Victims in Fatal Friday Crashes Identified — Fairfax County police have identified a pedestrian killed on Kirby Road on Friday morning (Aug. 11) as 86-year-old Brigitte Forster of McLean and a man who died after a three-vehicle crash on Arlington Blvd in Merrifield as “Paul Hession, 85, of the Churchill neighborhood.” Police also provided more details of a crash that shut down Route 50 that day near Fair Oaks Mall. [FCPD 1, 2, 3]
County Sticks With Contractor for Meals on Wheels — After previously relying on volunteers for the program, which delivers meals to seniors and people who are homebound, Fairfax County started “engaging a contractor to drop meals on a more limited once per week schedule” during the pandemic. At least one volunteer leader hopes Virginia will reject the county’s plan to keep using a contractor and the reduced schedule. [DCist]
Fairfax County Public Library Adds “Study Pods” — “Visitors to some Fairfax County library facilities, including Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, may have had their curiosity piqued by…vertical ‘quiet study pods’ that vaguely resemble phone booths.” Donated by a local company, the pods have proven popular, library officials say, but no decision has been made yet on whether more will be acquired.” [Gazette Leader]
Tysons Tech Startup Goes Defunct — “A once-promising Tysons tech company that just two years ago was on the verge of going public now appears to have shut down. Qomplx Inc., an analytics and cybersecurity firm founded by two military veterans, laid off dozens of workers less than two weeks ago and looks to have shut down operations entirely at the end of July, according to an email” to a partner company. [Washington Business Journal]
Worker Fears Bone Found in Vienna Is Human — “An employee found a bone in the parking lot [of 115 Park Street SE] that she believed may have been a human vertebrae. Officers sent a photo to the medical examiner who confirmed the bone was animal, not human remains.” [Vienna Police]
Pay Incentives Boosted FCPS Substitute Hirings — “An incentive program introduced to help fill substitute teacher jobs showed promising results in Fairfax County Public Schools last year…Teacher jobs had a substitute fill rate of about 83%, according to data obtained by WTOP through a Freedom of Information Act request. That’s a 9.5% improvement compared to the 2021-22 school year.” [WTOP]
Herndon Recognizes Pakistan Independence Day — “The Herndon Town Council has proclaimed August 14th as Pakistan Independence Day, or Yom e Azadi, to commemorate Pakistan’s independence from the UK in 1947. Herndon is the proud home of many Pakistani Americans.” [Town of Herndon Government/Facebook]
It’s Monday — There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 89°F. Monday night sees a 60% chance of increased precipitation, with intermittent showers and thunderstorms, mostly cloudy skies, and a low around 73°F. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) The Town of Herndon is once again exploring ways to reinvigorating the town’s rebranding efforts.
At an Aug. 2 meeting, Herndon Town Council member Cesar del Aguila said a rebranding of the town is necessary because the current branding is overdue, confusing and not aligned with the council’s desired outcomes.
He hopes to find ways to unify the perceived value of town amenities and reduce silos between small festivals, the historical district, the farmers market, places of worship, walking trails, bike paths, Metro, sports and community events.
The Town of Herndon’s tagline — “It’s on” — is part of its current branding. Discussions have been underway since last year, when town staff explored rebranding the town as a next-generation small town.
“I’m not sure what’s on. That’s a tagline that’s still out there,” del Aguila said.
Town Manager Bill Ashton II said the town is working on a five-year strategic plan that will incorporate a branding and visioning effort.
Del Aguila said rebranding is necessary in order to maintain and grow the town’s competitive advantage.
“It’s imperative that we acknowledge that we’re in a competitive region for revenue, for dollars, for investment,” he said. “And if we don’t grab that, some other municipalities will beat us to it.”
He pitched coordinating more discussions and a possible timeline at the council’s next strategic initiatives meeting.
Councilmember Pradip Dhakal said the town must first determine if the rebranding effort is a priority and a “high-value item.”
