As construction of housing in the new privately-funded Rush River Commons development in the Town of Washington nears completion, the project’s engineers and designers are already looking ahead to the second phase of the development and what it will look like.

Hopefully, in the spring, tenants will begin moving into the one, two and three-bedroom rental housing that is part of phase one. Efforts are underway to find an entrepreneur to open a coffee shop or eatery — a gathering place for the community in the Leggett Lane office building that houses the Department of Social Services and nonprofit Rapp at Home. The Rappahannock Food Pantry opened in June in the adjacent building.

The Rush River Commons development in the Town of Washington has nearly finished its transformation from a pile of dirt to a community gathering space.

More than 50 Rappahannock Food Pantry volunteers helped pack Thanksgiving meals for 243 families over the weekend and early this week, according to pantry manager Laura Lucas.

A public hearing was held about a 3.94953-acre boundary adjustment to the Town of Washington, allowing for the entirety of the Rush River Commons project to exist within town limits. The board approved the request in a 4-1 vote, with Piedmont Supervisor Christine Smith voting against the adjustment.

The Rappahannock Food Pantry officially marked the opening of its new building in the Town of Washington last Friday with a festive ribbon cutting ceremony attended by some 200 volunteers and community supporters.

The new pantry is located at 37 Leggett Lane at the Rush River Commons development, across from the post office. The building is 2,500 square feet larger than the former Sperryville location, for a total of 4,500 square feet.

The Rappahannock Food Pantry opened its doors for the first time June 27 at its new location in the Town of Washington and is already seeing a small increase in clientele.

“After all of our hard work, we were so happy to finally open our doors for our clients,” said Penny Kardis, food pantry president. “[Our clients] found the wide and spacious aisles very pleasing. The two-story open ceiling and windows filled the space with Rappahannock sunshine.”