A Decision Before Them
There are many compelling reasons for Spotsylvania County to extend VRE service to the residents of their County. VOTERS in the Lee Hill and Battlefield Districts will be deciding for the entire County whether Spotsylvania will move forward on implementing positive steps to further the County’s transportation infrastructure.
While the vocal minority continues to dispel errant information about why VRE is bad for the county, here are the many reasons why VRE is GOOD.
The County will have $2 to $3 MILLION dollars annually for transportation needs COUNTYWIDE. This money could be used for many uses…payment on the bond issued in 2005, with payments currently approximately $1.5 million annually and FRED costing the county over $500,000 annually. Without the VRE money, the county will have to look elsewhere for those funds, with the most likely place being an increase in the real estate tax.
Income earned from the VRE could go towards paving dirt and gravel roads in south and western Spotsylvania…where homeowners have been waiting for many years for a paved road.
The 2% motor fuels tax that will be enacted is paid by county and NON county residents equally. Those NON county residents using the roads in the county will finally be contributing to the transportation needs of the county. In addition, prices throughout the localities that currently participate in the VRE with the gas tax have a non discernible difference in gas prices from station to station with those in Spotsylvania currently without the tax.
Become Competitive!
Increased Economic Development is an issue every county struggles with. Building a VRE station in Spotsylvania, with access to Quantico, Washington, DC and all points in between will attract Government entities, Contractors, Corporations, college campuses. It will make Spotsylvania more competitive for those elusive higher local salaries all counties seek. With the proximity to the new hospital, a VRE stop will also be attractive to health care and medical related companies.
Decreased traffic congestion on the roads. Having a VRE stop closer to home may encourage more drivers off the road who previously wouldn’t drive to the City or to Stafford County and struggle to find a parking space. It will also help keep residents important discretionary spending in the county as they will more likely shop closer to home.
Start up and build out costs to the county will be minimal. CSX train infrastructure already exists, station development costs will be shared with interested companies/corporations wishing to locate near the facility. VRE is ready to start construction on the 3rd Rail to expedite completion. Current negotiations call for a campus of mixed use development; office, retail & residential, which will create a more efficient pattern of land use.
Spotsylvania County is the mid point between Richmond and Washington, DC. A VRE stop may also become an Amtrak stop, allowing increased use for riders for daily and weekend use. Again, helping to keep more cars off congested roads.
We Need Your Support
Supporting the VRE is a vote to support increased multi modal transportation sources in the county. It is a vote to give the county millions of dollars annually for transportation uses COUNTYWIDE. Most important, it is a vote that will save homeowners and taxpayers money.
In the 20 years the county has chosen NOT to participate, they have left approximately
20 to 30 million dollars on the table towards transportation costs that now exceed $300 million in Spotsylvania County alone.
NOW is the time for Spotsylvania to join the VRE system. Let’s not go another year and lose another dollar towards our ever growing transportation needs. The current Supervisors voted to join VRE. We need to ensure that vote is not overturned. Return Gary Skinner and Benjamin Pitts to office and let’s get Spotsylvania County moving in the right direction.
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