Fairfax County is once again discussing how to discourage “panhandling” while also declining — at least for the moment — to make it illegal to engage with anyone in a county-owned road or median.
The subject was revived at last week’s board meeting by Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity after cropping up a number of times over the last several years.
Herrity’s board matter argued that people in the road or median asking for money not only “generates considerable public complaint,” but is a safety risk for both those individuals and motorists.
“Anyone who stands in the median of our busy intersections trying to engage with motorists puts themselves in danger and presents a dangerous distraction to motorists,” Herrity’s board matter said. “This applies to panhandlers, fundraisers, marketers, and anyone else in the medians.”
However, a recent study by the county somewhat disputes this assertion. At Herrity’s urging, the board directed staff in May to conduct a study into if there are “public safety risks” in relation to people being in roads asking for money.
Sent to the board in July, the study results concluded that staff was “unable to find a significant public safety risk related to or stemming from panhandling,” mostly because that data wasn’t being collected at that level of specificity.
“While panhandling appears dangerous and generates considerable public complaint, available FCPD data does not support a determination that panhandlers are more likely to be injured or killed than other pedestrians, or that locations where panhandlers are present have an increased risk of traffic accidents,” the study said.
Nonetheless, Herrity disagreed with the assessment by saying a study shouldn’t replace “commonsense.”
While this is a step in the right direction, my colleagues would not approve my related motion that would have directed our staff to have a draft panhandling ordinance prepared for discussion in a Public Safety Committee meeting and/or Closed session.
— Supervisor Pat Herrity (@PatHerrity) October 13, 2022
“With as many tragic pedestrian fatalities as we have had in this County, including one panhandler, I am frankly appalled that we have not done more to protect our residents on this issue. We should not need a study to determine what is commonsense,” Herrity wrote in the board matter.
At the board’s Oct. 11 meeting, Herrity proposed directing staff to “draft a curb-to-curb safety ordinance that would restrict anyone from engaging with motorists between the curbs of a road with the exception of recognized public safety entities,” including for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s annual “Fill the Boot” campaign.
A similar ordinance has been in place in Loudoun County since 2013 but has since been tweaked.
The motion, however, did not receive a second and died before going to a vote.
Board Chairman Jeff McKay said he’s not opposed to continuing the discussion in a closed session but cautioned that courts have already ruled against the proposal’s legality.
“I don’t object to having that conversation, but I do think that conversation should happen before the staff goes about drafting an ordinance to the benefit of your colleagues who weren’t on the last board, knowing that the last board soundly rejected this,” McKay told Herrity.
Herrity had a bit more luck with a request for a public information campaign to let community members know there are better ways to help those in need other than physically handing out cash. It also looked to inform business owners of their rights in restricting the act on their property.
That motion passed without objection from any supervisors.
As noted by the county’s public information officer Tony Castrilli during the meeting, the county has put out materials in the past that discouraged “panhandling” and shared best practices to help folks who are in need.
As part of the passed motion, the Board directed staff to update those materials.
McKay advised residents to donate money to nonprofits and community organizations, as opposed to handing out cash to those standing in roads or on sidewalks.
“The best way to stop this is for residents to stop giving money to panhandlers. That’s a difficult task to accomplish,” McKay said. “If we are really going to make a dent in this…it’s for people to give money to legitimate organizations that can help deal with the homelessness problem in the county. The folks that are giving money are doing what they think is the right thing, but they are creating even larger challenges.”
The second phase of the Silver Line may finally be ready to begin in time for the start of busy Thanksgiving travel, Metro announced today.
But the opening of the long-anticipated and long-delayed extension into Loudoun County is pending security certifications from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. Metro says it also still needs more trains to officially support the extension.
“We committed for the Silver Line extension to being operationally ready for the Silver Line extension in October, and we have met our deadline,” Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke said. “Since control of the extension was turned over to Metro, we and our partners at the Airports Authority, Fairfax, and Loudoun have worked diligently to complete all of the steps needed for Metro to offer safe and reliable service for rail travel to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County, and we are just awaiting concurrence from our Safety Commission partners.”
The WMSC still needs to provide approvals of two submissions: a return-to-service plan for 7000-series railcars and a safety certification report on the extension project. The commission formally rejected Metro’s new return-to-service plan for its 7000-series rail cars.