Lake Anne and Lake Audubon in Reston are now clear of harmful algae that bloomed on the surface of the lakes last week.
Reston Association staff had reported “potentially harmful” algae in both lakes. Staff worked with an environmental contractor to determine if Lake Audubon was clear of the algae Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 9). Lake Anne was previously reported as safe.
“The bloom began after hot weather allowed cyanobacteria to thrive which was then enhanced further by an influx of nutrients that came from a water main break that flowed into Snakeden Branch last week,” RA Chief Operating Officer Peter Lusk said.
Specifically, Dolichospermum was found — a potentially harmful cyanobacteria. The bacteria found in Lake Anne, however, is not considered harmful.
RA had previously encouraged residents to avoid contact with the lake water. The bloom at Lake Anne was mostly limited to the east of the lake near Wiehle Avenue.
The water main break referenced by Lusk occurred the morning of Aug. 4 behind Hunters Woods Plaza, contributing to the deaths of a number of fish found in Snakeden Branch stream, according to RA.
Crane Removal May Affect GMU Area Traffic — “This Saturday, August 12, beginning at 9:00 a.m., contractors will be removing a crane from the central portion of the One University building site adjacent to the George Mason University campus…The removal will take several hours and will block the northern curb lane on University Drive just west of Route 123, near Mason’s Field House.” [The Walkinshaw Advisory]
Metro Train Operator Fired After Stranding Riders — “Metro is requiring supervisors to conduct checks on train operators working split shifts after an intoxicated operator left passengers stranded for 40 minutes last year…The commission released a report on the incident, which occurred Dec. 23 and resulted in Metro firing the operator, Metro spokeswoman Sherri Ly said.” [Washington Post]
Latest Design for Penn Daw Fire/Housing Facility Shared — “The gymnasium at Bucknell Elementary School was packed July 27 for Fairfax County’s presentation of a revised concept design for the colocated fire station, affordable housing and emergency shelter/supportive housing in Penn Daw.” Notable changes include a relocation of the affordable housing closer to Beacon Hill Road and the addition of solar power roof shingles. [On the MoVe]
Virginia Bumps Up Penalties for “Swatting” — “While it has always been a crime to intentionally provide false information to law enforcement, a new law is now in place in Virginia that includes stronger penalties for calling in fake emergencies… ‘It is a significant change,’ said Sgt. Jacob Pearce with Fairfax County Police.” [WTOP]
Tysons Area Apartment Prices on the Rise — “Those wishing to partake of the urbanizing atmosphere of Tysons and the Mosaic district around Merrifield are having to pay more for the privilege, according to new apartment-rental data. Both areas have seen year-over-year increases in median rentals even as the nation as a whole saw a contraction in costs.” [Gazette Leader]
Fairfax City Seeks Feedback on Website Update — We are updating the #FairfaxCity website — please take this short survey to help guide our efforts…The survey is open through Aug. 11. The next version of our website will be easier to navigate & tasks will be easier to accomplish. Thanks for your input!” [City of Fairfax/Twitter]
Reston Media Company at Risk of Losing Nasdaq Listing — “With its stock price floundering, Reston media analytics company Comscore Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) took a massive impairment charge in the second quarter that wiped out any chance of it turning a profit…Last month it received a delisting warning from Nasdaq, and the drop in its share price also prompted the company to take a non-cash $44.1 million goodwill impairment charge in the second quarter.” [Washington Business Journal]
Local Volunteer Wins FCPS Equity Award — “George Becerra was recognized as the first recipient of Fairfax County Public Schools’ Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. The award recognizes staff, students, or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.” [FCPS]
It’s Friday — The forecast predicts mostly sunny weather with a high near 87 degrees and a west wind of about 8 mph. In the evening, expect partly cloudy skies with a low around 69 degrees and a southeast wind at roughly 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
A Restonian is changing how pizza is made with a new Iron Dome Pizza Oven.
Mike Pilon, who has lived in Reston since 2007, has created an oven that he says transforms the way fresh pizza is made.
