Fairfax County and the Town of Vienna are working together on a plan to potentially replace the Patrick Henry Community Library (101 Maple Ave E).

The rebuilding is part of a $91 million bond referendum planned for this fall to upgrade the County’s aging libraries. The Patrick Henry Community Library was originally built in 1971.

In September, the Town Council unanimously agreed to finance part of a feasibility study with Fairfax County to look at adding a new parking structure to the building in addition to potential renovations to the library itself, according to InsideNova.

According to the FY 2020 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the Town of Vienna will be working in a joint partnership with Fairfax County to determine whether to renovate or completely replace the building.

Photo via Google Maps

Technology contractor Applied Insight is packing up its bags in Ashburn and setting up camp in Tysons.

The company announced earlier this week that it will be moving into 1850 Towers Crescent Plaza, part of the Towers Crescent complex.

The new headquarters will function as a hub for the business as it moves into research and development on cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure projects for the federal government.

“Our move to Tysons is about convenience and collaboration,” John Hynes, CEO of Applied Insight, said in a press release. “It’s a more central location for the leadership team to come together when we need to.”

Hynes said the company already spends a lot of time meeting with customers in Tysons, making the new headquarters a more convenient spot.

“The new space also has great facilities for bringing our people together for training and collaboration on new projects, particularly in technology development and business development,” Hynes said. “It’s part of fostering the creative culture that will be key to our long-term success.”

As the Mosaic District moves forward with plans to relaunch its weekly farmers market, the old market’s leadership is starting a competing market four miles away.

The Mosaic District announced in early March that the nonprofit FRESHFARM would be taking over the Mosaic Farmers Market.

Central Farm Markets, the organization that for the last six years had managed the farmers market at the Mosaic District, said on their website that the announcement was a shock to them.

“We were told, with just a few weeks notice and for no reason, that we had to leave the property,” the organization said on their website. “As you can imagine this has been a very difficult time for us and our vendors. In a matter of weeks we had to find a new location, enroll vendors and take care of all of the business matters associated with such an enormous move.”

Tysons Reporter reached out to the Mosaic District inquiring about the change but received no response.

The Mosaic Central Farm Market was able to find a space at George C. Marshall High School (7731 Leesburg Pike) and rebranded as NOVA Central Farm Market.

Debra Moser, co-owner of Central Farm Market, said many of the vendors from the earlier Mosaic venue will carry over to the new location, and the arrangement with local non-profits to pick up left over food and deliver it to those in need will continue.

Both markets are planning a grand opening this Sunday (April 7).

Moser said Central Farm Market was never given a reason for why they were replaced.

“Moving a market, getting it reestablished in a short period of time was a great undertaking,” Moser said. “But we’re looking forward to the opening on Sunday.”

Photo via Facebook

(Updated April 8) As Sunrise Senior Living haggles through the approval process in Vienna, the assisted living franchise also filed permits earlier this week for a new facility in downtown McLean.

On March 11, Sunrise Development filed a special exception application to allow a senior living facility at 1515 Chain Bridge Road, replacing the existing McLean Medical Building.

In the application, the business noted that the need for assisted living facilities is high in Vienna.

Despite immense need, the McLean CBC does not currently contain any assisted living facilities. Per Fairfax County’s compiled demographics for the McLean Census Designated Plant , 92% of households in McLean have one or more people over the age of 60, which is more than double the 43% of households for the rest of the County.

Sunrise isn’t wrong on that count. McLean is disproportionately elderly and has struggled to create housing that allows local residents to age in place. Sunrise Senior Living isn’t cheap, so it probably doesn’t hurt that McLean is also one of the wealthiest places in the United States.

The proposal for a Sunrise facility in McLean also comes at that area is in the middle of a planning process to reshape the center of town.

The application notes that the new facility would be located within Subarea Two of the McLean Commercial Business Center, an area outside of the main downtown and planned to have very little change. The Sunrise facility would be replacing an existing medical office building, which it argues is in keeping with the intent of the plan.

While the Vienna location is locked in a struggle with the Vienna Town Council over whether or not the building fits within local height parameters, the McLean facility is half the size allowed by-right on the property and 10 feet shorter than the existing building.

The project is tentatively scheduled for a Planning Commission hearing on Sept. 11 and a Board of Supervisors hearing on Sept. 24.

(Updated April 12) It’s been a year of expansions for City Works Eatery and Pour House — from Boston to Disney World — with a new Tysons location at the Capital One Headquarters right in the middle.

The City Works is planned to open at 1640 Capital One Drive North sometime next month, next to the recently opened Starbucks and the recently canceled Taco Bamba.

The restaurant’s menu is focused on classic American food and drinks, with 90 draft beers and eight wines planned for the bar.

