$24 Million Project Expected to be Complete in 2024
Today, members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) joined officials of Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA), along with Potomac Shores master developer Biddle Real Estate Ventures (BREV) at a ceremony to mark the commencement of construction of the $24 million VRE Station garage at Potomac Shores.
Plans for the Potomac Shores VRE Station and garage were first announced in 2014. Initial designs and planning had to be halted when the nearby Third Track Project impacted the station layout, and later an initiative to provide separate tracks for passenger and freight service required a further redesign of the project.
"Our county has worked closely with stakeholders including the VRE, CSX, and the VPRA along with the developer of Potomac Shores to push this project forward," said Ann Wheeler, Chair, BOCS. “We’re confident that these organizations are working together cooperatively towards a result that will benefit the entire Prince William County community.”
In July 2021, the VRE Board authorized the operating agreement for the Potomac Shores Station. Now, with work officially underway on the garage portion of the project, officials expressed optimism.
“This is a crucial step forward, and we’re pleased to say work is actually underway on the first phase of this project. This project will be an added value to the residents of Prince William County. Furthermore, it is an investment into our economic development initiatives and transportation goals for the neighbors in Potomac Shores, the county, and the region,” said Andrea Bailey, Supervisor, Potomac District.
"I’ve worked diligently to promote improved access to public transportation and improved quality of service here in Prince William County," said Margaret Franklin, Supervisor, Woodbridge District. "Our residents deserve it and it’s a vital component of economic development. This construction launch of the VRE Garage at Potomac Shores is a major step forward.”
"We’re grateful for the continued support and leadership of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors as we work towards fulfilling the goal of a VRE Station here at Potomac Shores," said Peter Chavkin, Managing Member, Biddle Real Estate Ventures (BREV). BREV is pushing forward by investing our resources into every aspect of the project under our control, and working closely with the VRE, CSX, and VPRA along with the County.”
The costs of the project are being executed by the Potomac Shores developer through previously issued bonds, as well as through the contribution of land. To date, the development team has spent more than $5 million for a series of designs and redesigns for the VRE Station and garage. Recently, a final hurdle towards construction of the station itself was cleared when BREV agreed to a donation of trackside land to VPRA, pending VPRA’s additional acquisition of CSX-owned land, expected in December, 2023. The land transfers are expected to permit station construction to begin in 2024.
The Potomac Shores VRE Station Garage was designed by Washington D.C. based Core Architecture. L.F. Jennings, based in Falls Church, VA, has been awarded the contract for construction. The four-level, 166,000 square foot garage will include nearly 400 parking spaces. The surface of the garage will feature a public boardwalk area along the east side with expansive views of the Potomac River. Landscaping with a gazebo and viewing benches will help to make this a focal point of the community and attract visitors to the future retail and restaurant operators located within the Potomac Shores Town Center.
Release provided by Biddle Real Estate Ventures
