Black residents have experienced worse health outcomes than other populations across Northern Virginia, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report found.
Commissioned by the Northern Virginia Health Foundation (NVHF) and conducted by the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University, the Fairfax County section of the “Dying Too Soon” report found “stark” disparities across the county in the rates at which people die before the age of 75.
The report attributed the dramatic differences in life expectancies — from 76.5 years to 91.1 years — to an individual’s race, ethnicity and address, reflecting the influence of socioeconomic conditions on health outcomes.
According to the report, a lack of access to health care contributed to 66% of premature deaths in the county from 2015-2019 that were avoidable with preventative measures or treatment.
Throughout Northern Virginia, premature deaths are more concentrated within “islands of disadvantage,” where residents experience poor living conditions, higher mortality rates, and food and housing insecurity, the report says.
Residents of these neighborhoods are more likely to be people of color and immigrants, a disparity resulting from “the region’s history of segregation and systemic racism” and policies that “systematically block access” to health opportunities and increase exposure to unsafe health conditions, the report said.
Prior to the pandemic, Black people in Fairfax County had a premature death rate of 221.0 per 100,000 residents, exceeding the rates for white people (165.8 per 100,000), Hispanics (126.2 per 100,000) and Asians and Pacific Islanders (112.4 per 100,000).
Those disparities were consistent throughout the region, which “exhibits smaller racial-ethnic disparities” that other parts of the U.S., according to the report.
Though Fairfax County is often touted as one of the richest counties in the U.S., with a median income of $133,974, many of the wealthiest census tracts are located just a few blocks from islands of disadvantage.
In fact, the study says one census tract in Springfield has a premature death rate twice as high as that of a census tract in Franconia only two miles away. Each census tract also showed drastically different education and poverty rates and racial and ethnic compositions.
“I don’t think there’s a sense among the general public that these kinds of health inequities exist in a wealthy area like Northern Virginia, which in aggregate is doing quite well and has a very high quality of life,” Dr. Steven Woolf, lead study author and director emeritus of VCU’s Center on Society and Health, told FFXnow. “But when you zoom in like this to see what’s actually happening, neighborhood by neighborhood, you expose these these pockets of disadvantage that we want the public to know about.”
Census tracts with the highest premature death rates were in Seven Corners/Bailey’s Crossroads and Route 1 regions, according to the report’s summary. The study also reported that poverty rates in Seven Corners/Bailey’s Crossroads, Mount Vernon and Oakton “exceeded 20%, higher than poverty rates in countries like Estonia, Lithuania, Peru, Tajikistan, and Uganda.”
The Covid pandemic only worsened inequitable health outcomes, according to data collected in 2020-2021. The report says the county’s islands of disadvantage “experienced higher COVID-19 death rates,” and Northern Virginia as a whole saw “much higher” death rates among Hispanic and Black populations compared to Asian and white groups.
“COVID-19 simply pulled the veil back to show the public how bad these inequities are, but they’ve been with us for a very long time,” Woolf said. “There are policies of exclusion that limit the ability for people of color and low-income families to access opportunities and for health and wellbeing, and those barriers persist and will remain long after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed unless we change our policies.”
To combat these longstanding, widespread disparities, the study calls for increased access to health insurance and services, such as high-quality and affordable primary care, preventative care and chronic disease treatment. It further pushes for an increase in funding for “chronically underfunded” local public health departments that are still recovering from the “heightened demands” created by the pandemic.
The report also advocates for remedying “deficiencies” in the local behavioral health system by addressing shortages in mental health professionals and expanding access to mental health and substance abuse services.
Woolf emphasized the need to fund “social determinants of health,” including “education, jobs, fair wages, [and] affordable housing and transportation” to create more equitable outcomes.
“Data like ours that identify the precise census tracts experiencing the greatest threats to health and wellbeing can provide important insights to policymakers, service providers and funders,” NVHF President and CEO Patricia N. Mathews said in a press release. “They can help target investments in neighborhoods that have been neglected and prioritize efforts to improve living conditions by offering more affordable housing, expanding educational opportunities, and improving opportunities for employment.”
The report that NVHF released in 2017 identifying islands of disadvantage in the region has helped inform Fairfax County’s implementation of the One Fairfax policy, which commits local officials to considering equity when developing policies and services, says county Chief Equity Officer Karla Bruce.
“[The] most recent report, Dying Too Soon, illustrates the connection between social and economic conditions and health disparities and validates the value of the county’s investments in things like health care access, affordable housing, education, and workforce readiness,” Bruce said.
“The opportunity for good health should be available to all residents of Fairfax County,” the study concludes.
Changes to Comstock’s Reston Row neighborhood are moving forward despite concerns about the proposed shift of a public park space into private outdoor dining space for Ebbitt House, an upcoming restaurant.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended on June 28 that the Board of Supervisors approve changes to the project near the Wiehle-Reston Easton Metro station.
