Some stability has been restored to Sugarland Run.
The Town of Herndon has nearly completed a project to restore roughly 1,200 linear feet of natural stream and stabilize stream banks of Sugarland Run South from the Washington & Old Dominion Trail crossing to the pedestrian bridge crossing, according to town manager Bill Ashton II.
At a recent Herndon Town Council meeting, Ashton said the first phase of the project is “quickly coming to a close.”
“We are preparing to repave the pathway,” he said, adding that the work will officially wrap up in the fall after conditions because safe and reliable for the installation of new plans.
The project aimed to reduce sediment and improve water quality along the stream, whose steep banks had become eroded. Bioengineering methods like vegetation planting plans, in-stream structures and brush mattress installations were used to shore up the stream.
Although the trail will remain open during the remaining construction, the entrance at the Herndon Police Department remains blocked.
A $964,000 contract was awarded to KBS Earthworks, Inc. late last year. The project has been in the works for years.
Stream restoration creates a stable channel using natural materials to restore the function, dynamics and structure of the stream to the maximum extent possible, according to the town.
Fairfax County Public Schools is in the process of instituting new safety and security measures, including vape detection in bathrooms, expanded background checks, and a drone pilot program for the incident response team.
At last week’s school board meeting, FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid delivered a comprehensive update on several security and safety measures in advance of a “community conversation” on May 8 at South Lakes High School in Reston.
In addition to touching on previously reported steps, like employee background checks and a joint effort with the county to install speed cameras near schools, Reid shared that FCPS is in the midst of a pilot program placing vape detection tools in bathrooms at several schools.
“This will immediately detect use at our schools and we are monitoring its effectiveness right now,” she said. “We think it’s prudent to pilot it to see whether it delivers on its promise before we actually install it in all schools.”
However, Reid later said the installed vape sensors have provided “mixed results so far and I’m not sure that’s the answer.”
The idea for installing sensors of this nature was first broached in 2019, but the program was only first implemented recently.
Vaping is a major concern among parents and schools, not only due to tobacco and marijuana use but because of the potential for overdosing. There have been reported cases where the substances used in vaping cartridges are laced with fentanyl.
The vape detection sensors are currently being used in two high schools and one middle school, an FCPS spokesperson told FFXnow. They declined to specify the exact schools, citing a need to balance information sharing with concerns about compromising security.
Also in the pilot phase is a weapons screening system utilizing “software that would detect weapons coming onto campus” and front office panic alarms, Reid said.
FCPS didn’t share which or how many schools are included in the weapons screening and panic alarm systems pilots.
“It is too early to provide feedback on systems that are already being piloted or explored, such as vape detection…or weapons detection and panic alarm systems,” the spokesperson said.
Reid also mentioned briefly a drone pilot program for the school system’s incident response team.
“[The drones are] able to go to sites that may not be able to be secured right away so that we can get information back and forth to division security staff,” Reid said.
Information about costs or when this drone program could be used was not mentioned at the meeting or in FCPS’ response to FFXnow.
A “safety review audit” of all schools and FCPS buildings is also underway, where a third party reviews all procedures, processes, and infrastructure from a safety and security perspective. It’s expected the audit will be completed by the end of July, Reid said.
“We have engaged with an external third party to provide a holistic review of our safety and security protocols and procedures across our division,” the FCPS spokesperson said on the audit. “The assessment will look at all aspects of school safety and security, and ultimately make observations and recommendations for any required or suggested improvements or additions.”
All FCPS high schools have had exterior video cameras installed, Reid said, while camera installation at middle schools should be done by the end of the academic year. Cameras will ultimately be added at every single FCPS school.
“This is about a year and a half ahead of schedule,” Reid said.
About half of the elementary schools currently have cameras, she said. FCPS is in the midst of applying for a federal grant to add cameras at 10 more with the intention of having cameras at all elementary schools in the “near future.”
After the presentation, several school board members commented that illicit activity happening on school grounds after hours has been an ongoing concern. The installed cameras could help capture and act as a deterrent with that, both Reid and the board members noted.