The dome is a portable pizza oven that uses two independent heat sources — a bottom baking steel and steel plate inside a carbon steel dome.
Pilon says he was inspired to create a product without the cost and hassles linked with traditional pizza ovens.
“My goal was to create a product that makes the art of pizza-making accessible to everyone , and I believe the Iron Dome Pizza does just that,” Pilon said.
According to Pilon, the dome can bake pizzas in under 90 seconds, heating up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit during that process.
Pilon’s traditional profession is far from the world of pizza-making. He has more than 15 years of experience in the management consulting industry and currently offers consulting services to PasteGroup LLC in support of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Pilon says he has been in and out of entrepreneurship throughout his career. He previously launched MapMuse.com, which provides interactive mapping services to real estate and destination marketing companies. He then created a general mapping website. The venture shut down in 2019.
He says he came up with the idea for the Iron Dome after heating a piece of metal with a high heat capacity to a high temperature and then allowing the heat to be released in a controlled way.
“I love to cook, and one day, while waiting for a pot of water for pasta to boil, I thought about how much energy is wasted through heat loss above the lid. I investigated and prototyped some ‘pot-toppers,’” Pilon said. “But even though there was some time/energy savings, I didn’t think it would interest many people. However, it led me to the idea of the Iron Dome Pizza Oven.”
The device is compatible with gas stoves, electric burners and outdoor cooking set ups.
So far, Pilon has been selling pizzas using the Iron Dome Pizza Oven on Wednesday afternoons at the FreshFarm Market in the St. John Neumann Catholic Church parking lot (11900 Lawyers Road). They’ve been selling out each week.
The patent for the pizza-making oven is pending, Pilon said. It’s available for purchase via Etsy for around $120.
As the new school year approaches, young readers can celebrate summer reading this Sunday (August 13).
The Fairfax Library Foundation will bring a second edition of its Children’s Summer Reading Festival to the Chantilly Regional Library (4000 Stringfellow Road) from noon to 3 p.m.
Admission is free, and children and families can enjoy face painting, a bounce house, food trucks, a mini zoo and other attractions. The event doesn’t require tickets, but attendees who reserve a spot via Eventbrite can get a festival tote bag while supplies last.
In early June, Lorton Library (9520 Richmond Highway) hosted more than 1,200 attendees at the inaugural edition of the festival, according to an FLP press release. At the event, more than 240 children registered for Fairfax County Public Library’s summer reading program.
This Sunday’s date is a rescheduling — Chantilly Regional Library was originally slated to host the festival in late June. Families can also attend an outdoor screening of Frozen at the library Saturday night (Aug. 12).
Also open to adults, FCPL’s summer reading program runs through Aug. 18, and it’s still possible to register. Participating readers have already exceeded the 50,000-book goal for the community by more than 30,000 books.
Participants in the summer reading program can earn virtual badges for completing reading goals. After readers meet their goals, they can get a coupon sheet with offers from businesses and the Fairfax County Park Authority.
A critical vehicular link between Reston and the Wolf Trap area has been restored.
The new, two-lane Hunter Mill Road bridge over Colvin Run is now fully open, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced yesterday (Wednesday).
Located near Baron Cameron Avenue between Lake Fairfax Park and Colvin Run Park, the expanded bridge has one travel lane in each direction, saving drivers from the hassle and potential confusion of having to yield to oncoming traffic.
More on the project from VDOT:
The new bridge (located between the Dulles Toll Road and Baron Cameron Avenue):
- Improves traffic flow by replacing the nearly 50-year-old weight-restricted one-lane bridge that required drivers to stop if there was traffic crossing the bridge in the other direction
- Includes a median/splitter island separating the two lanes to improve safety
The Hunter Mill Road over Colvin Run Bridge Replacement project, which is now complete, also includes:
- An improved trail crossing south of the bridge
- Landscaping in the median/splitter island
- Abutments for a future trail bridge over Colvin Run (the rest of the trail bridge will be constructed by Fairfax County)
Construction on the project began approximately two years ago in August 2021. Built in 1974, the previous bridge had just one lane and was limited to carrying 10 tons at a time, even though the road was used, on average, by 8,500 vehicles per every day, as of 2019.