Comstock is seeking the county’s permission to reallocate 280,000 square feet of unbuilt but previously approved office space from Reston Station to Reston Row. Specifically, the developer wants to increase the building height of a residential building from 180 feet to 350 feet and from 250 to 350 units.
Other changed elements include increased retail square footage, an elevated sport court, and a shift from two separate garages to a single underground parking garage.
Staff recommended approval of the application even though the project doesn’t fully satisfy the county’s urban parks standards for the area. The total density between the two projects — Reston Row and Reston Station — remains unchanged.
Mary Ann Tsai of the county’s Department of Planning and Development said the decison to approve the application was a “very hard” one.
Even though the application doesn’t meet the urban parks standards, the current plan is an improvement over the previous approval, especially when it comes to additional greenscapes for a corner park at the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and Wiehle Avenue, Tsai said.
“We look at the whole context of the recommendations,” she said, calling staff’s support a “soft” decision.
The outdoor dining area would extend outside Ebbitt House, a spin-off of D.C.’s Old Ebbitt Grill and the leading brand of Clyde’s Restaurant Group.
Jill Parks, an attorney with Hunton Andrews Kurth representing the applicant, said the outdoor dining space is a major placemaking feature of the development instead of a “strip of green.”
“It is more welcoming, it is an amenity and it is a feature to this neighborhood,” Parker said, adding that the applicant “scrubbed every single foot of this project” to improve the urban parks.
Providence District Commissioner Phil Niedzielski-Eichner said Comstock’s significant investment in the project warrants a closer look at the issue.
“The Ebbitt is a significant addition to the development,” Eichner said. “It has a region-wide standing. If the terms of being able to secure them meant there be an outdoors type of arrangement, I can see the logic of that.”
Hunter Mill District Supervisor John Carter concurred that he “actually like[s] the dining space here. This is something for the future.”
Clyde’s Restaurant Group COO Kevin Keller said the outdoor dining space will be a significant amenity for the company’s guests.
“It brings that energy outside and really connects the community,” Keller said.
Overall, the development plan won the approval of the commission. Carter noted that the plan was a hallmark of placemaking that Reston’s transit station areas need.
“Our stations are underperforming. It’s not because of the density. It’s because people can’t get there,” Carter said.
Randall Farran, the Fairfax County Planning Authority’s park planning branch manager, emphasized that failing to meet the urban park standards was seen as a “deficiency,” particularly because supplemental features — like areas fronting buildings — were used to try to meet the 1.2-acre urban park space standard for the development.
“We didn’t feel like it was an equivalent replacement,” Farran said.
Braddock District Commissioner Mary Ann Cortina wasn’t satisfied with the developer’s approach to urban park spaces — even though she understood the need for the private outdoor dining area.
“It does make it difficult to continue to provide what the comprehensive plan expects,” Cortina said, adding that future applicants may argue that the appeal of private amenity space precludes meeting urban spark standards.
The application will go to the Board of Supervisors for a public hearing on July 25.
With the summer tourism season in full swing, Virginia’s “LOVEworks” marketing campaign has traveled beyond the Commonwealth’s borders for the first time.
Last week, Fairfax County ventured up the I-95 corridor to give a sign to Philadelphia, launching an effort to draw the denizens of the City of Brotherly Love to the home of the first U.S. president, among other attractions.
Unveiled outside the Philadelphia Fashion District shopping mall on June 28, the new sign is the first one permanently gifted outside Virginia, according to Visit Fairfax, the county’s official tourism agency.
“On behalf of Fairfax County, we are so excited to welcome Philadelphians to our vibrant destination, and we hope this new campaign will inspire them to explore the many historical, cultural, natural and whimsical treasures found here,” Visit Fairfax President and CEO Barry Biggar said. “Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a lengthier family vacation to the National Capital Region, this campaign indeed highlights how easy it is to get to Northern Virginia and just how much this region has to offer.”
According to Visit Fairfax, Philadelphia already represents “major” source of tourism for the county based on visits, spending and website traffic.
However, the LOVE sign, which will be on display in Philly throughout the summer, is part of a new “multi-faceted, comprehensive and integrated” campaign that the agency has planned in conjunction with the statewide Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC).
Funded with money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the campaign will highlight connections between Virginia’s largest county and Pennsylvania’s largest city, Visit Fairfax says in a press release:
Campaign elements showcase the unique parallels between Fairfax County and Philadelphia and include digital display at Fashion District Philadelphia, traditional out of home, streaming audio and video, social media, and other in-market activations throughout the summer months. The campaign creative features iconic Fairfax County attractions that share a synergy with beloved Philly symbols, such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon paired with Independence Hall; Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge as the first to protect bald eagles paired with Philadelphia’s favorite football team; and Macerich-owned Tysons Corner Center, paired with its sister property, Fashion District Philadelphia; among others.
