management nor the town council is available.
The council’s agenda packet for the July 2 meeting did not include supporting documentation to provide residents with more information about the proposed changes.
The proposed charter amendments came after recent criticism of Mayor Derrick Wood. Last month, a fallen tree onto a power line trapped residents of the Prince William Estates neighborhood for 14 hours. During this time, Wood visited the neighborhood before attending a gala at the White House.
“The Town Council, as part of its unwavering commitment to a well-managed government, has pledged to make periodic reviews of the Town’s Charter and ordinances,” the town spokeswoman said. “This ensures that these sources accurately reflect the powers given to the Town by the state and remain transparent and effective for Town residents. This is the Council’s first review of the Town Charter to further its strategic plan goals and provide a clear direction for the changes.”
The town’s state representatives, State Senator Jeremy McPike and Delegate Candi Mundon King were informed of the council’s intent to propose amendments during a legislative meeting on July 9. Each representative may sponsor duplicate bills in their respective legislative bodies.
Vice Mayor Nickerson commented on the proposed changes during the town council meeting, stating that the council had worked on them during a working session and continued to do so towards the end of the meeting. She emphasized the importance of the changes in reflecting the community’s needs and values.
The proposed changes also include:
- The Town Clerk will be supervised by the Town Manager while assisting the council with administrative tasks.
- A civil penalty of up to $5,000 for civil or criminal misdemeanors will be enforceable.
Nickerson raised the issue of recourse if a council member fails to attend meetings but continues to collect their stipend, which the Town Attorney suggested should be addressed in the Code of Conflict rather than the charter.
Sarah Romero contributed to this report.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously approved a Special Use Permit for a new Starbucks near Dumfries.
The coffee shop will replace an old Ruby Tuesday restaurant. The permit allows a drive-through facility in connection with a by-right restaurant and associated sign modifications in the B-1 General Business zoning district. The project was praised for being a veteran-owned business.
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At 2:25 a.m. today, Monday, July 8, 2024, emergency units were dispatched to the 17600 block of Washington Street in Dumfries after a call reported a fire at a mobile home. Upon arrival, crews found fire emerging from the rear deck area of the home.
An adult and two children had to escape the fire through a window before the units arrived. The fire was extinguished quickly. The adult was transported to a nearby medical facility with a non-life-threatening injury.
The home sustained significant damage and was declared unsafe to occupy by the Town of Dumfries Building Official. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents, which include one adult and two children.
The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