One lane of the new span was completed in December.
The project cost a total of $5.2 million, relying on funds from the federal, state and Fairfax County governments.
Hunter Mill Rd drivers don't need to yield to oncoming traffic at Colvin Run in #Vienna anymore – the two-lane bridge fully opened today! The now complete project also includes a raised median and an improved trail crossing south of the bridge.
Read more: https://t.co/N92AqLAo8P pic.twitter.com/yMjBU8R87H
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) August 9, 2023
The highly anticipated Lego Discovery Center has launched in Springfield, though it’ll be a few more days before the brick-building mecca officially welcomes the general public.
With a ribbon cut by scissors made out of Lego bricks and a burst of confetti, the 32,000-square-foot attraction opened its doors at Springfield Town Center (6563 Springfield Mall, Suite 12004) around 11 a.m. yesterday to dozens of kids, parents and other adults who snagged advance tickets.
A prebooked ticket is required for admission until the official opening on Monday, Aug. 14.
Under construction since December, the discovery center features a variety of play and building areas, a Mini World with models constructed from more than 1.5 million bricks, a 4D theater, a climbing gym, an indoor train ride and a cafe. There’s also a store with exclusive sets and a customize-a-figure station, among other offerings, that can be accessed separately.
“It’s been such a long time coming,” said Andrew Litterst, the D.C. area’s Master Model Builder. “I was here at the Springfield Town Center back in February, competing for my job title. Six months later, here we are. We’re very excited to finally be at this point. It’s an amazing attraction, and I can’t wait to get inside and work with people.”
A former environmental sciences teacher at Marshall High School, Litterst was anointed master builder for Lego’s first discovery center in the D.C. area after winning a Brick Factor competition where he raced to build models inspired by different themes, like the Super Bowl or space, WAMU reported at the time.
As master builder, he serves as a spokesperson for the center, and he’s responsible for building and maintaining its many Lego models. His creations range in scale from dragons with movable wings to replicas of D.C. landmarks, such as the Capitol and a Nationals Park with an actual view of the National Mall.
Given his background as an educator, perhaps it’s not surprising that Litterst is especially looking forward to delivering the center’s workshops and building challenges, which invite kids to create models in a set amount of time.
“Lego is the embodiment of the scientific method,” Litterst said. “Whatever you’re trying to build, that’s your problem. That’s the question you’re trying to answer, and how you go about building that, that’s kind of the rest of that discovery process. So, I’m going to try building something this way. Oh, that doesn’t look quite right. Let’s tear it down and try a different way, and so, it’s a learning process through trial and error and it’s just a great group activity as well.”
Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk says the combination of entertainment and education makes the Lego Discovery Center a valuable addition to Springfield, particularly at a town center seeking to become a destination for more than just shopping.
Despite a major renovation and rebranding from its original name of Springfield Mall, Springfield Town Center remains dominated by retail and has seen little progress over the past decade toward fulfilling Fairfax County’s vision of accessible, mixed-use development.
An economic market study released last year found that the town center drove an uptick in retail vacancies in Springfield during the pandemic, but the 2-million-square-foot area is “well positioned” to support growth in other sectors, including 800 to 1,200 multifamily residential units and 100,000 to 200,000 square feet of office.
Retail will still be a key component of the town center, whose incoming tenants include the department clothing stores Burlington and Daily Thread. But the county and property owner PREIT hope to balance it out with housing and other types of commercial development.
In addition to Lego, the town center is in line to get a five-story hotel and a 460-unit residential building called the Hanover — the first multifamily housing approved in Springfield since 2001.
“We’re now exercising the original vision for the Springfield Town Center,” Lusk said. “We’re building those amenities that are going to help create the community of the future, so we’re excited about that.”
