Plan to Redevelop Lorton Prison Set for Approval

[mreyes2112]

Just read a story on plans for Lorton Prison to redevelop. I really hope they are not planning to build over Laurel Hills! This would be awful! :confused2:

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0510/734793.html

[VFDRider]

Is there anywhere to view the master plan? Unless they build directly west of the parking area toward Rt 123 I'm sure all of the trails will take a hit - regardless it would ruin the ambiance/atmosphere....who could we write on this??? Might it even be beneficial to the current residents to be alerted so that they don't lose their privacy and solitude???

Its a shame that nobody wants to leave a shroud of green space anywhere - this is exactly what FFX county needs; yet another avenue to shop, stuff your face and waste away inside a $500,000 "luxury" town home....:hammertime:

[toonces]

They are talking about the prison, NOT the trails.

[mryan1967]

original master plan here:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/laurelhill/approvedlhcdpp1.pdf

not sure if it has been modified or not.
It clearly references maxing open space and recreation as uses in the intro......

[mryan1967]

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/laurelhill/master_plan.htm

updates....

[CRAIG2]

Its a shame that nobody wants to leave a shroud of green space anywhere - this is exactly what FFX county needs; yet another avenue to shop, stuff your face and waste away inside a $500,000 "luxury" town home....:hammertime:

Why do you hate America? :p:D:flushed:

[eloach]

Its a shame that nobody wants to leave a shroud of green space anywhere - this is exactly what FFX county needs; yet another avenue to shop, stuff your face and waste away inside a $500,000 "luxury" town home....:hammertime:

Man, that sounds like something I would say... :o

[eloach]

That's a decent plan for the site. I wouldn't want to live there. Ever been back in there with the ghosts?

Wanna bet the county waives the sediment study fee for the developer, or totally waves the study? :nono:

[TBLGirl]

The trails are a part of Fairfax County Park Authority park system, not the development site. They will not be taken away and are a part of the "Big Picture" for LH. MORE was one of the first groups to engage FCPA about making sure a mulituse natural surface trail system was on the master plan for LH- we have been involved in the planning of the trails for almost 9 years. MORE secured the grant and hired IMBA TS to create the trail plan that kicked off the whole process. If a couple people from MORE had not seen the potential of the trails in that area; we would not have what we have. It is a great place for all types of riders.

[crack monkey]

I'm seeing what looks like a Reston Town Center-esque development going in immediately to the North of the current parking lot used for the trail network - is that correct? If so, sounds good - the south end of the country could use a major development like that (dense, walkable, liveable) and as a bonus, hopefully, there'll be beer and grub for post-ride replenishment.

[tsunayoshi]

I'm seeing what looks like a Reston Town Center-esque development going in immediately to the North of the current parking lot used for the trail network - is that correct? If so, sounds good - the south end of the country could use a major development like that (dense, walkable, liveable) and as a bonus, hopefully, there'll be beer and grub for post-ride replenishment.
The new development at the Wegman's in Woodbridge is trying to go that route. The developer renderings make it look like a mini Reston Town Center.

No trails right next door though.

[crack monkey]

The new development at the Wegman's in Woodbridge is trying to go that route. The developer renderings make it look like a mini Reston Town Center.

No trails right next door though.

Yeah, there's one out Rt 7, just east of Leesburg. Don't quite get it - it doesn't have residential (on site or within easy walk), and isn't along a major commuter artery (Rt. 7 doesn't count). Urban planning fail.

[eloach]

I'm seeing what looks like a Reston Town Center-esque development going in immediately to the North of the current parking lot used for the trail network - is that correct? If so, sounds good - the south end of the country could use a major development like that (dense, walkable, liveable) and as a bonus, hopefully, there'll be beer and grub for post-ride replenishment.

It's a LOT smaller than Reston Town Center, but should still provide good post ride eats and drink for both Laurel Hill and FH.

[gddavid]

My family grew up in Lorfax Heights, a small older community off of Hooes rd back in the 70's and early 80's. We were about a stone's throw from the penitentiary. The prison never bothered us one bit. We never worried about inmates bothering us because if they escaped because first of all the security was tight and secondly if someone got out they would not want to stay nearby waiting around to get caught. The long time residents never had a problem with the prison as it helped support the local economy and was not a drain on the local resources. A close family friend of ours helped start a gardening program with the inmates on the prison grounds and found great fulfillment helping these men learn a new skill. In many respects you couldn't ask for a better neighbor; there were no children that the local schools had to support, the inmates weren't out driving on the roads increasing traffic, etc.

As time passed and development increased in the area we witnessed opposition to the prison's existence grow among the new locals. We found it funny how they starting trying to claim they lived in West Springfield or use their communities name such as Crosspoint to describe where they lived. No one wanted the stigma of a Lorton mailing address and developers were anxious to help them avoid it. They fought harder every year to get that place shut down. It was like watching a guy buy a house next to a waste treatment center and then complain about the smell. As I understand it, the opposition by the new locals really didn't come into play during the decision to close the place, it was really a result of congressional decisions and budgetary issues but either way they got what they asked for.

