'Unwanted' Winters Branch Trail Extension Regains Support from Council

Several residents attended a March 5 budget worksession in opposition of a proposed CIP project that would extend the currentoff of Prince William Street. 

Residents say they oppose the project because of safety and crime issues associated with the location of the trail, and its $629,000 price tag.

Several citizens who are against the project were present at the March 5 meeting, where a motion was made by Manassas City Council Member Marc Aveni and seconded by Council Member Jonathan Way to remove the project. The motion carried a tie vote and Mayor Harry J. (Hal) Parrish II issued the deciding vote, which was to remove the project. Council Members Andy Harrover, Sheryl Bass and Steve Randolph voted in favor of the trail extension project, while Council Membe Mark Wolfe did not.

But during an April 11 budget mark up session, another motion was made by Council Member Wolfe and seconded by Council Member Bass to put the project back on the CIP with three stipulations:

• No expenses for the project would occur in upcoming fiscal year
• the city would work to decrease the cost of the project
• the city would work with neighbors on the specifications of the project

The motion carried by a 4-2 vote with Aveni and Way voting against it.

Now, many residents are wondering why Wolfe flip flopped on his support for the trail.

"Residents in the area are not happy and feel as if the council is not taking their concerns seriously or playing political games here," said Manassas resident Greg Tsukalas. "The big question is why Mark Wolfe made a choice and now backtracked on his decision at the eleventh hour of budget discussions."

"I am disappointed with Mr. Wolfe’s change of vote and I am disappointed that Ms. Bass, Mr. Harrover and Mr. Randolph are willing to spend money on frivolous items, which the neighbors affected have made quite clear that they do not want," said Manassas resident Cyndi Higginbottom.

Residents who live in nearby single family homes, townhomes and condominiums have all fought to have the Winters Trail Branch extension project nixed from the CIP for nealry a year now. The community presented a petition to council in August of 2011 signed by 43 people who do not want the trail, and that number continues to grow.

The trail will be located in a heavily-wooded, secluded and dimmly-lit area, and the project is expected to include bridges that would link the trail to the Georgetown South neighborhood. Residents say crime is already happening at the proposed trail location and the trail would only invite more criminal activity.

"With all the crime and gang activity around certain parts of the city, this should be a no brainer," Tsukalas said.

Residents say gang graffiti shows up on streets and fixtures adjacent to the trail location and the proposed trail extension does not provide a shoter route than any other main street that is well lit. 

"None of us are against bike trails, but they need to be strategically placed in locations that benefit everyone and don't pose safety issues," he said.

Residents also say spending over $600,000 on a bike path is just too much at a time like this.

"A bike path is not a necessity for a “quality of life”,  however, good schools are and so is  seeking to establish avenues of revenue which a bike path will not assist," Higginbottom said.

Residents say a similar trail project was nixed in the Sudley area of the city  after residents in the area spoke out against it for reasons including crime and safety.

Now, residents along the newly proposed trail location say they will be attending the April 23 public hearing on the budget at 7:30 p.m. , seeking the same result.

Residents have also launched a "Join the Fight to Protect Our Community" campaign and will be holding a  family neighborhood cookout to garner community support in opposition to the trail extension project on April 22 at 1:30 p.m. on McKinley Avenue. See attached flyer for more information about the upcoming events.