She also confirmed that security vestibules are coming to schools that don’t have them yet FCPS has previously indicated that the secured sign-in areas will be installed this summer.
Last week, FCPS announced that it would now require expanded background checks for all employees in response to an ex-counselor’s conviction. That process has begun and will result in a re-issuing of new employee badges, Reid said.
“This has created quite a stir among our staff,” Reid said. “Some of our veteran staff prefer pictures that were taken a while ago.”
A Baltimore-based artist has been selected to bring public art to life at Fairway Drive underpass in Reston.
Shawn James of Mural Masters, Inc. will work on the project, Public Art Reston announced last week. He started his company in an effort to create an outreach and mentorship program for inner-city youth.
The underpass project — which is a collaboration with Reston Association — will be the third permanent public artwork commissioned by Public Art Reston.
The open call for artists issued in February sought applicants to engage the community and enhance the perception of safety by deterring graffiti and tagging. James was selected from a pool of 34 applicants, five of which were interviewed by a selection committee.
“It was an honor serve on the Fairway Drive Underpass Project Art Selection Committee along with people representing a broad range of community perspectives,” Public Art Committee Chair Regina Coyle said. “Selecting one artist from the 34 talented artist submissions was very difficult. If funding were available, we could have easily awarded multiple artists underpass projects to lead within the surrounding community.”
According to Public Art Reston, James will develop a design for the underpass artwork with the help of workshops at Lake Anne Elementary School for students and families.
Here’s more from Public Art Reston on James:
James received his BFA in painting, photography, and art education from Old Dominion University, and went on to complete an MFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art. For over 20 year, James has worked in a variety of media to complete public and private commissions across the United States. He has extensive experience with small- and large-scale public art projects and working collaboratively with municipal organizations, private businesses, and community members. He is deeply involved in community arts, community activism, and youth mentorship.
His dedication to education includes his role as a program director for the Access Art Youth Center — an outreach program that provides art lessons for inner-city youth. Since his tenure, the organization expanded to a million-dollar program, spanning three schools on the west side of Baltimore. In addition to his artistic practice, James has been an Open Society Institute Fellow, served as director of the Baltimore Mural Program, and most recently was the Community Arts Coordinator for the Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts. For the latter, he managed the creation of over 150 murals and community-based projects.
Tax Rate Decrease on Table for County Budget — “The Board of Supervisors will vote Tuesday on a budget mark-up that provides a lower real estate tax rate but doesn’t fully cancel out the impact of increased assessment values. Pay increases for county employees are also provided in the budget.” [Patch]
Local Man Gets 10 Years for Fatal Crash — “A 45-year-old Fairfax County man was sentenced to 10 years in prison last Thursday for a 2022 crash on Duke Street that killed a Fairfax County man and injured four others…[Carlos] McKethan, who drove a silver SUV, was high on Phencyclidine (PCP) when he attempted to pass a bus at 110 miles per hour.” [ALXnow]
Rally Today for Man Shot by Police in Tysons — The family of Timothy Johnson, the Fairfax County NAACP, and others will gather at 3 p.m. today outside the Fairfax County Courthouse “to fight for justice and demand action in memory of Timothy.” State legislators were slated to attend but stepped out after Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced plans to convene a special grand jury for the case. [Holly Seibold/Twitter]
Three Injured in Apparent DWI Crash — A 22-year-old man from Alexandria was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and not having a driver’s license after crashing into another vehicle on Maple Avenue. Per Vienna police, a woman said the man’s vehicle rear-ended her vehicle “at a high rate of speed” at 3:44 a.m. on April 23, sending the vehicle spinning into a median. [Gazette Leader]
MLB Tests Home Run Derby Changes at Fairfax Park — “This weekend, the MLB rented Patriot Park North to test a new Home Run Derby format, Home Run Derby X. This will feature some fun twists to the usual event, featuring defensive catch zones and points, festival-like activities and more swings!” [Pat Herrity/Twitter]
Pot Smoking Among Concerns Raised by Metro Riders — “Mike Lebowitz, the Riders’ Advisory Council’s new chair, told the board about a Silver Line ride where a man rolled a joint and started smoking it, blowing smoke in the direction of morning commuters…Riders said that smoking makes them want to drive instead of taking transit.” [DCist]
