NEW - Two Options for Potomac Mills Slugs

I've had similar experiences with the bus riders, a lot of them the first day looked at me like I was insane asking if there were any Pentagon riders. But some of them are changing over. My bus slugs were all happy about the slug lines saying other lots weren't convenient for them but they're happy lines are forming now at Dale City. Just have to keep at it I'm sure more will take to slugging but for now we just need to get more park and riders there, With so many spots open shouldn't take 10 minutes to get riders.

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Originally posted by Fall_Line

ktzmom13- I have gotten to the Dale City lot after 8 AM on two days this week (due to dropping off kids for 8AM school clubs), and had no trouble getting a parking space or a ride either day.

cksavage-- I've been asking myself the same question, re drivers! :)Maybe we'll catch each other at the Rosslyn pickup one of these evenings, I'll have my sign!

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This makes me wonder if I am coming a bit too early to the Dale City lot, causing a longer wait. PM was typically a late lot to begin with.

Very good news in today's announcements.

http://dalecity.patch.com/articles/additional-commuter-parking-spaces-to-come-in-2012?ncid=wsc-patch-readfullarticle

First Baptist Church Commuter Lot!

http://www2.insidenova.com/news/2011/feb/25/woodbridge-church-plans-preschool-commuter-windfal-ar-866430/

Here is the text of the article:

Woodbridge church plans preschool with commuter windfall
By Keith Walker

God just smiled on the First Baptist Church of Woodbridge.

We certainly see it that way, said Frank Johnson, executive pastor at the church which recently contracted with Prince William County and the Virginia Department of Transportation to lease out 370 spaces in its lot for commuter parking.

Johnson said the church will find good use for money from the agreement, which will bring the church $288,600 annually for up to five years.

The money is going to go into the church budget and its going to be utilized to expand ministry programs and start new programs, Johnson said.

One of the main ministries the church will start will be a preschool, he said.

We have some excellent nursery and preschool spaces we utilize primarily just for church programs, so we are definitely thinking about starting a preschool, Johnson said. We hope that the preschool in time would be able to stand on its own with the income it generates along with support from the church.

Church officials always thought the congregations location at Elm Farm and Minnieville roads would be a good location for commuter parking, but commuters didnt have a reason to park there since commuter buses didnt roll anywhere near the church.

When Potomac Mills mall closed its lot and reclaimed 725 spaces because of upcoming expansion, the church parking lot became prime real estate, Johnson said.

There was really no compelling reason for commuters to use our lot, Johnson said. Once the Potomac Mills thing happened and the county was looking to solve that dilemma, we were in the right place at the right time I guess is the way you could describe it.

The 65,000-square-foot church, which has English and Hispanic congregations, has between 1,400 and 1,500 members.

The church was originally on Millwood Avenue in Woodbridge near Fred Lynn Middle School and has been in Woodbridge for about 100 years. After all those decades, the congregation outgrew the church there, Johnson said.

We occupied Woodbridge High School for three years while we were building this facility, he said.

The new church opened in January 2006.

The church plans for further expansion in the future, Johnson said.

We actually have in the design plans three phases, he said. Two of the phases involve expansions for religious education spaces and a recreational center, but we have to pay down some debt before we do any more building.

Senior reporter Keith walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.