Visit Fairfax notes that the sign “complements” Philadelphia’s long-standing “LOVE” sculpture by artist Robert Indiana. The two installations are located less than a mile apart.
“We are definitely feeling the ‘love’ here at Fashion District Philadelphia,” Fashion District Philadelphia Property Manager Ryan Williams said. “…Northern Virginia is a wonderful visitor destination with so much to offer Philadelphians — the good feelings between our two East Coast regions are certainly mutual!”
The LOVEworks signs stem from the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan adopted by the VTC — then called the Virginia State Travel Service — in 1969. The ad campaign attempted to appeal to younger generations in the hippie and free love era, according to the VTC’s website.
Since then, more than 300 signs have cropped up around Virginia, including at Tysons Corner Center, Reston Station and the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.
“These signs are very popular with travelers coming to Virginia and are often the backdrop of visitors’ engagement photos, weddings, or other special occasions,” VTC Director of Communications Andrew Cothern said. “We hope residents of Philadelphia will see the LOVEwork in Fashion District and be inspired to plan a vacation in Virginia.”
The Fourth of July kept the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department busy, as at least three people were injured in fires that cropped up overnight.
One person was injured in a fire that broke out in Herndon around midnight today (Wednesday).
The fire engulfed the home on the 650 block of Stuart Court shortly after July 4 celebrations wrapped up in the area.
One individual was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries, according to the FCFRD.
A spokesperson for FCFRD told FFXnow that the cause of the fire is not yet known.
“Fire investigators are still conducting their investigation. I do not have a cause at this time,” the spokesperson said.
A resident reported that Fourth of July fireworks were underway in the neighborhood, but it’s unclear for now whether those were connected to the fire at all.
UPDATE 650 blk of Stuart Ct: The fire is under control. Crews are hitting hotspots. Fire investigators are on scene. One patient transported with non-life threatening injuries. No reported firefighter injuries. pic.twitter.com/Jj7KUMrLUR
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) July 5, 2023
The fire was one of nine outside fires, two house fires and one apartment fire that broke out on or around July 4, the fire department reported.
Another two people were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries in a two-alarm house fire on the 12300 block of Firestone Court in the Fair Oaks area around midnight.
While the cause of the fires is currently unknown, the FCFRD encouraged the community to properly dispose of fireworks by completely soaking them in a bucket of water overnight before getting rid of them.
Units are on scene of a two-alarm house fire in the 12300 blk of Firestone Ct in the Fair Oaks area. Heavy fire showing. All occupants are accounted for. Crews are actively working to bring the fire under control. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/1NYd9zsVDb
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) July 5, 2023
#FCFRD is currently working 9 outside fires, 2 house fires, and 1 apartment fire. While the cause of these fires is unknown, we can not stress enough the importance of properly disposing of fireworks. Completely soak fireworks in a bucket of water overnight before disposing. pic.twitter.com/AHg3s4hl2O
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) July 5, 2023
No Elevated Bacteria Levels at Lake Accotink — “More than 24 hours after bacterial testing began on the water in Lake Accotink following a sewage spill, results show bacteria levels are not elevated. This indicates the cleanup effort was done in time to prevent downstream contamination from reaching Lake Accotink. As a result, there is no continued concern regarding human exposure to untreated sewage in the lake.” [DPWES]
Supreme Court Passes on Lawsuit Against Sheriff’s Office — “The Supreme Court on Friday said it would not review a decision holding that gender dysphoria is covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act…Leaving the decision undisturbed means that Kesha Williams’s lawsuit against the Fairfax County, Va., sheriff can proceed.” [The Washington Post]
FCPS Employee Arrested on Child Porn Charge — “A Fairfax County Public Schools employee was arrested on Friday in connection with possession of child sexual abuse material…Police said the material that Betts is accused of possessing came from the internet and that detectives do not believe there is any involvement with” FCPS students. [Patch]
Armed Robbery Suspects Arrested — “Two men have been arrested for robbery after arranging to sell a car online. On June 25 police responded to an armed robbery in the 4300 block of Americana Drive in Annandale. Police found the victim who had sustained multiple lacerations on her head.” [FCPD]
No Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday This Year — “You won’t have a sales tax holiday to look forward to in August, as you have in years past. Virginia ended its weekend without sales taxes on clothing, school items, and appliances this year.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Hybla Valley Nonprofit Expands Food Pantry — “United Community’s (UC) Choice Food Pantry [reopened] Monday, July 3 after a major renovation and expansion that allows clients to walk through and select their own food, including fresh meat and fresh fruits and vegetables.” [On the MoVe]
Fireworks Stand a Fixture Outside Rose Hill Safeway — “Putting on your own fireworks show is an annual tradition for many in the area. ‘[You’ve got a lot of] pyros around here,’ said Oscar Thrower, assistant manager at the Alexandria Gorilla Fireworks stand…Thrower and his boss Christine have been at that location for the better part of a decade…and he’s something of a local celebrity.” [WTOP]
Tysons Sees Uptick in Apartment Costs — “Despite a recent uptick, apartment-hunters in Tysons are getting better deals than they did a year ago…The median Tysons apartment-rental rates in June stood at $1,998 for one-bedroom units and $2,389 for two-bedroom units, according to figures reported by Apartment List.” [Gazette Leader]
Metro Temporary Art Initiative Underway — “Trains have been temporarily taking on vibrant new shades: navy blue with a big red ribbon for the holidays, pink and white for cherry blossom season, and a big rainbow motif for Pride month…The initiative was spurred on by new WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke, who has wanted riders to feel proud of the system and feel a sense of ownership in taking care of it.” [DCist]
It’s Wednesday — A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 20%. At night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. [Weather.gov]
A previously approved plan for the redevelopment of the former Fannie Mae campus in Reston is once again headed before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for a vote on an expedited timeline.
