FCPD Shares Results of Vehicle Crime Crackdown — “Throughout…August, officers from our 2023 Summer Crime Prevention Initiative made over 50 felony arrests and over 50 misdemeanor arrests in an effort to take dangerous drugs out of our communities and hold criminals accountable. In August, our officers focused on vehicle-related crimes.” [FCPD]
Amazon to Fund Housing for First-Time Owners — “Working with the nonprofit National Housing Trust (NHT), the company said it will give housing developers or local organizations grants to come up with strategies on how to create ‘affordable homeownership’ opportunities. Then, the housing trust and Amazon will offer those organizations loans to build or preserve housing units set aside for low- and middle-income families.” [Washington Post]
Pakistani Clothing Store to Open in Tysons This Year — “Cushman & Wakefield announced today that the firm represented global retailer Khaadi in leasing 5,491 square feet at Tysons Corner Center…Khaadi will occupy its new space by year end and plans to open as many as 30 stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as distribution and eCommerce centers, said CEO Rehan Syed.” [Cushman & Wakefield]
FCPS Enlists Teachers From Other Countries With New Program — “For the first time ever, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) welcomed dozens of international teachers through a global teacher program…This year, the county welcomed 31 global teachers from eight different countries, including Yanique Thomas from Jamaica.” [WJLA]
Day Spa Coming to Groveton Development — “The Beacon of Groveton…is getting a new retail tenant. The 4,690 square-foot space previously occupied by a mattress business is being transformed into the Aesthetics Day Spa, which will offer a variety of nail, massage and other services, according to the store manager.” [On the MoVe]
Vienna Accounting Firm Acquired — “Raleigh accounting firm Cherry Bekaert…announced Wednesday that it has acquired Vienna accounting and staffing firm Cordia in a deal that closed Sept. 7. The companies declined to disclose the deal price. The acquisition roughly doubles Cherry Bekaert’s head count in Greater Washington” [Washington Business Journal]
Closure Planned for I-495 Ramp in McLean — “The ramp from southbound I-495 to southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway is scheduled to close during overnight hours Thursday, Sept. 14, and Friday, Sept. 15. The ramp will close between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., and traffic will be detoured to the next exit to access the George Washington Parkway.” [VDOT]
Mosaic Elementary Teachers Pull Plane for Charity — “Mosaic Elementary School is pulling with a purpose! Over the weekend, Mosaic ES staff members came together to pull a plane at Dulles Airport in an effort to raise money to support the Special Olympics. Mosaic ES is the first elementary school to participate in the plane pull.” [FCPS/Facebook]
It’s Thursday — Thursday’s weather will be sunny and pleasant with a high temperature close to 77 degrees. Moving into night, the sky will remain clear and the low temperature will be around 57 degrees. A north wind will continue at a slightly slower pace from 7 to 9 mph. [Weather.gov]
Fairfax County has opened the door for mixed-use development at the Pan Am Shopping Center in Merrifield.
The county’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an amendment to its comprehensive plan yesterday (Tuesday) that will allow housing and additional retail to supplement the existing strip mall at 3089 Nutley Street SW.
Endorsed last month by the Fairfax County Planning Commission, the amended plan will permit up to 585 multifamily residential units and 140,000 to 187,000 square feet of retail uses on the 25-acre site, paving the way for a redevelopment proposed by property owner Federal Realty.
“It is not Mosaic. It is not a large development,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said of the envisioned changes. “But it is…thinking very thoughtfully about how you make that place that benefits residents who are there, those who will be moving there and those who will continue to work in this area.”
Federal Realty still needs to get separate county approvals for its submitted development plan, which calls for three multifamily apartment buildings supported by ground-floor retail and parking garages. The buildings will be located on the southern side of the lot and range in height from four stories, or 70 feet, to five stories, or 85 feet.
The apartments would replace the building that currently houses MicroCenter and Michael’s, though the developer has indicated that it hopes to relocate those popular tenants.
In addition to incorporating retail space in the residential buildings, the application proposes expanding the existing, Safeway-anchored shopping center by 10,900 square feet, including 400 square feet to accommodate a drive-thru pharmacy window.
