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Stafford sees hospital as key to growth

Stafford redevelopment plan moves forward

BY BILL FREEHLING

Date published: 2/11/2009

BY BILL FREEHLING

The opening of the Stafford Hospital Center is likely to increase demand for office and retail space in the county's courthouse area.

That was one of the messages delivered to an audience of nearby residents and county officials gathered Monday night at Stafford's Rowser Building off U.S. 1.

John Crouse made the remarks at a presentation about the vision for the county's courthouse area. Crouse is chief operating officer for Virginia Beach-based CMSS Architects, which Stafford hired to create a redevelopment plan.

Crouse and other members of CMSS have been meeting with county residents to discuss the plans for development at the courthouse, Boswell's Corner, Falmouth and U.S. 17. By June, CMSS is expected to submit a series of plans to the Board of Supervisors that could become part of the county's comprehensive plan.

Stafford Supervisor Paul Milde told the crowd Monday that the county isn't going after the land it's targeting for redevelopment, but it wants to create a vision rather than allowing development to proceed haphazardly.

"We want all input and all points of view," he said.

Crouse said the CMSS vision for the courthouse area is a pedestrian-friendly community with improved streetscapes where people could live and shop. He said it could form the "heart of downtown Stafford."

"It's really an asset that you have here," he said.

The MediCorp Health System hospital is opening in the area Feb. 27. The hospital expects eventually to employ about 395 people.

Crouse said he expects the project to triple the amount of office and retail space in the area in the next decade. Much of the demand will come from medical offices. Crouse told the audience that these developments will come regardless, so it makes sense to "create a place" rather than allowing it to occur "pell-mell."

Crouse said he expects residential demand in the area to expand also. He said if it develops in clusters, the area may be able to attract a grocery store and perhaps a shuttle to a Virginia Railway Express stop.

"Our idea is to build something that is unique," Crouse said.

Bill Freehling: 540/374-5405
Email: bfreehling@freelancestar.com

Date published: 2/11/2009