At a board meeting on Tuesday (June 28), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn successfully passed a board matter to move the application from developer Wheelock Capital for an official vote by the board as soon as possible.
The plan includes 74 townhouses and eight two-over-two units on the 28-acre property, which is currently developed with an office building that was once home to mortgage company Fannie Mae. The building would remain undisturbed by the plan.
In a 9-1 vote, the board approved the project in August 2022, but the approval was voided when the applicant “missed a payment deadline associated with its buyout obligations under the Dulles Rail Tax District,” according to Alcorn.
“As Board members may recall, this rezoning permits the construction of townhouses in lieu of another high-rise office building on the site,” Alcorn’s board matter states. “The rezoning was negotiated extensively with the community and county staff, and if ultimately built will provide a number of environmental and public benefits.”
The applicant also received the county’s permission to process its site plans — which have already been under review for several months — concurrently with the reapproval of the overall project.
The residential units will be located on the northern end of the property. Existing access points off of American Dream Way will be realigned, and two additional access points will be added to serve the residential development.
A private road system and connections to Reston’s trail system are also proposed. A new sidewalk will be constructed along the Sunset Hills Road frontage to the property, as well as a modified intersection at Sunset Hills and American Dream Way.
While the board matter doesn’t specify a date for the vote, the county’s zoning applications database indicates that a Fairfax County Planning Commission meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 13, and a board public hearing will follow on Sept. 26.
The Fourth of July may be on a Tuesday this year, but Fairfax County residents can celebrate with fireworks starting this weekend.
On Tuesday, it’s possible to see the National Mall fireworks from locations along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. But fireworks shows will light up the skies around Fairfax County, too.
Here’s a roundup of fireworks events starting tomorrow (Saturday).
Saturday, July 1
- McLean Independence Day Fireworks Celebration at Langley High School (6520 Georgetown Pike): activities start at 6:30 p.m., free
- Lake Fairfax Fireworks at Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston): activities start at 12 p.m., $20 tickets at gate or free for bikers and pedestrians
- FireWorks at the Workhouse Arts Center (9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton): activities start at 6 p.m., $40 admission or free for bikers and pedestrians.
Sunday, July 2
- Vienna’s Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks at Yeonas Park (1319 Ross Drive SW): activities start at 4 p.m., free
- City of Fairfax Evening Show & Fireworks at Fairfax High School Stadium (3501 Lion Run): activities start at 6:30 p.m., free
- Falls Church Independence Day Fireworks & Celebration at Meridian High School (121 Mustang Alley): activities start at 6 p.m., free
Tuesday, July 4
- Town of Herndon Fireworks at Bready Park (814 Ferndale Avenue): activities start at 6:30 p.m., free
- An American Celebration at Mount Vernon (3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway): activities start at 9:30 a.m., event covered with regular admission of $26 for ages 12 and up, $13 for ages 6 to 11, and free for children 5 and under
- Fireworks & Fun at Turner Farm Park (925 Springvale Road, Great Falls): activities start at 6 p.m., free with suggested $20 per family donation
The Fairfax County Planning Commission will take another stab at a major overhaul of Reston’s defining planning document next month.
At a Wednesday (June 28) meeting, the commission once again deferred a decision on the extensive update of Reston Comprehensive Plan to July 12 — a move that Hunter Mill District Commissioner John Carter said would allow staff time to incorporate proposed revisions. The commission first deferred a decision on the project on June 14.
The draft under consideration is the product of more than three years of work and dozens of community meetings.
In May, staff released its version of the plan after a first draft was formulated last year by a task force assembled by Hunter Mill District Walter Alcorn in 2020. On June 13, staff also released a 25-page addendum to the report.
Ahead of the commission’s meeting, the county released a chart with county responses to all public testimony received at the last public hearing — a move that Carter said was unusual but helpful to delineate proposed recommendations and the responses from the county.
