Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood announced the soft opening of The Rose, a highly anticipated resort and gaming venue, on Facebook today, ahead of any official statement from the operator, Churchill Downs.
“The soft opening of The Rose is in full effect!” Mayor Wood shared in his post. “On Monday, I had the pleasure of joining the Town Council, staff, family, and friends for a private tour of this exciting new addition to Dumfries. I even had the honor of taking the first spin on the machines!”
The Manassas Park Governing Body is scheduled to make a pivotal decision on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, regarding a proposed amendment that could alter the development sequence of the City Center at Manassas Park, known as Park Central. The amendment under consideration would allow the construction of 110 residential apartments before a promised office building, a shift from the original development agreement.
Initially, the development agreement required the construction of an office building before any residential units. However, due to changes in market conditions, particularly the downturn in demand for office space prompted by the increase in remote work, city officials are considering a change in strategy.
Prince William County is navigating challenges as it seeks to balance the growing demand for data centers with its aspirations for technological innovation and education, particularly around the George Mason University SciTech Campus.
This dynamic was discussed at the Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting on September 10, when leaders and stakeholders expressed concerns over how the expansion of data centers could impact the county’s economic growth potential, particularly at the college’s Innovation District, outside Manassas.
Stafford’s Economic Development team is launching a new program for aspiring and established business owners.
The “Strategic Pop-Up Advisory & Resource Knowledge” (SPARK) program will serve as a form of “office hours” for community members to visit with members of Economic Development office to ask questions and discuss business matters. The mentorship series will be held at different days, times, and locations throughout Stafford.
Fillagreen, a new shop in downtown Fredericksburg, is set to offer refills on household and bathroom supplies, with a mission to reduce plastic waste. Owners John and Beverly Hicks were inspired to start Fillagreen by their 11-year-old twins, who had been learning about environmental issues and pollution. “We saw an opportunity to make a difference in the world while also teaching our children about the hard work that goes into running a small business,” said Beverly.
The Hicks first test-marketed their concept at the Manassas Farmer’s Market before opening their first brick-and-mortar location at 9029 Center St. in Manassas. They noticed a substantial gap in refillable product locations along the I-95 corridor between Manassas and Richmond and felt Fredericksburg was an ideal place to bridge that gap. John, who helped found the University of Mary Washington’s Mother’s Rugby team and remains active in its foundation, said that moving into downtown Fredericksburg was made easier through their partnership with Main Street America. Both Manassas and Fredericksburg are part of the Main Street program, which focuses on revitalizing historic downtowns and neighborhoods nationwide.
Adam, the valet parking coordinator, stands out front on opening day on Friday, July 19, overlooking a newly paved lot, driveway, and entrance to the new hotel. “It’s fully open,” he said. There are a few parking spots out front, but the hotel has more parking in the parking garage across the street.
The Publisher is part of Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio, managed locally by Ragland at Greenwood Hospitality. The 98-room hotel features penthouse suites, guest rooms, 2,000 square feet of event space, and dining facilities in the Five Chophouse restaurant. The hotel rooms are called “upscale,” the lowest-priced room on the website is a Traditional King Room at the Member Rate, which is flexible for $246 a night. The rates topped out at $409 per night for a King Suite.
In July, Fredericksburg City Mayor Kerry Devine encouraged the City Council to explore the possibility of data centers in Fredericksburg, suggesting the Celebrate Virginia South area near the Fredericksburg Nationals Stadium and the Rappahannock River.
“However, it appears that the city’s first serious, server-laden suitor wishes to put down fiberoptic roots in a different location — 83.5 acres straddling the Cowan Boulevard corridor near Interstate 95. On Thursday morning, city staff from several different departments will consider a pre-application from southern Maryland-based developer Penzance to construct a data center campus on four parcels that were once under consideration for a Veteran’s Affairs clinic,” reports the Fredericksburg Free Press.
Stafford’s Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning request for 133 acres from Residential to Industrial at their July 2 meeting.
Belmont Park, LLC requested to rezone 133 acres from R-1 (Residential) and A-1 (Agriculture) to M-1 (Light Industrial) and M-2 (Heavy Industrial). The proposed site layout includes light industrial warehouses in the northeast near the VDOT parking lot and a large, heavy industrial distribution warehouse with smaller warehouses in the southwest.