At yesterday’s grand opening, though, the Lego Discovery Center delivered some more immediate rewards to friends Adam Smith and Jayson Brown, who eagerly presented a pair of “perfect” cars that he had constructed.
Both boys declared the facility “good” after exploring a pyramid, volcano and Jungle Jump slide in the open “Build Adventures” zone.
Adam’s mom, Jamie Davis Smith, says it took about 40 minutes to travel from their home, but the family is happy to have a Lego Discovery Center closer than the one they previously visited in Philadelphia, where her parents live.
“He loves Legos, and they have a lot of things here you can’t do at home, like the tracks he can race cars down and all the different zones,” Davis Smith said. “So, it adds a different layer to building with LEGOS and playing with them. I think we’ll come back a lot probably.”
Confusing I-66 Signs Will Be Fixed, VDOT Says — “The Virginia Department of Transportation is replacing a sign on Interstate 66 that says to go west to get to D.C., which is to the east. On a busy stretch of I-66 at Nutley Street in Vienna, there’s a sign for I-66 East to Washington, but just in front of it, there’s a sign for I-66 West to Washington.” [NBC4]
Woman Arrested for Fairfax Pool Hall Fight — “A 19-year-old Fairfax woman faces multiple charges, including the malicious wounding of a police officer, following an altercation that took place early Friday morning a Fairfax City pool hall, according to police. Officers responded around 1:30 a.m, to Revolution Dart and Billiards at 9687 Fairfax Blvd. for the report of a patron refusing to leave.” [Patch]
Police Issue Almost 25K Citations During Safety Campaign — “The Fairfax County Police Department has successfully wrapped up their 2023 ‘Road Shark’ campaign, issuing close to 25,000 citations and warnings to dangerous drivers on Fairfax County roadways.” The campaign also “resulted in hundreds of Driving While Intoxicated arrests.” [FCPD]
Dominion Square Development Secures More Financing — “The first all-affordable housing development in Tysons has secured new pieces of its financing puzzle and is on track to break ground late this year…[Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing] said it hasn’t yet finalized construction financing, but is working with its lenders and tax credit investor funders, hoping to raise the needed funds by the end of 2023″ [Bisnow]
N. Va. Schools Nervous About State Budget Negotiations — “The new school year starts in just a few weeks in Northern Virginia. But with General assembly negotiations ongoing over how to spend the state budget surplus, local schools are preparing to open their doors without hoped-for state support.” [DCist]
McLean “Castle” Ready for Housing Market — “A Tuscan-style estate in McLean will hit the market later this month full of regal vibes, all of which could be yours for…$22 million. When it goes for sale, it’ll be the second-highest property currently listed in McLean, according to Redfin.” [Washingtonian]
Park Authority Reveals Selfie Contest Winners — “At the culmination of National Park and Recreation Month, many Fairfax County Park-goers participated in a selfie photo contest hosted by the Fairfax County Park Authority…The Park Authority is happy to congratulate the following contest winners in their respective categories.” [FCPA]
It’s Thursday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms throughout the day, with highs near 78 degrees. Precipitation chances peak at 80%, with new rainfall amounts of a quarter to half an inch possible. At night, precipitation chances drop to 30%. The sky will gradually clear, reaching a low of around 66 degrees. [Weather.gov]
Wingstop is spreading its wings to Herndon.
The fast food franchise is set to open soon at Herndon Centre, according to signage posted at the front of the door.
The business has leased roughly 1,600 square feet of space next to Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Items on the menu include wing combos, chicken sandwiches, and tenders. Wingstop has locations throughout the country, including in Springfield, Bailey’s Crossroads, Centreville and Sterling.
The company did not immediately return a request for comment from FFXnow.
There’s one other vacancy in the row of several businesses in that portion of the center.
Raven’s Nest Escape Room — an expansion of Escape Room Herndon — is expected to open in the same shopping center sometime this fall, FFXnow previously reported.
