Public officials and real estate executives broke ground on the new Virginia Railway Express (VRE) station house at Potomac Shores on Saturday. Many community members met to both celebrate the completion of the $24 million, 350-spot parking garage and the beginning of the 20,000-square-foot station house project. Along with the station house will be two levels of retail space: restaurant space with indoor and outdoor dining and any number of retailers, such as ice cream or coffee shops. A press release stated that the station house is designed to feature an arch pass-through for station access, which leads to a paved boardwalk overlooking the Potomac River. The boardwalk has been designed to connect to the Potomac Shores Trail System. Located near the Potomac Shores Town Center, the hope is to spur further economic development and investment in the area, the real estate executives present and integral to the project stated. Biddle Real Estate Ventures (BREV), a New York City-based firm, was responsible for the building aspect of the project and spearheaded the building efforts of the site's parking garage.

"Today marks another step forward towards our dual goals of welcoming VRE service to Potomac Shores and bringing retail investment to the Marketplace within the Potomac Shores Town Center," Peter Chavkin, a managing member of BREV, said. "We’re grateful for the leadership of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors as we continue to advance these projects."

Many members of the Prince William County government were in attendance for the groundbreaking, including the Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large DeShundra Jefferson. "New commercial investment here at Potomac Shores will spur economic development that benefits all of Prince William County. Our county will continue to bring all resources to bear to move this process forward to completion," Jefferson said. Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey also spoke at the groundbreaking, stating this is an important step in the county's goals.

"The completion of the VRE garage and groundbreaking for the Station House at Potomac Shores brings us closer than ever to our long-held goals of VRE Service and commercial development within this community," Bailey said. "I intend to work closely with relevant agencies and with private sector partners to see these goals realized."

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Prince William County School Board is addressing a growing concern about student overcrowding, particularly at Covington-Harper Elementary School near Dumfries, where eight trailers are being used to accommodate the rising number of students. During the October 16, 2024, school board meeting, board member Justin Wilk proposed beginning the redistricting process to manage the school's overflow of students, but the motion failed to gain unanimous support.

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Prince William County Police Department: Aggravated Malicious Wounding | Domestic Related – “On July 11 at 9:32 PM, officers responded to a residence located in the 7400 block of Boundary Ave. in Manassas (20111) to investigate a shooting.”

“Upon arrival, officers located the victim, a 66-year-old man, suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately provided first aid until fire and rescue personnel arrived on the scene. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he is expected to recover.”

“The investigation revealed the victim and a family member, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the accused retrieved a firearm and fired a round, striking the victim. Both parties then went outside of the residence, where they encountered police. No additional injuries were reported.”

“Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Regina Carrol SHULL, was arrested. Arrested on July 11: Regina Carrol SHULL, 64, of the 7400 block of Boundary Ave. in Manassas, Charged with aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond.

Strong-Arm Robbery – “On July 11 at 7:21PM, officers responded to the Manassas Mall located at 8300 Sudley Rd. in Manassas (20109) to investigate a shoplifting.”

“The investigation revealed two unknown men entered the Lens Crafters store and began putting eyeglasses into a bag. When an employee attempted to intervene, one of the suspects pushed her away and threatened her. As the employee began to yell outside of the store, the suspects quickly fled the store.”

“No injuries were reported. Officers are actively following up on leads into the identity of the suspects involved. The investigation continues. Suspect Descriptions: A Hispanic male, approximately 6’0’, with thin build
Last seen wearing a black face mask, a purple sweater, black pants, and carrying a backpack.”

“A Hispanic male, approximately 6’0’, with thin build Last seen wearing a black face mask, a white sweater, black pants, and carrying a backpack.”

Indecent Exposure – “On July 11 at 9:54 AM, officers responded to the intersection of Potomac River Blvd. and Potomac Shores Pkwy. in Dumfries (22026) to investigate an indecent exposure.”

“The investigation revealed the victim, a 51-year-old woman, was in the above area when an unknown man approached her from behind and then assaulted her without saying a word. When the victim turned around, she observed the suspect was not wearing any clothing and was walking back into the woodline while laughing.”

“The victim quickly left the area and contacted the police. No injuries were reported. Suspect Description: An Asian male, between 25-35 years old, approximately 180lbs., with medium-length black hair.”

Residential Burglary – “On July 11 at 2:03 PM, officers responded to a residence located in the 15500 block of Barrington Pl. in Dumfries (22025) to investigate a burglary.”

“The investigation revealed sometime between 8:30 PM on July 10 and 10:30 AM on July 11. Entry was made into the attached garage through the unsecured garage entrance. While investigating the incident, officers determined no entry was made into the main residence. A bicycle was reported missing.”

Malicious Wounding – “On July 11 at 9:00 PM, officers responded to the Dale City Commuter Lot located at 14090 Gemini Way in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate a fight with weapons. The investigation revealed the victim, a 21-year-old woman, and an acquaintance, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated.”