I'm not an opponent of development as people need a place to live and want nice safe neighborhoods to raise their families and I try not to be a "not in my back yard" type of citizen either but I can't help to notice the irony of the same people who couldn't stand the prison are now fearful of the development in the vacuum of the good old Lorton Penitentiary.

disclaimer: my facts might be off a bit as I was 3 when we moved away in 1983

[eloach]

My family grew up in Lorfax Heights, a small older community off of Hooes rd back in the 70's and early 80's. We were about a stone's throw from the penitentiary. The prison never bothered us one bit. We never worried about inmates bothering us because if they escaped because first of all the security was tight and secondly if someone got out they would not want to stay nearby waiting around to get caught. The long time residents never had a problem with the prison as it helped support the local economy and was not a drain on the local resources. A close family friend of ours helped start a gardening program with the inmates on the prison grounds and found great fulfillment helping these men learn a new skill. In many respects you couldn't ask for a better neighbor; there were no children that the local schools had to support, the inmates weren't out driving on the roads increasing traffic, etc.

As time passed and development increased in the area we witnessed opposition to the prison's existence grow among the new locals. We found it funny how they starting trying to claim they lived in West Springfield or use their communities name such as Crosspoint to describe where they lived. No one wanted the stigma of a Lorton mailing address and developers were anxious to help them avoid it. They fought harder every year to get that place shut down. It was like watching a guy buy a house next to a waste treatment center and then complain about the smell. As I understand it, the opposition by the new locals really didn't come into play during the decision to close the place, it was really a result of congressional decisions and budgetary issues but either way they got what they asked for.

I'm not an opponent of development as people need a place to live and want nice safe neighborhoods to raise their families and I try not to be a "not in my back yard" type of citizen either but I can't help to notice the irony of the same people who couldn't stand the prison are now fearful of the development in the vacuum of the good old Lorton Penitentiary.

disclaimer: my facts might be off a bit as I was 3 when we moved away in 1983

If you get a chance, go INSIDE the buildings that are still there. Then post up what you thought of the "vibe". Maybe it's just me...

And you are right about one thing, neighbors complaints didn't have much to do with why it was shut down.

[gddavid]

Absolutely, I agree about the conditions and understand that the pressure to shut the place down was based upon conditions and budgetary issues. I was being a bit tongue in cheek saying (good old Lorton Penitentiary). My point was that it was never negatively impacting the community. Members of my community were advocating for improved conditions for the facility and were doing alot of volunteer work within the prison while people new the the area appeared to be looking for an excuse to get it out of their back yard.

I wasn't trying to stir any pot, just giving my perspective.

[mryan1967]

I remember the house that what seems like forever sat right on RT 123 with the "Prison View Estate" sign hanging from its mailbox;) Always got a kick out of that as a kid driving by there.

It will be interesting to see how the development goes in terms of sucess selling homes and leasing the commercial space. As Eloach eluded too I bet people are going to have a hard time getting past the 'where' &'what' uesed to be there....

[CRAIG2]

As Eloach eluded too I bet people are going to have a hard time getting past the 'where' &'what' uesed to be there....

Doubt it. Sure, a few might, but by and large, nah. It's an up and coming area. Those who are smart will buy in as quickly as they can.

If you really think that people are going to have such a hard time getting over what "used to be", the U Street Corridor in DC would really, really like a word with you.

If anything, it'll draw people up from the 'burg who are looking to cut time off their commute, and it'll lure people further south from DC who are looking for 'affordable' trendy housing.

[TiRyder]

Yeah, there's one out Rt 7, just east of Leesburg. Don't quite get it - it doesn't have residential (on site or within easy walk), and isn't along a major commuter artery (Rt. 7 doesn't count). Urban planning fail.

Umm...there is residential, people live above the stores. I was there last night and notcied that a lot of the apartments/condos/townhouses already are lived in.

Do you live out there? Route 7 IS a pretty major artery in my opinion, or at least it sure feels like it in the morning and afternoon, but I guess it depends on what you are comparing it to.

I think it is definitely not a fail. Its going to be great for the area once the stores are occupied and all the residential areas are populated, which is still 6 months off.

[camp]

...name such as Crosspoint to describe where they lived. No one wanted the stigma of a Lorton mailing address ....That's why the Fairfax Station zip code was created.

I remember Prison View Estate too:D;)

[gddavid]

That's why the Fairfax Station zip code was created.

I remember Prison View Estate too:D;)

Fairfax Station was the one I was trying to remember. We thought it was hilarious. Most of our neighborhood attended the little old Methodist church on Silverbrook road which didn't have indoor plumbing until 1990 or so and all of the yuppies were buying up homes all around us in "Fairfax Station".

[camp]

...Silverbrook road ...Ahhh, Silverbrook Road, site of my first and last attempts to get air in my car.

[Bandit]

Ahhh, Silverbrook Road, site of my first and last attempts to get air in my car.

Me too. Now I just try to get that queasy feeling. Getting old sucks.

[crack monkey]

Umm...there is residential, people live above the stores.

Do you live out there? Route 7 IS a pretty major artery in my opinion

That's good to know. At a casual glance, it looked like mostly commercial office space.

Rt 7 is definitely major, as in well used. But, it isn't an interstate, won't get you to jobs quickly, and is prone to back-ups. The toll road is on the other side of Leesburg (not that far, but still have to get on 7 in the wrong direction, over the fly-over, and a few miles on the bypass). There also isn't any rail and it's not on the W&OD (it's close, but there isn't direct access, I don't think).

It's a step in the right direction, for sure. Just think the surrounding area should be more integrated.