In the future, Reston’s Lake Anne neighborhood should chase an economic vision where it will blossom into a local destination with a regional draw, according to a presentation by a Fairfax County-hired consultant.
At a community meeting on June 8, consultant Street Sense laid out the economic vision for the Lake Anne Commercial Revitalization Area following months of surveys, interviews and meetings with the community. The final report is expected to come out sometime this month, according to the county’s website.
The plan suggests concentrating new apartment units on the Crescent property at 1527 Cameron Crescent Drive, the addition of cultural attractions, a parking structure, a centralized green space, connections from the Crescent site to Lake Anne Plaza via a new park, and the restoration of a tunnel to the east side of the area.
The next phase of the project will include discussions with stakeholders — particularly the many property owners in the area — to determine if and when there is buy-in for the vision suggested by the Lake Anne Economic Visioning Study. That process could take between three to four months.
Street Sense kicked off the visioning study in mid-February with focus group sessions, followed by several community meetings and workshops. The study came at the request of Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who sought to build consensus on the economic vision for the area.
Alcorn said redevelopment of the Crescent Apartments property — a prospect for years — is now on the horizon within “the next few years.”
“I didn’t want to move forward with the Crescent until this project moved forward,” Alcorn said, adding that the study was critical to ensuring that the Crescent project aligns with the community’s desire for the surrounding area.
Bruce Leonard, managing principal of Street Sense, said building consensus will be a key decision point.
“The vision isn”t from coming from the county. The vision is not coming from Street Sense. The vision is coming from you,” Leonard said.
Elizabeth Hagg, director of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development’s community revitalization section, said buy-in from stakeholders will be necessary to determine if property owners want to participate.
Leonard emphasized that additional retail was impractical, noting that the retail market is especially saturated in Northern Virginia.
“You’re kind of at a sweet spot now,” he said.
Angela McGarvey, managing director of brand at Street Sense, repeatedly noted the uniqueness of the Lake Anne area.
“It’s supremely local, it’s supremely special and it’s supremely one of a kind,” she said.
County officials and the consultants said most community members agreed on the need for a cultural anchor, maker spaces, seasonal amphitheaters, more parking and a centralization of housing at the Crescent site.
But mixed feedback was received on other issues, including how to manage infrastructure improvement and maintenance, the permanent structure of the farmers’ market, the location of the cultural anchor and amphitheater, and the extent to which the local village center can and should become a regional draw.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously deferred a decision on the Reston Comprehensive Plan overhaul at a public hearing Wednesday (June 14) night.
The move — which delays a vote to June 28 — came as public testimony at the hearing centered around a challenge facing Reston: navigating growing pains as it chases a new transit-oriented future while also trying to preserve its past.
Hunter Mill District Planning Commissioner John Carter said county staff and the commission will release a new document that outlines community requests by chapter, staff responses and the commission’s decision on each item.
“We’re going to be working hard in the next couple of weeks,” Carter said.
Some residents and community organizations asked the commission to defer a vote because they needed more time to review a supplement to the plan that staff released on June 13, one day before the hearing.
“We are still pouring through the 25-page addendum,” said Lynne Mulston, president of the Reston Citizens’ Association.
Notable revisions in the addendum include a recommendation that multifamily housing be allowed anywhere in Reston’s transit station areas, not just within a half-mile of the Metro stations, and language encouraging the addition of affordable housing, not just the preservation of existing units.
Underway since 2020, the Reston Comprehensive Plan update lays out the county’s vision for the 6,750-acre area’s development, touching on everything from transportation to density recommendations for the transit station areas and village centers.
The proposed draft was shaped by county staff and a community task force convened by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn in 2020.
Speakers overwhelmingly opposed a proposed vehicular connection between North Shore Drive and Sunset Hill Road via American Dream Way. Citing concerns about traffic safety, residents argued that the proposal would turn North Shore Drive into a thoroughfare and cut-through street.
“It would be highly unsuitable and dangerous for North Shore Drive to become a thoroughfare,” said local resident Christopher Bean.
Another resident who took issue with the proposal said he moved to the area to have a place for his daughter, who stood alongside him as he testified.
Speaking on behalf of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Mike Jennings emphasized that the task force did not reach consensus on the version it produced.
Jennings said a tie vote on the initial plan was broken when an abstaining member shifted the vote in favor of the plan. He called staff’s version of the plan a “significant improvement” because it trimmed down “erroneous,” “impractical,” and “prescriptive” language.
