A proposal to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) tracking for traffic and pedestrian safety in Prince William County was deferred after a contentious discussion during the Sept. 19, 2024, Board of County Supervisors meeting. If approved, this initiative would mark the first time the county government has used AI technology to track and analyze citizens’ movements.
The initiative aims to enhance traffic safety by deploying AI-enabled camera technology to monitor traffic patterns and analyze near-miss incidents at 26 high-risk locations throughout the county, including non-vehicular near misses. This gives the impression that the AI will use equipment that can differentiate different people. The proposed locations are scattered throughout the county and primarily encompass the Routes 1 and 234 corridors in Woodbridge and the Manassas areas, respectively.
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Prince William County has unveiled a new digital platform, PWC Works, designed to enhance transparency and communication between the local government and its residents. The initiative aims to provide real-time updates on county projects, address public concerns, and offer a streamlined way for citizens to track government actions, including long-standing issues such as permitting delays.
Tackling Permitting Delays
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Supervisor Yesli Vega has put forth a proposal to explore providing a tax break for terminally ill residents in the county, aiming to ease the financial burden on families dealing with the high costs of medical care.
At the recent Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting, Vega directed county staff to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the potential implementation of the tax break. Vega emphasized the importance of providing relief to residents who are struggling with the financial challenges that come with terminal illness.
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SOWW provides vital support to wounded veterans through cost-free respite stays and programs aimed at helping them and their families recover from the physical and emotional tolls of military service. The tax exemption applies to four properties owned by the organization on Waterfall Road in Haymarket, allowing SOWW to allocate more resources directly toward its services for veterans.
Sarah Ford, the executive director of SOWW, expressed her gratitude to the Board, stating, “This vote will not only impact our warrior retreat but also the warriors and their families that we serve now and into the future." She emphasized that the exemption would enable the organization to expand its programs, which have already served over 2,400 veterans, with no suicide losses among those who have stayed at the retreat.
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Prince William County is developing a new Crisis Receiving Center (CRC), which will provide much-needed mental health and substance abuse services to the community. Set to replace the former Gander Mountain store at 14040 Worth Avenue, the 79,000-square-foot facility is expected to serve as a state model for addressing mental health crises. Still, operational funding hurdles have emerged due to Medicaid restrictions.
The CRC will feature 16 32 beds—eight 16 for adults and eight 16 for children—for individuals needing urgent mental health care. Patients may arrive independently, be transferred from local hospitals, or be brought in by police. Once at the center, individuals will receive continuous monitoring and care for up to 23 hours a day, typically staying between three and five days as they stabilize and prepare for the next steps in their treatment journey.
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Prince William County is navigating challenges as it seeks to balance the growing demand for data centers with its aspirations for technological innovation and education, particularly around the George Mason University SciTech Campus.
This dynamic was discussed at the Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting on September 10, when leaders and stakeholders expressed concerns over how the expansion of data centers could impact the county's economic growth potential, particularly at the college's Innovation District, outside Manassas.
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The Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously voted to extend the payment deadline for personal property taxes from October 7 to December 5, 2024. This new deadline aligns with the due date for real estate taxes. However, as previously scheduled, the Business Tangible Personal Property Tax will remain due on October 7, 2024.
The decision to extend the personal property tax deadline aims to provide relief to residents who would otherwise have to make two substantial tax payments within a short timeframe. Some board members raised concerns about the potential strain on retirees and others living on fixed incomes who might struggle to meet both tax obligations simultaneously.
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American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) will invest $54.7 million to expand its campus in Prince William County with a new biomanufacturing facility focused on global health. The expansion will create 75 new jobs and further ATCC’s mission to provide scientists with essential biomaterials for critical life science research. Virginia successfully competed against Maryland to secure the project. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, alongside Prince William County, facilitated the deal, with Governor Glenn Youngkin approving an $800,000 grant to support the project. ATCC’s expansion highlights the continued growth of Virginia’s life sciences sector, a vital industry for global health and national security.
Press release:
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The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has approved the use of condemnation and quick-take powers to acquire properties needed for the Route 1 road widening project between Brady’s Hill Road in Dumfries and Route 234.
The project will expand Route 1 northbound into a six-lane divided roadway while converting the southbound portion (Main Street) into a two-lane road. The total budget for the project is $19.4 million, funded through federal, state, and regional Northern Virginia transportation sources.