“During the encounter, the accused retrieved a wooden bat and struck the victim’s vehicle multiple times before striking the victim with the bat. At one point during the encounter, another acquaintance attempted to intervene, and the accused pushed her. The victim reported minor injuries and was treated at the scene by fire and rescue personnel. No additional injuries or property damage were reported.”

“Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Johnny Albert SMITH III, was arrested. Arrested on July 11: Johnny Albert SMITH III, 23, of 15254 Cloverdale Rd. in Woodbridge. Charged with malicious wounding, felony destruction of property, and assault & battery Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond.”

Strangulation | Domestic Related – “On July 11 at 10:19 AM, officers responded to a residence located in the 3400 block of Vale Ct. in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a domestic dispute.” The investigation revealed the victim, a 36-year-old woman, and a family member, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated.”

“During the encounter, the accused pushed the victim into a wall and assaulted her before grabbing her neck. Eventually, the parties separated, and the police were contacted. The victim reported minor injuries.”

“Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Jesus Robert SANTANA BARRIOS, was arrested. Arrested on July 11: [No Photo Available] Jesus Robert SANTANA BARRIOS, 39, of the 3400 block of Vale Ct. in Woodbridge. Charged with strangulation and domestic assault & battery. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond.”

Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey: “PWC Potomac Shores residents, please join your Supervisor, Andrea O. Bailey, for a community Town Hall on Wednesday, June 14th at 6:00 pm at the Potomac Shores Social Barn. Come and hear first-hand updates on happenings in your community. See you there!”

The social barn sits at 1801 Potomac Shores Parkway, #100, near Dumfries.

Bailey faces Democrat Kim Short in a Primary Election on June 20. Bailey declined our invitation for an interview to discuss her reelection campaign.

Bailey has represented the Potomac District, which includes Montclair and Dumfries, since 2020.

Work is underway at Potomac Shores to build a new four-level, 400-space parking garage.

During a groundbreaking event Monday, May 8, 2023, a spokesman for Potomac Shores developer Biddle Real Estate Ventures said the garage will open in Fall 2024, with the train station construction occurring at the time of opening or beginning shortly after that. The structure will be a precursor to a new Virginia Railway Express station to be built next to the garage.

VRE and Amtrak riders who will use the station, or customers of the shops and restaurants to be built nearby, will use the garage. Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe broke ground for the commuter rail station in 2014.

Biddle Real Estate Ventures is still applying for permits to build the new commuter rail station. The process should be complete next year. Meanwhile, the developer is donating about four acres on which the station will sit to Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, clearing the way for station construction.

Initial designs include elevators to take passengers from the station to the train platform next to the tracks, located at the bottom of a riverside cliff.

The station has been redesigned twice since its groundbreaking in 2014, costing the developer at least $5 million. Initial designs did not include a third track built in the later part of the decade or in the early 2030s to separate passenger and freight rail traffic.

It’s unclear how much the new station will cost to build. Monday’s announcement from Peter Chavkin of Biddle Real Estate Ventures was the first sign of life for the project in nearly 10 years.

“We’re not here today to say ‘it’s coming soon.’ It’s happening,” said Chavkin as earthmovers hauled dirt up the cliff of the Potomac River.

Several Prince William Board of County Supervisors heralded the construction. “This project is a symbol o progress and innovation, and a collaboration between government, private industry, and individuals,” said Ann Wheeler, Board of County Supervisors At-large Chair.

Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey, praised for bringing together the state and developer to sign an agreement to move forward with the project in April 2023, said the project shows the county’s commitment to mobility.

Margaret Franklin, the Woodbridge District Supervisor, said residents deserve more quality public transportation options like the VRE. All three politicians are up for reelection this year, with Wheeler and Bailey facing opponents in a June 20, 2023 Primary Election.

When the station opens, it will feature a boardwalk along the east side overlooking the Potomac River, with gazebos and benches. The station would also be served by new weekend trains that could begin as early as 2026, said VRE CEO Rich Dalton.

The station will be the first to open on the dual-line VRE system since 2015 when VRE opened a new station in Spotsylvania County.

Police said the general manager of the Potomac Shores Golf Club near Dumfries could have been using his phone to film women for months.

Unlawful Filming – On April 12 at 8:47PM, officers responded to the Potomac Shores
Golf Club located at 1750 Dunnington Pl. in Dumfries (22026) to investigate an unlawful
filming. The investigation revealed an employee located a phone actively recording in one
of the stalls inside the women’s restroom at the club. The employee notified a supervisor
who contacted the police. During the investigation, officers determined the phone
belonged to the club’s General Manager, identified as the accused, which had possibly
been recording on and off for the last several months. On April 13, the accused, identified

as Craig Robert LUCKEY, was arrested. On April 17, following additional investigation into
the evidence located, a search warrant was executed at the home of the accused in Woodbridge and additional charges were obtained. Investigators are seeking to speak to anyone who has information regarding this investigation. The investigation continues.

Arrested on April 13:
Craig Robert LUCKEY, 55, of 3319 Broker Ln. in Woodbridge Charged with 5 counts of unlawful filming
Court Date: July 20, 2023 | Bond: Unavailable