1. Revitalization of Richmond Highway
2. Benefits of Revitalization                      

Fairfax County will hold a "third round" public meeting and workshop on the Countywide Transit Network Study on Wednesday, July 10 from 6 - 9 pm in rooms 4/5 of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax 22035. The study is to determine the type of transit systems needed to accommodate desired economic growth throughout the county over the next several decades. The meeting will be held in an open-house format, with a 20-minute presentation beginning at 7 pm.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) has hired contractor AECOM to conduct a Multimodal Transportation Alternatives Analysis for the 14 miles of Richmond Highway from I-495 to Route 123 in Woodbridge, Prince William County. Community meetings are expected to begin in September.

Follow SFDC's new "Transportation & Infrastructure" webpage (from the "What's Happening?" menu) for consolidated updates on all the deliberations: 

Such signs typically provide the mileage to far-flung places, but these are intended to provide a sense of place and community, by letting people know how far it is to local community business centers.

The new signs have the same distinctive shape and colors (dark blue and red) as the "Gateway" signs of the series.  The Gateway signs debuted in November 2012.  At that event, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland told attendees, "This is a great day for the entire Richmond Highway community."  Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay added, "These signs add to the long list of recent improvements to our neighborhoods."  Former SFDC Executive Director David Versel stated, "These high-quality and durable signs help to distinguish our unique neighborhoods.  They give a sense of place and promote an identity for each node of Richmond Highway."

Richmond Highway's Wayfinding signage program was first conceived in 2005, and gathered momentum and funding over several years.  Grants were obtained from organizations such as the Neighborhood Enhancement Partnership Program.  The signage design and plan was finalized in late 2010.

Like other such programs, funding is limited and only a certain number of the signs originally envisioned will be installed.  SFDC is working with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation on the locations and messages of the remaining signs.

What do you think?  Do the Wayfinding signs help provide a sense of place on the Highway?  Share with us on Facebook.

Traffic.  It's the life blood of retail businesses.  The more people passing by, the more potential customers for your store.

Except when it isn't.  Drivers whizzing by at high speeds can't read small signs.  And your store may be located in the rear or side portion of a shopping center, with very little visibility.

What do you do to build your customer base?  Do you buy online or newspaper advertising?  Do you rely on social media or word of mouth?  Do you print your own (illegal) signs and post them at the street?  Do you hire someone to spin a sign on the corner?

In the coming months, the SFDC newsletter will feature some of these "hidden" business locations, and how proprietors attract customers and stay in business.  Watch this space for their stories.