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Issue 125

Friday, July 15, 2022

Prince William County

Dear Neighbors,


As you'll see in the Chair's Calendar section below, there are exciting transportation things happening. In addition, I want to provide an update on a specific road project here, the I66 Express Lanes.


For those of you who travel the I-66 corridor for work or to enjoy the many wonderful places in Western Prince William County, the end of the major roadwork is near. The Virginia Department of Transportation, along with the I-66 Express Mobility Partners, are targeting a completion by the end of the year. (Portions may be finished sooner!)


This multi-year project will be transformative for our County. The addition of express lanes, commuter parking lots with thousands of spaces, and express bus services using the express lanes to various locations, will provide major transit nodes and much needed congestion relief on the non-express lanes.


Visit Transform 66 for more information. I know driving I-66 during the construction the last few years has not been easy, but the end is in sight!


In Service,

Chair Ann Wheeler


Chair's Calendar

Transportation Funding Adopted

Thursday, July 14, Chair Wheeler participated in the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority's (NVTA) adoption of the FY2022-2027 Six Year Program which invests in regional multimodal transportation projects located throughout Northern Virginia. Of the twenty projects funded, four in Prince William County and one in the City of Manassas received over $95 million in funding from the NVTA Six Year Program. You can learn more about the NVTA in issue 12 and on its FAQ website


Seventeen elected or appointed members make up the NVTA’s governing body. Chair Wheeler is one of fourteen members with voting rights.

Prince William County Projects Funded are the: 


  • University Boulevard Extension: Devlin Road to Wellington Road.
  • Old Bridge Road Widening: Colby Drive to Minnieville Road.
  • Van Buren Road North Extension Design: Route 234 to Cardinal Drive.
  • Route 1 at Route 123 Interchange.


City of Manassas Project funded is the Liberia Avenue 3rd Lane Eastbound: Route 28 to Euclid Avenue

Policymaker Breakfast Meeting

Thursday, July 14, Chair Wheeler attended the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance's July Policymaker Breakfast, "Shaping the Region: Past Present and Future of Express Lanes." 

Featured Speakers Included:


Graduation

Wednesday, July 13, Chair Wheeler attended a recognition event for PWC's Fire & Rescue System Volunteer Recruit Class 22170, “The Blazerunners,” celebrating their completion of the County’s Firefighter Training program.  

Festivals

Saturday, July 9, Chair Wheeler was invited to attend and speak at Eid al-Adha prayers at the ADAMS Center in Gainesville and Dar al Noor. Eid al-Adha honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to Allah's command.


COVID-19

Data

The Virginia Department of Health UVA COVID-19 Modeling Weekly Update is posted weekly by 5:00 pm on Fridays. The model provides Key Takeaways such as historical comparisons and subvariant activity.

The Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 Cases Dashboard for the Prince William Health District dated Friday, July 15, showed an increase in case numbers from last Friday's. The 7-day average on Friday, July 15 was 193.9. On Friday, July 8, it was 146.7 (issue124).

The CDC Community Level Tool dated Thursday, July 14, showed Prince William County's community level continues to be medium. This tool looks at hospital beds being used and hospital admissions, as well as number of new cases. The CDC advises when the community level is medium to:


You can check the community levels in other areas here

Resources
Protecting Yourself and Others:
Latest Data:
How to Get Vaccinated:
How to get tested:

BOCS
Next Meeting

Tuesday, July 19 at 2:00 pm

Work Session: PWC Strategic Plan


For Public Comment Time options, visit SpeakUp! Prince William.

Remote speakers must sign-up by 5:00 pm on Monday, July 18. In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.

Read the Agenda
Visit SpeakUp! Prince William

Upcoming Meeting Schedule 


The Board's next meeting will be Tuesday, August 2, at 2:00 pm. Following this meeting, the Board will be in recess until September, when it will meet Tuesday, September 2, at 2:00 pm. 


County News

Renaming Jefferson Davis Highway Ceremony

Saturday, July 16, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, PWC is hosting a Sign Unveiling Ceremony for Route 1's renaming to Richmond Highway. Friday, July 1, Route 1 in PWC was officially renamed from Jefferson Davis Highway to Richmond Highway (issue 123). The public is invited to the unveiling event, which will be held at the River Oaks Shopping Center, 16555 River Ridge Boulevard in Woodbridge

History of the Renaming


Since 2019, jurisdictions in Northern Virginia have undertaken efforts to rename Route 1 as Richmond Highway. In September 2020, the BOCS approved a resolution requesting the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) change the name in PWC. In November 2020, the CTB unanimously approved the resolution changing Route 1 in PWC from Jefferson Davis Highway to Richmond Highway.

Data Center Fiscal Analysis Published

The PWC Planning Office has received a Data Center Fiscal Impact Analysis report conducted by PFM Group Consulting in coordination with County’s Finance Department. The 71-page report covers:

  • PWC Profile.
  • Data Center Industry: History, Trends, and Impacts, 
  • PWC Data Center key Issues.
  • Data Center cost Benefit Analysis.

The Key Activities and Deliverables Identified for Impact Analysis were:

  • Interviews with stakeholders and subject matter experts.
  • Review of PWC real and personal property tax records for existing data centers.
  • Analyze the types of tax generated to determine the methodology. 
  • Determine the fiscal costs to the government for a data center (i.e., schools, police, fire and rescue services, etc.).

