The Washington Post recently reported on some big changes happening along Route 1 in Triangle. Prince William County has bought, and torn-down many of the run-down buildings and developed a plan to widen the road and beautify the area.

Work to widen the road and bury the wires is expected to take two years. After that, the plan is to create a six-lane traffic circle at the edge of Quantico's base and build the Village of Triangle, a town center development that would house shops and restaurants.

This could be the ideal time for the county to revitalization the area in hopes of attracting businesses when the economy turns around, and the up-coming base realignment and closures, which will bring thousands of jobs to Quantico and Fort Belvoir.

Area homeowners can look for this project to improve their quality of living and boost property values.

"An eyesore. A ghetto. An area poised for improvement. That's how some residents of Prince William County's Triangle community describe the place they call home.

Located along Route 1 just north of Marine Corps Base Quantico,Triangle for decades has been defined by the untidy highway corridor lined with dilapidated buildings, fast-food joints, less-than-stellar hotels and multiple auto dealerships.

One of the most run-down stretches in the county, it just became more unsightly, but residents hope that is actually a sign of progress as the county tries to revitalize the area.

County officials bought and demolished 40 buildings -- which housed mostly businesses -- along about a mile on Route 1 through Triangle as part of a plan to bury all utility lines and turn the road into a six-lane divided highway with new landscaping, a walking trail and a bike path.

The corridor is dotted with construction vehicles, building rubble and dirt mounds. A good chunk of the commercial base is gone. Residents said they are now pinning their hopes on the county's vision to 'beautify' the road, turning it into a marketing tool that will attract new business to the stalled community."

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