“Metro does not view the final Silver Line safety certification report as a barrier to preparing for the opening of passenger service before Thanksgiving holiday travel,” Metro said in a statement.
Last month, Metro’s senior safety and operations officials said they were concerned about the safety of moving cars from other crowded lines for new service, citing the need for more trains.
Metro says that it’s confused by WMSC’s rejection of its plan, noting the following:
The letter indicates that there are differences in the track interface with trains on Blue/Orange/Silver lines that require monitoring, then indicates permission to run on those lines temporarily, but offers no metrics for successful completion;
The letter implies that Metro could swap axles to increase the fleet; however, that is operationally infeasible and would impact Metro’s ability to safely and efficiently manage its fleet, as well as changes many variables at once;
WMSC approved in December 2021 the use of the 7K fleet on all rail lines, and is now using the same data analysis to justify fleet restrictions, with no definitive root cause identified in the NTSB investigation.
Metro took control of the project from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority in June. The project’s completion has been delayed several times over the last two years.
FFXnow has reached out to WMSC for comment.
Health Department Urges Flu Shots — “As the weather cools down and more time is spent indoors, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages everyone 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine this Fall, preferably by the end of October…If you are eligible for your COVID-19 booster, it is safe to get your flu shot at the same time as your booster.” [FCHD]
D.C. Man Indicted in Fatal I-495 Crash — A Fairfax County grand jury indicted D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commission member Devon Lesesne yesterday (Tuesday) for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Katherine Aileen Reyes, 20, of Alabama. Lesesne was allegedly driving drunk when he crashed into Reyes, whose vehicle was disabled on I-495 near Telegraph Road on March 5. [WTOP]
Sheriff’s Office Offered Cruises in Contract With Telecom Company — The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office’s contract with Smart Communications, the Florida-based company that operates the Adult Detention Center’s video call and electronic messaging system, includes free annual cruises to the Caribbean for a “technology training summit.” The sheriff’s office said none of its employees have attended and it wouldn’t give members permission to go. [The Appeal]
Malfunctioning Fan Sparks Lorton House Fire — A problematic attic fan started a fire in the 7500 block of Billsam Court Saturday morning (Oct. 15), forcing three residents and their pets to evacuate the house. Fairfax County and Fort Belvoir firefighters “quickly” found and extinguished the fire, which caused no reported injuries, but the residents were displaced. Property damages totaled approximately $71,000. [FCFRD]
County Seeks to Diversify Board-Appointed Groups — The Chairman’s Task Force on Equity and Opportunity plans to conduct “demographic analysis” of existing county boards, authorities and commissions. Expected to finish in spring 2023, the study is intended to help broaden the pool of people available to serve on key advisory groups to the Board of Supervisors. [Sun Gazette]
What to Know About the County’s Running Bamboo Fines — “Avoid the fine, don’t let running bamboo grow beyond your property line. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, the new running bamboo ordinance goes into effect requiring property owners to maintain the invasive grass to their own property.” [Fairfax County Government]
Esports Teams Now Playing at Fairfax County Schools — “Students at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia now have the opportunity to compete in esports! FOX 5 photojournalist Eric Mills got a chance to take a look at the school’s new gaming sports program.” [FOX5]
Herndon Theater Puts New Spin on “Frankenstein” — “Audiences attending NextStop’s production of ‘Frankenstein’ should prepare themselves to be scared, according to Evan Hoffmann, the show’s director…The timing of NextStop’s chilling presentation of the classic Mary Shelley horror novel couldn’t be better. The play debuts Friday and runs through Nov. 13 at the company’s home stage in Herndon.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 54 and low of 36. Sunrise at 7:23 am and sunset at 6:26 pm. [Weather.gov]
The possession and consumption of alcoholic drinks could be allowed in some public areas in the Town of Herndon.
The Herndon Town Council is considering legislation that would allow the town to create Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas (DORAs) in the Downtown Herndon Arts District. Businesses will need licenses for outdoor refreshment areas from the ABC.
Town staff met with Downtown Herndon restaurants in July to explore the idea, according to Dennis Holste, the town’s economic development manager.
So far, the fiscal impact of the project is unclear, Holste wrote.
“These resource commitments will include such budget categories as labor, most likely overtime or contractor support, vehicles and equipment used for road closures, and increases to insurance premiums. A non-profit taking over as the DORA sponsor would help to reduce the town’s fiscal commitment,” he wrote.