“We don’t usually go through and address each of the people that testify,” Carter said.
Carter — who walked through a series of suggested revisions during the Wednesday meeting — said the transportation section clearly identifies multimodal components and removes the infamous “road to nowhere” that cuts from Isaac Newton Square to American Dream Way through the Hidden Creek Country Club golf course.
He said he opposes a proposed road connection from American Dream Way to North Shore Drive — a connection that drew significant opposition at the public hearing earlier this month.
Citing safety concerns, Carter said the connection would be dangerous and contradicts the county’s recent consideration of a project that essentially makes American Dream Way a private street.
“If we’re leading this, we just approved a project that did not provide that connection and made American Dream Way a private connection,” Carter said.
Braddock District Commissioner Mary Cortina called a bicycle map in the plan “unreadable” and in need of edits.
“I’m hesitant to continue to put that forward in there without being able to understand what it says or where its going,” Cortina said.
According to Carter, the environment section was pared down in response to concerns that it exceeded the limits of the policy plan and set higher standards for stormwater management in Reston than elsewhere in the county. Those policies include moving towards net-zero energy use, achieving LEED platinum for more buildings, and adding more electric vehicle charging stations.
While these regulations are “good ideas,” the “form” was not right, Carter said.
“I know we struggled quite a bit with that chapter, but I think it’s come out pretty good,” he said.
Carter stressed the need to ensure Reston is able to retain existing market rate affordable housing within the transit station areas (TSA) while establishing new affordable housing.
He seemed to share Cortina’s concerns about the document’s readability, saying that he initially hoped it could have been a gold standard for other similar policies in the county and throughout the state with a combination of graphics, fonts and other enhancements.
Franconia District Commissioner Daniel Lagana suggested adding Geographic Information System (GIS) components to the plan — a suggestion that Chris Caperton, deputy director of the county’s Department of Planning and Development, said was a possibility in future iterations.
Carter said he was still happy the plan was reduced by roughly 40 pages and emphasized more active verbs. He pitched several options for imagery and captions to staff.
A Fairfax County police officer watches traffic pass through a 25 mph school zone (via FCPD)
A number of new laws will take effect in Virginia this weekend, including expanded school zones, a prohibition on sexual harassment non-disclosure agreements, and classification of fentanyl as a “weapon of terrorism.”
Most laws passed by the General Assembly and signed by the governor each year go into effect on July 1, which marks the beginning of the new fiscal year.
This year, nearly 740 bills were signed into law. Some are more mundane, while others could significantly impact Fairfax County residents, like last year’s banning of ticket quotas and medical marijuana patients no longer needing to register with the state.
Here are nine noteworthy laws going into effect tomorrow (Saturday) in Virginia:
Prohibiting sexual harassment non-disclosure agreements
Introduced by local Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41), HB 1895 — also known as the Silenced No More Act — prohibits any non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the “purpose or effect of concealing the details of a sexual harassment claim.” If any such agreement does exist, it’s now “void and unenforceable,” per the new law. It mirrors recently enacted laws in other states as well as federal protections.
Assaulting a public transportation operator now leads to additional jail time
As attacks on bus drivers increase, HB 2330 now makes assaulting public transportation operators a Class 1 misdemeanor. That means a fine of up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail. The legislation, introduced by Del. Delores McQuinn of Richmond, also bans those convicted from using public transit systems.
However, critics say assailants often flee the scene prior to being arrested, suggesting the new law may not be particularly effective.
Fentanyl as “a weapon of terrorism”
Fentanyl overdoses have increasingly become a major concern, particularly among young adults, in Fairfax County and nationwide. To impose harsher penalties on the drug’s manufacturing and distribution, SB 1188 and identical bill HB 1682 reclassify fentanyl as a “weapon of terrorism,” making those acts Class 4 felonies that could carry up to 10 years of jail time.
The new law is similar to ones in other states, though critics say the law doesn’t take into account context or circumstances, and increasing penalties could make people less likely to call authorities when someone they are with overdoses.
Solicitation of a minor disqualifying for potential public school workers
Along with physical and sexual abuse, solicitation of a minor has been added as an offense that will bar someone from being employed or doing contract work for a public school, if convicted, under HB 1822.
The legislation is partially in response to last year’s conviction of a then-Fairfax County Public Schools counselor who solicited prostitution from a minor in Chesterfield. While the man was arrested in November and convicted in March, FCPS didn’t fire him until August. An investigation found Chesterfield officials didn’t notify FCPS until months after the incident. The Chesterfield Police Department claimed emails bounced back and went to spam.
Dedicated school contact for law enforcement
Also spurred by the FCPS counselor case is a new law requiring all Virginia public school divisions to designate a contact for law enforcement and courts related to fielding any reports of school employee arrests or convictions. SB 821 was introduced by local lawmaker Scott Surovell (D-36).
