Redevelopment is going to be a big part of how Prince William grows from here.
At the Dec. 9 Board work session, we talked about how reinvesting in older shopping centers, strip malls, and industrial sites can help us add housing, attract better-paying jobs, and bring the kinds of neighborhood-serving retail people have been asking for, without paving over more open space.
I also introduced a directive asking staff and the County Attorney to bring back options for a Local Economic Revitalization Zone Ordinance. In plain language, that work will look at how we can:
- Identify legacy commercial and mixed-use corridors that are ready for reinvestment
- Use state-enabled tools, like targeted tax incentives and rehabilitation districts, to make good projects pencil out
- Tie any incentives to clear community benefits, such as attainable housing, small business space, and walkable design
This is not about handing out blank checks. It is about competing for the kind of reinvestment that upgrades aging centers, grows our tax base, and creates places where people actually want to spend time.
As this work moves forward, I will continue to push for revitalization that respects existing neighborhoods, protects our environmental resources, and delivers real value for residents.
What legacy centers or corridors in Prince William would you most like to see revitalized?