The Town of Herndon is exploring ways to offer more translation and interpretation services for Spanish-speaking residents.
Town staff are considering two contracts of up to $10,000 for one year to hire an interpreter who will be present at all town council public hearings and a translator for translating town publications, like the newsletter, flyers and other materials specific to the Spanish-speaking community, according to town spokesperson Anne Curtis.
The idea was discussed at a Herndon Town Council meeting on Aug. 2 in response to the town’s public engagement on the issue and its communications platforms.
Curtis said the town will evaluate the effectiveness of the services and determine future funding in fiscal year 2025, which will start on July 1, 2024.
Feedback from focus groups, particularly those for whom Spanish is a primary language, found that translation and interpretation services are needed to make town information more accessible to others.
“This is the area that we want to and need to focus on,” Curtis said, noting that the town has already begun posting flyers in laundromats, clinics and other areas.
Councilmembers Keven LeBlanc and Pradip Dhakal said the town could also explore using artificial intelligence for translation services.
“There are other tools that are pretty good at translation,” LeBlanc said.
Dhakal said he was pleasantly surprised by how accurately a derivative of the popular AI-tool ChatGPT translated content in his language.
Curtis noted that Google Translate has stopped servicing governments — with the exception of schools.
The costs would likely be covered by contingency funds, according to town manager Bill Ashton II.
Ashton II said the town could learn from how larger jurisdictions like Fairfax County are using AI for translation services.
Most jurisdictions comparable in size to the Town of Herndon do not offer dedicated translation services, Ashton II said.
The Town of Vienna has no formal policy for translation and interpreter services. Falls Church City and the Town of Leesburg offers ad hoc translation services. The City of Manassas hired a full-time individual for translation and interpretation services in fiscal year 2022.
More than 70 employees in the town are fluent in a language other than English, and the Herndon Police Department has a language advance pay-step for sworn officers. Human resources staff are working on a language premium policy for non-sworn town staff.
The effort comes after the town completed a major redesign of its website earlier this summer.
Reston Parkway Reconfiguration Nears Finish — “Motorists encountering long delays due to lane reconfigurations on Reston Parkway at Sunset Hills Road will soon see some relief,” a Virginia Department of Transportation spokesman says. Necessitated by a truck hitting the bridge over the Dulles Toll Road, the repairs are expected to finish this week, depending on the weather. [Patch]
New North Hill Housing Still Awaiting Residents — “Nearly two months after the…ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Residences at North Hill apartment community in Hybla Valley, the 279 affordable housing units remain vacant. Fairfax County officials are hopeful, however, that tenants will be able to move in by the end of August, said a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority” [On the MoVe]
Springfield Bed Bath & Beyond Has a Replacement — “Bob’s Discount Furniture will open at Springfield Center at 6642 Loisdale Road across from Springfield Town Center, an outside public relations firm for the furniture and home decor retailer confirmed Tuesday. It will replace the Bed Bath & Beyond that vacated earlier this year.” [Washington Business Journal]
Popcorn Shop Now Open in Seven Corners — “Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn opened Aug. 7 in the Seven Corners Shopping Center. It’s on the upper level between the Vacuum Center and Michael’s. Jake’s offers just a few flavors for the soft opening but will add many more later when the staff gets up to speed.” [Annandale Today]
Funding Sought for Seven Corners Ring Road — “The D.C. area is famous for its intense traffic, but one of the region’s most notorious bottlenecks could be getting an update. The Fairfax County board of supervisors recently voted to apply for funding for a redesign of Seven Corners.” [NBC4]
Homosexuality No Longer Inherently “Sexual Conduct” in Virginia — “This year, a number of lawmakers introduced bills to update the definition and strike the term ‘homosexuality.’ None of the these was successful. But in a last-minute move, state Sen. Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax) said he struck a compromise to get the code changed.” [Washington Post]
Great Falls Leader Aims to Maintain Neighborhood Character — “The Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) will continue its mission to protect natural resources and dark skies and mitigate impacts of development and traffic, said Christopher Rich, who earlier this summer was elected the group’s president.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny skies during the day with a high temperature near 87°F. In the evening, the weather will transition to mostly cloudy with a low temperature around 69°F. [Weather.gov]
Cozy Cat Suites is coming to Herndon (via KLNB)
A business that caters to cats and all their boarding and grooming needs is opening soon in Herndon.