Increasing the size of the school zone
School zone boundaries are increasing from 600 feet to 750 feet from school property, allowing localities to reduce speed limits around schools to 25 mph. Speeding and road safety have become major concerns locally. Last year, a driver allegedly speeding near Oakton High School struck and killed several pedestrians.
Drivers must slow down for stalled vehicles
As another traffic safety measure, drivers will now be required to “make a lane change or reduce speed when passing stationary vehicles” with activated hazard lights, caution signs or “properly lit flares or torches on certain highways when safe and reasonable to do so.” The expansion of Virginia’s “Move Over” law, which currently just addresses emergency vehicles, was introduced in the senate by Sen. Dave Marsden (D-37).
Drones can’t be used to spy or peep
With the proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, a new law says a drone can’t be used to “secretly or furtively peep, spy, or attempt to peep or spy into or through a window, door, or other aperture of any building.” HB 1583 was introduced by local Del. Rip Sullivan (D-48). It passed the House and Senate unanimously.
Raising the minimum wage for employees with disabilities
Currently, an exemption under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act lets employers pay disabled workers based on a “productivity calculation” instead of at least minimum wage. Virginia will eventually stop that practice, thanks to a new bill introduced by Del. Patrick Hope (D-47). However, Gov. Glenn Youngkin amended the bill to continue the exemption until 2030.
The original bill called for step increases, including one to take effect on July 1, that would have gotten pay up to the Virginia minimum wage by 2027. But the governor took away the gradual increase, instead just eliminating the exemption in its entirety in 2030.
Photo via FCPD
Metro Waives Nighttime Fares for Independence Day — “Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess will be fare-free on Tuesday, July 4 from 5 p.m. until the system closes, with frequent service to the National Mall and other celebrations across the region…Signage will be posted throughout the stations and on buses to communicate that customers do not need SmarTrip cards if using Metro after 5 p.m.” [WMATA]
New Route 50 Intersection Opens Ahead of Schedule — Construction on the Route 50 and Waples Mill Road intersection in Fairfax has finished nearly two months ahead of schedule. Part of the I-66 Outside the Beltway toll lanes project, the changes include a new left-turn lane from westbound Route 50 to southbound Waples Mill and a new pedestrian crossing and refuge island. [VDOT]
GMU Says It’s Unaffected by Supreme Court Ruling — The U.S. Supreme Court decision “barring the consideration of race for college admissions will not disrupt admissions operations at George Mason University…George Mason’s admissions processes are race-neutral and have been test-optional for undergraduate admissions since 2007, more than a decade ahead of the national trend.” [GMU]
Traffic Shift Needed for Hunter Mill Road Bridge — “On Friday, June 30 around noon, weather permitting, Hunter Mill Road (Route 674) traffic will shift to the other side of the new bridge over Colvin Run between Crowell Road (Route 675) and Cobble Mill Road…One lane of alternating traffic will travel across the newly constructed portion of the bridge while the other side of the bridge is closed in order to construct the median/splitter island.” [VDOT]
Abortion Access at Risk in Virginia After End of Roe v. Wade — “Abortion is currently legal in Virginia within the first and second trimesters, a fact that isolates it from almost all of its neighbors. This fall’s election, however, could open an avenue for a GOP-backed ban if Republicans take control of the General Assembly.” [DCist]
Lake Accotink Gets Funds to Remove Invasive Plants — The Fairfax County Park Foundation has received a $40,000 three-year grant to “treat three sites totaling approximately 7.2 acres of invasive plants at Lake Accotink. This IMA project will target vines that are threatening trees and other invasive plants that need to be kept from spreading” [FCPA]
New Bikeshare Station Added in Tysons — Capital Bikeshare installed its newest Fairfax County station yesterday at Westbranch Drive and Jones Branch Drive, part of an ongoing expansion of its network in Tysons, Idylwood and elsewhere in the Providence District. The company also rolled out updated e-bicycles this spring. [Capital Bikeshare/Twitter]
Mount Vernon School Welcomes Solar Panel — “School may be out for the summer, but Riverside Elementary School’s new solar array will keep harnessing sunlight and converting it into energy delivered to the school for classroom study this fall.” Riverside is the third recipient of Dominion Energy’s Solar for Students grant program in Fairfax County Public Schools. [On the MoVe]
It’s Friday — A slight chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87, dropping to a low of 64 at night. A Code Orange Air Quality alert has been issued for the day. [Weather.gov]
Tomorrow (Friday) will be the last chance Fairfax County residents have to take advantage of Walgreens’ experiment with one-hour home deliveries.
At the beginning of June, the pharmacy company launched a pilot program exclusively in the D.C. region that guarantees deliveries to customers within an hour. They can get $10 towards the Walgreens rewards program to use in the future “if it’s even a minute late,” according to a press release.