Trimming the task force’s version of the draft plan from 180 pages to 133, county staff’s version is intended to avoid prescriptive language in specific areas, especially land use, that could conflict with countywide policies. Initially separate chapters about equity and community health were consolidated into one chapter related to “new town” elements.
The plan also covers Reston Town Center North — an area that is in limbo but is also slated for major redevelopment. The proposed draft recommends limiting residential development to 1,000 dwelling units with all new market rate units consolidated on three blocks. The remaining four blocks would have up to 150,000 square feet of nonresidential development, including civic and public uses.
Carter said another task force currently working on planning for the area will determine the specific civic uses, but the Reston Comprehensive Plan — if approved — will set the general guidance.
Tammi Petrine — a task force member and resident — delivered impassioned testimony about her experience with a county staff member. She described “surprise edits,” including one in the staff addendum she said would allow 30 affordable townhouses in RTC North to be replaced with hundreds of low-income housing units.
“This is outrageous,” Petrine said. Her testimony was interrupted by Planning Commission Chair Phillip Niedzielski-Eichner, who asked for constructive comments and not a personal attack on a staffer.
Per the addendum, staff removed a line stating that 30 existing affordable townhomes near the Embry Rucker Community Shelter in RTC North shall remain, saying that the units shouldn’t be referenced in a section on housing and facilities for the homeless population.
The section has also been revised to remove language deemed “prescriptive” and to “allow greater flexibility if needs are adjusted” for a planned replacement and expansion of the shelter.
Carter said he would also like to see more visuals, fonts and efforts to make the plan more engaging for the public. Some of those elements were removed from the existing plan.
“It’s not very visionary for me,” Carter said, adding that he understood the impracticality of incorporating text and visuals from a planning perspective.
Braddock District Commissioner Mary Cortina lauded staff’s version of the transportation chapter of the plan. But she also called for more careful attention to pedestrian connectivity and pedestrian safety.
“It defeats the purpose to cross a six-lane road to get to the [Reston Town Center] Metro station,” Cortina said.
The Sierra Club, a grassroots environmental advocacy organization, asked for the reinstatement of edits proposed by the task force on environmental measures like stronger protections against runoff and enhanced electric vehicle charging guidance.
The Baltimore-DC Building Trades Council suggested the plan incorporate workforce protections and training programs to promote the local workforce.
(Updated at 12:25 p.m.) Tuesday could be among the most consequential days in recent Fairfax County election history.
Tuesday, June 20 is primary election day, though early voting began in early May. While the general election is set for November, the county is overwhelmingly Democratic, so the candidates who win the primaries will be favored this fall.
With five Board of Supervisors seats, Commonwealth’s Attorney, sheriff, and a number of Virginia General Assembly seats on Tuesday’s ballot, the primary could set the course for the county for years to come.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
While five supervisor seats are on the primary ballot, the two open seats are getting the most attention.
Last August, Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust announced he won’t run for reelection this year, opening the door for two candidates who have emerged to take his place. Jimmy Bierman formerly chaired the Dranesville District Democratic Committee, and David Fiske is on the McLean Citizens Association board. In March, Foust endorsed Bierman for the seat.
Late last year, longtime Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross also said she will retire. Now, four candidates are vying for the vacant seat. They include Congressional staffer Jeremy Allen, Mason District Planning Commissioner Andres Jimenez, local business owner Steve Lee, and local business owner Reid Voss.
Jimenez is currently considered the frontrunner for the seat, winning a straw poll by Fairfax County Democratic Committee straw poll in March. His endorsements include actor Jane Fonda, whose political action committee also weighed in on three local General Assembly races yesterday (Thursday).
However, Voss supporters have accused him of being absent from his duties on the planning commission.
In other races, Board Chairman Jeff McKay is facing a primary challenge from retired CIA staffer Lisa Downing, while incumbent Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck is on the ballot against grassroots leader Martiza Zermeno.
In addition, two candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination to take on Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity in November. Herrity, the board’s only current Republican, doesn’t have a primary challenger.
County firefighter John Nowadly has a number of notable endorsements, including from McKay, Rep. Gerry Connolly and several local state senators. Local tech entrepreneur Albert Vega is endorsed by Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, who is facing his own challenge on Tuesday.
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney and Sheriff
The primary race between Descano and prosecutor-turned-defense attorney challenger Ed Nuttall for the Commonwealth’s Attorney may be the most hotly contested on this year’s ballot.