Any alcohol within the area must be purchased from an ABC-licensed vendor within the designated DORA.
Each licensee is limited to certain conditions. For example, businesses cannot have more than 16 events where alcohol beverages are sold in the DORA area. Each event also cannot exceed three consequence days.
If the proposal is approved, the town would install signage along public sidewalks near the DORAs. Each sign will delineate where alcohol consumption is not allowed or restricted between midnight and 10 a.m.
Any private property owner within the DORA could prohibit the consumption of alcohol on their property. People also won’t be allowed to consume alcohol within town-owned buildings or facilities — unless otherwise approved — or on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.
The Herndon Police Department plans to patrol the DORAs to monitor compliance and ensure enough security is present for special events within those areas.
If passed, the legislation won’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2023. The state recently enacted legislation allowing localities to establish DORAs.
The council plans to discuss the matter a meeting tonight (Tuesday).
Fairfax County might get a little frosty overnight, in case the yellowing leaves outside weren’t a clear enough signal of autumn’s arrival.
The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory for the D.C. area, warning that temperatures are expected to dip into the 30s, starting at 2 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).
…FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 9 AM EDT WEDNESDAY…
* WHAT…Temperatures around 33 to 36 degrees will result in frost formation.
* WHERE…Portions of central, northeast, northern and southern Maryland, The District of Columbia and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From 2 AM to 9 AM EDT Wednesday.
* IMPACTS…Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered.
“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold,” the NWS says.
As of 1:30 p.m., the NWS forecast for the county indicates that tomorrow will be mostly sunny, but frost may reemerge between 4 and 8 a.m. on Thursday (Oct. 20), when the low temperature will be 33 degrees Fahrenheit.
The chill comes from a cold front that has traveled southeast across the U.S. from as far away as northern Russia and the Arctic, the Capital Weather Gang reported Friday (Oct. 13).
Photo via sydney Rae/Unsplash
A new report on COVID-19’s impact on policing found some dissatisfaction among officers with how the Fairfax County Police Department responded to the pandemic, along with a significant decrease in community engagement.
Made public earlier this month, the report looked into the pandemic’s impact on policing in Fairfax County. The study was a partnership between the police department and George Mason University’s Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy (GMU-CEBCP).
Sworn officers gave FCPD “relatively lower ratings” for its overall Covid response, highlighting a “perceived unfairness” and inconsistency in how the department dealt with leave policies, remote work, and adherence to mask-wearing, vaccinations, and social distancing.
Because of those concerns and a “negative reaction to broader local and national criminal justice issues,” more than a third of sworn officers who responded to surveys expressed interest in leaving the force after the first year of the pandemic, the report says.
“This sentiment was more pronounced in non-White or Hispanic officers and those more likely to experience work-related or personal stress during the initial months of the pandemic and one year later,” the report said.
There were also initial challenges in the department with obtaining personal protective equipment and a “lack of data, data sharing, and communication,” per the report.
“One additional challenge noted in the open-ended survey responses and some interviews was that there was no communication mechanism to reach every officer in the FCPD quickly,” the report said.
FCPD’s public affairs bureau told FFXnow by email that the “law enforcement profession has been facing retention and recruitment challenges for several years, but these challenges are not isolated to Fairfax County or the pandemic.”
Under a personnel emergency since August, the department noted that the county has made some effort to correct staffing issues in recent months, approving a one-time hazard pay bonus of $2,000 and “pandemic appreciation leave” for employees who couldn’t take leave during 2020.
In general, though, the report suggests low morale over the last several years had less to do with Covid than with fallout from George Floyd’s murder and the resulting nationwide protests in the summer of 2020.
“Although not confirmed by survey data, interviewees suggested that morale was impacted much more by Floyd’s murder and the ensuing protests against the police than by COVID,” it reads.
The study found some faults with how police have dealt with the public and handled “crime and disorder,” pointing to a reduction of “in-person community-policing activities” and a shift towards handling calls remotely.
While somewhat unavoidable, the report says some of the public “felt that service provided remotely was less effective,” and the department has been “slow” to return to the normal levels of community policing activity.
When asked about this, FCPD referenced a 2021 survey that was publicly released this past August that noted “most” of those who responded to the survey “were satisfied with the Fairfax County Police Department” and that more people think FCPD does a better job communicating than in 2015.
