Will Occoquan Riverfront Park finally become a reality? Things are looking good!

According to InsideNova: “Six years after being approved as part of Prince William County’s 2006 bond referendum, a small riverside park appears likely to be built in the near future.”

The Prince William County FY 2012-2017 Capital Improvement Plan calls for a radical revitalization. According to the document:

Occoquan Riverfront Park will be developed on a portion of two parcels of land owned by Fairfax County Water Authority and located at 415 Mill Street and 460 Mill Street in the Town of Occoquan. The site was previously utilized as a water treatment plant and has been decommissioned by Fairfax Water. Fairfax Water will assist in development of the site by selective demolition of existing facilities. The area will be developed into a small community park with a playground, a spray ground, a small amphitheater, and possibly some indoor space appropriate for community based programming.

Where is the money coming from? Debt financing approved by voters during the 2006 bond referendum provides $1,500,000 for this project. Construction  of the park is scheduled for completion in 2013.

Stay tuned for demolition updates.

This summer Mayor Earnie Porta will be hosting historic tours of Occoquan River by kayak. The kayak tours will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Occoquan Regional Park (kayaks available for rent – $10/per).

1st and 3rd Saturday from May 5th to October 20th at 11 am. Cost: $10 per person. Please call Occoquan Regional Park at 703-690-2121 to confirm each week.

In 2012 the residents of Occoquan will once again have the opportunity to elect a Mayor and new Town Council. Voting will take place at Town Hall from 6:00am – 7:00pm on Tuesday, May 1. Reminder, you must be registered to vote by April 9th in order to participate.

If you are interested in running for Town Council, now is your opportunity. You may obtain the necessary filing forms by contacting the Office of General Registrar at (703) 792-6470 or by downloading the forms from the State Board of Elections website.

The current Occoquan Town Council consists of:

Mayor:

Earnest W. Porta, Jr.

Town Council:

Elizabeth A. “Liz” Quist
Ken T. Brunsvold
Denise M. Bush
Patrick A. Sivigny
James N. Walbert

Calling all Civil War junkies! As Occoquan continues to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, a very special event has been planned for February 25, 2012.

The festivities begin at Town Hall at 10:30am when Robert Alton, the author of Strategm 1861, will lecture on the early history of the Civil War in northern Virginia.

At 11:30am, Brady’s Michigan Sharpshooters will reenact the events of February 3, 1862, when Companies H & I of the 3rd Michigan Infantry exchanged fire with Confederate troops drilling in Occoquan under the command of Wade Hampton.

Check out the Occoquan Historical Society website for additional details.

Despite strenuous opposition from over 100 Occoquan residents and well-spoken appeals from many, including Mayor Porta and James Phelps, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to rezone Tanyard Hill Road for commercial development.

Specifically, developer Ken Thompson will now be permitted to build a 32,500 square foot office building on an old windy road with dire traffic, drainage and erosion problems. The motion passed 5-3, under the unwavering support of Chairman Corey Stewart.

In favor of rezoning:

- Corey Stewart
- Wally Covington
- Peter Candland
- John Jenkins
- Maureen Caddigan

Opposed to rezoning:

- Michael May
- Martin Nohe
- Frank Principi

It is the official position of the Town of Occoquan and OccoquanWaterfront that the planned commercial development is flawed and will only exacerbate the existing traffic and flooding problems in town. The impact will be most keenly felt in November, 2015 – when the Prince William County Board of Supervisors is up for reelection.

Calling all Occoquan residents: Please attend the Board of County Supervisors meeting on January 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the McCoart Administration Building to oppose the Oaks III rezoning request.  The Chairman of the Board, Corey Stewart, has flipped. He now supports the developer and is pressuring other members of the board to do so as well.

Please consider emailing the members of the Board of Supervisors to respectfully request that they support the Town of Occoquan in opposing the rezoning request and the accompanying negative storm water and traffic impact that will result.

Santa will visit with children during boat rides on the Miss Rivershore on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18.  Rides with Santa will leave from the Town Dock on Saturday at 10:00, 11:00, noon, and 1:00, and on Sunday at 11:00, noon, and 1:00. Telephone Rivershore Charters at 703-498-4348 for availability and prices.

Occoquan 5th Flight from Paul Thompson on Vimeo.

Wedged along the side of Occoquan Road, Bistro L’Hermitage is the apex of fine dining in Occoquan. The low-slung, cozy French restaurant serves up flavorful dishes in memorable style. The menu is constantly changing but the simple flavors are always delicious.

Bistro L’Hermitage is the closest you’ll come to Top Chef without traveling 20 miles north to DC and you don’t have to take my word for it. Nowadays, even veteran restauranteur Tom Sietsema from the Washington Post ventures into Prince William to dine. Mr. Sietsema labeled Bistro L’Hermitage an Editor’s Pick in his October 18th review.

If you find yourself lucky enough to dine at Bistro L’Hermitage, remember to say hi to Youssef!

Visit Occoquan on Saturday, November 12, for a new event: Art on the Block from 2-6 p.m. See more than 60 artists exhibiting their works in four galleries on one block. There will be a reception at each of the galleries with many artists on hand to talk about their work. The four participating galleries are:

• The Artists’ Undertaking
• The Loft Gallery
• Art A La Cart
• Kelly’s Artbox

Things are heating up on the $1 Billion dollar project to improve traffic on Routes 95 & 395. VDOT is currently holding “HOT lane forums” throughout the construction area.

The VA Mega Project will add a 3rd lane to the existing HOV lanes in the center portion of the highway. Also, High Occupancy Toll technology (EZ Pass transponders) will automatically bill drivers that do not meet the minimum standard: three or more people in their car, including carpools, motorcycles and transit vehicles.

An overhead sign will show the current toll price for the upcoming segment. VDOT expects tolls to be between 10 cents to about $1 per mile, depending on traffic, with the average trip costing $5 to $6.

The 2011 Occoquan Fall Craft Fair will take place in Historic Occoquan, Saturday September 24th (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM) and Sunday, September 25th (10:00 AM until 5:00 PM) rain or shine. Per the semi-annual tradition, it will feature lots of greasy food and crafts from a wide array of local artists and vendors. The official craft show website has complete vendor details.

You can park in nearby commuter lots and take a shuttle to Occoquan for $4/person (kids free). If you don’t mind a little traffic, there is parking to be found in the neighborhoods surrounding the fair.

Hopefully the beautiful September weather will hold out and it will be a fantastic weekend!

I had to posting this video just for fun so you can learn more about Occoquan through the eyes of a Cyberdyne computer programmed to destroy to the world.

The 2011 Occoquan Spring Craft Fair will take place in Historic Occoquan, this weekend, June 4th & 5th. Per the semi-annual tradition, it will feature an assortment of deep-fried delicacies and for-sale craft items from a wide array of local artists. The official craft show website has more details about participating vendors.

You can park in nearby commuter lots and take a shuttle to Occoquan for $4/person (kids free). The weather looks like its going to be great again this year, stop by and check it out!