Southern Walk Plaza Sidewalk?

Does anyone know the status of a sidewalk going in at the new Southern Walk shopping center? The sidewalk currently takes you from Claiborne to the Glory Days section of the center; however from there you have to go "cross-country" ...over parking lots, grassy hills, etc. Now that the Taco Bell is being built, you have to go back up to the road and walk on the very uneven grass (or worse, walk in the road). It is great to have this new shopping center, but you would think they would have considered foot traffic...especially for one that is pretty spread out like this one.

 

I think the VM person in charge of the SW plaza introduced himself and his contact info in another thread. His name is Ty. I suggest you find that thread and contact him.

 

Found it:
thausch@vanmetrecompanies.com

 

It looked as if they were putting in a sidewalk from 267 to the entrance of the Souther Walk Center. But still no sidewalks actually in the center. Weird.

 

Got this response earlier from Ty:


We will be adding additional sidewalks along Wynridge Drive between the Anothai, past McDonald’s and Walgreens and to the building with Harris Teeter. But I don’t believe that there will be additional trails behind the center because of the steep hill. I will suggest this to my development people to see if it is an option, though. Thanks for the suggestion.



Ty Hausch

Vice President of Commercial Operations

Van Metre Companies

 

It would be nice if there were some sort of sidewalk along Demott, for those who might want to walk from the apartments, or the houses on Demott on the other side of Waxpool. Especially now that Demott is picking up faster moving traffic that doesn't always watch for pedestrians.

 

That's a good idea, but would be up to Van Metre. They control the common areas along Demott and own the Apt. complex.

 

I have said it in the past but the sidewalks along the major roads in Broadlands are a joke! Quite often you have to cross Claiborne or Waxpool to "remain" on a sidewalk.

 

I would really like to see the sidewalks/paths completed as well. Some of the connections are fine and others just don't make any sense like T3erman said. Is there a way to make recommendations to VM?

 

There are plans for a black asphalt path to run along Demott from Waxpool to the shopping center. Im sure most of you have noticed trees being installed along Demott. This is the beginning phase. More to come!

 

Yes. Come to a Board meeting and make your suggestions to them.

 

Unfortunately, I am usually not home before 6:30 most nights and I am also the taxi for kids activities. I haven't had a chance to get to any of the meetings - but I did send in my proxy. I will try at some point.

 

So, T8ertot and I walked to the Southern Walk Plaza tonite. Well, he rode his trike, I walked and brought the wagon. We were headed to Harris Teeter for some provisions. I know this has been said, but it bears repeating: that place is a DISASTER for people on foot. A sidewalk is needed NOW. Someone is going to be seriously injured trying to navigate through through that minefield of parking spaces, blind corners, and drive-thru/one way lanes. We're done walking there. Its too dangerous with kids. So, its nice to have a place to walk to, but I won't be walking there anymore until there is a safer way to get from one end to the other.

 

Its a VM Commerical property ... guess they figure that people want to drive to anything in Ashburn and don't need to put in sidewalks.

FWIW ... I suspect any answer you'll get about sidewalks will sound like: " ... well the planning commission did not require us to put any in ... "

 

AS has been previously posted, Van Metre is planning to put in sidewalks. Don't ask what the timeframe will be. I don't know.

 

30 days ....

 

Well, I guess we're not getting sidewalks here. The new stone wall plaza signs are smack dab where the sidewalks would go. Nice planning. Annoying.

 

I thought sidewalks were planned? The shop owners should be pushing for sidewalks to encourage foot traffic. As it is now, I live within walking distance but don't like to walk there because there isn't really a safe walking path.

 

I think they're required to do sidewalks - even though the handicap ramp "leads" directly to the monument sign, I think the sidewalk itself can approach the handicap ramp at a 90 degree angle (parallel to the sign).

It would be funny if they had to redo the signs to accommodate the sidewalks....talk about getting ahead of yourself.

 

They were not required to put in sidewalks, although Van Metre has later said they would put them in.
Handicap ramps are required, even if they do not lead to a sidewalk! There are lots of these "ramps to nowhere" around.