Motel razed as part of revitalization plan

By AILEEN M. STRENG
Published: January 12, 2009

Prince William County Supervisor Maureen Caddigan, R-Dumfries, climbed into the cab of a hydraulic excavator Monday morning and using the machine's bucket took the first swing at tearing down the Best Value Motel in Triangle.

As the bucket hit a steel beam, the front of the excavator was lifted off the ground before it slammed back down. The look of surprise was evident on Caddigan's face.

"That was exciting," she said. "It was like being on an amusement ride."

The demolition of the 40-year-old motel is the latest—and largest—structure to be torn down as part of the county's plan to widen U.S. 1 to six lanes through Triangle, as well as revitalize the area by ridding it of the old rundown restaurants, gas stations and automotive businesses scattered along the two-lane strip.

Many of the county officials involved in the project came out on the chilly morning to watch the demolition.

"The motel has been an eyesore for quite some time," Caddigan said. "The whole Triangle area has needed to be cleaned up for years.

"Having the National Museum of the Marine Corps here has really helped to keep this project moving forward," Caddigan said. "Prince William County is a very proud county. Having the Triangle area aesthetically pleasing for all those who visit the museum from around the world is important."

The need to widen U.S. 1 was identified 12 years ago but many doubted it would ever happen.

"We've been talking about it for so long," said Pat Thomas, a county planner who heads up "Potomac Communities," the county's revitalization plan for U.S. 1.

"It's not real to people until you see the buildings coming down," she said.

The project is being paid through road bonds that were approved by voters. The cost of the land acquisition is estimated at $30 million; relocating the utilities, $10 million; and the road construction between $10 million and $12 million.

"This is one of the few transportation projects that the county is moving forward on," Thomas said.

Aside from the road project, county planners are hoping to revitalize the area by creating the "Village of Triangle" within a roughly six-block area bordered by Old Triangle Road, Amidon Avenue, Squire Lane, Triangle Street, Post Street and parts of Fuller Heights Road.

Thomas compares the county's vision for the village to resemble the town of Occoquan with a mix of neighborhood commercial uses, small multi-family houses and single families interspersed. While interest in the concept among the area's residents has been low, Thomas said she expects it will increase once road construction begins.

"We're going to have a real opportunity here that will be complementary to the town of Dumfries," Thomas said.

Since demolition began last fall, the county has razed 22 buildings along U.S. 1 between Joplin Road and Bradys Hill in Triangle. It is working on six others with only about 10 more remaining.

Most of the businesses in Triangle have been bought by the county and closed. The only remaining fast food restaurant still in operation is Wendy's. Both the Burger King and the McDonald's are closed. Exxon is the only remaining gas station still open.

Al Roltsch, branch chief of construction services with the county Department of Public Works, said he expected the first of the two motel buildings to be leveled by the end of the day.

"It doesn't take long to tear them down," Roltsch said. "It takes longer to haul them away."

The second building that borders U.S. 1 will be torn down later this week. For safety concerns a portion of U.S. 1 will be closed for a short period of time to ensure that debris does not fall on the road, he said.

Roltsch said he will be glad when the motel is gone. The county has been working on its demolition for months, which included the abatement of asbestos and the removal of televisions and mattresses that would not be accepted in the demolition landfill. Additionally, since the county owned the building it was responsible for it and had to often get rid of squatters, who would break down motel doors or smash out windows in order to spend the night.

Most if not all of the buildings in Triangle should be raised over the next two months. Then, work will get under way to move the utilities.

Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-878-8010.