Equity and Inclusion Report

The PWC Office of Equity and Inclusion has published its Inaugural Report. It includes data that was gathered and synthesized, as well as three key priority indicators that align with the County's Strategic Plan. The report captures a snapshot of the Office's work and serves as a roadmap of key priorities for the upcoming year. 

Quarantine Issued

Friday, July 8, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) expanded its Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine to Slow the Spread to Prince William County, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park. Learn more by reading the U.S. Department of Agriculture and VDACS's Best Management Practices for Businesses

Impact of the Quarantine


This quarantine affects any business/commercial entity which has vehicles or goods leaving the County. These entities will have to obtain a permit and inspect regulated articles to ensure the articles do not contain any life stage of the insect. Use the following embedded hyperlinks to learn about the Spotted Lanternfly Permit Program, enroll in Spotted Lanternfly Permit Training, and use the Spotted Lanternfly Permit Application.

Regulated articles are those which are considered to be a risk for movement of spotted lanternfly to un-infested areas and include, but are not limited to:


  • Any life stage of the spotted lanternfly.
  • Live or dead trees; nursery stock; green lumber; firewood; logs; perennial plants; garden plants or produce; stumps; branches; mulch; or composted or un-composted chips, bark, or yard waste.
  • Outdoor industrial or construction materials or equipment; concrete barriers or structures; stone, quarry material, ornamental stone, or concrete; or construction, landscaping, or remodeling waste.
  • Shipping containers, such as wood crates or boxes.
  • Outdoor household articles, including recreational vehicles; lawn tractors or mowers; grills; grill or furniture covers; tarps; mobile homes; tile; stone; or deck boards.
  • Any equipment, trucks, or vehicles not stored indoors; any means of conveyance utilized for movement of an article; any vehicle, trailer or wagon.

How Residents Can Help Slow the Spread


While the quarantine does not affect any individual resident, you are encouraged to report any sightings of Spotted Lanternfly. Learn more in the County's informative Spotted Lanternfly webpage and video, as well as the Virginia Cooperative Extension's Best Management Practices for Spotted Lanternfly in Yards and Landscapes

Save the Date

Tuesday, August 2, is National Night Out (NNO). Traditionally held the first Tuesday evening of August, the annual community-building campaign promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. NNO enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement, while bringing back a true sense of community. 

Millions of neighbors participate across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide. Details about NNO in PWC will be shared in an upcoming issue. Until then, you can watch the video below to learn more about NNO.


County Happenings

Information Sessions

Virginia Cooperative Extension is hosting two 2022 Master Gardener Volunteer Program information sessions. In the sessions Master Gardener Program Coordinator Nancy Berlin will provide information on things like the basic requirements for the program, application instructions, and more. You can learn more about the Master Gardeners of Prince William here

Register here for one of the two information sessions below: 

  • Tuesday, August 23, at 6:30 pm, at Sudley North Complex, 7987 Ashton Avenue in Manassas.
  • Thursday, August 25 at 6:30pm, at the PWC Government Center, 5 County Complex in Woodbridge.

More About the Volunteer Program


Extension Master Gardener Volunteers work within their local communities to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management education and training. All volunteers are provided at least 50 hours of horticultural classes and return at least 50 hours of volunteer community service through their local Extension office.

Individual Horticultural Classes Also Available


Not interested in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer but would like to become more knowledgeable about an aspect of horticulture? Virginia Cooperative Extension has horticultural classes available to the public. There are a wide range of topics on things like weeds, ornamental gardens, vegetables, bees, and more. Learn more and register (required) here

Self Defense Class

PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism is offering an Aikido Self Defense Techniques class for ages 10 through 99 in August. Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art designed for defense against larger, armed and multiple opponents. Practice of Aikido also leads to fitness benefits and personal growth. All experience levels welcomed.

Class cost is $90 and will be held at the Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center in Dale City. It will meet all four weekends in August from 8:00 am to 9:00 am on Saturdays and 9:30 am to 11:00 am on Sundays. Learn more and register here.

A Quacking Good Time

Sunday, August 14, at 12:00 pm, the Historic Town of Occoquan is hosting its 14th Annual Duck Splash. To get in on the fun, you can adopt a numbered rubber duck (or ducks!) for $5 each and watch it race along the Occoquan River with hundreds of other ducks. Prizes range from $100 for 1st place to $20 for 10th place. You do not have to be present to win. Net proceeds from the event will benefit Patriots for Disabled Divers. Learn more and adopt your duck here


County Kudos

PWC Athletes Bring Home Medals

The three athletes representing PWC on Team Virginia at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Florida (issue 115) did an amazing job!

Tiffany Robinson from Woodbridge, Athletics

Gold in Mini-Javelin, Silver in 100m Run, and 5th in 4x100m Relay

Robert Harris from Woodbridge, Powerlifting

Silver in Bench Press, Squat, Deadlift, and Combination

Jerry Holy from Woodbridge, Swimming

Silver in 100yd Breaststroke and Freestyle, and 5th in 4 x 50yd Medley Relay


Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 482,000 residents. 
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