SPECIOUS Issues Second Annual Report

(Wednesday) March 31, 2010

By Roger Digilio
Special Correspondent
alexandrianews.org

The Society to Preserve & Enhance the City’s Industrial Operations issued their second annual report today affirming continued progress in attracting industry of any sort to the city and outlining a host of opportunities that have arisen over the past year. This group was formed on April 1, 2008 by leading preservation organizations to focus on “the long neglected industrial underbelly of Alexandria.”

SPECIOUS hailed the continued stabilization of the Mirant Power Plant and Virginia Paving as good corporate citizens. They expressed support for Norfolk Southern’s position in the lawsuit by the city on the Enthanol Transloading Facility. “The city continues to operate in a fairy land of brick sidewalks and gas lights in a time when we need energy and jobs,” said a supporter.  “We are excited about the west end opportunities!”

Referring to the BRAC Project, SPECIOUS hailed the idea of putting access ramps through the Winkler Nature Preserve. “We think that the entire preserve should be developed into a continuation of BRAC. If we can get that access ramp in there then anything is possible,” said the Society’s spokesperson.

SPECIOUS had harsh words for Fairfax County. “Right now there are development plans pending on the Fairfax-Alexandria border in several locations that are being handled by the County. We do not think they are looking hard enough at the new reindustrialization of the West End of Alexandria. We do not need more condos and empty offices. We need more traditional smoke belching facilities that provide real jobs! ”