Since announcing his candidacy back in February, Nuttall has criticized how Descano manages the office as well as not appropriately supporting victims of crimes. During a joint appearance on the WAMU show The Politics Hour, Descano accused his opponent of associating with “MAGA, antisemitic conspiracy theorists,” while Nuttall responded by calling the incumbent “incompetent” and a “liar.”
The Washington Post has endorsed Nuttall, while Descano has endorsements from Connelly, Rep. Don Beyer, former governor Terry McAuliffe, and five county supervisors, per his website. He also has the support of musician John Legend.
Another notable race on the ballot is for Fairfax County sheriff, where former D.C. police officer and current Herndon High School football coach Kelvin Garcia is challenging Stacey Kincaid, the county’s first female sheriff. Read More
Deal Would Allow More Long-Distance Flights at National Airport — “Leaders of a Senate committee reached a tentative deal Thursday to add four long-distance flights at Reagan National Airport, dealing a setback to D.C.-area lawmakers and the airport’s management, which have campaigned to leave current restrictions in place.” [The Washington Post]
Free Lunches Available for Kids This Summer — “School systems in Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Stafford and Manassas are providing free breakfast and lunch to children under 18 through the summer…In Fairfax County, most summer meal programs begin June 20, offering breakfast and lunch at [select] schools and community centers” [Inside NoVA]
Police Investigate Sexual Assaults — Fairfax County police are searching for a man who allegedly dragged a woman in a wooded area near Seminary Road and raped her on June 11. Then, in a separate incident on Tuesday (June 13), a man was charged after allegedly trying to rape and abduct a woman near a bus stop in Hybla Valley. [FCPD, WUSA9]
Spree of Pharmacy Robberies Under Investigation — “Since March of this year, detectives have been investigating four pharmacy burglaries in the Mason Police District. Through their investigation, detectives believe all these incidents are related.” The most recent burglary occurred at Hann’s Pharmacy in Annandale on June 10. [FCPD, FOX5]
Vienna Council Member Won’t Seek Reelection — “Vienna Town Council member Ed Somers announced on Facebook June 11 that he would not be seeking another term in November. According to Somers’ statement, he needed to focus on ongoing health matters, both for himself and his family.” Steve Potter and Nisha Patel have also stated that they won’t run again this fall. [Gazette Leader]
County Shelter Wants You to Adopt a Dog — Nearing capacity, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter “is putting out an urgent plea for potential adopters to help clear the kennels” before it undergoes HVAC maintenance this summer. It will waive adoption fees for the nearly 100 dogs in its care and halve fees for other animals from June 22-25. [FCAS]
Fairfax Kid Adds to TV Resume — “It’s not every day that a kid from Fairfax, Virginia, gets to hang out with Spider-Man, but 8-year-old Thomas Parobek joins Tom Holland in the Apple TV+ series ‘The Crowded Room,'” where he plays the son of Emmy winner Amanda Seyfried. Now on his last day of third grade at Mantua Elementary School, he previously appeared in the popular “Karate Kid” spinoff show “Cobra Kai.” [WTOP]
Reston Cybersecurity Firm Seeks to Grow — “Silent Push Inc. is coming out of stealth mode with a $10 million seed round to bring its proactive cybersecurity software to a wider market by ramping up hiring for sales and marketing. The company was founded three years ago by CEO Ken Bagnall and CTO John Jensen to research a way to detect cyberattackers building malicious cyberinfrastructure…and then stop breaches before they happen.” [DC Inno]
It’s Friday — A chance of showers before 11 am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11am and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%. [Weather.gov]
Barnes & Noble has officially opened a new chapter in Reston.
The national bookstore opened its newest location today (Thursday) at The Spectrum at Reston Town Center — space formerly occupied by Office Depot. The store opened at 9 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting by author Tania James, who also signed copies of her latest book “Loot.”
The opening marks a comeback for the bookstore, which had a store in the same shopping center nearly a decade ago.
Elisabeth Swift, the store manager of the Reston location, said opening the Reston location was an “obvious choice.” While working at other Barnes and Noble locations in the D.C. area, Swift said she frequently heard from customers lamenting the closure of the Reston store in 2013.
“Reston has been a community that has been passion about books and reading books forever,” Swift said.
When asked to comment on what the bookstore adds to the local mix — local bookstore Scrawl Books has a location in Reston Town Center — Swift said that the company is used to being in communities with other bookstores.
“The more bookstores the better, in my opinion,” she told FFXnow.