According to the Tysons location’s website, the new restaurant will be over 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor dining spaces.

“We enjoy sharing our love of sports and music, and plan to show an array of events on our 24 flatscreen HDTVs with state-of-the-art audio,” City Works said on their website.

Photo via Facebook

(Updated 9:30 a.m.) Bars in Virginia can now legally advertise their happy hour specials, so here’s a look at what some of the local bars have to offer.

The law had previously allowed bars to advertise the hours but not the prices, but a lawsuit from Chef Geoff’s in Tysons led to the state legislature to amend the law.

So in honor of Chef Geoff’s success, here are some of the happy hours around Tysons:

• Chef Geoff’s Tysons (8045 Leesburg Pike): Wednesday-Sunday from 3-7 p.m. and all day Monday and Tuesday until 9 p.m. The happy hour specials include $7 wines, $8 cocktails, and $1 off all draft beers. In addition to discounted bar snacks, all pizzas are $4 and burgers are half priced.
• Paddy Barry’s (8150 Leesburg Pike): Monday-Friday from 3-7 p.m. Domestic beers are discounted by $2, with $3 off all appetizers. House red and white wines are $5.
• BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (8027 Leesburg Pike): Monday-Friday from 3-7 p.m. and from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Specials vary by day.
• Eddie V’s (7900 Tysons One Place): Monday-Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Cocktails and wine glasses are $8 and there are discounts on oysters and other small seafood dishes.
• La Sandia (7852 Tysons Corner Center): Sunday-Friday from 4-9 p.m. Margaritas are available normal or frozen from $5 to $7. Tacos are three for $8 and a sampler platter of guacamole, quesadilla, wings, taquitos and Mexican corn is available for $15.
• Gordon Biersch (7861 Tysons Corner Center): Sunday-Friday from 3-6:30 p.m. All beers, wines and cocktails are $2 off.
• Earls Kitchen and Bar (7902 Tysons One Place): Every day from 3-6 p.m. and Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 p.m.-closing. Most food is discounted and drink discounts vary by day.
• Wildfire (Tysons Galleria, 2001 International Dr): Weekdays from 3-6 p.m. Staff at the restaurant said the restaurant offers half-price appetizers, $7 cocktails and “a couple dollars off” wines and beers.
• ENTYSE Wine Bar and Lounge (Tysons Galleria/Ritz Carlton, 1700 Tysons Blvd): Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. Drinks and fries are $5, with a flight of rare wines available for $55.
• Greenhouse Bistro (2070 Chain Bridge Road): Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m. Cocktails, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio for $6. Sangria and draught beers are $5. Appetizers, pizzas and fries range from $5-10.
• Xtreme Wings and Bar (8119 Watson St): Monday-Friday from 3-7 p.m. Staff said all beer and food is 15 percent off the regular price.
• Ten Penh (7900 Westpark): Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m. A variety of beers, wines, cocktails and snacks are $5.

The Tysons Biergarten also offers a happy hour on weekdays from 3-9 p.m. but the payment system operates differently. Friday happy hours are 3-9 p.m. with a Tyson’s Lager and Eggenberg Pilsner, in addition to a 5-9 p.m. happy hour on all American draft beers, all for $5. On Monday’s, the bar features $2 Lionshead all day. On Sunday’s, it’s $5 Tyson’s Lager from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Photo via Facebook

A series of new events are coming to BrandBox, a collection of pop-up stores grouped together in the Tysons Corner Center mall.

The eclectic array of groups are mostly being held in the Lounge, a free relaxation area that opened at the mall in March.

• ‘Masters’ Putt-Pong Tournament — April 13 at Chubbies from 12 p.m. “until winner dominates all rounds” — The Chubbies in BrandBox will host a Putt-Pong tournament, a ski-ball like golfing game popular at tailgates. Winners of the tournament will receive a free cooler bag and $5 off any casual stretch shorts. The top three winning teams will receive gift cards. The Masters golf tournament will be shown in the lounge next to the competition.
• Make Your Own Peep Easter Basket — April 14 at BrandBox Lounge from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. — Sugary treat-maker Peeps is hosting an Easter basket making event to be filled with treats. Reservations can be made online or at the door.
• Rosé All Day — April 25 at Brandbox Lounge from 5-7 p.m. — A pre-Mother’s Day celebration of rosé wine will be hosted by cosmetics brand Winky Lux, Bloom Salon and Seasons 52. Entrance is $20, which includes a $20 Winky Lux gift card, a complimentary mini-makeover, rosé tasting, and hair touch-ups.
• Urban Forest Perfume Making Workshop — May 9 at Brandbox Lounge from 5:30-7:30 p.m. — The Urban Forest Perfume Company will host a sensory workshop with guests invited to explore plant-based perfumery. The event will include a discussion of synthetic vs plant-based ingredients, perfume notes, and basic perfume formulas. Each participant will also receive a 15 ml bottle of their own fragrance. Tickets are $85 and available online.