Running from June 1-30, the pilot included 22 stores in Fairfax County and over 160 stores across Virginia.
“The stores in the northern Virginia/DC area, part of the broader Mid-Atlantic region, were chosen to test the 1-hour Delivery offering because the region contains a large number of storefronts, and serves a mix of population sizes (urban, suburban, rural), allowing us to test our delivery guarantee in a variety of environments,” a Walgreens representative said by email.
More than 27,000 items are eligible for the service, including over-the-counter medicines, but alcohol and prescription medicine deliveries are exempted.
As previously reported by FFXnow’s sister site, ARLnow, Walgreens does tack on a fee for deliveries that varies depending on the products in the order and the distance traveled.
Walgreens introduced same-day deliveries in December, a service that’s available 24 hours a day and includes prescription medications. It also offers 30-minute pickups for orders of $10 or more.
Like many other retailers, Walgreens has been building up its delivery services over the past few years, partnering with companies like Instacart, DoorDash and Postmates.
Nationwide, demand for contactless delivery and curbside pickup services surged early in the pandemic, providing a lifeline to restaurants and other businesses that had to close their doors. At the same time, the third-party apps that proliferated have faced scrutiny for their high commissions and labor practices, while service fees have increased — even for Amazon, which helped set expectations of free, fast shipping.
A full list of the Fairfax County stores participating in the Walgreens pilot is below:
- 7629 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria
- 6717 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria
- 1517 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria
- 4515 Duke Street, Alexandria
- 7100 Silver Lake Boulevard, Alexandria
- 6100 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria
- 3614 King Street, Alexandria
- 7968 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria
- 4300 Backlick Rd, Annandale
- 13926 Lee Hwy, Centreville
- 25421 Eastern Marketplace Plz, Chantilly
- 10320 Main St, Fairfax
- 3050-A Nutley St, Fairfax
- 9579 Braddock Rd, Fairfax
- 6715a Arlington Blvd, Falls Church
- 603 Elden St, Herndon
- 9372 Richmond Highway, Lorton
- 1312 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
- 8414 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield
- 5230 Port Royal Road, Springfield
- 225 Maple Ave E, Vienna
(Updated at 11:05 a.m. on 7/13/2023) A new dual-branded hotel in Reston Town Center is expected to open in late 2024.
The first combined Marriott AC and Residence Inn in the D.C. region, the hotel includes 267 guest rooms that will be managed by Donohue Hospitality.
(Correction: This article previously said this was the first-ever dual Marriott AC/Residence Inn. The first one in the world is in Charlotte City, North Carolina, and built in 2018, according to the hotel’s director of sales.)
The building will also includes a fitness center, indoor pool, ballroom, meeting areas, a restaurant, and a rooftop lounge and bar. There is nearly 34,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space in the building.
After breaking ground in January, the project is now as tall as it will get, as the company announced Tuesday (June 27) that placement of the building’s final structural element is complete. Donohue Construction and its subcontractors celebrated the milestone at a topping-out ceremony this week.
“We celebrate this significant milestone thanks to all the builders and stakeholders involved,” said Ralph Choueiri, development director for Donohoe Development. “We are grateful to our strong, dedicated team, project partners, the Reston community, and Fairfax County for their support through this journey.”
A spokesperson for the company told FFXnow that the project is valued at $110 million.
Construction on a new JW Marriott is underway at Reston Station.
The Town of Herndon’s comprehensive plan for 2050 received a big funding boost from the U.S. Department of Transportation this week.
In a release on Monday (June 26), Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced the town received $720,000 in funding from the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program (RAISE).
The funds will be used to develop the town’s comprehensive plan, called Herndon 2050. The town was one of five Virginia localities to receive grants from the more than $38 million allocated in federal infrastructure investment.
“The town’s receipt of this RAISE grant is a testament to our staff’s expertise and ability to successfully compete and prevail in highly competitive grant environments,” Town Manager William H. Ashton II said in a news release. “This award will provide significant financial assistance in achieving the town’s goals.”
The grant allows the town to proceed with developing the plan, which will guide transportation, land use, environment, housing, economic development and capital improvement issues over 25 years.
Community Development Director Lisa Gilleran said the funds are integral to completing the plan.
“The Comprehensive Plan is an important planning tool for our community,” said Gilleran. “One of our goals will be to develop this plan through the lens of equity to ensure that all residents, visitors, employers, and employees in the town live, work, and recreate in an environment that is conducive to their safety, success, and well-being.”
Once the process begins, it’s expected to take between one to three years to complete. The town will work with the public on Herndon 2050, which will include an economic development component and comprehensive plan implementation guide for the first time.
The overall project is expected to cost $900,000. The grant funding application states that the plan will incorporate active transportation projects, job diversification, metrics to reduce vehicle emissions, and inclusive economic development opportunities.
