Stafford County Traffic – Some Relief In Sight
Having lived here for the last 25 years has given me a different perspective than those newly transplanted here from various parts of the country. I suppose those relocating from rural parts of the country think the summer traffic here is a joke – certainly not sustainable. This couldn’t possibly happen every week, can it?? You betcha!!
Twenty years ago, there were about three or four lights along all of Route 1 from Quantico down through South Stafford. It was an easy and reliable alternative when things got congested on I-95….which back then certainly wasn’t nearly as often as it is now. Still, it was a good option whenever the brake lights came on. Today, with the continued growth in both North and South Stafford, those quiet Rt 1 drives home seem like an eternity away!
“Summer” traffic used to start on late Friday night into early Saturday morning. By mid-afternoon Saturday, the roads were clear and it was business as usual. Today, “summer” traffic starts the first weekend the weather hits 70 degrees or higher! I’m not sure where these people are going, but the “weekend” starts on Wednesday afternoon and doesn’t end until Saturday night, sometimes Sunday. You don’t know whether they are coming or going!
Cars loaded with bikes, coolers, and boogie boards are heading south towards VA Beach or the Outer Banks while others choose the Maryland and Delaware beaches in which case those loaded up cars are heading north on 95. Either way, points in Stafford can become parking lots. This is especially frustrating when it’s 97 degrees and you are going 15 miles an hour with only 1 more exit to go…..but it is 6 miles away!
So you can imagine the relief many of us feel to know that VDOT is making the following improvements to help relieve some of that congestion and ultimately make our commutes north and south on I-95 a bit more tolerable.
New I-95 HOV/HOT Lanes Project
The new I-95 HOV/HOT lanes project will create approximately 29 miles of HOV/HOT lanes on I-95 from Garrisonville Road in Stafford County to the vicinity of Edsall Road on I-395 in Fairfax County and includes:
- Constructing two new reversible HOV/HOT lanes for nine miles from Route 610/Garrisonville Road in Stafford County to Route 234 in Dumfries, where the existing HOV lanes begin
- Widening the existing HOV lanes from two lanes to three lanes for 14 miles from the Prince William Parkway to approximately two miles north of the Springfield Interchange in the vicinity of Edsall Road
- Making improvements to the existing two HOV lanes for six miles from Route 234 to the Prince William Parkway
- Adding new or improved access points in the areas of Garrisonville Road, Joplin Road, Prince William Parkway, Fairfax County Parkway, Franconia-Springfield Parkway, I-495 and in the vicinity of Edsall Road.
The new HOV/HOT lanes project will no longer include the originally planned construction of six miles of HOV/HOT lanes on I-395 in Alexandria or Arlington County or upgrades to key interchanges at Shirlington and Eads Street in Arlington County. Those lanes will continue to be restricted to HOV, transit, eligible hybrids and motorcycles during rush hours.
However, VDOT is advancing plans to construct a new ramp at I-395 and Seminary Road for the Mark Center, concurrent with the HOV/HOT lanes project. The ramp will be open to HOV and transit only. Construction on the ramp could begin as early as 2012.
VDOT will also expand park-and-ride lots and fund other local transit improvements to maximize the benefit of the new HOV/HOT lanes network.
Drive Safely!
Irene Morales Ward, Realtor (r)
REMAX Distinctive
Northern Virginia Real Estate
My First Love
I recently sold a property to a very young and excited couple who were purchasing for the first time. Giving them the keys after settlement made me a little melancholy. Did they really understand what was ahead for them? Could they really appreciate the scope of what was about to happen? And let’s face it – this was more than just a purchase. It was the beginning of their lives together as a family.
As Realtors(r), we oftentimes live vicariously through our clients’ lives. When I was watching them go through the home for their final walk-through inspection prior to signing papers, my mind was brought back to my own first home. I didn’t see it as a “property” or “investment” when my husband and I bought it. It was where we were going to raise our family. Watching them run the dishwasher and open and close windows and doors, I was transported to another place and time.
I could distinctly hear my very young daughter at the age of two tell me she was afraid to sleep alone and could she please sleep with me. I could feel her creep into my bed in the middle of the night and almost feel the heavy heart I had some 22 years ago when I had to gently take her back to her “big girl” bed to sleep on her own.