The nearly 28,000-square-foot store features a B&N Cafe, along with books, toys and gifts.
In a statement, the company noted that Reston’s location is the first to open in Fairfax County since 2019. The store was originally expected to open yesterday (Wednesday).
The Reston location will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m on all other days.
Grand opening day featured other events like storytime with Pete the Cat at 11 a.m. and book signings with author Liz Lawson. The store will host additional story times, author signings, and other special events over the next month.
One customer who recalled frequenting the old Reston Barnes & Noble said the new store is bigger, both in physical size and the amount of materials being sold. A self-described bibliophile, he was particularly interested in the history and current events sections.
“I’m quite pleased. I’ll hang out here sometimes,” he said while sitting at the cafe.
Reston resident Nicole Harker stopped by the grand opening with her two kids, who were drawn to the Legos in the children’s area.
“It’s a nice thing to have in Reston,” she said. “It’s a place I might take the kids to during the day. During the hot summer or if it’s too cold out for winter, we could come hang out here.”
Angela Woolsey contributed to this report.
Fairfax County residents will now be able to access some data related to local temporary gun removal cases.
On June 13 (Tuesday), Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano released to the public a continuously updated digital dashboard that tracks ongoing and past Emergency Substantial Risk Orders — known more commonly as Red Flag Orders — as well as view demographic breakdowns of those subjected to ESROs by race, gender and age.
Instituted in 2020, Virginia’s red flag law gives the Fairfax County Police Department and Commonwealth’s Attorney the authority to temporarily remove a gun or guns from someone’s possession if they have probable cause that the individual poses a ‘substantial risk’ to themselves or others.
When contacted by community or family members seeking to initiate a red flag order under a civil order, law enforcement will begin an independent investigation to determine whether one is appropriate.
If an order is granted, individuals are barred from purchasing, possessing or transporting any firearms for up to 14 days with opportunities for extension.
Fairfax County is the only jurisdiction in the state with a team dedicated to red flag orders, Descano told FFXNow by email. The county is the source of 75% of red flag orders in Virginia, he said when announcing the new dashboard.
The dashboard is intended to improve public communications and demystify the court processes for the general public, similar to one on bond decisions that the prosecutor’s office launched last year.
“We wanted this dashboard to bring transparency and awareness to the community about this law and that it can be a tool that saves lives,” Descano wrote. “By showing that it is being used, I hope Fairfax residents will know that if they have a dangerous situation, they can pick up the phone and get help.”
In addition to allowing community members to be more knowledgable about Virginia’s red flag law, the dashboard aims to be a useful tool for prosecutors in guiding their work.
“The other important role of the dashboard is how it informs my prosecutors’ decision-making,” Descano wrote. “We’re using this internally to track cases and make sure nothing falls through the cracks, and that’s a key piece of our day-to-day work on these cases. We have about nine months of data now that we’re working with, and as we get more data on Red Flag Orders, we’ll be able to identify trends that may help us and law enforcement further protect the community and handle these cases.”
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has opened 108 red flag cases since May 2022, 92% of them against men, according to the dashboard.
The data will expand over time as Descano’s office works to incorporate more and varied trends and demographics into the board, Public Information Officer Laura Birnbaum says.
“There’s a lot more in this story to tell about how these orders are coming to the police, who’s initiating them, who are the respondents and what kind of situations are we seeing these these orders come out. There’s more data and more trends to pull apart,” Birnbaum said. “…Are there times of year where we see more of these and others? What does that help inform us about other ways we could do gun violence prevention work?”
Jeopardy!, a popular quiz show, will have some local flair today (Thursday).
Suzanne Goldlust, a marketing manager from Reston, will compete on the show tonight. The show — which is produced by Sony Pictures Television — is in its 29th season of syndication.
Goldlust said she has enjoyed watching Jeopardy for years and enjoys trivia.
“I have a lot of trivia in my head and was always able to call out a lot of the answers – well, questions – at home,” she said.
Goldlust first tried out in 2013 but did not make it beyond the audition stage.
“I was super nervous beforehand, just trying not to get my hopes up too high or build up expectations. I only told a few friends and family members that I would be playing. Since my taping, I’ve been nervous about accidentally spilling the beans! But I have literally told no one—not even my sister or my kids! And of course I’m nervous about looking like a dork on national TV,” Goldlust told FFXnow.
She says she’s excited for her friends and family to see how she did on the popular quiz show.
The episode featuring Goldlust airs tonight on WJLA (ABC).
