(Updated at 10:05 a.m. on 2/7/2023) A power outage has left construction workers on a high-rise in Tysons stranded 13 stories in the air.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units are on the scene at 1800 Chain Bridge Road in Scotts Run after one worker fell from just above some raised scaffolding.
Responders were able to rescue the worker by pulling him onto a balcony, and he’s now being evaluated by emergency medical personnel.
However, two other workers were left stranded on the scaffolding due to a power outage in the building, according to the department.
Technical rescue crews were ultimately able to assist them. No injuries were reported from the incident.
Heming, the building where the workers got stuck, is 28 stories tall and will have 410 apartment units when completed. It will also feature 38,000 square feet of retail space and a three-floor outdoor plaza. Construction is expected to finish around the middle of this year.
Units on scene 1800 Chain Bridge Rd for worker who fell from just above scaffolding and is 13 stories up. Worker was rescued onto a balcony by #FCFRD and is being evaluated by EMS. Two additional workers stuck on another scaffolding due to power outage being assisted now. pic.twitter.com/6HurZ7ivbG
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) February 6, 2023
Here’s more on what to expect during this stage of construction from NPS:
Activities include removing select trees in the median and at the outfalls, installing temporary drainage, and activities related to installing temporary pavement. Motorists may see crews remove select trees at the outfalls over the next couple of months. Additionally, once crews begin select tree removal at the outfalls near Route 123, activities may be visible from the surrounding neighborhoods. The rehabilitation project includes tree replacement, which will occur at the completion of the project.
Weekday lane closures
- Northbound lane closures from 6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
- Southbound lane closures from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday lane closures
- Northbound left lane from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Southbound left lane from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Nighttime work is possible depending on weather temperatures.
Nighttime lane closure hours
- Northbound lane closures from 7:15 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
- Southbound lane closures from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
“These lane closures are necessary to stage equipment and keep crews safe,” the park service said. “Lane closures may occur in the left or right lane with varying lengths; however, at least one lane of traffic in each direction will always remain open.”
Announced in December 2021, the $161 million project is the first major upgrade for the GW Parkway’s 7.6-mile northern stretch since it opened in 1962. Work is projected to finish in late 2025.
Daring Deer Dashes Across I-66 — Fairfax County police officers “were called to the Monument Drive ramp of I-66 just after 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 28. When officers arrived, they found a deer that appeared to be stuck on the scaffolding…Animal Protection Police attempted to catch the deer but the animal eluded officers before taking off across the roadway. Thankfully, the deer was not hurt and a serious crash was avoided.” [WUSA9]
No Jail Time for Driver After Fatal Herndon Crash — “A Northern Virginia family wants laws changed after a distracted driver caused an accident that killed an 86-year-old grandfather and war veteran. The driver walked away from court with just a small fine and not a single day of jail time.” [WUSA9]
Northrop Grumman Selling Former Tysons Office — “Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC) is selling an office campus near the McLean Metro station, billing it as a potential multifamily conversion opportunity in the Tysons submarket. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., a subsidiary of the aerospace giant, owns the roughly 12-acre property at 7555 Colshire Drive, currently home to a 602,000-square-foot, two-building office complex built in 2001” [Washington Business Journal]
Asian Food Truck Opens Cafe in Vienna — “The Mixx Delight, an Asian fusion eatery serving sweet and savory options, is now open in Vienna. The Town of Vienna and Vienna Business Association hosted a ribbon cutting Thursday for the new business at 448 Maple Ave. E. The Mixx Delight replaces Madeleine Proust, a bakery that suddenly closed in 2022.” [Patch]
Frontier Plaza Eyed for Redevelopment — “Grosvenor wants Fairfax County to clear the regulatory way so it might redevelop a Springfield shopping center as residential mixed-use, indicating a vote of confidence for an area with a lot of growth potential that hasn’t quite yet taken off.” The proposed plan amendment “would raze and replace 106,000 square feet of 1990s-era buildings with four new buildings, altogether comprising 626,000 [square feet] of residential and 117,000 of retail uses.” [WBJ]
Redesign Planned for Frying Pan Animal Pens — “Big News! The Turkey, Peacock and Ducks pens at Frying Pan Park in Herndon are being completely rebuilt and redesigned. New sheds, fencing and pond will be a wonderful functional upgrade for the birds and for the staff who care for them. Visit often to see the progress.” [Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park/Facebook]
Mount Vernon HS Hires New Football Coach — “Isaiah Taylor, former head coach of Wicomico High (“Wi-Hi”) School’s football team in Salisbury, Maryland, has been selected as the new head football coach for the Mount Vernon Majors…Taylor replaced former head football coach Monty Fritts who stepped down in November.” [On the MoVe]
Therapy Dogs Help Out at Springfield School — “When Kris Campesi heads to the Key Center School in Fairfax County, Virginia, she brings a wide range of objects designed to appeal to students. But it’s her partner who gets the kids excited. Micah, a Golden Retriever, is trained to work with students at the school who range from 5 to 22 years old and who have a range of special needs and intellectual disabilities.” [WTOP]
It’s Monday — Clear throughout the day. High of 47 and low of 39. Sunrise at 7:11 am and sunset at 5:36 pm. [Weather.gov]
Before enduring the indignities of modern airport security, people flying out of Dulles can now calm their nerves by taking in the artistic talents of Fairfax County’s students.