The Safeway gas station and a drive-through bank currently filled by Wells Fargo will also be retained, according to the application.
“The Applicant’s objective is to work with the County and the community to evolve the center into a more vibrant mixed-use space that will prevent further decline and ensure the Center can remain a source of convenient retail for the community, and also serve as a place for gathering and general community identity,” McGuireWoods land use lawyer Greg Riegle wrote in a May 5 statement of justification on Federal Realty’s behalf.
To make the shopping center more accessible, Federal Realty has proposed adding a 10-foot-wide shared-use path on the east side of Nutley Street.
The approved plan amendment also recommends an internal “network of parks and plazas” to draw people into the property and break up the expansive parking lot, as well as improvements to Nutley and Route 29, including future road widenings and new pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
Despite those recommendations, some community members remain skeptical of the county and developer’s vision of a less car-dependent Pan Am Shopping Center, fearing that adding housing will only create more traffic and lead to overflow parking in their neighborhoods.
“Nutley is a nightmare for traffic. I don’t care what time of day it is. It’s a nightmare,” a resident representing the neighboring Hampton Court Homeowners Association said at a public hearing before the board’s vote yesterday.
While the proposed redevelopment is projected to generate 803 more vehicle trips per day than what the shopping center sees today, that will still be 4,271 fewer trips than what was previously allowed under the comprehensive plan, according to county transportation staff.
FCDOT senior transportation planner Thomas Burke noted that a district limiting parking on Covington Street to residents could be explored if “there’s truly an issue where people living in Covington are having issues parking on Covington.”
Federal Realty’s rezoning application is slated to go to the planning commission for a public hearing on Feb. 28, 2024.
A two-day outdoor fall festival returns to the Mosaic District on Sept. 23 and 24.
The annual Fall Festival will bring activities and entertainment to the mixed-use neighborhood in Merrifield from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
URBNmarket — a curated marketplace — will include a mix of 80 handmade, artists and vintage good vendors to the festival. FRESHFARM — the D.C.-based nonprofit that runs the Mosaic District’s weekly farmers market — will also feature local vendors with produce and snacks.
Activities for kids will include a moon bounce, pumpkin painting and a games corner. A glamour tent by the Vienna Signing Princesses will also offer face painting and hair braiding.
Performances are planned throughout both days on the main stage on Strawberry Lane:
Saturday, September 23
- 11 a.m. — Vienna Singing Princesses
- 11:15 a.m. — Tea with Mrs. B
- 12:30 p.m. — School of Rock – House Band
- 2 p.m. — Patrick Alban and Noche Latino
- 4 p.m. — Izis La Enfermera de La Salsa
Sunday, September 24
- 11 a.m. — Vienna Singing Princesses
- 11:15 a.m. — Tiny Dancers
- 12:30 p.m. — The Cassaday Concoction
- 4 p.m. — Royals USA
There will also be fall-themed selfie stations, along with a sip-and-stroll at participating locations.
The event is free, and complimentary shuttle service will be available from the Dunn Loring Metro station.
Deadline to Pay Car Taxes Looms — “Personal property taxes — better known as car taxes — are due on Thursday, Oct. 5. Bills were mailed this summer, and there are many convenient ways to pay…To help vehicle owners, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved 10% tax relief for personal property taxes” for 2023. [Fairfax County Government]
FCPS Tightens Grading Policy on Missing Assignments — “In an update to its grading policies, Fairfax County Public Schools said teachers can now give students a zero for an assignment that’s not turned in. The change marks a departure from previous guidance, which said 50% is the lowest grade a teacher can give to a student who doesn’t turn in work.” [WTOP]
Metro Considers More Detailed Station Signs — “Metro will be trying out new signage at select stations in an effort to make the system easier to navigate for riders and ultimately boost ridership.” The changes, such as the direction a train is headed, are being tested at the L’Enfant Plaza station ahead of a potential wider rollout. [DCist]
Town Hall Tonight on Proposed Lee Chapel Road Changes — “Eight months after two 16-year-old girls died in a high-speed crash, Fairfax County leaders will hold a virtual town hall Wednesday on road improvements.” Officials will discuss a proposal to remove two hills along the Fairfax Station road that Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity says limit visibility. [WJLA]
Mural in the Works at Annandale Shopping Center — “Spiderman and baseball legend Jackie Robinson are making an appearance in a mural being painted on the side of the Annandale Shopping Center. Collector’s World, a tenant in the shopping center at 7006 Columbia Pike, commissioned the mural.” [Annandale Today]
County Needs More Time to Sell Public Safety Bonds — “Fairfax voters on Nov. 3, 2015, approved a public-safety bond totaling $151 million, which included funding to renovate or replace several of police and fire stations. To date, $67 million remains unspent owing to a number of delays with individual projects.” [Gazette Leader]
Herndon Transportation Network Expands Reach — “More senior citizens can take advantage of free transportation provided by Herndon Village Network (HVN). The local, all-volunteer nonprofit has just added Brightview Dulles Corner to its service area, which also includes the entirety of 20170 and portions of 20171.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — There is a 60% chance of showers and potential thunderstorms in the morning, followed by mostly sunny skies and a high of 79°F. In the evening, expect partly cloudy weather with a low of 61°F and north winds at the same speed. [Weather.gov]
The Fairfax County Police Department has launched a new unit dedicated to investigating active violence incidents and bomb threats.