Fairfax County will alight with joy and celebration with a variety of opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth this coming weekend (June 17-19).
Just last week on June 6, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors officially recognized Monday, June 19 of this year as Juneteenth. Only recently anointed a state and federal holiday, the occasion commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved men and women in Galveston, Texas finally heard the news that they had been freed two years prior under the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
Below is a sampling of Juneteenth celebrations taking place across the county this weekend.
Fairfax Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17
Begins at 10 a.m.
Opening ceremony at Veteran Amphitheatre, then parade to Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Co-hosted by the City of Fairfax and Mount Calvary Baptist Church, the Fairfax Juneteenth Celebration will begin with a formal ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Veteran Amphitheatre at City Hall (10455 Armstrong Street), featuring anthem performances and guest speakers.
Following the ceremony, guests are invited to participate in a parade from the amphitheatre to the Mount Calvary Baptist Church entrance on School Street (4325 Chain Bridge Road). From there, festivities will commence, including food trucks, craft and informational vendors, live music and dance, a car show, family activities and sharing of African American history and genealogical resources.
Bull Run Church and Harris Cemetery Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17
10:30 a.m.-noon
Bull Run Regional Park, behind the Atlantis Waterpark
Returning for a second year in a row, the Juneteenth Celebration at Bull Run (7700 Bull Run Drive) seeks to “recognize the largest private emancipation of the enslaved” as a joint initiative between Virginia NAACP and NOVA Parks, per its website.
Attendees will hear from a guest speaker and participate in a Black Expo and a children’s activity. They are strongly encouraged to bring toddler and children’s books as donations to Centreville United Methodist Church’s local literacy ministry.
Gum Springs Community Day/Juneteenth
Saturday, June 17
10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park Reservable Picnic Area
This Community Day/Juneteenth celebration commemorates the 190th anniversary of the founding of Gum Springs, the oldest African American community in Fairfax County, by West Ford. The day will begin at the park (8115 Fordson Road) at 10:30 a.m. with a historic marker dedication and unveiling of a new sign with Ford’s story. A parade will kickoff at 11 a.m., and guests can also enjoy an auction, health fair, carnival rides, food and music.
Juneteenth Fairfax County Celebration at Frying Pan Farm Park
Saturday, June 17
11:00 a.m.-2 p.m. (divided into three one-hour-long sessions that you can sign up for here)
Frying Pan Farm Park
In addition to the chance to see adorable farm animals, Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Road) is offering families a venue for celebrating Juneteenth. Guests will be able to engage in African American culture and history through “a special guest storyteller, live music, crafts, history, and food trucks offering African American cuisine,” per the county website.
Vienna Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
First Baptist Church
As the kickoff event to Liberty Amendments Month, which honors the passage of the 13th, 14th, 15th and 19th Amendments, the Town of Vienna is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration at the First Baptist Church (450 Orchard Street NW). Food trucks, moon bounces, a photobooth, live performances on an outdoor stage, and children’s activities begin at 11 a.m. George Mason University President Gregory Washington will present the opening ceremony at noon.
Vienna Juneteenth Classic Car Show
Saturday, June 17
Begins at 11 a.m.
James H. Hayes/Bull Run #529 Elks Lodge
Just up the road from the Juneteenth Celebration at First Baptist Church will be an impressive array of vintage cars and trucks with makes and models from 1990 and older. On-site registration opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 2 p.m. Shuttles are available from the First Baptist Church.
Herndon Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17
12-8 p.m.
Arts Herndon
Nonprofit Arts Herndon (750 Center Street) is offering no shortage of ways to celebrate Juneteenth with its eight-hour lineup of events. The day will consist of a reading of Herndon’s Juneteenth proclamation, a performance of the anthem, children’s activities including story time and crafts, a historical presentation and live blues music from a band from D.C.
Annual Juneteenth Lunch and Learn Experience
Monday, June 19
12-4 p.m.
Sully Historic Site
At Sully’s Lunch and Learn Experience, attendees can immerse themselves in Sully’s rich history through interactive exhibits, presentations and traditional soul food freshly made on site. The historic site will be fully open for exploration.
For those who want a more in-depth tour, the City of Fairfax is offering free Forgotten Road Tours of Sully’s outbuildings and slave quarters on Juneteenth Weekend from Thursday, June 15 through Saturday, June 17 from 2-2:45 p.m. each day. Tickets must be reserved in advance online.