Jiwa Singapura in Tysons Praised by WaPo — “My first visit had me focused on signatures. Subsequent reservations found me grazing on dishes I thought I knew, but fell for anew. Take sweet-and-sour pork, which starts with a cure of aromatics and cooks to tenderness overnight. The balancing act between sugar and vinegar rates a 10.” [The Washington Post]
Fairfax Filmmaker to Premiere Movie This Week — “Fairfax City native [Chris Schrack] will debut his third feature film, ‘For Sale,’ on May 3 at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse. The horror-comedy tells the story of a shady salesman entrusted with selling a haunted house.” [Inside NoVA]
It’s Tuesday — Passing showers. Overcast. Cool. High of 54 and low of 43. Sunrise at 6:09 am and sunset at 8:01 pm. [Weather.gov]
A proposal for more long-distance flights at Reagan National Airport (DCA) is catching the ire of some of Virginia’s Congressional representatives, who say it could undermine efforts to grow Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Proponents led by Capital Access Alliance argue that current restrictions at Reagan National — an airport owned by the federal government — are outdated and hurt the economy. They want to increase the number of flights that travel beyond 1,250 miles from the airport, allowing as many as 25 daily round trips.
According to the Alliance:
Since the late 1960s, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has been the only airport subject to a federally imposed perimeter rule, which limits the number of flights that are allowed to take-off and land outside a 1,250-mile perimeter. However, the consumer, economic, technological and industry landscape has changed substantially in the last 60 years, and the rule’s original goals no longer apply to today’s air travel ecosystem in the nation’s capital.
The group released a study by Boston Consulting Group that argues more long-distance flights would boost all airlines equally, reduce ticket prices for passengers, and result in millions of dollars in economic growth.
But senators who represent Virginia and Maryland say that the proposal will undermine Dulles, just as more customers may utilize the airport due to the arrival of Metro last year.
In a joint statement issued last Wednesday (April 26), Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine said that past efforts to allow exceptions to the perimeter pool have “produced significant stress” on the airport.
“Those changes have also prevented Dulles, whose size allows for larger planes to land and take off, from realizing its full potential as the primary long-haul flight destination for the Washington metropolitan area,” the statement reads.
According to the letter, Reagan National is now seeing more travelers than Dulles, even though the international airport was designed for more capacity.
For over a decade, traffic at DCA has risen sharply, while IAD has declined or stagnated in the same measures. In 2010, total annual enplanements at IAD exceeded those at DCA by more than 5 million. At the end of 2019, before COVID-19 upended the national aviation industry, IAD outpaced DCA by less than a million passengers annually. Now, as we begin to emerge from the pandemic and Americans return to travel, this pattern has worsened. Today, IAD trails DCA by more than 1 million.
The senators go on to argue that loosening the slot and perimeter rules threatened the balance between the airports.
“As Congress prepares to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), we will strongly oppose any efforts to disrupt or undermine the balance between Dulles and National, an airport one-fourteenth the size of Dulles,” the statement said.
Warner wrote a similar letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation in March.
Congress is expected to take up the FAA’s reauthorization bill this fall.
Fairfax County is pushing forward on a program that could have the county government split the bill for private stormwater projects with property owners.
Flooding doesn’t end at the property line and the Local Stormwater Management Assistance Fund aims to help boost stormwater management on private property. At an environmental committee meeting of the Board of Supervisors on April 25, staff presented an update on the program.
“This is a good example of how: even when we say everything is private, it’s your responsibility, at the end of the day, if things fall apart, they somehow end up in our lap,” said Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.
The pilot divided the cost-sharing based on the percentage of property that’s public versus private. For a stormwater issue where most of the drainage is on public land, the county will pay most of the bill, whereas for an issue where the drainage is mostly on private property, the owners would pay the majority.
The initial budget for the program would be $250,000, with up to $7,000 allowed for each project applying to the fund. Staff said no more than 30 projects could be funded per year through the program, butwith the current eligibility restrictions, even 30 projects was somewhat optimistic.
