Fort Lee growth expected to affect wide area

Fort Lee's growth in the next two years has the potential to bring economic and population growth to Richmond and other localities outside the Tri-Cities, a Fort Lee official told a small group of war veterans and Richmond-area residents last night.

The 2005 Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission plan is expected to bring nearly 15,000 new residents to the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities by 2011.

The growth will primarily affect the counties of Chesterfield, Prince George and Dinwiddie and the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Petersburg.

But there is potential for growth in areas from Emporia to Richmond to New Kent County, Jason Gray, project manager for BRAC construction, told about 20 people attending a briefing at the Virginia War Memorial.

"This is huge for the six localities around us," Gray said. "But the growth could impact Richmond. It is that large of growth."

The federal government is spending $1.2 billion on construction at Fort Lee to welcome military students and other military personnel and families from installations in Texas, Maryland, Alabama and Virginia.

By 2011, the post will go from having about 4,100 students a day to more than 11,000, base officials said.

The base's total daily supported population -- which includes military students, permanent troops and their families, civilian employees and their families, and contractor employees and their families -- is projected to increase from last year's 31,545 to about 46,763 in 2011.

The expansion is an economic boost to the region. The base currently contributes $1.1 billion a year to the economy, a number that is projected to increase, Gray said.

About 15 percent of the population growth will occur this year, an additional 36 percent in 2010 and the rest in 2011, when the BRAC moves should be completed.

"This is almost overwhelming," Chesterfield resident Gary Metzinger said. "For the area it is very favorable. This will be a place to be for jobs."

World War II veteran Ryland Y. Bailey, who lives in Richmond, said he is glad to see the growth at Fort Lee. Bailey said he expects the growth to generate more traffic through Richmond International Airport and attract more people into the city as they shop and conduct business.

Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-6058 or .