The report says county police struggled to adapt to a well-documented increase in mental health calls, particularly in the early stages of the pandemic. FCPD said it is working to address this challenge.
“With the support of the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health, FCPD has expanded our co-responder program, which allows for clinicians to respond with officers to mental health calls for service,” the department told FFXnow.
The report noted that changes in people’s everyday routines early on in the pandemic altered “many longstanding calls for service and crime patterns.” The county saw a “significant decline” in service calls overall as well as specific types of calls, particularly traffic crashes and deaths.
Similar service call patterns and staffing challenges have been reported in other law enforcement agencies across the country, according to the report.
The report praised the department for “quickly” implementing strategies to keep officers safe from Covid, such as using the “existing infrastructure of a health safety unit to quickly implement infectious disease control.”
“Like all professions, law enforcement was not immune to the pandemic. We value the GMU study and the recommendations they provided,” the FCPD said.
Puttshack has signed a lease with Reston Station (via Puttshack)
A new kind of tech-inspired mini-golf experience is coming soon to Comstock’s Reston Station.
Puttshack, which describes itself as an upscale and tech-infused experience with global food and drink signed a lease at 1850 Reston Row Plaza. The 29,000-square-foot lease is part of phase two of Reston Station’s development.
“With Reston Station’s line-up of emerging and established tech companies on site, the transit-oriented neighborhood was an immediate draw for our tech-driven mini golf concept,” Puttshack President Dave Diamond wrote in a statement. “Puttshack will become a must-visit destination for a one-of-a-kind experience encompassing mini golf, exceptional dining, and lively entertainment.”
Here’s more from Comstock on the lease:
Puttshack Reston will be a major entertainment destination for D.C. metro area residents and visitors alike. The more than 29,000 square-foot space will feature four highly competitive, tech-driven nine-hole mini golf courses powered by the brand’s leading patented Trackaball
technology, which elevates the game experience by keeping track of your score for you as you play. Additionally, a new game component currently in the final stages of development will be featured in the space.
The game play is matched by an innovative, globally inspired dining menu and signature hand-crafted cocktails, as well as world-class hospitality with a high-energy, upscale vibe. The new play-filled, immersive indoor space will feature multiple bars in addition to private event spaces for exclusive parties and business outings.
The company has two locations in the country. Additional locations in Boston and Miami are opening later this month. Sites in Dallas, Denver, Houston, Nashville, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scottsdale, St. Louis, and a second location in Atlanta are all anticipated to open next year.
Puttshack will open at Reston Station in 2025.
Fairfax County’s Guide to Halloween — “It’s time for scary, silly and all kinds of costumes in all corners of our community. Here are a few things to know about Halloween in Fairfax County,” including where to find the most elaborately decorated houses and tips for handling trick-or-treating. [Fairfax County Government]
Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in Reston Today — Reston Community Center is hosting a Covid vaccine clinic from 1-4 p.m. at 2310 Colts Neck Road. Pfizer doses will be available for people 12 and older. Those interested can make an appointment through the county’s Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS), but walk-ins are welcome too. [Melanie Meren/Twitter]
Confederate Warning Structure at GMU’s Fairfax Campus Preserved — “The Bull Run Civil War Round Table (BRCWRT), in partnership with George Mason, has worked for six years to preserve the redoubt. They joined Mason officials Oct. 7, in a ceremony delayed more than a year by the pandemic, to dedicate pathways and historical markers at the site.” [Sun Gazette/Inside NoVA]
How the Envigo Beagles Were Rescued — “What followed was two months of beagle mania, as people across the country showered the Humane Society with $2.2 million in donations and clamored to adopt the dogs…But the beagle emancipation was cloaked in secrecy. Almost no one was allowed to see the dogs leave Envigo.” [The Washington Post]
Fire Department Hosts First Open Houses of Pandemic — “In celebration of Fire Prevention Week, fire stations across Fairfax County held open houses on Saturday that attracted hundreds of people to tour the stations, see the fire trucks and ambulances, and participate in fun activities. The events were the first open houses held by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department since 2019.” [Patch]
Fairfax City Starts Review of Housing Needs — A comprehensive housing assessment is underway in the City of Fairfax that will “look at recent housing trends and development patterns and provide the foundation for a strategy to build the types of housing most in demand for a full range of incomes and households.” Community engagement sessions are scheduled for Nov. 2 and 3. [City of Fairfax]
Fairfax Symphony Opens Season With Guest Conductor — “Fairfax County Providence District Supervisor, Dalia Palchik, joined the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the launch of the premier orchestra’s 65th Anniversary Season. On Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA, Supervisor Palchik made her FSO debut to kick of the FSO season by guest conducting the National Anthem.” [YouTube]
Reston Home Tour Looking for Volunteers — “Reston Museum needs volunteers to serve as docents for the 20th annual Reston Home Tour, which takes place Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each volunteer docent will receive a free ticket to the home tour, which they can use before or after their shift, according to a release.” [Patch]
It’s Tuesday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 54 and low of 41. Sunrise at 7:22 am and sunset at 6:27 pm. [Weather.gov]
Updated at 4:25 p.m. — Elden Street in Herndon has reopened, as police continue to investigate a crash that involved two pedestrians.