The county is currently finishing up a pilot program that included the Millwood Pond, Virginia Center or Nutley, Green Trails and Gunston Corner facilities.
The county has signed an agreement with the Millwood Pond owners but determined no maintenance was needed. A “complex” maintenance project at Nutley has been completed, while one at Green Trails is under construction. Negotiations on an agreement for the Gunston Corner pond are still underway.
After the pilot finishes, staff will return to the Board of Supervisors’ environmental committee.
Restonians can officially select Reston’s new animal icon.
A group of organizations — Friends of Reston, Reston Association and Public Art Reston — have partnered on a quest to choose an animal to represent the area. Local artists have created the images.
The winner selected by the popular vote will be fabricated into a replicable cast sculpture. It will then be painted and auctioned to finance future public art projects Reston.
The three options for consideration are a blue heron by Ben Morse, a woodpecker by Danan Scheurer and a fox by Tracie Griffith Tso.
Friends of Reston Board President Maggie Edwards told FFXnow that the organization has launched new projects and maintained existing initiatives like youth enrichment scholarships.
“The funds raised will be dedicated to the continuation of the underpass program which focuses on enhancing the road underpasses, part of Reston’s pathway system,” Edwards said. “This community arts fundraising initiative falls perfectly within FOR’s 24 year mission supporting RA through charitable, educational and scientific activities.”
Phoebe Avery, Public Art Reston’s public art manager, said the organization looks forward to participating in the project.
“We’re always happy to provide guidance and support to Reston and our community partners,” Avery said.
Restonians also have the option of submitting an icon of their choice for consideration. Artwork can be sent to [email protected].
The survey will be open until May 31.
FCPS Scales Back Falls Church HS Expansion — “The renovation and expansion of Falls Church High School, currently underway, is going to cost millions of dollars more than anticipated. As a result, some aspects of the original plan will be eliminated, and completion of the project has been pushed back a full year — from summer 2025 to summer 2026.” [Annandale Today]
Fairfax Runner Banned from Triathlons — “Collin Chartier, the triathlon champion who grew up in Fairfax and has strong ties to NoVA, has been banned from the sport for three years for taking a banned substance…Chartier admitted on Instagram to taking the drug and said he has no plans to return to the sport.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Man Arrested After Stabbing Outside Springfield Restaurant — “Fairfax County Police said that they were called to the Casa Blanca Restaurant on Hechinger Drive in Springfield around 2 a.m. [on Friday]. Police said that the victim was stabbed in the parking lot after a fight that started inside the restaurant.” [DC News Now]
GMU Law School Offers Haven for SCOTUS Conservatives — “Since the rebranding, the [Scalia] law school has developed an unusually expansive relationship with the justices of the high court — welcoming them as teachers but also as lecturers and special guests at school events. Scalia Law, in turn, has marketed that closeness with the justices as a unique draw to prospective students and donors.” [New York Times]
New Wedding Venue Opens Near Fair Oaks Mall — “Welcomed CrystalView Weddings & Events to the Springfield District near the Fair Oaks Shopping Center. Able to accommodate many kinds of events from 100 to 450 people, this luxurious venue is a great addition to the county’s hospitality community.” [Pat Herrity/Twitter]
Vienna Police Collect Over 100 Pounds of Drugs — “On April 22, 2023, the Town of Vienna Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.) participated in the 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative. As a result, the Town of Vienna Police Department collected and safely disposed of 143 pounds of expired or no longer needed medications from area citizens.” [Vienna Police]
Kid Visits All Fairfax County Fire Stations — On Thursday (April 27) “this future firefighter accomplished his goal of visiting all 39 #FCFRD fire stations. His last stop was Station 4, Herndon! Appropriate since he is four! His journey started at Station 40, Fairfax Center almost two years ago. Congratulations young man! Your visits always made our day!” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Lego Center Named Top Commercial Lease in D.C. Area for 2022 — “Springfield Town Center landing the lease in 2022 for the new Lego Discovery Center, billed as Lego’s latest spin on its nationwide themed attractions and the first of its kind in the D.C. area, bodes well for the landlord’s long and hard-fought efforts to turn the mall into a mixed-use destination.” [Washington Business Journal]
It’s Monday — Light rain. Increasing cloudiness. Cool. High of 59 and low of 46. Sunrise at 6:10 am and sunset at 8:00 pm. [Weather.gov]
Reston Town Center will turn on the water for its iconic Mercury Fountain tomorrow (Saturday) for the first time in over a year.
