Woodbridge, Va. –– Commuters that will be forced from the commuter lot at Potomac Mills mall could soon park at the First Baptist Church of Woodbridge.
The church is considering leasing to Prince William County up to 500 parking spaces in their 700-space lot for commuters to use on weekdays.
The church, with a 1,250-member congregation, sits at Minnieville and Elm Farm roads just off Prince William Parkway and stands to benefit financially from the deal.
“This is a deliberative process for us when we are considering annexing a large amount of spaces for commuter parking, and we also have to think about the impacts of our ministry,” said First Baptist Church of Woodbridge Executive Pastor Frank Johnson.
Neabsco District Supervisor John D. Jenkins (Dale City) initiated talks between county officials and the church Monday. While First Baptist has not said what it would charge Prince William taxpayers to lease the spaces, Johnson said it could be a lucrative deal that could benefit area commuters and his church.
Leasing commuter parking spaces would be a first for the county, and lease prices could range anywhere between $3 and $20 per space, said Prince William County Transportation Director Thomas Blaser.
“First Baptist Church in Woodbridge is one of our leading candidates right now. It’s in the same vicinity as the Potomac Mills commuter lot and is served by the bus system, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission,” said Blaser.
Being near Potomac Mills mall and Interstate 95 is one of the most important characteristics in choosing a new commuter lot because most commuter lots are situated near the highway.
Management staff at the mall announced last month that starting on Feb. 14 they would reduce the number of commuter parking spaces there by 75 percent, from 1,000 to 275.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the Slugging community, those who ride in vehicles of three or more to use I-95 and 395’s High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.
Commuters who currently use the Potomac Mills lot will have to find other parking at nearby lots, however, many of those are filled to capacity by 7 a.m. or earlier.
A decision from the church may not come this month.
“I don’t think we can turn this around for February, because we want to make this a diligent process and we are not an organization built for speed, but there could be a decision in March,” said Johnson.
Recent Stories
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A long-delayed and now dramatically scaled-down high school project will take center stage at Wednesday night’s Prince William County School Board meeting, as division officials present updated plans for the county’s 14th high school.
The Haymarket Town Council voted Monday night to adopt the town’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget and set the new real estate tax rate, concluding weeks of deliberation that included resident impact assessments and internal reviews of capital priorities.
Area residents may notice a heavy presence of emergency vehicles and personnel along the Rappahannock River this weekend, but it’s not a real emergency—it’s a planned water rescue training exercise.
Stafford County leaders are preparing to take a major step toward easing long-standing regional traffic woes.
The most anticipated night of the year is almost here! This Saturday, May 31, step into the romance, elegance, and charm of Paris—without ever leaving Washington, DC.
Join us for An Evening in Paris, an unforgettable soirée celebrating the best of French culture. Experience an immersive evening filled with gourmet French cuisine, refined wines, captivating live music, and the irresistible ambiance of the City of Light. Whether you’re a lifelong Francophile or simply love a night of sophistication, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss.
✨ Highlights of the evening include:
Calling all WSHS Class of 1975 graduates! Our class has planned our 50-Year Class Reunion to be held September 26-28, 2025 in Woodbridge, Virginia. Reunion details and registration information are available to be sent to you.
To find out more, please email our reunion committee at [email protected]
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
