January 25, 2022 at 5:11 p.m. EST
Debate over building data centers in the rural crescent of Northern Virginia, a stone’s throw from Manassas National Battlefield Park, sheds light on a divisive topic. More than a squabble over municipal zoning and construction, this is about the dangerous precedent our leaders would set by allowing developers to build gigantic, loud industrial facilities on hallowed ground.
More than 150,000 men fought over the hills of Manassas National Battlefield Park, through two major Civil War battles. Thousands bled and died there, and it is likely that some are still buried there. Their actions changed the course of U.S. history.
Rezoning this land for risky commercial development would permanently alter the historic landscape that allows visitors to stand in the footsteps of the past and learn from it. It is a grievous insult to those who sacrificed — particularly when there is available land in Prince William County that is already allotted for data centers.
The chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors defends this rezoning and potential development as bringing in “commercial revenue.” What dollar amount does she think is worth trampling the memory of American soldiers and the legacy left for future generations?
Joseph Eaves, Manassas
The writer is president of the Manassas Battlefield Trust.
I echo the Jan. 20 letter “It’s about the water” that the Jan. 16 Metro article “Fight over data centers roils rural Prince William” glossed over the real issues. The article read as inexplicably sympathetic to large landowners requesting rezoning so they can sell at premium prices to developers to create the Prince William “Digital Gateway.” Their disingenuous narrative that they are just poor disadvantaged farmers who will reluctantly give up their land for the greater good of Prince William County is pure farce.
The principal architects of this scheme are heavily lobbying the Prince William Board of County Supervisors to railroad their proposal through before there is time to thoroughly examine its detrimental effects or showcase the proposal before the voters.
Bill Wright, Gainesville
8 Comments
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There are No other sites on which commercial ventures can be built? I realize developers like to make big glitzy campuses; easier builds, more prestige, etc. But why here, this close to an already congested area? They are assuming one spouse works in government, and the other needs a tech job within commuting distance? They like overpriced townhouse clusters and McMansions? Naw, they just like short-term money, and don’t care what they leave behind for 2052 to cope with.
When I lived in the Washington, D.C., area in 1987, one of the news stories I remember was a proposal to build a shopping mall on some of the area at Manassas National Battlefield. It seems like nothing changes when it comes to development…
It was a Disney theme park that would have included much commercial development.
it was both!
“by allowing developers to build gigantic, loud industrial facilities on hallowed ground.”
1) Data centers are not loud.
2) If it’s not part of the park, it’s not hallowed ground.
Battlefield parks sometimes manage only to protect the most core sites where fighting occurred. Lots of land that could help to understand the progression of a battle, and where soldiers fought and died, gets paved over.
1) The proposal being considered in not just about data centers. It would also allow for “light industrial” uses. There is no guarantee what could be built in the rezoned area.
2) Part of the land proposed for rezoning actually falls within the Congressionally designated park boundary, so yes, hallowed ground.
I wholeheartedly agree. My ancestors, and family, lived and live in Gainesville, Haymarket (formerly Waterfall), and Thoroughfare (Broad Run), Virginia. The battle to keep people who have dollar bills for retinas, never, ever ends.