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Stafford officials gather input about redevelopment of U.S. 17 corridor Date published: 10/1/2008
by Jonas Beals
It seems that Stafford officials and residents are in agreement: Traveling on U.S. 17 near Interstate 95 is a nightmare. Rapid suburban growth combined with heavy doses of commercial and commuter traffic have gummed up one of the county's busiest intersections. It will be a long time before those problems are fixed, but the county is taking the first steps toward redeveloping what they call the "Southern Gateway" between I-95 and Berea Road on U.S. 17. County and transportation officials hosted a meeting last week about the plan. About 80 people attended. The proposed changes are radical. The future Southern Gateway could have more in common with a college campus or quaint city center than an off-ramp strip mall. A philosophical shift in development priorities flavors the entire process. Instead of allowing builders to define the area, county departments will try to use their influence to mold a place that is more of a neighborhood--complete with mixed commercial, business and residential spaces. If these ideas take root, officials hope the Southern Gateway could turn into a pedestrian-friendly zone where local jobs replace lengthy commutes and usable green space is a central design feature. "What's important," Redevelopment Administrator Brad Johnson said, "is the mixed-use development along 17." Johnson introduced the concept of "reverse frontage." Buildings along U.S. 17 would be built with their backs to the road. Storefronts, office buildings and homes would open onto side streets or interior courtyards. It's one way planners hope to free up U.S. 17 for through traffic without removing commercial and business space. "Our role is to create a business-friendly environment to attract the private sector," Johnson said. "We can't do this alone. We want to partner with the community." Ambitious? One trip from Falmouth to Geico is all the incentive one needs. Such a complicated proposal is made even more so due to the fact that Stafford won't be directly involved in the redevelopment. The project will rely almost entirely on private-sector investment. Basically, business will have to build the development that Stafford wants, one piece at a time. "We couldn't find any locality that's doing exactly what we're doing," Deputy County Administrator Tim Baroody said. "I think we're ahead of most communities with this project."
Read more stories about Stafford Date published: 10/1/2008
Right now is not the time to look at artists renditions of fantasy projects like this. There is already too much retail space sitting unoccupied in the county and the economic slide will assure that there's more empty space to come. The negative impacts on these grandiose pet projects far outweigh the benefits. It's clear that the short sighted community leaders are more impressed by shiny objects than by reality, like failing and insufficient infrastructure.
This is exactly the kind of forward thinking this county has been craving. Bravo! I live of 17 and all I want to know is, where do I sign up? You mean we are going to build something that allows people to park and walk to several stores at once. I envision Main Street feel, not our usual mini mall after mini mall scenario.
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