Proposed Falmouth interchange draws fire

By Uriah A. Kiser

Published: April 28, 2008

FALMOUTH — A presentation by Stafford County officials on the redevelopment of Falmouth drew sharp criticism from residents who attended the public meeting, saying it would divide and destroy their neighborhood.
At issue is the Virginia Department of Transportation’s model for a $21.1 million single- diamond interchange to be constructed where Warrenton Road, Butler Road and U.S. 1 meet.

“We are on the road to get this intersection improved,” said David Ogle, Fredericksburg District administrator for VDOT.
For years the intersection has been the spot of multiple traffic delays and tie ups as motorists enter and exit downtown Fredericksburg using the aging Cambridge Street bridge, which is not included in the redevelopment plan.
“You’re not saving Falmouth; you’re destroying the town by separating the town,” said Juan Chaves of Falmouth.
The plan for a redesigned Falmouth entails tree-lined streets, public river access and small specialty shops the county hopes to lure to the area through a public-private business partnership. Residents say the proposed diamond interchange would negate this type of development.
Instead of the proposed single-diamond interchange, the majority of the nearly 50 residents who turned out at the public meeting would like to see the construction of a proposed $52 million bypass, which would connect Butler and Warrenton roads north of Falmouth.
“We have to get traffic out of Falmouth because we are the stewards of American history,” said Jack Edlund of Falmouth, as he pointed out the many historical places in the town.
Ogle said the details for the interchange improvements are still being worked out, and noted that protesters “are the reason why the interchange has not already been improved.”
The single-diamond interchange will accommodate projected traffic levels through the year 2030, according to Ogle. If the bypass were constructed at the higher projected cost, Ogle said it would accommodate the traffic for a substantially longer period of time.
A resident who spoke asked Ogle directly if VDOT had any reservations about tearing down his 18th-century home which sits in the right-of-way zone for the proposed interchange.
“I’m not knocking down anyone’s house, but traffic needs to be attended to,” said Ogle.
Board of Supervisors Chairman George Schwartz, D-Falmouth, and Harry Crisp, D- George Washington, say Falmouth is the ‘heart of Stafford County,” and support the single-diamond intersection.
The county hopes the redevelopment will spur a new wave in tourist activity in Falmouth and Belmont, as the county recently relocated its visitor center there.
“My expectation for this strategy will feature as much historic preservation as it does commercial development,” said Crisp.
Crisp noted when the Koons Automotive Dealership was looking to relocate from Maryland to Winchester, the county convinced the dealership to move to Falmouth.
“I promise you that we are not talking about those big box stores here in Falmouth,” said Tim Baroody, Stafford’s economic development administrator. Baroody said the county envisions a walkable streetscape.
Baroody also stated that Stafford was number two in wage growth, and number three in job growth statewide.
The Falmouth redevelopment project is one in a series of three redevelopment projects along U.S. 1 in the county, including Boswell’s Corner and the Courthouse area.
“Every time I look at this map I just don’t like what I see. Anyway I look at it and my house is gone,” said Cornelius Day, a Falmouth resident whose home would be lost if the proposed single-diamond interchange is built.
Day said he purchased the home in 1960, raised his family there and witnessed the area change and the traffic levels grow.
“The concept is great, but it is really scary as to why they would split the town with the interchange,” said Amy Johnson, owner of the town’s newly opened Amy’s Café.
Brad Johnson, Stafford’s development administrator, said there will be a series of three public meetings for the discussed redevelopment, to engage and involve the public “as much as possible.” Once approved, the final plan could go before the Stafford County Planning Commission in June 2009. If that commission approves the plan, it will then move to the board of supervisors for final approval.
“We’ve committed to the board that if we bring them a project, we will bring them a financing solution,” said Johnson.