Cozy Cat Suites will open this fall at Herndon Marketplace (413 Elden Street), according to the company’s website.
The cat-centric business describes itself as a “luxury cat boarding and grooming facility.” It will be located next to the tanning salon Palm Beach Tan.
“This is a family owned business and we also own Playful Pack dog daycare and boarding,” a Cozy Cat Suites spokesperson told FFXnow.
Playful Pack provides grooming, daycare and boarding services for dogs, while also working with local animal shelters to host foster dogs until they find new homes. The business has locations in McLean, Fairfax Station and Hybla Valley, among other sites.
There is currently one suite available for lease at Herndon Marketplace, which is anchored by Safeway, according to KLNB’s leasing materials.
The incoming business was first reported by The Burn.
Photo via KLNB
The redevelopment of Hunters Woods ballfield will begin within the next month, Reston Association says.
The project will include a new pathway network, new landscaping, park furniture, improved storm drainage and a free little library.
“We are excited to share this update on the long-awaited Hunters Woods Ballfield Redevelopment Project,” RA wrote in a statement.
During construction, the site will be restricted. All trail users should follow posted signage and detours to ensure safety.
The concept plan for the field — which is not in use largely due to lack of parking and its remote location — was approved in 2020.
A pathway will line the perimeter of the site, and another formal walkway is planned through the middle of the site. Landscaping, bench seating and education signage are planned along some of the paths.
RA began geological testing at the ballfield in April 2022 as part of Fairfax County’s permitting and site plan approval process.
The Hunters Woods Neighborhood Coalition encouraged RA to repurpose the ball field, which is no longer used by the Reston-Herndon Little League.
Consultant Kimley-Horn Associates has been working with RA on the project.
Fairfax County’s libraries are set to expand their hours later this month after going a year with reduced hours due to staffing shortages.
Last week, the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) system announced it will move back to “normal operating hours” at all 23 branches starting Aug. 28.
That means all libraries will open at 10 a.m. with the eight regional branches staying open until 9 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday and until 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The 15 community branches will be open until 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
The community branches will remain closed on Sundays.
Until Aug. 28, the branches will continue operating at the reduced hours put in place a year ago due to staffing shortages.
An additional $6 million dollars was approved as part of this year’s county budget to go towards library personnel services, which helped the library hire the staff needed to go back to regular operating hours.
“While recruitment remains challenging, the library has been fortunate to have retained a pool of amazing staff and hired some great new people enabling us to return to regular hours,” Deputy Library Director Kevin Osborne told FFXnow in an email. “We have active recruitments for several positions and are optimistic that we will be able to hire more great staff for our return to regular hours.”
Osborne said FCPL is continuing to staff up and is “confident” in returning to regular hours. It was only April when the vacancy rate was between 18% and 20%, but that rate appears to have dropped in recent months due to the influx of cash.
The budget covers 390 positions, but Osborne did not share the exact number of open positions or the current staffing vacancy rate, noting that many positions are “in various phases of the hiring process.”
After returning to full in-person services in June 2021, FCPL struggled to maintain expanded and consistent hours — a goal even before the pandemic. Budget cuts had reduced the system’s operating capacity after the 2008 recession.
But, according to Osborne, several open positions are on the way to being filled, allowing FCPL to return to normal operating hours and maintain them for the first time in potentially years.
“FCPL would like to thank the people of Fairfax County for their patience and understanding as it navigated the effects of the pandemic and staffing difficulties,” reads the announcement. “FCPL is excited to once again be able to offer everyone a greater opportunity to visit its branches and enjoy its array of services.”