Fountain Square and the neighboring pavilion are set to open with a celebration from 1-4 p.m. after a year-long renovation effort that brought the facility’s first improvements in more than 30 years.
“The improvements to the Fountain Square and Pavilion were completed just in time to usher in a lively spring and summer season of outdoor programming,” Boston Properties said.
The renovations included upgrades to the lower base of the fountain and a replacement of its mechanical system. But the original design of the upper base and statue remain unchanged. New trees and planning were also added along with the expansion of outdoor seating.
The town center’s pavilion had reopened in November for the winter ice skating season, including an “Ice-travaganza” event in February, but the renovation hadn’t been completed yet.
“They were able to do enhancements while having that open for ice skaters,” a Boston Properties spokesperson said.
Reston Town Center plans to host weekly concerts along with other events. A complete calendar is available online.
The breakdown of the festivities is below:
Reston Town Center will officially unveil the new-and-improved Fountain Square and Pavilion at RTC’s annual springtime tradition, Fountain Day. Mercury Fountain will be officially turned on for the season and kick off a fun, family-friendly celebration (rain or shine) that will include engaging activities, such as:
The Golf Truck by CitySwing
Live Painting Demonstration
360 Degree Photo Booth
The Marigold Bus Photo Booth
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Truck (Courtesy of BXP, While Supplies Last)For Kids:
Airbrush Tattoos
Caricaturists
Basketball TossEntertainment:
DJ Ralph
Stilt Walkers
Aerialist
Balloon Dancers
Bubble Guy
There will also be giveaways from Reston Town Center and its retailers “while supplies last,” per a media alert.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has opened its latest location in Herndon.
The restaurant will host its grand opening on May 4 at the Herndon Centre (494 Elden Street, Suite 230). It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Mosni and Dhaval Shah — the restaurant’s franchisees — said they are excited to bring quality barbecue to the area.
“Many residents of Herndon and the surrounding areas have been wanting quality barbecue and we are up to the task of providing it to them,” the Shahs told FFXnow.
Pit bosses Willow Brown and Kelvin Ebron have more than 30 years of restaurant and barbecue experience. The chain is known for its brisket and ribs.
“Many say barbecue is the gateway to togetherness and we want to bring everyone together to enjoy some ‘Legit Texas Barbecue,’” the Shahs said.
Other items on the menu include loaded baked potatoes, pit-smoked wings and pit-smoked meats. The business has locations throughout the country. There are currently nine in Virginia, including one in Fairfax, Sterling and Alexandria.
Arlington Residents Suing Over “Missing Middle” Look to zMOD Ruling — “The Virginia Supreme Court forced Fairfax to revert to an older zoning code because of this procedural misstep prior to the new laws taking effect. The 10 plaintiffs in the Missing Middle suit say it is a point in their favor, arguing the state Supreme Court signaled it takes seriously procedural violations.” [ARLnow]
New Signage Installed on GW Parkway — A temporary traffic pattern on the George Washington Parkway “has led to some confusion among drivers.” The National Park Service said new signs and barriers would be added to address issues, mostly in the afternoon rush hour, with northbound drivers trying to use the new center lane. [WTOP]
Vehicle in Armed Carjacking Recovered in West Springfield — “The Alexandria Police Department is investigating an armed carjacking that allegedly occurred in Old Town earlier today…Alexandria Police spokesman Marcel Bassett told ALXnow that the vehicle was located and recovered unoccupied in Fairfax County.” [ALXnow, ABC7]
New I-95 Lane Could Ease Occoquan Bridge Bottleneck — “If you’ve ever driven on I-95 southbound, you are likely familiar with the bottleneck situation near the Occoquan River crossing…The I-95 Southbound Auxiliary Lane in Prince William County is a project more than four years in the making. Crews have converted a mile-and-a-half stretch of the existing shoulder into a new travel lane.” [WUSA9]
Election Volunteers Needed for June Primary — “We need election officers for the June 20 #Democratic #primary election, including bi-lingual officers who can speak English and Vietnamese or Korean! Apply by May 19″ [Fairfax County Office of Elections/Twitter]