Earlier: Two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle on Elden Street in Herndon, per a police report, with one suffering injuries that were initially considered life-threatening.
The incident at the 1000 block of Elden Street occurred shortly after 3 p.m., Herndon Police Department spokesperson Lisa Herndon told FFXnow in an email.
The crash happened near where Elden Street intersects with Locust Street and Sterling Road with one victim being transported to Inova Fairfax with “life-threatening injuries.”
The northbound lanes of Elden Street are closed for the quarter-mile stretch between Alabama Drive and Sterling Road while officers remain on the scene investigating.
The HPD said at 4:11 p.m. that the person who suffered critical injuries has been stabilized, and the other pedestrian’s injuries were minor.
“Preliminary investigation shows speed does not appear to be a factor” in the crash, police said.
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION: 1000-blk Elden St- Two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle; One victim is en route to Inova Fairfax Hospital with life-threatening injuries. NB Elden closed between Alabama and Sterling for accident investigation. Updates as available. #HerndonPD pic.twitter.com/Wqvb7KN8FO
— Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) October 17, 2022
Fairfax Health District COVID-19 cases over the past 26 weeks, as of Oct. 17, 2022 (via VDH)
Booster COVID-19 vaccinations for kids aged 5 to 11 were put on hold late last week, as the Fairfax County Health Department transitions to updated vaccines that target omicron variants of the disease.
Federal health officials expanded their recommendation for the bivalent booster vaccines to include that younger age group on Wednesday (Oct. 12), saying the updated shots will provide better protection against “more transmissible and immune-evading” variants.
The bivalent boosters were authorized for people 12 and older at the end of August. The county health department says it has seen “a mild demand” for the vaccine since it became available in September.
“Typically, there is a surge when additional eligibility is updated, but the situation cools after a couple of weeks. That is typical of this update as well,” FCHD spokesperson Lucy Caldwell said. “We have no issues with vaccine supply and it is widely available throughout the community, pharmacies, medical providers, and our County sites, at this time.”
The authorization for the previous Pfizer booster shots for kids 5 to 11 ended on Oct. 12, so the health department stopped administering boosters for that age group until the new ones arrive.
The bivalent boosters will be available for kids at the Fairfax County Government Center and South County Hyland Center vaccine clinics starting tomorrow (Tuesday). Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also allowed.
About 14% of kids aged 5 to 11 have gotten a Covid booster since they became eligible in May, according to FCHD data.
The FCHD reports that 85.7% of residents in the Fairfax Health District, which includes the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church as well as the county, have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, including:
- 93% of people aged 18 and older
- 99.5% of 16-17 year olds
- 95.9% of 12-15 year olds
- 63.6% of 5-11 year olds
- 18.6% of kids aged 6 months to 4 years old
After an initial surge, vaccine demand has slowed among families with infants and toddlers, a nationwide trend that worries public health experts. While still low, Fairfax County’s rate for that age group is more than twice as high was the national rate of 9%, FCHD Director of Epidemiology and Population Health Dr. Benjamin Schwartz said.
“Despite this higher rate, the health department continues to stress the importance of protecting these young children who can suffer severe COVID-19 and who may bring COVID-19 into a family where it can spread to others who may be vulnerable,” Schwartz said.
Overall, 78.1% of the district’s population, or 924,525 people, are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including 85.7% of adults.