The town intends to put out an request for proposals in July, with a consultant under contract by September, according to town spokesperson Anne Curtis.
Code Red Air Quality Alert Today — “A Code Red Air Quality alert has been issued for the D.C. region” as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts through the area. “The Fairfax County Park Authority has canceled many outdoor activities for the day, including summer camps and classes, and outdoor water parks and pools will be closed.” [FFXnow]
Herndon Man Charged With Assault — A 34-year-old man from Herndon “was arrested for abduction and assault stemming from an incident in which he threatened to rape a female acquaintance and prevented her from leaving the residence. Upon being taken into custody by police the following day, he was arrested for assault on a police officer and obstruction of justice” [Herndon Police]
Overhauled Mount Vernon 7-Eleven Nears Reopening — “The newly rebuilt 7-Eleven service station with a quick-food store and fuel pumps, located across from Engleside Plaza shopping center, has a target opening date of Friday, July 7, according to company representatives.” [On the MoVe]
Police Seek Funding for More License Plate Readers — “The Fairfax County Police Department will accept grant moneys, if awarded, to finance the purchase of license-plate-reading (LPR) equipment and explosive-ordnance-disposal robots, following expected authorization June 27 from the Board of Supervisors.” [Gazette Leader]
Lizard Missing for a Week Found in Fairfax City — “A missing bearded dragon was reunited with its owner on Wednesday thanks to the intervention of the City of Fairfax Police. On Tuesday, Officer Emerson trapped the lizard in a city resident’s garden off of Richard Avenue and transported it to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.” [Patch]
Vienna Resident Appeared on Jeopardy! — “Northern Virginia resident Vic Goel…put his knowledge to the test during Wednesday’s airing of famed quiz show ‘Jeopardy!’ Goel, a Vienna resident, is a corporate immigration attorney and legal tech enthusiast, according to his LinkedIn profile. He works as the managing partner at Reston-based Goel & Anderson.” [Inside NoVA]
County Shares Small Business Stories — “From custom cookies and cake pops to handmade furniture and jewelry, there are numerous small-scale production businesses that call Fairfax County home. While supporting local businesses is important year-round, this summer the county will share profiles of home-grown makers to encourage residents to shop small and local through the Made in Fairfax program.” [Fairfax County]
A Spotlight on Dunn Loring Woods — “Since the Kluttzes arrived in the neighborhood, the appeal of its location has deepened. The Mosaic District in Merrifield, just across Interstate 66, has developed into a destination spot for retail and gourmet dining. And the neighborhood has filled with more young families like theirs as some of the original owners have downsized or moved on.” [The Washington Post]
It’s Thursday — Widespread haze. Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon. At night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 9:30 p.m.) A Code Red Air Quality alert has been issued for the D.C. region.
In Fairfax County, conditions are expected to worsen to an air quality index (AQI) rating of 164 tomorrow (Thursday), due primarily to particulate matter drifting down to the U.S. from ongoing wildfires in Canada, according to AirNow’s air quality forecast.
A Code Red — which is a step higher than the Code Orange seen today — “means air quality is unhealthy for everyone in Fairfax County and the region,” the county said in a post on its emergency information blog.
With hundreds of wildfires reportedly blazing in Canada, particularly Quebec and British Columbia, the area’s air quality will likely continue to fluctuate “over the next several days,” the county says.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is encouraging residents to limit their outdoor activities as much as possible.
“If outdoor activities cannot be rescheduled, the EPA recommends limiting time outdoors, taking frequent breaks indoors in places where the air is clean, and choosing a mask that will protect you like an N95,” COG said.
The Fairfax County Park Authority has canceled many outdoor activities for the day, including summer camps and classes, and outdoor water parks and pools will be closed.
The AQI is currently forecast to drop to 84 — a Code Yellow — on Saturday (July 1), according to AirNow, which uses data reported by the Environmental Protection Agency and other local, state and federal government entities.
It doesn’t look like the pollution will quite reach the concentrations seen in early June, when the D.C. area recorded its worst air quality on record as a result of Canadian wildfires.
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, three new fires started today, and there are 476 active blazes, about half of which remain out of control. The agency has recorded 2,988 fires in 2023 so far that have burned through 8 million acres of land.
If outdoor activities cannot be rescheduled, the EPA recommends limiting time outdoors, taking frequent breaks indoors in places where the air is clean, and choosing a mask that will protect you like an N95. Learn more: https://t.co/pY6aKkuh0E
— COG (@MWCOG) June 28, 2023
🚨 FCPA outdoor camps, activities, programs, pools, amusements, and facilities are impacted or closed on Thursday, June 29, 2023, due to the “Code Red” air quality alert. Please check the website or call the facility directly for updates before visiting: https://t.co/mv3MG2V0md pic.twitter.com/3eIoZOqkge
— Fairfax County Parks (@fairfaxparks) June 29, 2023