FCPD Cracks Down on Retail Theft — The Fairfax County Police Department is launching a 2023 Summer Crime Prevention Initiative that will focus on retail theft for June, with increased patrols and public engagement efforts in affected areas. Deputy Chief of Patrol Bob Blakely says 20% of all crime in the county only occurs at 20 addresses, and “most of that crime is larceny.” [ABC7]
Police Called on Local Prosecutor at Manassas Bar — “Police body camera footage shows a Deputy Fairfax County prosecutor refusing to leave a Manassas bar after closing…A second woman, who identified as an assistant Fairfax County prosecutor, and the drunken woman as her superior, was also trying to coax the woman into the car so that she could drive her home.” [Potomac Local News]
Reston Man Charged With Animal Cruelty — “According to court documents, authorities seized 30 cats from a home on Southgate Square on Nov. 17, 2022. The living conditions included ‘large amounts of fecal material and urine inside and outside the litter boxes, poor lighting, poor air circulation, and prominent smell of ammonia and feces.'” [DC News Now]
Vienna Eatery’s Burger Named Among Region’s Best — The double-stacked Nick-ster from Social Burger in Vienna landed at no. 9 on food critic Tim Carmen’s ranking of the 10 best burgers in the D.C. area. Fairfax County is also represented at no. 2 with the Red Apron Original from the butcher shop Red Apron, which has a location at the Mosaic District in Merrifield. [The Washington Post]
Vienna Releases Full Draft of Zoning Code — “Three years — and about 30 meetings and work sessions — after initiating the sweeping new ‘Code Create Vienna’ zoning rewrite, the Vienna Town Council on June 12 voted unanimously to discuss the draft proposal at joint public hearings with the town’s Planning Commission July 10 and 12.” [Gazette Leader]
Laurel Hill Golf Club Adds Training Lab — “The new Performance Lab provides a fantastic proving ground for seasoned golfers looking to advance their game and beginners looking to get their start under the tutelage of experienced instructors…Come tour and test out the new lab on June 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at our opening day event!” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
New Private Preschool Coming to Merrifield — “The Goddard School of Falls Church, a childhood education franchise, will open its first Falls Church area location at 2921 Telestar Court in September. It will provide early childhood education and care for 190 children between 6 weeks and 6 years old as well as 30 teaching jobs.” [Patch]
A Look at County’s Urban Search and Rescue Team — “Fairfax County’s USAR program has deployed on 134 missions and has responded to the most devastating natural- and human-caused disasters. From the 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon to Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi and Louisiana in 2005 to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti to the 2011 earthquake in Japan, team members have aided victims across the globe.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Thursday — Sunny, with a high near 83. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph. At night: A slight chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. [Weather.gov]
The work of local school students will be on display in the latest exhibit at the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA) in Reston
Part of a partnership with local schools that’s in its fifth year, the “Emerging Visions” exhibit will feature work created in response to an exhibit put on by artist Dominic Chambers last fall.
Titled “What Makes the Earth Shake,” Chambers’s exhibition featured vibrant paintings that focused on contemporary concerns related to race, identity, leisure, color field theory and gestural abstraction.
‘Through the Emerging Visions program, Tephra ICA extends its mission beyond the gallery walls, creating opportunities for students to engage with contemporary art in the classroom,” Tephra ICA wrote in a statement. “Students and educators are invited to participate in this unique, ongoing program designed around Tephra ICA exhibitions or projects.”
Every year, Tephra works with Fairfax County Public Schools art educators on classroom materials with themes and supporting concepts that can be integrated into their curricula for all students. Lesson plans are designed by art educators and Tephra ICA staff.
This year’s exhibit features work by students from Cunningham Park Elementary School in Vienna, Franklin Sherman Elementary School in McLean, and Justice High School in Lake Barcroft.
The program is free and open to all. This year’s exhibit is on view from June 17 through July 15 at Tephra, which is located at 12001 Market Street, Suite 103.
An opening reception that is open to the public is slated for Saturday, June 17 from 4-6 p.m.
Fairfax County is restarting and opting into a statewide program that helps commercial properties with financing for energy efficiency and resiliency improvements.
Last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the amending and re-adoption of the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACE) program, which aims to assist commercial building owners with energy and water-saving improvements for little to no upfront costs.
The county first established its own program in 2019, the first in the state to include resiliency projects that address high wind, extreme temperature and flood risks. But in the four years since, no contracts have been executed, and no projects have been completed under the program.
C-PACE is intended as a financial tool designed to “provide long-term private funding to [commercial] building owners for energy-saving and water-saving projects,” according to the county website.
