The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce notified the Fairfax County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors on Jan. 18 of its support for the proposed Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) District II Substation and Training Facility to be located adjacent the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.

The Chamber's Economic Development Committee met with Metro staff last week to learn about the proposed project.

The three-story 23,000 square feet substation and the 33,000 square feet training facility will allow for the growing number of MTPD personnel. Currently, firearm training must be conducted in leased locations at times that require overtime pay for officers.

The Chamber believes this use to be beneficial to our community. The substation and training facility use available, Metro-owned land, with minimal environmental impact. Significant transportation infrastructure is already in place and, in large part, traffic counts will be limited to employees of the facility.

There will be a positive economic impact on our community as this will be a 24-hour facility using Greater Springfield area businesses for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as other support retail needs.

The sense of security this facility will bring is also to be noted. The increased presence of officers in the area, many using Metro to commute to work, will be of benefit to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station and surrounding destinations.

An April 18 Planning Commission hearing has been scheduled. However Metro hopes to advance the project earlier.