I saw my 10 month old son running up our front yard dribbling a soccer ball – yes, you read it correctly. He was quite advanced. At 18 months he would throw baseballs to our Labrador mix, Lady, who obediently fetched every single one he threw – no matter where it landed. I heard his very high pitched voice telling her “GOOD WADY!” and I could clearly see her wagging her tail in eager anticipation of the next throw.
I heard the laughter of my 6 month old daughter as she opened her very first Christmas presents. Little did anyone in my home know that Daddy had to work the midnight shift on Christmas Day so we celebrated two days later so we could all be together. I remember it well.
I remember my father sitting in my kitchen drinking coffee waiting to enjoy Christmas at home with my family for the first and last time. I remember the joy in his face when we went to Mass and my children were so well behaved. I remember coming home and making a huge feast that filled our bellies and our souls.
I remember the heartache coming home from the hospital after I miscarried…my dog, Lady, keeping vigil by my side as I wept. But I also remember the enormous joy watching my children play and swim during those hot summer days in a little plastic pool in our less than manicured backyard. I remember the time PopPop nearly fell in that little pool when my son squirted him accidentally with the garden hose and the hysterical laughter that followed!
I remember the dinners burned, the boo boos kissed, the late nights walking the long family room in our basement with a sick child, the Halloween costumes made by hand, the Easters hunting eggs, the many Happy Birthdays sung, the music played and dances danced, games played and lessons learned, the bedtime prayers and the I love yous that were always said.
I remember……and I’ll never forget – any of it.
I pray that every young couple entering their first home can sit down and appreciate the “moments” that make up a lifetime. They are what make life worth living – those moments. Not the furniture that fills the room or the cars parked in your driveway. It’s the moments between the ones you love – in your FIRST HOME! Your FIRST LOVE!
Irene Morales Ward, Realtor (r)
REMAX Distinctive
Northern Virginia Real Estate
HOA’s that Disappear
Working most recently with a family relocating to Stafford County from Florida, I was challenged when trying to confirm whether or not the property was located within a Homeowner’s Association. Because I was the Buyer’s Agent, I was relying on the information from the listing which indicated there was indeed an HOA. Of course, everyone knows this information may or may not be accurate so we have to practice due diligence to get to the bottom of things when information isn’t as black and white as we’d like.
What do you do as a Buyer’s Agent if your clients are requesting an HOA package from the seller and the seller is not exactly sure where that HOA is or if there even is one? What if the seller is an investor who has no real knowledge of the community, restrictions, covenants, fees, or history of the area? Even after having lived in this area for 25+ years, as a Realtor, I cannot be expected to know every HOA and even if I did, it would be incomprehensible to make myself responsible for knowing all of their contact information, covenants/restrictions, fees, etc – especially since they often change dramatically over time.
I took it upon myself when given the answer “I don’t know” to call as many of the residents of that community to find out for myself whether or not there was a functioning Homeowner’s Association. Interestingly enough, not only did I get a full history from residents who had been there from the beginning, but I had an opportunity to introduce myself and my clients who would soon be there new neighbors. This satisfied the seller, the title company, the lender and most especially, my clients.
It always pays to go a bit above and beyond for your clients.
Irene Morales Ward, Realtor
REMAX Distinctive
Northern Virginia Real Estate
Dinner and a Movie at Muvico in Spotsylvania Towne Centre
After 30 years with my husband (and 5 kids later), date nights are a rarity. However, I was excited by the prospect of a change of venue when my husband suggested we go see Red and I found out it was playing at Muvico. My 20 year old had frequented the place often this summer, sometimes taking her younger siblings for pizza and a movie. She spoke of the beautiful decor and enormous screens but for someone who doesn’t get out much, it was lost on me.
Boy, what an impression it made! The idea of getting dinner and a movie in the same location was very appealing but even more so was the price! Pizza for 2, non-alcoholic beverages and 2 movie tickets to the movie of your choice were only $24.95. We stepped it up a notch and had their more expensive meal. For $39.95 you could get an appetizer to share, two salads, two entrees, and beverages….PLUS 2 tickets to the movie of your choice. The meal was small but tasty. I had the spicy tuna roll and ceasar salad (TINY) and my husband had the cheeseburger sliders. Now, yes, he could have gotten 2 double cheeseburgers at McDonald’s and been more satisfied by the portion size, but we were at the movies….having dinner! Our calamari appetizer came out at the end of our meal at which time we had to leave for the movie and didn’t have much appetite for an appetizer after the meal.
