Company and county government leaders gathered today for a groundbreaking ceremony at 13710 Dabney Road in Woodbridge for Belmont Logistics, a planned Class A industrial complex with three buildings totaling 416,000 square feet on 37 acres. The construction represents a $110 million capital investment in e-commerce logistics infrastructure and is the only new industrial space delivering in 2024 along Northern Virginia’s I-95 corridor, a press release states.
The development will reshape an area next to Belmont Bay, an enclave at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan rivers, and a wildlife refuge. The industrial land includes several auto shops, an ironworks, and a towing firm.
Developer IDI is the same firm behind nearby Rivergate, the housing development on the Occoquan River, just off Route 1.
“I’m very proud to say that we have been a leader in the economic revitalization of North Woodbridge over those 20 years, said IDI Managing Director Enrique Cecchi.
The flexible warehouse facilities will be contained within three tilt-up concrete buildings to be built in two phases over five years. The first phase, a 110,000-square-foot warehouse on nine acres, is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with the remainder of the project to be completed in 2028.
The re-development of the current site will expand setbacks from Dawson Beach Road, creating a landscape buffer. The location will offer 540 parking spaces and approximately 40 trailer parking spaces, with Phase 2 including an additional 55,000 square feet of outdoor storage space.
“I started on the [Prince William Board of County Supervisors] in 2019; we had a lot of hope for what this district could be. When I was running for office in 2019, I talked about revitalizing Route 1,” said Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin. “I’ll be honest in saying I didn’t realize how easy it would be. Honestly, a lot of you all were invested into starting your project on this corridor, and I really appreciate it.”
Belmont Logistics is the latest Woodbridge project by The IDI Group Companies, the firm behind the successful development of multifamily residential communities Rivergate North and Viridium, as well as the future Riverside Crossing town center, all in North Woodbridge.
“This type of development is vital to support economic growth in the region,” said IDI Managing Director Enrico Cecchi. “We anticipate that its scope and connectivity to the region will make it an ideal choice for companies needing a pivotal location for e-commerce, with its easy access to transportation and other services they
require,” he added.
“I will just reiterate that, and I look around and I see room for lots of data centers. And I want to thank you for not building a data center here,” Prince William Chamber of Commerce Director Robert Sweeney said to Cecchi. “I talked to the county demographer two weeks ago, and he said that this county is going to grow by 200,000 people over the next 15 years, and 90% of them are going to be here in eastern Prince William County. So I think now is the time to build.”
Prince William County Economic Development Director Christina Winn says it’s a greater challenge to redevelop an existing industrial property over an open space.
“It’s more risky. It costs more versus going to a greenfield site because you definitely have a lot more that you’ve got to deal with because there’s already things in place, meaning and infrastructure,” said Winn.
Alan Gloss documented this event for Potomac Local.
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The Prince William County Board of County Supervisors voted to reallocate nearly $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) coronavirus relief funds from CASA — a local organization that helps immigrants new to the U.S. following an audit of the county revealing improper expenditure (not affiliated with the local non-profit Court Appointed Special Advocates).
Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin sought a 90-day deferral, but the motion failed. Franklin pushed to give $2 million to CASA in 2022 to build an immigrant welcome center in Woodbridge.
According to information obtained by FOIA, the county hired RSM to audit CASA and found $306,000 in expenditures submitted by CASA for reimbursement; $ 197,000, or 64% of the expenditures, was deemed unallowable by RSM. The specific details of the testing, findings, and observations were communicated to CASA leadership by the County in August 2023 and February 2024.
Due to challenges in adhering to required procurement guidelines and a slow rate of providing eligible expenditures, with only approximately $109,000 expended out of nearly 20 months since July 2022, the recommendation is to reallocate $1.5 million of the CASA allocation to other pressing, ARPA-eligible programs, projects, and services.
Franklin motioned to defer the reallocation to allow CASA and county staff time to address concerns. However, Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir opposed the motion, highlighting the urgent need to comply with federal guidelines and deadlines for fund allocation. Ultimately, the motion failed with a vote of 2-5, leading to further discussions on fund reallocation.
Subsequently, Franklin proposed an amendment to allow CASA to retain $800,000 of the funds, citing an updated plan submitted by the organization. However, concerns were raised regarding the eligibility of specific organizations to receive funds directly. County Executive Christopher Shorter clarified the process, indicating that funds were distributed through the Northern Virginia Food Rescue to maximize impact and adherence to federal guidelines.
Amid deliberations, Gainesville District Supervisor Weir proposed a revised motion that won the day: Reallocate about $2 million, providing $190,000 to the Northern Virginia Food Rescue for food distribution and related administrative costs, allocating $100,000 for the community to purchase additional food inventory for community feeding, and supporting the Community Safety Initiative with $270,400 for the development of community-centric safety strategies.
Additionally, $100,000 is allocated to the Human Services Alliance of Prince William County, emphasizing community violence prevention and intervention. The motion also involves transferring and budgeting an additional $1.4 million to the Capital Projects Fund for additional costs associated with the courthouse renovation project in Manassas.
Franklin, and Neabsco Distirct Supervisor Victor Angry voted no.
Several CASA members sat in the Board Chambers as the elected officials deliberated. “I would simply say, reach out to our offices and please come by and have conversations of where we go from here,” said Franklin before they exited the room.
Margaret Franklin received $5,125 from CASA and seeks the Democratic Party nomination for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District. Virginia’s 7th District, including eastern Prince William County, Stafford County, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg City, King George, Caroline, Culpeper, Madison, Greene, and Orange counties. The seat is held by Abigail Spanberger (D), who is instead running to replace Glenn Youngkin as Virginia Governor in 2025.
