Residents Voice Opposition to Route 1 Widening Plans
Community members stated their concerns about current Route 1 widening plans at a public hearing.
Save Woodlawn Stables supporters clad in blue T-shirts Tuesday night voiced their opposition of Route 1 widening options that would impact the future of the equestrian facility as well as nearby historic buildings.
Hundreds of residents filled the Hayfield Secondary School cafeteria for a public hearing hosted by the Federal Highway Administration. The FHWA has plans to widen Route 1 near Fort Belvoir due to increased traffic caused by the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005.
Three widening options were discussed at the hearing: a no-build option, a southeast bypass option, and a widen-in-place option. The southeast bypass option could jeopardize the operation of Woodlawn Stables, Woodlawn Baptist Church, and other historic sites.
Jack Van Dop of the FHWA updated residents about current plans and moderated questions and comments from concerned residents.
“We have not decided anything,” Van Dop emphasized.
Local legislators have voiced their support of the widen-in-place option. State Sen. Linda “Toddy” Puller (D-36th), Del. Scott Surovell (D-44th), Mark Sickles (D-43rd), Adam Ebbin (D-30th) signed a letter with their support of that option to the FHWA and Virginia Department of Transportation Commissioner Gregory Whirley.
“We likewise agree with Congressman Moran and Supervisor Hyland that the Widen-In-Place Option best preserves the historic character of the Woodlawn community, preserves the existing uses of this historic area, and can be done in a manner to most minimize harm to our community’s historic assets,” the letter states.
Woodlawn Stables co-owner Cindy Mitchell said she was “overwhelmed” by the amount of community support, especially from her students.
“This is the most important civics lesson these kids are going to get, and it’s something they really care about,” said Mitchell, who attended the hearing with her mother, Joan.
“I would not be who I am without [Woodlawn Stables],” remarked one supporter, whose statement was met with raucous applause.
Alexandria resident Eric Martin attended the meeting to hear what the FHWA had to say about the widening.
“Well, I live right near there, so I’m pretty concerned…going through the stables seems wrong,” said Martin, whose wife rides at Woodlawn Stables. “It seems like a gentle widening seems better than a whole new bypass.”
Save Woodlawn Stables volunteers Autumn Clayton and Rebeccah Ballo worked hard to spread the word about the public hearing. The group's online petition has hit more than 5,000 signatures over the last two months.
“The turnout is fantastic,” Clayton said. “We’ve worked very, very hard over the last month to make sure that people knew that this information meeting was happening and to make sure that they knew that it was important to come out and make their voices heard.”
“We were expecting a nice crowd,” Ballo added. “But I think this is beyond my expectations and we’re really proud to see all our supporters face-to-face.”
Woodlawn Baptist Church pastor Travis Hilton said that the FHWA has been proposing widening of Route 1 since 1965. The church has records dating back to that time.
“They kept this going all over our head, and in recent years, their proposal has been different proposals,” Hilton said. “We’ve been listening to them, what they’ve wanted and so forth for an extended period of time.”
The FHWA is proposing to exhume at least 100 graves in the cemetery, Hilton told Patch. He explained that the church would lose both property and square footage.
“It’s not a matter of support, it’s a matter of how are they going to respect our property and our cemetery,” Hilton said. “We don’t want any of that to be lost for us as we are part of this community. We have generations that have been raised in our church, and generations who have buried loved ones in the cemetery.”
Save Woodlawn Stables acknowledges that current widening plans will have a huge impact on historic land.
“I think it’s important for everybody to understand this is not simply about saving an equestrian facility. This is sacred land that we’re talking about, and this shouldn’t be happening,” Clayton said. “And a place like the National Trust for Historic Preservation shouldn’t allow it to happen.”
The deadline for public comment submissions has been extended to July 6. For more information, visit the FHWA website.
Terry
6:18 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Wow, just Wow. The are some people that will protest to keep our bad traffic. Take a good look, it's mostly the people of not in my back yard crowd.
Geoff
6:59 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Terry, the article did not do a great job of making it clear that the debate is over which alternative to widen route 1 would have the least impact on all the properties. In addition, unless you widen all of route 1, you are just moving the traffic jam, not solving the problem. There are no other plans to widen any other parts of route 1 north of where it intersects with I-95.