Springfield Plaza Giant Sells Water Made by Former Employee — “Two intrepid young Northern Virginians are making a splash with a big win: The mineral water brand they created has been picked up for distribution by Giant — 14 years after one of them worked for the grocery chain as a teen. It was Susosu Water co-founder Nadia Lizarazu’s first job.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Hybla Valley Gets New Farmers Market — “The Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture is launching a new farmers market at the Hybla Valley Community Center starting Saturday, April 29. The weekly event will feature produce, meat and eggs sourced from Virginia-based farms, including from Arcadia’s own Dogue and Hilltop Farms.” [On the MoVe]
Upcoming Reston Race Benefits Charity for Kids With Cancer — “Hopecam, the Reston-based charity that provides connective technology to children with cancer, is hosting its annual 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, May 7. Runners and walkers can participate in-person starting at 8 a.m. on May 7, at 1890 Preston White Drive” [Patch]
It’s Friday — Showery. Overcast. Cool. High of 57 and low of 55. Sunrise at 6:14 am and sunset at 7:57 pm. [Weather.gov]
Earlier this spring, the Virginia Supreme Court declared Fairfax County’s modernization of its zoning ordinance (zMOD) invalid because it was adopted at virtual meetings.
In light of the pending re-adoption of the new zoning ordinance, Reston Association is pitching a change that would clarify if additions or enhancements require a Planned Residential Community (PRC) plan — a lengthy process that involves the development of detailed plans and public hearings before the county Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
“We went through bit of problem when we tried to add lights to Barton Hill,” RA board president John Farrell said.
The proposed amendment, which was discussed at a Tuesday meeting (April 25), comes following the county’s determination that RA needed a PRC plan to proceed with the lighting component of its planned renovations at Barton Hill tennis court.
RA dropped that portion of the proposal after the Board of Zoning Appeals upheld a county zoning administrator’s decision that a PRC plan was required to add lights in the facility.
With the planning commission set to vote on zMOD again next Wednesday (May 3), RA has suggested that the county add exceptions for when PRC plans are required, including one for additions to existing uses when the addition doesn’t exceed 7,000 square feet or 45% of the existing use’s gross area.
The changes would also exempt minor accessory structures in open space areas, like slides, pathway lighting, heating pools, bathroom facilities and other considerations.
The RA board voted to move forward with proposing the amendment to the county.
In December, RA dropped the lighting component of its Barton Hills project after the zoning appeals board’s decision. The association is now moving forward with plan for the refurbished courts.
Spurred by the pandemic, outdoor dining in Fairfax County is likely here to stay.
The county is considering a proposal to formalize standards and regulations for outdoor dining in parking areas that were first introduced during the pandemic.
The existing ordinance — which ends in March 2024 after the county concluded its state of emergency on March 1 — allows any existing restaurant, food court, brewery, winery, distillery or tasting room to provide outdoor dining without individual approval.
The county is moving to permit outdoor dining as an accessory use, but may not include permanent structures, according to a presentation by Lily Yegazu of the county’s Zoning Administration Division. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors discussed the draft proposal at a land use policy committee meeting on Tuesday (April 25).
Dining would be limited to 50% of the indoor dining area, with hours of operations matching the business’ hours. It would largely be restricted before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m. if the establishment is next to a single-family development.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay noted that few concerns about outdoor dining — including noise impacts — have surfaced since the pandemic.
“Very few [issues]…I can’t think of any, honestly, since this has been put into place,” McKay said, adding that outdoor dining is “more popular now than it ever was before the pandemic.”
Applicants would pay a one-time application fee of $205 to allow outdoor dining in parking areas.
Providence District Supervisor Dahlia Palchik suggested the county should clearly distinguish between what permanent and temporary structures are allowed.