Newly-seated At-large Chair DeShundra Jefferson said her vote to reallocate the funding was not a political decision. “This is a policy vote, it is not a political vote. And I have tried very hard to keep politics out of the board chambers. I respect the work that Casa is doing, and I respect your mission,” said Jefferson. “However, I will be voting to reallocate the money simply because I have concerns about the timeframe. Again, this is not how I want to start a relationship, but we will continue to work together.”
“I support CASA. I’m proud to have the welcome center in my district, and I’m proud of the work that CASA does for our community. Again, as was said before, these are federal dollars that have very specific uses for them,” said Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye, who collected $55,794 in campaign donations from the organization.
CASA has provided campaign donations to only progressive Democrats in state and local politics in Virginia. Tuesday’s vote comes amid a history of tension between CASA and certain board members, stemming from contentious issues such as immigration policies.
On June 16, 2020, a Board of County Supervisors meeting was notably disrupted by CASA members, marking a significant moment of tension between the organization and Republican board members, including Supervisor Yesli Vega and former Supervisor Jeanine Lawson. CASA members said Vega — the first elected Hispanic member of the county board —  “is the devil,” and told her “zip your mouth,” following Vega’s support for the federal 287(g) program at the county jail that had been used to identify illegal aliens charged with a crime.
Rick Canizales, the county’s Director of Transportation, outlined the scope of the improvements during a recent briefing. “We are focused on transforming Route 1 into a more efficient and safer corridor for all users, including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. This includes widening portions of the road, upgrading traffic signals, and adding pedestrian crosswalks and sidewalks,” Canizales explained.
Among the notable projects is the widening of Route 1 from Featherstone Road to Mary’s Way, which has been underway for several years and aims to alleviate congestion along this busy section. New pedestrian crosswalks and upgraded traffic signals are also being introduced to enhance safety and accessibility for non-motorized road users.
Supervisor Margaret Franklin, representing the Woodbridge District, emphasized the community benefits of these projects. “Improvements along Route 1 are critical for our community’s growth and wellbeing. These projects not only address current traffic and safety concerns but also lay the groundwork for future development and connectivity in the area,” Franklin said.
The Route 1 Corridor improvements are part of a broader strategy by Prince William County to modernize its transportation infrastructure and support sustainable growth. With these projects, the county aims to improve its residents’ quality of life and ensure its transportation network’s long-term viability.
“Each project within the Route 1 Corridor is designed with the community in mind. From reducing traffic congestion to enhancing pedestrian safety, our goal is to create a more livable, accessible, and environmentally friendly corridor,” Canizales added.
As these projects progress, county officials engage with the community to gather input and address concerns. The improvements along Route 1 reflect Prince William County’s commitment to creating a more connected and sustainable transportation system that meets the needs of its diverse population.
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In response to the recent surge in crime rates in Prince William County, Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin is set to host a Zoom town hall meeting on Monday, January 22, at 7 p.m. The town hall aims to address community concerns and provide insights into the county’s current public safety situation.
The decision to hold this annual town hall comes on the heels of a shooting in Woodbridge, resulting in the first homicide victim in Prince William County for the year 2024. A woman lost her life after being shot and taken to a local hospital.
Franklin will be joined by Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham and Captain Dave Smith as guest speakers for the event.
The county’s annual 2023 crime report underscored concerning trends in violent crime, with a staggering 70% increase from 2019 to 2022. This category encompasses offenses such as murder, manslaughter, rape, sodomy, and robbery.
The report showed the overall crime rate had surged by 23% in the past year alone, translating to 38 reported crimes per 1,000 county residents, up from 32 in 2021. Most of the increased crime has been reported along the Route 1 corridor in Woodbridge.
Prince William County saw 22 homicides in 2023, two more than in 2022.
The town hall will be conducted virtually. Here’s the Zoom event link, and for those who prefer to watch without active participation, the live stream will be available on YouTube at YouTube.com/@WoodbridgeBOCS.
Franklin, a Democrat, has entered the race for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. This move follows the announcement by incumbent Democrat Abigail Spanberger that she will not seek re-election but instead run for Virginia’s governorship in 2025.
Derrick Anderson, a U.S. Army Green Beret from Spotsylvania, is vying for the Republican nomination after an unsuccessful attempt in the 2022 GOP Primary Election.
Franklin recently secured re-election to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and has been part of a progressive majority that has brought significant changes to the county government.
Notable decisions include hiring Christopher Shorter as one of the highest-paid county executives in the Washington, D.C., region and advocating for increased police salaries. Franklin also played a role in establishing a racial and social justice commission while voting to abolish a federal partnership on immigration enforcement.
Despite active community engagement, Franklin has faced criticism from restaurant owners in her district, particularly regarding a contentious meals tax. Former Chair At-large Ann Wheeler, who faced criticism alongside Franklin, lost the 2023 Primary Election to Democrat Deshundra Jefferson, now the At-large Chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
Franklin’s political background includes eight years as a congressional aide and subsequent work as the vice president of a PR firm starting in 2020. The 7th District, covering eastern Prince William County, leans towards Democrats and includes Stafford, Spotsylvania counties, and Fredericksburg.
Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin is running for Congress.
The Democrat filed to run in Virginia's 7th Congressional District to replace incumbent Abigail Spanberger, who announced she will run in 2025 to be Virginia's 75th Governor and not seek re-election to Congress. Spanberger has held the 7th District seat since 2018.