A C-PACE loan is intended to be easier for the property owner to pay off, acting director of the county’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) John Morrill told FFXnow in an email.
“The intent of the energy improvements financed through a C-PACE loan is to reduce the operating costs of a property, thereby putting the property owner in a better financial position to pay off all loans,” Morrill said.
He said C-PACE “has struggled to gain traction” because of a confusing process, lack of understanding of the financial product, and the “reluctance” of first-lien debt holders to give up being first to be paid back.
At the meeting, several supervisors expressed their disappointment in the county program so far, voting unanimously to instead opt into a statewide program created in late 2021.
“It’s obviously disappointing that…we adopted a program that has not been used,” Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust said. “I think the step that you are taking us on, with aligning us with the state program, is a very positive change that could help make it more popular.”
Opting into Virginia’s version of C-PACE provides the county with two main benefits, the staff report notes. One, it relieves individual localities from procuring, administrating, and managing contracts.
“Under the statewide program, [the Virginia Department of Energy] is solely responsible for the solicitation of bids, selection of a program administrator, and contract administration,” the report says.
Secondly, it standardizes the program across jurisdictions and provides more support for messaging, engagement, and public awareness. It will also expand the types of projects eligible for loans to include stormwater management and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Morrill said the county hopes partnering with the state will help solve the challenges that the program has faced.
By standardizing application documents in the state program, attorney fees and other transaction costs for completing loans will be less expensive through the state program and result in less friction for getting deals completed. In addition, Fairfax County will work with the state energy office and C-PACE program administrator to promote the availability of C-PACE financing in order to help the market better understand this financial product. As for concern about losing first lien status, we hope consistent marketing and promotion of the program with some success stories will help give lenders confidence that C-PACE can be successful in Virginia, just as it has been in several other states.
But the county had similarly high hopes when it launched C-PACE years ago.
Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross recalled a luncheon in 2018 where the county introduced the program to local business owners. The room was full of excitement that appeared to have nothing to do with the free lunch, she said. But when the program was enacted and the application period opened, the excitement seemingly dissipated.
“I thought we’d sit back and watch the applications roll in, and nothing happened,” Gross said. “It was a great disappointment for those who worked on C-PACE.”
The county hopes local commercial business owners will now become aware of the program and its ability to provide financial help to make climate-friendly changes.
“Now there appears there is a pathway to actually make C-PACE work,” Gross said. “I’m glad the Commonwealth has determined that [the program] really needs the state to come in and assist with this.”
(Updated at 3 p.m.) A new Islamic and private elementary school may open this fall in Reston.
County permits suggest Noble Garden Academy plans to move in to 1914 Association Drive. In the permit application, the academy noted that the school is simply “moving into a new place” and “not making any changes.”
In a statement to FFXnow, a spokesperson for the school said a lease hasn’t been officially signed, so the exact location hasn’t been confirmed yet. However, they expect to open by the beginning of September.
The academy’s website indicates the school will serve elementary school students and will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.
The school aims to raise Muslim youth who are marked by academic excellence, noble character and mastery of Islamic knowledge and practice, according to its website.