Karen
8:13 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Thanks Geoff for providing more information. Clearly there has to be a better way to widen Rt. 1. A solution that impacts a thriving business so drastically and calls for the removal of grave sites doesn't sound like a sound idea. Hopefully there are better plans to come.
r the k
8:41 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
We were at the hearing. I've never been to one of these things but I was amazed at the number of people there. FHWA did a good job of organizing the event and efficiently moving the agenda. I noted comments from Save Woodlawn Stables and the Baptist Church/Save the Cemetery groups. Noticeably absent was the National Trust for Historic Preservation... Does anyone know if they had representation there and just didn't speak out? Or what about any Quaker groups? I would like to hear a rational argument of why the Trust supports constructing a massive raised highway with sound barriers and 2 drainage ponds in lieu of a 'soft' widening. Sure, the Plantation side of Rt 1 would lose some ground, but it does not encroach on the Mansion itself and would not destroy the cemetery either. It seems to me that the land on the Mansion side of Rt 1 at that location is not used anyway. The grass is overgrown, fence falling down, brush trees growing for years there. Alternately, the Woodlawn Stables side is well-kept and clearly being utilized by 50 horses and hundreds of riders including grade school children. I am disappointed that the Trust, which in theory should support PRESERVING HISTORY, would choose a massive road over a slight widening that would save more historic land and no doubt look a lot better than the concrete behemoth.
Barbara O'Brien
10:46 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
I absolutely agree with you that taking land from the Woodlawn Plantation side would be the solution to saving the stables and church property. The National Trust has not kept up the grounds below the house and it looks a mess. Using some of that land would be the best solution. Why was that not in the presentation?
Linda B.
8:57 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The bypass is only about a 4mile spann that would open that area to traffic ONLY to bottleneck it at the north and south ends. Alot of money, irreversable damage to historic property and years of construction won't fix any problem we now have with traffic. Bypasses from I95 and the GW pkway and Fairfax County pkwy directly into Belvoir would elimate most of the problem and keep Rte. 1 as a local through way. More thought needs to be put into this "project" before any action is taken.
elf
4:54 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
You are correct Linda. An alternative was previously designed by VDOT and approved by the citizens that increased the lanes from 4 to 6 without the damage now being caused by a premature request to have a wide median between the 6 lanes. The previous design should be again submitted to the citizens as an alternate.
I recommend that the historic site be detached from this project and attached instead to the planning of widening of Route 1 north of the Woodlawn Historic District to the Buckman Road north intersection with Route 1. This will allow time to complete the Transit Study called for in the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan.
I believe the Transit Study will call for the extension of the Blue Line to Fort Belvoir at Accotink Village and the Yellow Line in phases to Beacon Hill, then Hybla Valley and finally to the South County Center as increasing density now underway warrants. The 6 lanes previously planned by VDOT will be enough for all vehicles including buses.
Cynthia Mitchell
9:06 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Yes, there was representation from NTHP at the meeting last night. Susan Hellman, acting Director of Woodlawn Plantation and Ross Bradford, NTHP lawyer, were both there. I have no idea why they didn't want to speak.
Thank you for noticing the difference in appearance between the stables and plantation sides of the road. I heard that a lot last night. It was, also, noted that we maintain the public land near the intersection as a 'good neighbor and public steward'. Cynthia Mitchell, owner Woodlawn Stables
Sally Spangler
12:12 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has removed their interest from Woodlawn over 15 years ago. They have other places in the US that are real money makers. Those are the only places where they are interested, no little places like Woodlawn. Get a copy of their magazine and see what is in it.
As far as the stables on the other side of the highway and the various businesses north of the traffic light are concerned - a shrug of the shoulders and deafness. The only interest is what can be immediately seen. Do what seems the only way to widen the highway. BUT - what awaits once beyond Fort Belvoir's property - why LORTON! From the light at the end of the Parkway US 1 widens to three lanes. It stays that way until the light at Armistead Road and then narrows once more. There are three house communities. The right side of the road has been townhouses for quite a while. The left side is "Masons Passage" or rather what had been a field and a few houses which were there for over 50 years. All that and other the other side of Gunston Road - well you know what's there. That narrow slot of highway becomes a mess where the CSX tracks pass over US1. That mess has been in place for over 50 years! PHOOEY on the whole idea! It will not work!
Esther Ferington
1:19 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
I attended the meeting also and would agree that everyone wants more lanes on Route One to allow for the BRAC increases to the already major traffic. That's not the argument. Instead, the choice is between two ways to do that: widening the existing road and building a brand new multilane bypass (highway) directly across the middle of the stable property. To me, preserving the "living history" represented by the stable is more important for the whole community. It does not make sense to help eliminate a local way of life that includes horseback riding just because of a single proposal to reroute a major road instead of keeping (and widening) it where it is. That should not happen. After this large meeting and statements by local leaders, included our elected representatives, I am hoping it will not.