The Threat Assessment and Management Unit (TAM) will offer a systemic and multidisciplinary approach to analyzing, tracking and preventing potential acts of targeted violence. The unit would also intervene in cases where individuals are at risk of violence.
The unit’s specialties will include handling red flag cases, where a court issues an Emergency Substantial Risk Order letting police temporarily take away an individual’s gun because they pose a danger to themselves or someone else.
“This specialized team is comprised of highly skilled officers and analysts who possess a unique combination of training in law enforcement, and intelligence analysis,” the FCPD wrote in a press release. “Their main objective is to proactively identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential threats to our community.”
The unit will include personnel from the county and Northern Virginia overall, as the FCPD hopes to create a regional program that could serve as a national model.
Having a standalone team focused exclusively on these cases will improve the quality of the investigations, which require unique expertise, Police Chief Kevin Davis said when announcing the new unit.
“While it is important for law enforcement to be involved to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach – and to intervene if the threat escalates – partnerships…are crucial, as the primary goal of this approach is to provide individuals with support services before the threat rises to a level requiring law enforcement intervention,” FCPD wrote.
The number of violence threat events has increased from 30 in 2020 to 153 in 2023, according to police. The number of emergency substantial risk orders increased from five in 2020 to 77 in 2023, though data from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office indicates that over 100 cases have been opened this year.
Similarly, there were 27 bomb threats in 2023, 29 in 2022 and 18 in 2021.
Here’s more from FCPD on the unit:
The goal is to interdict and deter subjects on the pathway to targeted violence and provide appropriate resources to the subject. The TAM Unit will conduct assessments based on an appraisal of observed (or reasonably observable) behaviors to identify potentially dangerous or violent situations, investigate/assess them, and ultimately mitigate them. The overall goal will be to ensure the safety of all involved, while respecting individual privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.
The Threat Assessment and Management (TAM) Unit employs a multifaceted approach to assess various types of threats, ranging from individuals displaying concerning behaviors to organized criminal activities. By leveraging their expertise and utilizing advanced technology, they conduct thorough investigations, analyze patterns, and assess potential risks to determine the most appropriate course of action. This unit actively collaborates with other law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals, and community partners to gather comprehensive information and develop proactive strategies to address emerging threats effectively. Through their diligent efforts, the TAM plays a crucial role in preventing potential incidents, promoting community trust, and fostering a secure environment for all.
(Updated at 2:05 p.m. on 9/13/2023) The Commonwealth of Virginia will take center stage at Tysons Corner Center this Saturday (Sept. 16).
The first annual Celebrate Virginia festival will enliven the Plaza at Tysons Corner Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with beer and wine tastings as well as live entertainment, an artisan market and a mural painted in real time.
“We are excited to bring the community together at our inaugural Celebrate Virginia event, which highlights everything that makes our home state special,” said Jesse Benites, the director of property management for the mall’s owner, Macerich. “We will be showcasing small Virginia-based businesses, artists, and talent and are thrilled with the support and collaboration from our public officials and community partners.”
