The cross atop the former Faith Baptist Church in Vienna will come down, but otherwise, the town has opted for a “wait and see” approach to the 3-acre property it purchased in 2020.
The Vienna Town Council unanimously voted on Aug. 29 to indefinitely postpone repairs to the roof of the aging building at 301 Center Street South.
While staff argued that improvements are needed to stop recurring water leaks, council members balked at the idea of investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into a building that they could ultimately decide to demolish.
“I would like to do the absolute minimum, even if that does cause some further damage to the building, rather than commit a lot of money,” Councilmember Chuck Anderson said. “If you spend a half million dollars on a roof, psychologically, you’re committed to that building, and I personally have not reached the conclusion that the best use for that property involves some sort of rehabilitation and repurposing of the existing structure.”
Built in 1956, per Fairfax County property records, the former church — now informally dubbed the Annex — will require substantial renovations to meet current building code standards and get approved for occupancy, a study by Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP found.
I-495 Ramp to Close Tonight in McLean — “On or about Tuesday night, September 6, the ramp from southbound I-495 toward Tysons to eastbound George Washington Memorial Parkway is scheduled to be closed from 11 p.m. until 4 a.m. the next morning. Crews will be conducting maintenance work on a stormwater management drain.” [VDOT]
Unattended Grill Causes West Springfield Fire — Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units were dispatched for a house fire in the 6700 block of Portree Court at 6:40 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 3). Investigators determined that the fire, which was quickly extinguished at the one-story house, was started accidentally due to an unattended, lit grill. No one was displaced or injured, but the fire caused approximately $30,500 in damages. [FCFRD]
Virginia Tech Student From Fairfax Dies in Vehicle Crash — “John Wallace Thomasson, a 20-year-old Fairfax native, died in a traffic crash shortly after midnight on Sept. 2 in Blacksburg, Va., according to a news release from the town. Thomasson was a pedestrian along the 2200 block of S. Main St. when a vehicle struck him.” [The Washington Post]
Governor and FCPS Clash Over Education Policies — Fairfax Education Association President Leslie Houston fears eased requirements for teachers that Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday (Sept. 1) “will allow unqualified individuals to teach children.” Teachers and parents have also rebutted Youngkin’s criticism of Fairfax County Public Schools for letting transgender students use names, pronouns and facilities aligned with their identity without parental permission. [The Washington Post]
Descano Takes Issue With “Ghost Gun” Loophole — “Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano recently prosecuted a murder case that resulted in a guilty verdict, but he said more resources are necessary to fight gun violence…One of those loopholes pertains to weapons that are untraceable because their serial numbers have been removed or altered.” [WTOP]
Tysons Nordstrom Rack Robbed — “8/30/22, 5:26 p.m. A 37-year-old Centreville man took merchandise without paying. When confronted by a store employee, the man implied he had a weapon and ran away. Officers found the man nearby and arrested him for robbery and preventing a law enforcement officer from making an arrest. No injuries were reported.” [FCPD]
FCPD Announces New Public Affairs Director — “Chief Kevin Davis of the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine Hayek as Director of FCPD’s Public Affairs Bureau, effective immediately. In this role, Hayek will work with Chief Davis to develop and implement an overall communications strategy and direct efforts to expand and amplify the FCPD’s standing as a premier police department in the nation.” [FCPD]
Hybla Valley Bicycle Club Connects With Kids — “Hybla Valley Community Center’s Hybla Valley Bike Club recently concluded its phase one and is being marked as an immense success…The summer program ended with 24 participants aged 8 through 17. Bike club members not only rode bikes but learned how to build and repair them.” [Fairfax County Times]
Park Authority Releases Survey on Summer Programming — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking feedback from those who attended its summer concerts and movies at local parks.” The deadline to complete the survey is Sept. 18.” [FCPA]
It’s Tuesday — Rain in the morning and afternoon. High of 79 and low of 71. Sunrise at 6:44 am and sunset at 7:33 pm. [Weather.gov]
Labor Day weekend is upon us, heralding the imminent return of pumpkin spice lattes and everything fall. Fairfax County government offices will be closed in honor of the holiday, but…
The Vienna Town Council dedicated over half a million dollars on Monday (Aug. 29) to an ongoing project to restore Bear Branch tributary, a stream that runs through Southside Park to I-66.
With no discussion, the council awarded a $543,258 design contract to A. Morton Thomas and Associates, Inc. (AMT), one of five engineering firms that submitted proposals for this second phase of a two-part project this past spring.
Trash collection has become a hot mess in Fairfax County of late.
After FFXnow reported earlier this week on local officials’ efforts to address an avalanche of complaints, many community members added their tales of woe to the ongoing saga of late or entirely neglected pickups, ineffectual communication, and reductions in service without accompanying decreases in fees.