The expanded availability of the bivalent boosters comes as the county braces for a possible resurgence of the coronavirus later this fall and winter.
While cases remain relatively low, with the district averaging 160 cases per day for the past week, the first two years of the pandemic saw massive spikes in the disease’s spread during the winter, peaking with a seven-day average of 2,590 cases on Jan. 13, 2022.
Schwartz attributes those previous surges to a combination of new variants, people spending more time indoors, and holiday travel and gatherings.
“We need to remain vigilant and maintain good immunity in the population by staying up to date on vaccination and getting recommended boosters,” he said. “In addition, people who with respiratory symptoms should stay home and away from others and should be tested for COVID-19.”
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention also reported last week that there have been signs of an earlier, more active flu season this year, particularly in the southern and southeastern U.S. Activity in Virginia is already moderate, as of Oct. 8.
Flu season typically peaks in December through February, but “significant activity” can last as late as May, according to the CDC, which recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot “ideally by the end of October.”
Notably, kids under 4 years old have accounted for 13.8% of hospital visits for influenza in Virginia so far this year — the largest proportion of any age group, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Caldwell said that trend “aligns with national figures” and urged everyone to get a flu vaccine this fall.
“We don’t want a flu outbreak compounding what we are experiencing with COVID,” Schwartz said.
The Fairfax Health District has recorded 244,081 Covid cases, 5,017 hospitalizations, and 1,659 deaths during the pandemic.
A demonstration that brought tents to the North County Government Center in a push for more supportive housing in Reston has come to a close after the final tent was officially removed late last week.
Reston Strong, the nonprofit organization behind the protest to increase Fairfax County’s affordable housing stock, announced that the last tent in front of Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn’s office was removed after it was first installed on April 4.
The woman living in the tent was moved into permanent supportive housing with access to other services, Reston Strong announced on Thursday (Oct. 13).
The announcement culminates the group’s Neighbors in Tents campaign, which aims to address homelessness in the county.
The organization says that more than 20 tents across four sites still remain in Reston.
“The largest encampment is home to individuals who were also displaced in the spring when hypothermia shelters closed,” Reston Strong wrote in a statement. “Several are women, elderly, and LGBTQ+ who are still waiting on housing. The crisis is far from over but for today we celebrate, for tonight one of our beloved unhoused neighbors will sleep in her own bed, in her own room, in her own apartment.”
Alcorn did not immediately return a request for comment from FFXnow.
A new circulator through the Town of Herndon is set to open when service for phase two of the Silver Line officially begins.
The Herndon Circulator — run through the Fairfax Connector — will include weekday and weekend service through the Herndon Metro station, Spring Street, Downtown Herndon, Elden Street, Parcher Avenue and Worldgate Drive.
“The route was developed in response to community input and to increase connectivity between downtown and the north side Herndon bus bays,” Robin Geiger, a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, said.
Service is expected to begin when trains start running for phase two, according to the county. It’s unclear that will begin.
Most recently, Metro’s general manager stated that Metro may be operationally prepared to seek safety certification from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission and Federal Transit Administration sometime this month.
An opening date has not yet been set, although a fall date is anticipated.
The route is one of several approved recently for Fairfax Connector. Other service changes include a new route between Tysons and Centreville that will take effect next year.
The route comes after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved several new routes and changes to the Fairfax Connector in February.
Under the plan, the county added four new routes, altered 19 existing bus routes, and eliminated 12 bus routes.