The service was a bit slow considering we went on Wednesday evening and the place was anything but busy. We were told to sit where we wanted and were waited on about 15 minutes later by a very apologetic and friendly waiter/bartender. The ambience was really quite nice. We’re not much for crowds and this particular evening proved to give us the experience we desired. Plasma screen TV’s were everywhere and I could see how this place would be a huge hit on Sundays during the football season. Beer and pizza specials appeared to be touchdown winners!
The theatre experience was magnificent. The screen was like watching the largest, clearest, plasma screen TV I’ve ever seen. it was perfection! The seats reclined comfortably and there was plenty of leg room – even for my husband who stands 6’3″. Aside from the picture, the audio quality was exceptional as every shot fired and explosion seemed to be coming from a different direction! We had the option of sitting in the over-21, balcony seating section where we could have had alcoholic beverages, leather seating, and access to their billiards tables. However, one drink and I would have slept through half the movie so that was not an option!
I love this area of Stafford/Fredericksburg primarily because it has history, rural beauty, and an Old Town charm that is rarely found. However, it also has some great entertainment, dining and shopping. Muvico and Splitsville at the Spotsylvania Towne Center had all of these!
Irene Morales Ward, Realtor
11/6/2010
New park opens in Stafford County
The Stafford County Department of Parks and Recreation held grand opening ceremonies on Saturday, October 18th to celebrate the newest addition to the county’s park system. Patawomeck Park cost $4.8M to construct and has the most modern facilities. Lighted and irrigated soccer, football and softball fields, as well as restrooms and a picnic pavilion are ready for public use. Patawomeck Park is the result of a land transfer between the county and the Moncure family. The family gave the county the land for the park and donated $500,000 towards construction in exchange for the old Fritter Park which was closed. The land that was Fritter Park is now part of the Quantico Corporate Center.
Patawomeck Park is located off Route 1 in the Widewater section at 25 Chopawamsic Parkway in Stafford. For more information contact the Stafford Department of Parks and Recreation at 540-658-4871 or visit their website at www.stafford.va.us/parks.
Welcome Home!
On Tuesday, October 14th the 140 members of the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion’s Delta Company returned home to Quantico after a six month deployment in the al Anbar Province of Iraq. The 129 Marines and 11 Navy Corpsmen were greeted by family and friends waving flags and homemade signs. Happily all of the Marines and sailors arrived home safely after completing their mechanized security mission. The battalion now gets some well deserved time off to be with their families.
No new taxes to close budget gap in Stafford County
On Tuesday, October 7th, Stafford County Administrator Anthony Romanello reported to the Board of Supervisors that the county faces a $5.6M budget shortfall for fiscal year 2009. Mr. Romanello submitted his recommendations to the Board that will close the gap without raising taxes on county residents. Stafford County is one of many jurisdictions throughout the state facing funding issues in the coming year. The state itself is facing shortfalls with Governor Kaine and the Legislature searching for answers to combat revenue shortages, fuel cost increases and the general economic slowdown and financial crisis that we see on the news everyday.
Fortunately, unlike many counties, Stafford will implement a plan that calls for the county to tighten its belt first. Mr. Romanello suggests eliminating unfilled positions in the County bureaucracy. This attrition plan, while not ideal, will allow for the least impact on residents. The Administrator also recommended cut-backs in training courses, special events, outside legal fees and computer upgrades and repairs. Also, the Woodlands Pool facility which is currently open seven days a week would be closed on Sundays which is their slowest day. Facility upgrades and repairs will also be re-evaluated to ensure that only necessary repairs are made until the financial picture is brighter.
In closing, Mr. Romanello told the Board that he is very optimistic about the future financial strength of the County citing three million square feet of new commercial development in various stages throughout the county. The Board approved the plan as submitted regarding everything except the attrition plan. They have postponed that decision until the October 21st meeting.
