I think the route 1 corridor is in srious need for for indoor family fun options for families with children. We already have Chuck E Cheese and a bowling alley, but I can definitely go for a roller skating rink. I don't know if the former Rite Aid space is large enough to accommodate a roller rink, but it's worth recommending. A roller rink would provide safe, indoor exercise for the kids.

I think the building should be torn down and a statue of Mozart be put in it's place so motorists can view it while stuck in traffic due to too many businesses on Route 1. But, if that's not an option - it's been a bummer not having good frozen yogurt like Yogofina. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdzvcYT7Oe8

I would like to see a Chick Fil A. I agree with Amanda that it is crazy there aren't more family fun options on Rt. 1. When my kids were little, we used to drive down to the 2 McDonalds in Woodbridge to go to a play place. Quite annoying that there are THREE McDonalds on Rt. 1 in our area and none with a play place!

The one on Cooper Road and Rte 1 has a play area.

The Comprehensive Plan recommends a Transit Center and possibly future Yellow Line Subway Station entrance.

This location is kind of problematic. Anything that is going to open here is going to add to the already disastrous traffic back up caused by King's Crossing. I think the whole thing should be razed. Make it a dog park or a kids' park. How about some trees and green space to suck up all that carbon monoxide spewed by all the traffic. Maybe we could get a farmers' market to be held there a day or two a week!
It would be a great location for a statue of Mozart...

Whatever goes there, we certainly don't need any more chain restaurants, Pleeeeease, we're already fat and unhealthy enough.

In terms of comemrcial use, if we want revitalization, we need to attract unique businesses to Route 1 -- someting that makes it a destination. For example, in Upper Marlboro, the Amish Market (Dutch Village Market) does an excellent job of drawing people to that area. Or think of the draw having the area's first Half Price Book store would represent.

But, maybe that land would be better used as part of the solution to unsnarl traffic in that area. As I recall, in the few months that building was actually used, it was very dificult to get in and out of, and it complicated the already horrible traffic flow. Maybe that spot would be best used as tne entry ramp for a clover leaf into Penn Daw and King's Crossing?

Also, was that a Rite Aid? I thought it was an Eckerd, during that chain's brief foray into the D.C. market. Maybe it became a Rite Aid after Eckerd closed?

How big is the available space? Maybe a combination of green space, farmers market, and an outdoor roller-rink (pavilion)?

It was an Eckerds. Practically, we should redesign the intersection to make it less cluster-eff-ish. In a perfect world, it would be a drive through Starbucks.

Hi everyone,

Rite Aid actually bought out Eckerd and Brooks pharmacies a few years ago, so they're the same big company now. Love the roller rink idea! Thanks,

Beth Lawton, Regional Editor

I know RiteAid bought out Eckerd's...but did that space ever do business as Rite Aid? Not that it matters much to this conversation. I just don't remember it being anything but an Eckerd's. (By contrast, I do remember when what had been Blockbuster Video across the street from it was a Godfather's Pizza.)

As far as a skating rink, while I like the idea of family-friendly businesses in our area, I don't see how that could ever work in that space. It may be a 2 acre parcel, but it's oddly configured. A roller rink building has to be big and square/rectangular, that land is an irregular triangle. It also seems like a significant safety hazard, placing a business designed for young people to congregate on a lot bordered on three sides by highly trafficked roads (Rt. 1, Kings Highway, Shields Ave.). Unless more traffic lights are added, you would undoubtedly see even more traffic accidents and pedestrian fatalities.

I want a motorcycle sales and repair shop. We lost Cycle Sport last year, and the nearest shops are now in Prince William County. Motorcycles are economical transportation and the site is convenient.

However, I would close off the entry/exit on US1, and make all traffic enter/exit from Kings Highway. People coming out of the opening onto US1 seem to think it's their right to dive across four lanes of traffic despite conditions.

I agree there are a number of safety problems here and that should be the driving factor for whatever is selected. With traffic flowing in a multitude of directions through a multitude of traffic light phases, increased vehicle traffic or pedestrian traffic must be avoided. The Walmart and the new stores under construction have already and will create more traffic problems than the intersection should be subjected to.

A jazz club. The lack of decent music in this area is a mystery to me.