New Vienna Police Station Cuts Ribbon — “After nearly three years of design and construction, the new, $14 million Vienna Police Department will…open its doors to the public. The celebration is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. at the headquarters building located at 215 Center St. S.” [Town of Vienna]
Man Faces Life in Prison for Killing Springfield Woman — “Yohannes Nessibu was convicted by a jury in the slaying of 22-year-old Kedest Simeneh, who was found fatally shot in the backyard of a Burke residence in December 2016. He is charged — but has yet to face trial — in the shooting of 22-year-old Henok Yohannes.” [The Washington Post]
Last Beagles Moved From Virginia Breeding Facility — “The Humane Society of the United States announced Thursday it had accomplished its mission to remove almost 4,000 beagles from a Virginia facility that bred dogs for animal experimentation…The last group of 312 beagles was taken out from the facility as 52 of them are on its way to an HSUS care and rehabilitation center.” [WTOP]
Volunteers Clean Fairfax City Park — “It takes a village! On Sunday, city residents joined forces at Ratcliffe Park — and collected lots of refuse that doesn’t belong there: household trash, bottles and cans, construction debris and materials, tires, a lopsided fitness/toy hoop, and more.” [City of Fairfax/Facebook]
Route 50 Bridge to Close After Labor Day Weekend — “The eastbound Route 50 (Lee Jackson Memorial Highway) service road bridge over Flatlick Branch will be closed to vehicles from 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Sunday, Sept. 25 for cleaning and painting…The sidewalk along the bridge will remain open to pedestrians at all times.” [VDOT]
Tysons Company Awarded Medicare Contract — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has granted a new $6.6 billion contract to Maximus, which will continue running the federal agency’s call centers for potentially up to nine more years. The Tysons-headquartered company faced protests earlier this year by employees calling for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. [Maximus]
Military Veteran Career Fair Coming — “In support of veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses looking to advance their careers, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is leading a free, two-day career fair Sept. 21-22, 2022…Candidates will have the opportunity to network and interview with more than 40 leading companies in Northern Virginia” [Fairfax County EDA]
Travel Safe This Weekend — “As students head back to school and Virginians celebrate this last stretch of summer, Virginia State Police is urging those traveling this weekend to do so safely and responsibly. It is imperative for motorists to stay alert, drive sober and wear their seatbelts during the Labor Day holiday weekend and every day, all year long.” [Virginia State Police]
It’s Friday — Clear throughout the day. High of 84 and low of 67. Sunrise at 6:40 am and sunset at 7:39 pm. [Weather.gov]
Editor’s Note — Labor Day weekend is on the horizon, and for many, that means an extra day off work. That includes FFXnow, which will follow a shortened publishing schedule today and observe the holiday on Monday (barring breaking news).
With fall just around the corner, Fairfax County has begun to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers in favor of battery-powered blowers.
Last week, the county announced that its Park Authority and Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) are “in the process of phasing out gas-powered blowers” in favor of “exclusively purchasing” battery-powered blowers.
“Having a gas-powered leaf blower operating in your vicinity is like inviting someone to blow a cloud of potentially dangerous chemicals, dust, and other pollutants in your direction,” the county website says. “A gas-powered leaf blower produces exhaust containing both hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides both of which are components of smog.”
A new sushi restaurant is rolling out in Tysons.
Kura Sushi welcomed dine-in customers to its 40th U.S. location and first in Virginia at noon today (Thursday). It initially opened its doors at 8461 Leesburg Pike, Suite C, last night (Wednesday) exclusively for takeout service.
“We are thrilled to bring Kura Revolving Sushi Bar to the Tysons Corner community!” Kura Sushi spokesperson Lauren Murakami said in a statement. “…Whether you’re a sushi connoisseur or interested in trying a new restaurant that’s fun for the entire family, we offer more than 140 dishes free of artificial seasonings, sweeteners, colorings and preservatives, so everything has the highest nutritional quality and makes the experience memorable for everyone.”
Furniture Max in Herndon now has reduced prices store-wide and deals for Labor Day.
A popular Peruvian chicken spot — one of many in the area — is expanding with a fourth location in DMV region. El Pollo Rico, an eatery that serves up…
If you need furniture NOW at Labor Day Sale prices, Herndon’s Furniture Max is waiting for you.
Great news for Labor Day shoppers: Furniture Max in Herndon is reducing prices like never before.
The store-wide Labor Day Sale Event continues through the month with reduced prices and special deals that will appeal to anyone in need of furniture or fixtures for any room in the house.
This announcement comes with a warning: While everything is in stock and ready for delivery tomorrow, quantities at Furniture Max are limited.
While inventory lasts:
- Buy a leather sofa and receive a matching loveseat — free!
- Buy any recliner — get the second half off!
- Buy a five-piece bedroom set, get a Serta mattress — free!
Speaking of Serta mattresses, they are starting at just $599 — while inventory lasts!
Did we make it clear? These sale prices will reduce inventory quickly during the Labor Day Sale event — what are you waiting for?
Herndon’s family owned Furniture Max is the one-stop superstore for all-things furniture, for every room of the house. The store’s collection of living room, bedroom, dining room, entertainment room, and home office furniture is in stock and ready for delivery — at Labor Day Sale event pricing.
Financing is available, even online!
Furniture Max is at 2441 Centreville Road in Herndon. Call 571-459-2333 or email [email protected].
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