A youth art exhibition from the McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) is now on display in the check-in area of Dulles International Airport, the nonprofit announced last week.
All of the featured work was created by local students at public and private schools. The pieces were going to be included in the Children’s Art Walk that’s typically displayed during the organization’s annual MPAartfest, but the festival got rained out last year.
“We are thrilled to have the artwork of some of our community’s talented young artists on display at Dulles Airport,” MPA Executive Director Lori Carbonneau said. “This is a wonderful example of the community building at the heart of our programming at McLean Project for the Arts.”
The idea of a youth art exhibit at Dulles took root last summer, before the remnants of Hurricane Ian washed out MPAartfest.
As a supporter of MPA’s community arts programming, Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-34) invited its leaders to talk to Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) staff, according to the nonprofit. The delegate sits on the group’s advisory board, and her husband William Sudow also happens to chair the MWAA Board of Directors.
“There was a preliminary call late in the summer about [Murphy and Sudow’s] idea to feature youth art from county school students at Dulles,” MPA said, noting that Reagan National Airport is hosting a similar exhibit featuring student artists from D.C.
MPA suggested using art intended for the Children’s Art Walk, which is sponsored by the New Dominion Women’s Club of McLean and compiles work shared by local art teachers.
The final exhibit was assembled by MWAA staff.
“The support of our advisory board member Delegate Kathleen Murphy and her husband, Bill Sudow…led to this opportunity to share art and information about MPA with travelers to and from the D.C. area,” Carbonneau said.
The display can be found by the Transportation Security Administration’s west precheck security checkpoint on the airport’s departures level. For now, the artwork will remain for an indefinite period of time.
“They don’t have a date for when it would be switched out,” MPA spokesperson Deborah Bissen said.
Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
Are you an inspired foodie like me?
If so, I am sure you are ready to experience some of the newest restaurants in Fairfax County. The list has something for everyone!
Roots Natural Kitchen (Fairfax) — Fast casual dining serving natural foods. Pick a signature grain bowl or salad, or customize your own.
Kusshi Ko (Vienna) — Specializes in modern Japanese cuisine. Don’t forget to check out the area’s largest selection of sake and whisky!
Davio’s (Reston) — The white tablecloths of their spacious, relaxed dining room serve as the perfect stage for Davio’s signature Northern Italian steaks, veal chops, and handmade pasta creations.
Kirby Club (Mosaic) — Kirby Club tells the Middle Eastern-American story through food. It’s a place where everyone belongs exactly as they are. All they ask is that you bring your full, vibrant self… ready for a good time.
Milk & Honey Café (Fairfax) — Milk & Honey Café is a New Orleans-themed Southern Brunch that features award-winning shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles, Rum Chata French toast. They specialize in other slow-cooked, mouth-watering favorites.
Circa at The Boro (Tysons) — Whether dropping in for brunch, lunch, or dinner — every meal is accompanied by an extensive wine list and a seasonal cocktail list.
AmThai By Kanjana (Burke) — Traditional Thai with a twist. It’s delicious!
Harvey’s (Falls Church) — “Home to Good Food and Friends” is their tagline for a reason. You have to check out this gem in the Little City of Falls Church.
Èl BEBE at The Boro (Tysons) — The website sums it up perfectly. “ÈL BEBE is a tribute to those who work hard and deserve all the tacos and tequila they can handle. This is a judgment-free taco zone and we applaud the grind as well as the unwind.”
Explore Fairfax with Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney.
Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | [email protected] | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
The clock is ticking for Fairfax County and the D.C. region to adopt a new transportation plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This past June, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved Visualize 2045 — a regional transportation plan that runs through 2045 and must be updated every four years, as mandated by the federal government.
At the same meeting, it voted to include greenhouse gas emission goals in the next plan, targeting cuts of 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
Now, six months later, Fairfax County is already preparing to submit its segment of that plan with those emission goals in mind, but the process will be slightly different from previous years.
Presented at the Board of Supervisors transportation committee meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 31), Visualize 2050 will include “zero-based budgeting,” meaning all localities have to resubmit their transportation projects for consideration to ensure they adhere to the new emission reduction goals.
