Outlook: Thurston Cos. of Manassas has been hired to build the Caroline County YMCA. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in December, and the facility is expected to be completed by February 2013. Once that is done, the YMCA will turn its focus to building a Y in North Stafford.

--Cathy Jett

NI VILLAGE

The story so far: Late last year, Spotsylvania County's Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning for the 333-acre Ni Village, a proposed development of condos, shops, offices, pedestrian trails and restaurants on U.S. 1 near Massaponax High School.

Outlook: Ni Village developer Luck Development Partners says the project will take 20 years to complete. The first phase of the project, whose timing will be market dependent, will focus on the Advanced Center for Sustainability and Green technologies (formerly known as the Smith Mill Education Center) and a partnership with the National Academy of Environmental Design.

--Bill Freehling

OLD DOMINION SPEEDWAY

The story so far: The owners of Old Dominion Speedway in Prince William County may be eyeing the Fredericksburg region as a new home for their automobile racetrack. The stockcar and drag-racing facility in Manassas is hemmed in by residential developments, leading to frequent noise complaints from neighbors.

Outlook: Principal owner Steve Britt is looking for a new home for the track on at least 80 acres along the Interstate 95 corridor between Stafford County and Richmond, but he hasn't specified an exact location. The speedway will remain at its current home at least through the 2013 season, which runs from March through October.

--Bill Freehling

RAPPAHANNOCK PARKWAY

The story so far: The Rappahannock Parkway is part of a $300 million project aimed at fixing congestion along the Interstate 95 corridor in Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania.

But the parkway was put on the back burner after residents and three new Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors members opposed it.

The parkway portion of the project would connect to a new Fredericksburg exit at the welcome center on I-95, run through Celebrate Virginia South, continue west between State Route 3 and the Rappahannock River and tap back into Route 3 near Gordon Road. Plans call for a possible toll on the parkway.