by Mayor Derrick R. Wood

Picture this.

It’s a Saturday morning in Dumfries. You stroll down a reimagined Main Street—lined with small businesses and brightened by public art. A local bakery is setting out fresh pastries while a vendor booth offers handmade soaps and crafts. Kids skip past you, heading for the waterfront trail where families are gathering for a creekside festival.

This vision isn’t a dream—it’s a plan in motion. And with the creation of our own Economic Development Authority (EDA), we can bring that vision to life—faster and more powerfully than ever before.

Main Street: Turning a Corridor into a Community Center

Main Street, as it stands, has a challenge—it’s mostly built out. Only a small percentage of land remains undeveloped. Right now, it’s also part of U.S. Route 1 South, which puts certain limits on how we can shape it. But that’s changing.

Once the Fraley Boulevard widening project is complete, the Town of Dumfries will take ownership of Route 1 South. That gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity: to take what was once a pass-through highway and turn it into a true town center.

To prepare, the Town has already proposed funding in the upcoming budget to create a Small Area Plan just for Main Street. This plan will help us rethink everything from walkability to land use to the kinds of businesses and public spaces we want to attract.

What can the EDA do here?

• Support property improvements that align with the future vision
• Work with landowners and businesses to enhance storefronts
• Attract new small businesses that serve our residents
• Secure grants for beautification, signage, lighting, and outdoor spaces
• Help shape development partnerships that reflect the character of Dumfries

Did You Know?

Once Route 1 South becomes town-owned, we’ll have more flexibility than ever to reimagine the street for people, not just cars. That’s the kind of opportunity an EDA is built to lead.

We’ve seen this strategy work in other communities:

• Historic Manassas, where a once-quiet corridor is now a thriving, walkable district filled with shops and local pride.
• The Mosaic District in Fairfax County, where an underutilized space was transformed into a modern destination—with restaurants, small businesses, entertainment, and green space that serve residents and attract visitors.

Dumfries doesn’t need to copy these places—but we can take inspiration from their success. With the right tools in place, our Main Street can evolve from a road people drive through into a place people come to experience.

This is how we move Dumfries from being a pass-through town to a true destination town center.

Quantico Creek: A Waterfront With Purpose

Just steps from Main Street lies another opportunity that’s moving from vision to reality—our waterfront along Quantico Creek. Right now, the Town of Dumfries has the property under contract and is actively completing due diligence before closing.

We’ve also proposed funding in this year’s budget to develop a Small Area Plan specifically for the waterfront. This isn’t about dreaming—it’s about designing something meaningful and lasting.

With an EDA, we can:

• Lead redevelopment efforts in partnership with public and private entities
• Apply for grants to support environmental restoration, access, and trails
• Help create a community gathering space and possible retail, dining, or event areas
• Ensure the project aligns with both the history and the future of Dumfries

We’ve all seen what a small town can accomplish with the right vision and tools. Just look at Occoquan—once a quiet historic village, now a thriving waterfront destination known for its charming shops, art festivals, riverwalk, and community pride.

Or take a look at Old Town Alexandria, where the Potomac waterfront is filled with restaurants, music, art, and family-friendly energy. It’s a bigger city, yes—but the idea is the same: when towns embrace their waterfronts, they unlock connection, pride, and economic opportunity.

Quantico Creek can be our version of that. Unique to Dumfries. Built by and for our community—with the right support, at the right time.

You Asked for Connection—We’re Building It

You told us you want:

• More places to go without leaving town
• Safe, walkable areas to spend time with family and friends
• A stronger local economy supported by small businesses
• Natural beauty that’s celebrated, not overlooked

We’ve listened. And the creation of a local EDA is how we take those ideas off the page and into the real world. With the EDA in place, we can manage partnerships, secure funding, and act quickly—especially as these two area plans come to life.

What’s Next:

In Part 3, we’ll talk about what happens after the April 15 public hearing—how the EDA will be structured, how we’ll select board members, and how you can be part of it.

The future of Dumfries isn’t coming someday. It’s arriving now.

Let’s shape it—together.