Staff emphasized that businesses can still apply to create permanent outdoor areas like patios or permanent pergolas through the county’s permitting process. The current proposal simply creates a catch-all policy for outdoor dining.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn encouraged the county to find ways for outdoor seating that faces the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.
“I think there certainly is customer interest,” Alcorn said.
Staff said the proposal is slated for public outreach meetings through the summer, tentatively followed by the board’s approval in the fall.
Boston Properties Inc. has acquired a 50% interest in the former offices of Fannie Mae in Herndon.
The developer, whose properties include Reston Town Center, paid roughly $17.3 million for the acquisition of 12310 and 13150 Worldgate Drive, according to its first quarter earnings report.
Both buildings have been vacant for years, poising Boston Properties for a joint venture that includes redeveloping the property for residential use, according to an April 26 earnings call. Washington Business Journal first reported the news.
The tentative plan calls for demolishing both buildings and using a portion of the garage for a 349-unit rental and for-sale housing development, according to Boston Properties CEO Owen Thomas.
Boston Properties would act as the developer of the project alongside Artemis Real Estate Partners. MRP Realty and Artemis paid around $45 million for both properties in 2018.
Development likely won’t kick off until next year.
“Additional new acquisition opportunities will undoubtedly grow in this environment,” Thomas said. “We will remain highly opportunistic and solely focused on premier workplaces, life science and residential development.”
Fannie Mae’s former campus on American Dream Way in Reston is also being eyed for redevelopment. Developer Wheelock Capital recently resubmitted plans to Fairfax County after an earlier approval was voided due to a late payment.
Housing a Focus of County Board Chair Race — Primary challenger Lisa Downing “cited as her chief concern the shortage of homes in the county that are large enough and also affordable to middle-income families in the region.” Chairman Jeff McKay says there are 4,000 units of affordable housing “in the development pipeline and in the past year invested $94 million toward its goal” of 10,000 new units by 2034. [Washington Post]
County Resident Arrested in Alexandria Shooting — “A 28-year-old Fairfax County man wanted for a Jan. 4 shooting incident faces numerous charges after allegedly striking an Alexandria Police Department cruiser in the Landmark area earlier this month.” [ALXnow]
Hybla Valley ES Nears Finish on Renovation — “The two-year, $33 million renovation project at Hybla Valley Elementary School is substantially complete, and the building has been turned over for use, according to a spokesperson from Fairfax County Public Schools…Work is expected to be complete by Memorial Day, with minor project closeout work to be performed over the summer” [On the MoVe]
Annandale Bank to Close This Summer — “The Wells Fargo Bank at 4260 John Marr Drive in Annandale will permanently close on July 26, states a letter to customers from District Senior Manager William Lionhood. Other Wells Fargo branches will remain open” [Annandale Today]
State Covid Hospitalization Data Dashboard Discontinued — “The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association will discontinue its COVID-19 dashboard on Thursday. The dashboard was first made available in April 2020 and has been updated daily with information from Virginia hospitals about the number of hospitalizations for COVID-19 cases.” [Inside NoVA]
New Capital One Ballpark Draws Crowds — “The much anticipated Capital One Park opened in early April, and the new open-air state-of-the-art baseball stadium on Route 123 in McLean near Tysons drew rave reviews and generated big crowds and much excitement from spectators, players and coaches.” [Gazette Leader]
Capital One Hall Builder Wins International Design Award — “HGA has been selected as a winner in the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) 2023 Interior Design Competition in the Entertainment category for Capital One Hall in Tysons…The award will be presented at REVEL in Design, IIDA’s annual kick-off to NeoCon June 11, 2023, in Chicago.” [HGA]
Historic Lorton Houses to Open for Tours — “May is Historic Preservation Month…Curators with the Park Authority’s Resident Curator Program will host two open house events to share the home improvements made to two of Lorton’s historic houses. Enjoy a tour of the Stempson House and the Hannah P. Clark/Enyedi House on Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.” [FCPA]
It’s Thursday — Light rain. Cloudy. Mild. High of 67 and low of 49. Sunrise at 6:15 am and sunset at 7:56 pm. [Weather.gov]
