Supervisors and citizens of Burke are faced with challenges over the coming year. Burke is split into the Springfield District and the Braddock District, and continues to be viewed by both Supervisors Elaine McConnell (R-Springfield) and Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock) with the citizens in mind.
Transportation continues to dominate the scenario but one that has been limited with the election in November where the tax referendum was defeated. Some projects are still going through while others still remain undecided.
The completion of Ox Road made the cut and construction continues on the phases just south of Lee Chapel Road. That leaves the final phase going down to the Occoquan River, which is part of the Springfield District. Widening of Burke Lake Road from Lee Chapel to the Fairfax County Parkway is another project that will begin in 2003 according to McConnell.
McConnell is also behind an effort to buy the land near the intersection of Ox Road and the Fairfax County Parkway, she referred to as "Camp 30," for a communication center related to Homeland Security.
"The biggest thing for me is the communications center," she said.
Over in the Braddock District, construction will be underway with the new senior center at Guinea Road and Little River Turnpike.
The Burke Library was slated for land near Freds Oak Drive and the Fairfax County Parkway in 2002. Bulova is looking at a 2004 bond to pay for construction; so in 2003, the Friends of the Burke Library will be active. Planning will continue in the county offices as well.
"We're going to be planning for that this year," Bulova said of the library plans.
Bulova is also starting a nine-part series with a discussion panel focusing on transportation projects that are needed in the district. Then recommendations will be made to the county.
"We'll break into discussion groups," she said.
She is also starting a revitalization awards program, conducted by the Community Appearance Alliance. It's an effort to increase citizen participation, "where we recognize and award people for something they do to beautify the community," she said.
There will be separate categories for parkland, commercial and yards, to name a few.
Construction will be underway at the St. Stephens United Methodist church at Braddock and Guinea Roads where they are adding new classroom space and a church sanctuary for parishioners. The Fairfax Memorial Park is also adding a building which will house a funeral home and crematorium.
At Burke Lake Park, the Fairfax County Park Authority plans to add recreational facilities including a miniature golf course and a 120-by-90-foot lawn bowling green, which will also be used for croquet. These additions were approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 18. Following that approval, the Commonwealth of Virginia Design-Build/Construction Management Review Board, the Planning and Development Committee and the Park Authority Board all gave their approvals on Nov. 13. The 18-hole, miniature golf course is planned for an area adjacent to the existing ice cream parlor. Construction will begin over the coming year.