Hunter Mill Road Traffic Stoppages Today — “On Mon 10/17 from 9AM-3PM, Hunter Mill Rd will have full traffic stoppages of up to 10 minutes each between Crowell Rd and Cobble Mill Rd to install beams as part of the Colvin Run bridge project. Expect delays and consider using alternate routes.” [VDOT/Twitter]
Racial Disparities Persist in Virginia Marijuana Arrests — “While marijuana arrests overall dropped in the year since Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize, Black adults accounted for nearly 60 percent of marijuana-related cases before the state’s general district and circuit courts…despite Black people accounting for about 20 percent of the state population.” [The Washington Post]
House Fire Reported in Lorton — “Units on scene of a house fire in the 7500 block of Billisam Court in Lorton area. First arriving units reported smoke showing from the roof. Crews have brought a fire in attic under control. Occupants safe. No reported injuries at this time.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Washington Capitals Star Sells Langley Farms Home — “The estate of Washington Capitals’ star T.J. Oshie — the home he and his wife acquired in 2017 from Boston Properties’ executive Ray Ritchey — sold in mid-September for $6.4 million, six months after the Oshies paid $7.4 million for a larger property in the same exclusive McLean community.” [Washington Business Journal]
See Pics From Lorton Community Center Grand Opening — “Today’s ribbon cutting of the Lorton Community Center & Fairfax County Public Library welcomed 500+ neighbors who couldn’t wait to visit the new and modern library, paint pumpkins in the art room, view the new gym, take hula lessons, workout room, sensory room, recording studio, Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), and play at the new park to name a few.” [Supervisor Dan Storck/Facebook]
Learn What’s Happening in Tysons Development — “Suzie Battista and Beth Elliott from the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development will present the latest news about the changes afoot in Tysons. They’ll also introduce attendees to the new Tysons Tracker online platform, which provides public access to a wealth of information about local development projects.” [Fairfax County Public Library]
Supervisor Takes a Ride on Silver Line Phase II — “Silver Line Phase 2 is opening soon for passenger service! It was exciting to take @wmata from new Reston Town Center Station to Dulles Airport last week. It’s a great step forward for public transportation in our region.” [Supervisor Walter Alcorn/Twitter]
Lincolnia Students Catch Up on Learning — “Students in Fairfax County attended Saturday School at Glasgow Middle School, completely voluntarily. It’s part of a federal program to help students catch up after time spent remote learning during the pandemic.” [WUSA9]
Mosaic District Store Seeks to Make Women Look and Feel Great — “Russman’s clever branding has worked, it would seem, as Undeniable Boutique has become a standout in an area known for its top-notch shopping since its inception in 2011. Undeniable Boutique has also won the Best Women’s Boutique category in Best of NoVA® nine times in the years since Russman opened its doors. ” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Monday — Possible light rain in the morning. High of 66 and low of 54. Sunrise at 7:21 am and sunset at 6:29 pm. [Weather.gov]
The weekend is almost here. Before you check out the Richmond Highway corridor’s first parklet or head to bed for some much-needed sleep, let’s revisit the past week of news in Fairfax County.
Here are the 10 most-read stories on FFXnow this week:
- Undeveloped site on Route 50 could become data center or warehouse
- Woman killed in crash near Fairfax Towne Center, capping deadly week for local pedestrians
- Teen in hospital with serious injuries from accidental BB gun shooting in McLean
- NEW: Two killed in moped crash on Dulles Toll Road in Wolf Trap
- New Lorton Community Center is now open, joining renovated library and park
- Police: Man shot at officers and led chase from Arlington to West Falls Church
- Fairfax County School Board commits to supporting transgender students, as community speaks out
- Fairfax County could introduce speed enforcement cameras with pilot next year
- Police search underway for missing woman, last seen in Reston
- Man killed on I-95 in Springfield by driver who tried to flee, police say
Ideas for potential stories can be sent to [email protected] or submitted as an anonymous tip. Photos of scenes from around the county are welcome too, with credit always given to the photographer.
Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below. Have a great weekend, Fairfax County!
Market conditions remain unfavorable for the redevelopment of Downtown Herndon, a public-private partnership that is led by developer Comstock and the town.
At a Herndon Town Council meeting earlier this month, Town Manager Bill Ashton II said Comstock remains committed to pausing the development for up to two years. Currently, Comstock is unable to approve financing for the project and conditions remain economically unfavorable for the project to proceed.
The redevelopment seeks to transform five acres of land into a mixed-use project. The cost of the $101 million project increased by $25 million due to materials, labor, and workforce restrictions caused by the pandemic. It’s unclear what the current estimate is.
Comstock announced the project pause in mid-July.
“They want to be ready to go the moment they think the economy is right for them to move,” Ashton said at the Oct. 11 meeting.
He said Comstock stands to lose money on the deal if they proceed as is. Ashton also emphasized that town officials meet biweekly with Comstock for status updates on the project.
Ashton noted that the redevelopment project is governed under the Virginia Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002, bringing different conditions and requirements from a typical design-build contract.
The town’s comprehensive agreement with Comstock was amended in 2020. Ashton II said the agreement contains protections that would kick in if the project does not proceed.
“If nothing is happening within two years, the deal could unwind,” Ashton said.