Before, most projects automatically carried over from one plan to the next, though projects could be added or taken out if needed, Fairfax County Department of Transportation planner Malcolm Watson explained to the supervisors.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who’s on the TPB with Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, noted that the board has had a “lively discussion” over the last few years regarding the emission goals.
“There’s been…quite a difference of opinion on the climate change stuff, particularly between the inner jurisdictions and the outer jurisdictions,” Alcorn said. “We are kind of right in between.”
County staff have identified 33 projects they expect to be part of the transportation plan and will need to be resubmitted under the new standards. Projects currently “in development” include Reston Parkway improvements, a new Dulles Airport Access road from Chain Bridge Road, and a widening of Frying Pan Road from Sully to Centreville roads.
Most of those projects are expected to be completed between 2025 and 2040.
There are 25 projects that could be exempted from the emission standards because they are already funded or under construction. Those include the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit system, an I-495 overpass at Tysons Corner Center, and the $237 million Soapstone Connector.
Watson cautioned that the lists may change as projects get taken off and added, depending on priorities, the new emission goals, and other factors.
Next month, the TPB will issue a “call for projects,” and the lists will be officially published for public review.
“This will officially kick off Visualize 2050,” Watson said.
The county board ultimately will have to vote to approve the project lists over the summer before they get submitted to the TPB.
The hope is that by December 2024, the TPB will approve Visualize 2050, and the new emission goals will become the norm, making Visualize 2055 perhaps a bit less labor-intensive.
Photo via Fairfax County
Giant Food in Vienna (via Google Maps)
A man who allegedly fired a gun during a family dispute in the parking lot of Vienna’s Giant Food has been arrested, the Vienna Police Department announced today (Friday).
Multiple people reported hearing gunshots in the shopping center parking lot near 311 Maple Avenue East on Jan. 8, according to police.
“Officers from the Vienna Police Department responded to the area and after an initial investigation, determined the incident involved a civil dispute between family members, which resulted in one individual discharging a firearm,” the department said in a news release.
One person sustained “minor” injuries as a result of the incident, police said at the time.
After a “lengthy” investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for Aria Shahryary on Jan. 31, charging him with felonies for shooting into an occupied vehicle and willful discharge of a firearm in a public place. He also faces a misdemeanor brandishing charge.
Shahryary voluntarily turned himself in at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center yesterday (Thursday), the VPD says.
A judge set a $50,000 secured bond for his release. An arraignment has been scheduled for Wednesday (Feb. 8), and there will be a preliminary hearing in the case on March 30, according to Fairfax County General District Court records.
“The Vienna Police Department would like to thank the witnesses who remained on scene to give statements and the Fairfax County Police Department who assisted in the investigation,” the VPD said.
Photo via Google Maps
As work gets underway to memorialize those killed by COVID-19, the Fairfax County Health Department wants to ensure the individuals and organizations who helped it navigate the pandemic will have at least one moment in the spotlight.
The department will host a recognition ceremony tomorrow (Saturday) for its many partners in the local pandemic response, from hospital workers and nonprofit volunteers to residences and businesses that supported public awareness campaigns.
“We are honoring individuals and organizations who supported the COVID-19 vaccination effort from the mass vaccination clinics to hosting vaccine equity clinics,” Sharon Arndt, the event’s lead organizer, said. “Public health is what we do together as a society to create the conditions in which everyone can be healthy. Thank you to all who served a role in support of public health.”
For Arndt, the ceremony will close out a 25-year career working for Fairfax County. The director of FCHD’s community health development division is retiring after next week, according to a department spokesperson, who praised her dedication to her public health work and the county.
Over 1,000 community members and groups will be recognized at the ceremony, which will take place at the Fairfax County Government Center in three separate sessions. In addition to hosting vaccine clinics, their contributions ranged from providing basic resources like food to sharing information with non-English-speaking residents.
The proceedings will start at 10 a.m. with Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay delivering remarks. Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik is scheduled to speak at 11:30 a.m., followed by Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust at 1 p.m.
Each session will also feature musical and dance performances by local artists.
“These organizations played key roles during the worst health crisis of our lives and we couldn’t have done it without them,” McKay said. “This is true not just during COVID-19 but at all times. They allow the County to leverage our resources and reach the most people possible with life-saving services.”
The ceremony will precede a potential end to the county’s ongoing state of emergency for the pandemic.
The agenda for the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 7) includes an item requesting that the board vote on whether to terminate its local emergency declaration, which has been in place since March 17, 2020. If the measure is approved, the declaration will end March 1.
The county previously said a vote could come last September, but that didn’t happen, as officials were still evaluating the possible implications of ending the declaration, which gave the county more resources and flexibility to address Covid.
Most other Northern Virginia localities have already let their emergency declarations expire, and President Joe Biden is expected to end the national emergencies on May 11.
Though it may soon no longer be labeled an official “emergency,” Covid hasn’t vanished.