Jessie Biele
4:13 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for sharing your comments on this story. The Route 1 widening plans are a hot topic for our community. We'll keep you posted on further developments as they happen.
Jessie Biele, Local Editor
Doug White
8:00 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
There is much woods and unoccupied land across from Accotink Village and Woodlawn church and the overgrown field across from the stables. They should use those areas. CSX is hampering widening Rt. 1 @ 95 as well as the underpass on Cinderbed/Newington Rd. There is an ancient patch of Wild Ginger north of Accotink Creek and Rt 1 that is doomed also.That was a very informative meeting,Doug, Accotink Village Chief :)
Sally Spangler
1:20 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Thank you Doug - glad to hear there is something still living despite the continued messes and trash along Accotink Creek. Sally
Mary Ann Barton
8:18 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Here's a statement from 4/27 from the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation: http://tinyurl.com/ca8afz5
r the k
9:18 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Ms. Barton, most of us following this issue closely have already reviewed this press release and its a bit dated given this fluid situation. However, I still find it amazing that the Trust, which should support historic properties would choose a massive raised highway so large it requires 2 huge drainage ponds and sound barriers over a softer widen-in-place. I have looked at all the plans, and I believe I am aware of the historic cemetery and Woodlawn Plantation's concerns as well as the relevant sections of NHPA. But I do not get it. When I see the Trust say that they are mandated to protect Woodlawn Plantation, it seems to fly in the face of your idea that the raised massive highway is better for the historic feel of that area over a slight widening. It simply does not make any sense. I believe the Trust owes the local community a coherent and rational explanation.
Sally Spangler
1:12 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
"A raised highway with drainage ponds and sound barriers" -?!!! Gee a job for the next two years if not more. And what would this magnificant piece of highway connect to? Surely not to down ramps into Fort Belvoir! The cost to the taxpayers will be on the order of paying off the National Debt. I think Virginia is the same as the rest of the United States - in a RECESSION of some depth! Has anyone talked about - discussed the price with continued years inflation? Whatever the proposed cost will grow larger each year it is not finished. The work and materials will add a good 40% to the original cost as stated on any contract.
Note, US95 is not complete in Springfield, VA, nor is the Fairfax County Parkway. Repaving that road is on somebody's agenda - I think for this year! The end of the parkway nearest Leesburg is still more or less in the rough.
DREAMS are not REAL - DREAMS are expensive. DREAMS are only do-able if the CASH is there to pay for the dream! WAKE UP VDOT! WAKE UP GOVERNOR of VIRGINIA
What the National Trust owes and what it provides are two very different things.
Shelley
12:51 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Ms. Barton, as you mention on April 27, 2012, National Trust President Stephanie Meeks did make a statement. Meeks is quoted in the press release saying, “No decision on either road widening option has been made by the FHWA. However, the agency does have a legal mandate to minimize harm to historic properties, and the southwest bypass alternative would cause less harm to the historic setting of Woodlawn, by moving Route 1 further away from the National Historic Landmark and other historic resources such as Woodlawn Baptist Cemetery and Grand View.”
Save Woodlawn Stables and many other preservation groups question how the NTHP, a leader in the preservation field, came to this to determination so early in the process without professional preservationist best practices being exercised, and the adequate impact assessments being completed.
We hope that Woodlawn Baptist and the NTHP will join us, and the other consulting parties that have been requesting the FHWA to return to the table so that they can adequately assess and examine all the proposals--including the excellent examples mentioned in the above comments. Then and only then, can we truly find the least damaging proposal to our cultural and historical resources.
Shelley Castle
Save Woodlawn Stables
Ron Fitzsimmons
2:01 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Re a comment up above, I know for a fact that Susan Hellman is not allowed to speak publicly about this issue. Everything has to come from corporate...i
PennyP
7:32 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Ron, that makes a lot of sense. but after this meeting NTHP should be put on notice that they aree going to have to have a better response to the community. They are on the wrong side of an important historic preservation issue in their own backyard. They might be able to ignore this near one of their other properties, but not here, not in Washington, DC. That one weak sound bite aside on Tuesday, their silence is deafening.
Cynthia Mitchell
8:12 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Thank you Ron, I was not aware of that. How sad.