June 4th Meeting Held at Sheraton

Called to order by President Angela Hope, @ 11:45, the Quarterly Meeting

of our Southport Association Meeting accomplished several objectives. The question about just where is our area of concern was resolved by the adoption of our revised boundaries. The boundaries, encompassing the area of Chesterfield the center of which is the Southport Commercial / Industrial Park has been broadened to include The Arboretum on the east, to Walton Park Road on the west, Edenberry Rd on the south (at Stonehenge) and Bellgrade on the north. (Other identifiable boundaries are Robious Rd and the Southern Railroad tracks - (see the map for the exact area.) In short, we will now include the Chesterfield Towne Center, Johnston Willis Hospital, the car dealers, as well as major class A office properties and retailers as our members. These folks were already our friends, neighbors, clients, and customers. We all have common interests in the success and viability of this northwestern Chesterfield County economic engine. Together we strive to enhance our common interests.

    It was fitting at the meeting of our boundary vote our speakers form the county who posited the fact that our area is the 'Gold Coast'. We are the economic engine, the area that most of the business of the county is done. Our wish as an association is to see improvements to the things that the county is responsible for: INFRASTRUCTURE.

    Mr Don Sowder, Midlothian District Supervisor spoke to several initiatives that the county has undertaken for economic growth & development. Mr Lane Ramsey, County Administrator, who will be retiring in August, gave what he described as his swan song outlining the growth and development in our corridor that has occurred during his many years in county government. Mr Pete Stith, Deputy County Administrator for Community Development spoke at length with regards to the issues and how his office has responded throughout the years. Questions from those in attendance regarding road issues and traffic gridlock were fielded by Mr John McCracken. Several pointed questions about road connectivity, and the removal of roads from the plans for the area brought spirited discussions.

    Everyone was invited to the Board of Supervisors meeting on July 25th, meeting begins at 7:00 pm, to hear the

discussion on the adoption of the Northern Area Plan. The plan as passed by the Planning Commission (which is an appointed board - not an elected one) decided to eliminate the loop road from the plan that has been in existence for thirty or more years connecting Southlake Boulevard & Grove Road / Murray Olds Drive. The loop, if it ever gets built, is 98% complete. Finishing this loop should take some pressure off the Courthouse Rd & Midlothian Turnpike intersection. The Times Dispatch said this is the second most dangerous intersection in the entire county. You're invited to be heard on this issue; in person or write a letter to your Supervisor.

    On a positive note, Mr McCracken had on display a huge map showing a new road. The developer of the Woodlands, a mixed use complex, plans to build this route to the new Costco Wholesale Club he plans to build. It would extend Mall Drive to Cranbeck, at Robious Rd. This is immediately east of the Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse.

    Amy Satterfield, a guest, representing the Village of Midlothian Coalition, remarked that this development could be a significant improvement for access. Folks would then be able to approach the Mall from another direction; relieving Huguenot and Midlothian Tpke congestion.

    Maybe it's time for Citgo to move off Huguenot Rd was another issue. Citgo stayed when Huguenot was widened, causing a huge bottleneck at Christmas... Traffic counts: Mr McCracken skirted the issue by saying "Look it up on the website" but rumor has the 24/7 Courthouse & Midlothian intersection at greater than 80,000 vehicles using thathintersectionduring December. Is that traffic moving at all?

    Improvements to Infrastructure discussed at the meeting: Crossover easements between developers/ owners/ retailers so that traffic could move freely between parking lots once vehicles came off the main roads. Expanding the width of turn lanes so that two left turns of traffic could be made when the traffic signal changes. Better signage to mark the streets and block numbering so folks could easier find their destination; as well as communication between all parties concerned.

    Having our questions asked, everyone took a map and the promise of continuing dialog concerning our infrastructure issues.

    At the end of the meeting, and at a completely separate change of pace, Mr Irving Driscoll representing 'Crayons To Computers', the 501 C(3) not for profit venture of the County Schools discussed his store. Located in Beaufont Mall, this is the place to drop off almost anything a business doesn't need or want anymore. You get a receipt for a contribution to a charitable entity. The goods are inspected and then the teachers come by and pick the materials for use in their classrooms...!!! They'll even take surplus office furniture; copy paper, preprinted forms; even your old Jet Ski!!  What a good idea. My grandmother always said 'waste not, want not'.  No wonder Chesterfield Schools are so good - very creative folks...

Regards, Al Meyer