It's When?opoly time again, when we try to bring readers up to date on various projects around the Fredericksburg area.

This year, an anticipated rebound in the housing market is the driving force in several efforts.

The Clift Farm Quarter and Embrey Mill projects in Stafford County join the When?opoly list, the Haven apartment developments are moving along, and there are plans for work to begin on Amelia Square, to name a few.

As always, some projects have hit rough patches. The State Fair filed for bankruptcy, but it still could be bought before next month's auction. The odds on the Kalahari waterpark and hotel complex becoming reality seem to be getting longer.

But every time something doesn't pan out, something else seems to fill the void. Eagle Village is forging ahead, with a new hotel in its near future. The Spotsylvania VRE station and all the growth expected in its shadow seem to be on pace. The Falmouth interchange project appears to finally be more than a wish. The downtown court building is coming closer to reality.

As the economy claws its way out of the worst recession of most of our lives, every project won't succeed, but a lot of them will. We salute all the efforts.

--Howard Owen

AMELIA SQUARE

The story so far: In April 2010 the Silver Cos. unveiled plans for the 20-unit, high-end Amelia Square townhouse development in downtown Fredericksburg. It's bordered by Amelia, Winchester and William streets. Since then the development group has torn down the former Fredericksburg Hardware store and tried to sell the homes amid an economic downturn.

Outlook: Silver officials say the site work could begin around July 1, with the first four townhouses started not long after that. Silver agents are also working to attract users to a planned 10,000-square-foot multi-tenant retail building fronting William Street.

--Bill Freehling

CARMEL CHURCH STATION