Image via Google Maps
Reston Barnes and Noble Opening Delayed — The bookstore’s grand opening at The Spectrum has been postponed to tomorrow (Thursday). Barnes and Noble didn’t return multiple requests for comment from FFXnow. [Barnes & Noble Reston/Instagram]
D.C. Area Is Currently in a Drought — “According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the D.C. region is currently in a moderate drought — the least severe of four drought levels. May 2023 was the driest May on record in D.C. since 1999, with 2.4 inches less rain than in an average year.” If the Potomac River drops low enough, “residents could be asked to conserve water.” [DCist]
Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit Closes Pet Hospital — “The Hybla Valley Veterinary Hospital, a longtime family-owned business along the Richmond Highway corridor, has notified customers it will be permanently closing at the end of June. The reason, according to the owners, is because ‘Fairfax County is taking the property via eminent domain.’” [On the MoVe]
Mental Health Facility for First Responders Opens Near Fair Oaks — “First responders and 911 call takers facing the stress and challenges of the job in Fairfax County, Virginia, will now have a new place to connect with mental health professionals. The Fairfax County Public Safety Wellness Center held its grand opening on Monday.” [WTOP, FCPD]
Slow Down for County Waste Collectors — For Waste and Recycling Workers Week from June 12-18, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services urges “extra caution when driving around collection trucks to avoid striking sanitation workers.” In North America, 46 solid waste and recycling collectors were killed at work last year, with vehicle strikes as the top third cause. [DPWES]
Herndon Police Cite Hundreds for Using Phone While Driving — “Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic accidents. So far this year, #HerndonPD has issued over 250 citations to people for holding a phone while operating a vehicle. Put the phone down. The text can wait.” [Herndon Police/Twitter]
South Lakes HS Leads High School Theater Awards — “South Lakes High School’s production of ‘Bright Star’ shone brightly on the Kennedy Center stage Monday night at the Cappies gala. The show was named the best musical and took home a total of 10 awards…The night’s other big winner was Lake Braddock Secondary School, which won Best Play for ‘Dracula’ and three other awards.” [Patch]
Long Term, Crime Is Trending Down in Virginia — “You may have heard candidates on the campaign trail talking about rising crime. But FBI stats actually tell a very different story. In the last 30 years, the violent crime rate in Virginia has fallen 44%. And the property crime rate has fallen 66%.” [WVTF]
A Look at Inova’s Training for Paramedics — “As a Level 1 trauma center, the ambulance bay for the emergency room at Inova Fairfax Hospital is always busy.” The hospital’s Advanced Surgical Technology Education Center recently provided “a first-of-its-kind training to teach paramedics how to treat trauma patients in the field.” [ABC7]
It’s Wednesday — A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. [Weather.gov]
In response to rising grocery and transportation costs, local organizations are partnering for a summer hunger relief food distribution in Reston this month.
The food distribution event is slated for Thursday, June 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The distribution will take place in the parking lot of St. John Neumann Catholic Community Church (11900 Lawyers Road).
“The Summer Hunger Relief Food Distribution event seeks to shed light on the daunting challenges faced by Northern Virginia families and individuals affected by food insecurity,” said Margaret Anne Lara, a spokesperson for Cornerstones, one of the community partners. “By emphasizing the value of community partnership and collaboration, this event aims to raise awareness and rally support to make a lasting impact in the fight against hunger.”
StarKist and Feed the Children are also leading the project.
The event kicks off with an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Speakers include Kerrie Wilson, the CEO of Cornerstones, Chae-Ung UM, president and CEO of StarKist and Julie Laird Davis, Feed the Children’s senior vice president of strategic partnership and individual giving.
Elected congressional, state and local officials will also be in attendance. The ceremony is open to the public.
Although Fairfax County’s food insecurity rate has been declining since 2011, the county has the highest number of food insecure individuals in Virginia, according to state data.
For 9th, 10th and 12th grade students, the incidence of hunger due to lack of food in the home varied by ethnicity, ranging from 3.5% of white students to 13.8% of Hispanic students, according to data from the county’s health department.
Several groups are working together to embark on a one-of-a-kind urban mussel restoration project for the Snakeden and Glade stream valleys in Reston.
The project is part of a partnership with Virginia Tech, the U.S Geological Survey and other institutions. The team will work to install mussel beds into restored streams and evaluate their ability to remove nutrient and sediment pollution.
“Freshwater mussels have the ability to filter stream water at a prodigious rate, improving water quality, and thereby potentially keeping local streams, rivers, and receiving estuaries cleaner,” the Resource Protection Group, a nonprofit funding the effort, said on the project page. “Within urbanized settings such as Reston, the possibility of utilizing mussels to improve both local water quality and that of larger receiving systems is quite intriguing.”
According to the organization, Virginia Commonwealth University and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed a study last year on whether freshwater mussels could survive in the streams before the current, larger-scale project to reintroduce the animals launched.
Other initiatives are also planned at both stream valleys.
A team of researchers from William and Mary and George Mason University will investigate the best ways to reduce the colonialization of stream restoration by grass and other invasive and non-native vegetation.
“We are excited to do our part to contribute to the science of stream management in our region by hosting these projects,” Reston Association said in an announcement on Friday (June 9).
Scientists are also working on studying water quality and vegetation management at both areas, which are part of the Northern Virginia Stream Restoration Bank Initiative.
RA COO Larry Butler noted that it’s not clear when the work related to invasive species will be completed, but it could take three to three-and-a-half years. The stream monitoring and mussel programs are expected to cost $2 million.
“The stream monitoring and mussel programs are five years with approximately four years remaining, with the work split between Snakeden Branch and the Glade watersheds,” Butler wrote in a statement to FFXnow.
Photo via Resource Protection Group
