Prison Closing Puts Growth on the Table

Lawns are well manicured; fences and mailboxes are in good condition. Residents credit that to twice-yearly inspections by the community's management company.

"People are hesitant to rat on their neighbors, so the management company makes people aware of things that need to be taken care of before they get out of hand," said Dana.

When Janine Rudolph's family moved to Crosspointe from Pennsylvania 10 years ago, she had a 5-year-old and preconceived notions, she said.

"I'd heard that Northern Virginia was very transient and feared my son would have no permanent sense of friendships," she said.

She was pleasantly surprised by the camaraderie they found. "In times of need, it takes two minutes for someone to be at the door," said Rudolph, now the editor of the neighborhood's 18-page newsletter.

When a death in the family kept her in Pennsylvania longer than expected last year, a neighbor offered to drive up with fresh clothes. "I'm past the soccer mom stage, and we don't see each other regularly, but those old friends are still there," Rudolph said.

Within the next decade, it is estimated that more than 7,000 new homes will be built in the Lorton area. With them will come stores and other services.

The coming growth worries some current residents.

For instance, the widening of Route 123 is causing Crosspointe resident Mary Lane Wigren some concern. "A new shopping center is going to end up right in my backyard," she said.

Other residents who live near the road are waiting to see how houses, yards and noise levels will be affected, although Dana notes, "The 123 expansion has been on the master plan since the beginning."

Still, Dana said she treasures the remaining rural atmosphere. "To step outside at night and see stars and satellites is a big treat for me," she said. "I will fight tooth and nail to prevent street lights within Crosspointe."

Not everyone dislikes change. Said Ann Witherspoon, a real estate agent and one of Crosspointe's original residents, "People should stop looking at development as a hindrance and instead look at it as putting them closer to what they need."