Some of those officials are slated to make appearances, including Rep. Gerry Connolly, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, and representatives of the county’s police and fire departments and George Mason University.
Organized in partnership with Visit Fairfax — Fairfax County’s official destination marketing agency — and the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC), Celebrate Virginia will be generally open to the public and free to attend.
The only exception is the V.I.P. Wine and Wellness Tent, which requires $40 tickets. The tent will offer tastings from eight different Virginia wineries and access to a pop-up from the five-star resort and spa Salamander Middleburg, where attendees can create a personalized aromatherapy oil.
Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the Merrifield-based nonprofit Food for Others.
As for the free attractions, there will be beer tastings from five breweries, including Chantilly’s Strange Fruit Brewing, Smartmouth Brewing from Hampton Roads and Brother Craft Brewing from Harrisonburg.
The musical line-up will feature:
- 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — DanYko (Alexandria)
- 1-2:30 p.m. — Tejas & Felix (Fairfax City)
- 3-4 p.m. — Zac Quintana & Shawn Cody (Manassas)
The Artisan Makers Market will be similarly stacked with vendors based in Virginia, including many in Fairfax County:
- Inner Loop Coffee Roasters (Falls Church)
- Mother Cluster’s (Fairfax)
- Snugabutter (Annandale)
- Nordic Knot (Reston)
- River Sea Chocolates (Chantilly)
- The Humble Hustle Company (Roanoke)
- Trupti’s Craft: Quilling Gifts (Fairfax)
- Alyssa Mae Crafts (Tysons)
Throughout the day, visitors can also help paint a community mural with Loudoun-based artist Kevin Bednarz, whose work mixes street art, graphics and “original styles,” according to Tysons Corner Center.
“The design will be pre-sketched, and event attendees will be able to paint and bring the mural to life throughout the event,” the mall said. “The final product will be a large piece painted by the community to be exhibited within the shopping center.”
There will also be a “Spin the Tysons Wheel” with limited edition “Virginia is for Shopping Lovers” custom shirts, beanie hats, picnic blankets and other merchandise as the prizes.
“Virginia’s artisan, craft beer, and wine industries have become important drivers of Virginia’s tourism economy, making the Commonwealth an ideal destination for travelers who are seeking authentic, experiential attractions,” VTC Director of Communications Andrew Cothern said. “This event will provide an excellent locally made experience of everything Virginia has to offer firsthand.”
Visit Fairfax President and CEO Barry Biggar said in a statement that the agency is “thrilled” to help celebrate “talented artisans, makers and musicians” from Fairfax County and across the state.
Organizers hope Celebrate Virginia will become a recurring occasion. It will likely return annually to Tysons Corner Center, which was the “brainchild behind this event,” according to a Visit Fairfax spokesperson.
“We hope residents and visitors alike will come out to see what this amazing destination is all about and even take home a unique piece of Virginia,” Biggar said.
Shoplifting and assaults have gone up in Fairfax County so far this year, the county police department’s mid-year crime data shows.
The department released the report in coordination with the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), which ranks the nation’s 70 largest police departments by four crime categories: homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The report covered data from January to June.
Of all the reported offenses, shoplifting saw the largest uptick in the county, with numbers up by 50% to 3,736 incidents. There were 2,489 shoplifting incidents reported in the same time frame last year. Residential burglaries also increased by 20 incidents.
The county reported 15 carjackings — a small increase from 13 last year. There have been 45 more auto thefts, but thefts from vehicles and of vehicle parts have both declined. The Fairfax County Police Dpartment targeted those crimes last month as part of a summer-long crime prevention initiative.
“Our unwavering commitment to public safety drives our efforts to implement targeted patrols and deploy advanced crime prevention strategies, ” a news release read.
The number of assault offenses increased more than 13%, jumping from 4,348 to 4,931. In addition, about 15% more people have been charged this year with assaulting family members, a category that increased from 702 by the end of June in 2022 to 816 in 2023.
However, murders and forcible sex offenses decreased from 12 to 10 and 194 to 192, respectively.
Despite upticks in some categories, the police departments said the county is still the safest of its size.