Photo via Facebook

After new ownership took over Uncle Liu’s Hot Pot (2972 Gallows Rd) in March, the restaurant is now in the process of reshaping the casual Chinese eatery in Merrifield.

An investor representing the project said the new ownership took over the restaurant on March 1 and has maintained operations to have a smooth transition into a new menu.

The restaurant is keeping the hot pots, but a new chef from the Henan Province of China is joining the project and specializes in hui mian noodles, a food popular in that region.

The noodles are typically served with lamb or beef, but the investor said at Uncle Liu’s they will also be served alongside a large plate of chicken.

Uncle Liu’s Hot Pot offers a lunch menu during weekdays for $19.95 and a dinner menu for $25.95, with all-day dinner pricing on weekends and holidays.

The investor also said Uncle Liu’s Hot Pot is also filing for a new ABC permit because the previous one didn’t carry over with the new ownership, adding that the restaurant is anticipating approval and alcohol on the menu within a few months.

Exterior photo via Google Maps

Developers of a distinctive curved-glass tower called One Tysons East have promised to make peace with the local bird population and improve nearby roads.

With an endorsement from both the McLean Citizens Association and the Planning Commission at last night’s (Wednesday) meeting, approval of rezoning for the project at a Board of Supervisors meeting next Tuesday (April 9) seems likely.

But while the project seems to have had a relatively smooth development track so far, Providence District Planning Commissioner Phillip Niedzielski-Eichner noted that it raises issues in the air and on the ground that will need to be addressed as more of Tysons East is developed.

There are 27 pages of proffers — accommodations on the part of the developers offered to Fairfax County to get a development approved — associated with the project. Among them are a series of transportation improvements for Old Meadow Road, including new street lanes and a potential bike lane.

But Niedzielski-Eichner noted that new developments planned throughout Tysons East are going to put a considerable strain on the four-lane street.

“There are existing traffic issues on Old Meadow Road today, and will be as future already entitled developments are constructed that are significant and beyond the scope of this single zoning application,” said Niedzielski-Eichner. “Solutions will require all stakeholders on Old Meadow Road to resolve. I recommend staff identify concrete steps to help mitigate traffic and queuing on Old Meadow Road.”

Niedzielski-Eichner also said problems with how the glass building might impact birds came up during the development process. The proffers included an obligation on the developer to make changes to the building design to deter bird-strikes.

According to the proffers:

In an effort to reduce bird injury and death due to in- flight collisions with buildings, the Applicant will include one or more bird friendly design elements, as determined by the Applicant, in the design plans of the building. The bird friendly design elements may include, but not be limited to, the use of color, texture, opacity, fritting, frosting, patterns, louvers, screens, interior window treatments, or ultraviolet materials that are visible to birds, the angling of outside lights, curbing of excessive or unnecessary night-time illumination in commercial buildings, reduction of bird attracting vegetation, the use of decoys, and breaking of glass swaths.

It’s estimated that between 365 million and 988 million birds are killed in the United States each year from crashing into windows, with an average 24 expected to die annually at a single skyscraper.

“There was a request for clarification of how we intended to meet bird-friendly design guidelines in the proffer commitment,” said Scott Adams, representing the developers. “We’re happy to commit to work with staff to ensure the goals of bird-friendly design are met with the design of this building.”

Image via Akridge

(Updated April 8) Despite a host of other compromises, the Sunrise Senior Living Facility and Vienna Town Council are still at odds over the project exceeding the town’s height requirements.

Both parties agreed at a work session on Monday (April 1) that there’s been compromise from Sunrise. There were modifications made to spaces on the ground floor and mezzanine and the number of proposed units was taken down from 85 to 83.

But a mezzanine that cuts just under the town’s 50-percent coverage limit for what can be considered a floor is still a sticking point for Town Council members who say the project is out of line with the town’s five-story height limit.

Jerry Liang, senior vice president of development for Sunrise, argued that Vienna should reframe its limits rather than force the building to come in under a certain height.

“There’s different ways to think about density, [like] units and square footage,” Liang said. “By setting your limits on floor and height, you’ve created the maximum box. We believe the building we designed is visually pleasing.”

Planning Commissioner Mary McCullough said there were concerns from nearby residents that the back half of the building still had a “five-story look.”

The next public hearing for the project is tentatively scheduled for April 24, when the Planning Commission will discuss the development.

“Part of our goal is to satisfy a lot of particular needs for a lot of stakeholders,” Liang said. “We’re trying to find the right balance between providing critically needed service with the cost-benefit balance to really solve that Rubik’s cube.”

Image via Town of Vienna