Stafford County aids Chesapeake Bay clean-up
Virginia state officials have announced that they will be disbursing about $188 Million around the state to assist local jurisdictions in their efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. Stafford County is expected to receive between $5.5M and $7.6M from the State Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund to upgrade the Little Falls Run Wastewater Treatment Plant that discharges into the Rappahannock River. The Rappahannock feeds into the Chesapeake Bay near Stingray Point.
The state, working with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, has set a goal of 2010 to clean up “point-source pollution” and reduce the volume of nutrients flowing into the Bay. Point-source pollution refers to drainage flowing from one particular source, usually a specific drainage pipe. The volume of nutrients is most affected by other sources into the Bay including run-off and dumping in protected or vulnerable areas. Stafford County is currently upgrading the wastewater treatment plant in Aquia.
While the upgrades at the treatment plants will not have a noticeable daily impact on the lives of Stafford County residents, the health and survival of the Chesapeake Bay is a major factor in the preservation of the historic Rappahannock River. The Rappahannock serves as a source of recreation and scenic beauty in the county. The clean water initiative will also help to restore the oyster and crab population in the Bay.
For more information about upcoming events, advocacy and news related to the Rappahannock visit the Friends of the Rappahannock website at www.riverfriends.org.
The train wreck we should have seen coming
In an attempt to increase home ownership among minorities and low to moderate income consumers, the Clinton Administration was instrumental in putting pressure on Fannie Mae to expand loan options to this demographic. The article in the New York Times from September 30, 1999 is crystal clear in its analysis and prediction.
In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980′s.
”From the perspective of many people, including me, this is another thrift industry growing up around us,” said Peter Wallison a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. ”If they fail, the government will have to step up and bail them out the way it stepped up and bailed out the thrift industry.”
Why then did no one pay attention? Because there was money to be made – no doubt! Whether or not you choose to lay blame on the Democrats or Republicans; the Feds or the lending institutions; Freddie Mac and/or Fannie Mae; the consumer or the Realtor for this downfall, it clearly didn’t just start 2 years ago. Most of us in the business saw this coming like a runaway train on the verge of derailing – with little to no choice but to watch the impending train wreck!
Forbes ranks Stafford County, VA as one of the best places to get ahead
Many counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia have much to brag about. Whether it’s a safe, beautiful place to raise your family, or a culturally diverse, exceptional school system, we all have much to boast about.
Stafford County had been given a pat on the back by Forbes.com as being one of the best places in the country to get ahead. They based this on several factors:
- Income and job data from the U.S. Census and Department of Labor Statistics
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Locations where median income was rising the most quickly
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Limited list to counties where the median income was at least $75,000.
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Study of job growth information as far back as 2000
Forbes.com stated that “Stafford County has a proven ability to land federal jobs and companies with government contracts, as well as to attract businesses from all over the country…”
Statistical information from the Virginia Employment Commission shows:
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Stafford is fourth in Virginia in terms of the growth in businesses, by percentage, with an increase of 36.7 percent from 2002 to 2007.
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Stafford is third in the Commonwealth in at-place employment growth with a 34.3 percent increase.
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Stafford now has 2,132 businesses and 34,832 individuals employed in the county.
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Professional and technical services jobs more than doubled from 2002-2007 in Stafford.
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Stafford’s new professional jobs growth in the last five years has propelled the county’s average weekly wage to more than $40,000 a year for the first time, placing the county second, by percentage, in the Commonwealth in terms of average weekly wage growth.
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Stafford experienced an increase of 43.3 percent in its average weekly wage from 2002 to 2007.
Earlier this year Forbes.com also stated that Stafford was the 11th wealthiest county in the United States, basing their rankings on median household income data estimates from the 2006 census. Stafford’s median household income is listed at $85,014.
Here are a list of some of the top Government and Defense Contractors located right here in Stafford County, all of whom currently have positions available:
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BAE Systems
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Booz, Allen, Hamilton
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Northrup Grumman
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Lockhead Martin
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Apogen Technologies
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Pitney Bowes
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L-3 Communications
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QinetiQ North America
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Titan – 2
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ITT Defense Electronics
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Mtcsc
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Saic
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General Dynamics Information Technology
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Department of Defense
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Science Applications
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URS
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Department of the Navy
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Navy, US Marine Corps (Quantico)
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C2 Portfolio Essentials
Irene Morales Ward, Northern Virginia Real Estate