“When all MCCA police departments are ranked by violent crime rating, we are proud to say Fairfax County remains the safest jurisdiction of its size,” the FCPD said.
Fire Department Fills the Boot With Over $187K — “The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s Fill the Boot campaign raised $187,300 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Firefighters stood at intersections from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 collecting donations from motorists and pedestrians.” [Annandale Today]
Fairfax Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Porn — “A Fairfax man pleaded guilty today to receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), receipt of obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children, and possession of CSAM…He faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment for each charge.” [U.S. Attorney’s Office]
Richmond Highway Senior Housing Proposal Up for Votes — “RH Senior Housing…will seek rezoning approval from the Fairfax County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors this month for a proposed independent living facility for low-income senior citizens adjacent to the Beacon of Groveton apartment building.” [On the MoVe]
McLean Students Raise Funds to Build School in Senegal — “After three years of fundraising, the BASIS Independent McLean French Honor Society raised enough money to construct a new schoolhouse in Khombole, Senegal, to replace an existing, temporary building that could not withstand the rainy season.” [Gazette Leader]
FCPD Welcomes New Class of Recruits — “Last week, Chief Kevin Davis welcomed 59 new recruits starting their first day at the FCPD Criminal Justice Academy. Session 85 is one of the largest academy classes in over 10 years, surpassing the previous record-breaking numbers of Session 84.” [FCPD]
McLean Group Donates Backpacks to Students — “The Woman’s Club of McLean raised $1,300 this summer to purchase and outfit backpacks for school-aged children involved in a program for young mothers and their children. The program is operated by Second Story, a nonprofit group…that provide[s] counseling and residential housing for teens, young mothers, and their children who are living in unsafe residential situations.” [Patch]
It’s Tuesday — There is a 30% chance of showers after 2pm today, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 86°F. For Tuesday night, expect a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, getting more likely after 8pm. It will be mostly cloudy with a low of around 68°F. [Weather.gov]
The Fairfax County Police Department is hoping to add a detective from the Town of Vienna to its ranks.
Under a reciprocal agreement set to be approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors tomorrow (Tuesday), the Vienna detective will specifically help investigate drug and vice crimes as part of the larger department’s Organized Crime and Narcotics division.
“These crimes have a substantial and detrimental effect on the health and welfare of our communities and the cooperative effort between the Town of Vienna Police Department and FCPD would be advantageous in disrupting illicit activities,” county staff said in the board agenda.
According to the staff memo, Vienna had provided a detective who worked full-time in the FCPD’s narcotics division since July 1990. However, the partnership got put on hold in 2021 when the Vienna Police Department encountered “staffing constraints.”
Since then, the Vienna department has managed an about-face on those staffing challenges, reducing its vacancies to just one out of 52 positions, as of May.
With the revived reciprocal agreement, the Vienna Police Department will once again assign a detective to work with the FCPD full-time. County officers in the Organized Crime and Narcotics division will also get the authority to enforce drug and vice laws in the Town of Vienna, including by making arrests.
In addition, the Vienna Police Department will be able to claim a portion of the property seized in cases worked by its detective, according to the staff memo.
Sharing of forfeited assets shall be distributed based on the amount of work performed by each detective on any given case as determined by the Commander of OCN. The minimum amount that the Town of Vienna Police Department will receive shall be 5% of all asset sharing requests processed by the Fairfax County Police Department’s OCN. The maximum amount that the Town of Vienna Police Department will receive shall be no more than 70% of all asset sharing requests processed by the FCPD.
While working with the FCPD, the detective will be required to follow county rules, including the Trust Policy that bars county employees from sharing information about an individual’s citizenship or immigration status with federal immigration authorities unless required by law or court order.
A stretch of Idylwood Road will be closed to through traffic in Dunn Loring this week.
The road between Williams Avenue and Cedar Lane will be closed from today (Monday) to Thursday (Sept. 14) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for stormwater pipe replacement, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
Properties along Idylwood Road will have access, but traffic will not be able to go beyond the pipe replacement in both directions.
“Through traffic will be detoured via Idylwood Road, Williams Avenue, Electric Avenue (Route 697) and Cedar Lane back to Idylwood Road. Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs,” VDOT wrote in a statement.