The Fairfax Health District, including the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, is averaging 140 new cases and three deaths per day for the past week, as of yesterday (Thursday). Hospitals are admitting 9.4 Covid patients for every 100,000 county residents — just within the threshold for a “low” community level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Over the past three years, the district has reported 264,878 cases, 5,301 hospitalizations and 1,763 deaths. Nationwide, over 1.1 million people have died from Covid.
Fire Department Gets Grant for Cancer Screenings — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department recently got a $450,000 grant from FEMA to support free cancer screenings for all workers, some of whom are currently diagnosed. Firefighters face a 9% higher risk of getting cancer, and one Fairfax County firefighter died last year. [FCFRD, NBC4]
Shooting Threat Found on Fairfax School Wall — City of Fairfax Police responded yesterday (Thursday) morning to Katherine Johnson Middle School after a message threatening “to shoot up the school” was found. Police said they didn’t know how long the message had been there, but with no evidence of immediate danger, the school never went into lockdown. [Patch]
Driver Trapped After Breaking Through Resident’s Fence — “Units on the scene of a vehicle crash in the 3900 block of Rosebay Court in Fair Oaks area. Car drove into fence in front of a townhouse. Driver was initially trapped. Crews have extricated from car. Driver not injured.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Penn Daw Aldi Expected to Open Next Month — “Just over five years since ALDI signed a contract with Combined Properties to anchor the retail space at South Alex in Penn Daw, the grocery store is scheduled to open at the mixed-use apartment community in early March…Details on a grand opening ceremony will become available closer to the store’s opening date.” [On the MoVe]
Park Authority Plans Black History Month Events — “Whether in the park, along the trail or at our many historic sites, Fairfax County parks offer a rich collection of sites, artifacts and stories from the past that encourage conversation and inspire change for the future.” [FCPA]
GMU Gets Funding for Opioid Response Center — George Mason University has secured more than $1 million in federal funds for a new center “that would help alleviate pressure on Virginia’s health care system and prevent opioid overdoses.” Tasked with providing care for recently incarcerated individuals, the Empowered Communities Partnership Center anticipates opening a physical location in “Manassas or the greater Prince William County area.” [Washington Business Journal]
Vienna Nonprofit Gets Shoutout From Costco — “Vienna-based nonprofit Rustic Love got some national exposure for its efforts to address food insecurity through a Costco magazine feature. Rustic Love is featured in the February edition of The Costco Connection, the magazine of the popular membership-based bulk retailer.” [Patch]
Imagining a Metro With More Stops — “What would the Metro system look like if it had been built with more local stops, like New York City’s system? To see what this parallel universe might look like, I drew up a different map…keeping the stations that exist today and adding infill stations about every half mile.” [Greater Greater Washington]
It’s Friday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 42 and low of 23. Sunrise at 7:14 am and sunset at 5:33 pm. [Weather.gov]
The Fairfax Board of Supervisors recently got a preview of what future transit connections between Tysons and Maryland could look like.
At a transportation committee meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 31), Todd Horsley, director of Northern Virginia Transit Programs, presented a study of how transit could make use of the I-495 Express Lanes being extended from Springfield across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
Horsley pointed out, repeatedly, that the designs presented were not a plan, but part of a study that could be used in case those transit plans came along later.
“The VDOT study…[is] to extend I-495 Express Lanes across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Maryland,” Horsley said. “The document we will produce is a study, not a plan. We believe it will provide a solid foundation for a future planning effort if or when there is a funded capital project in the corridor to plan for.”
Currently, there is limited bus service along I-495 and across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. But if new I-495 toll lanes are built, Horsley said the department wanted to provide a look at what future transit connectivity on those lanes could look like.
The short-term plans — which Horsley said could be implemented almost immediately using the express lanes — could include an express route that would run from Tysons down to Alexandria. The other route could connect Tysons to locations in Maryland.
The mid-term plans doubled down on that Maryland connection with bus routes connecting Tysons to Oxon Hill, Clinton, National Harbor, and even up into Navy Yard in D.C. Those routes, Horsley said, could be implemented sometime between this year and 2045.
The longer-term connections beyond 2045 would include both more extensive bus coverage connecting Fairfax County and parts of Alexandria, and curling that cross-Woodrow Wilson Bridge connection up into The Wharf.
The study also included a model of a rail connection from Huntington into Maryland, but Horsley said it didn’t show a huge benefit in the short term for ridership compared to buses on express routes.
Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck said despite the lack of short-term benefits in the modeling, the proposal would be worth keeping an eye on.
“I recognize the first stage of that could be using bus transportation and etcetera,” Storck said, “but if we’re looking at 2040 and 2045 and we’re not looking at what fits in after that, I think we’re making a big mistake.”
Public comments on the I-495 Southside transit study will be accepted via e-mail to [email protected] through Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Photo via Google Maps
