After years of petitioning and planning, it looks like Wolftrap Elementary will finally be getting some long-requested sidewalk upgrades.
The school was included on a list of transportation alternatives project submissions from the county to receive state grants. The Wolftrap Elementary School Crosswalk Improvement Project was awarded a $200,000 grant, with a local cash match of $50,000 approved at yesterday’s (Tuesday) Board of Supervisors meeting.
According to the staff report:
The extreme width of the roadway encourages illegal passing of vehicles stopped for children in the crosswalk, whether manned by the School Crossing Guard or not. The project consists of 7-foot to 15-foot bump outs and an 8-foot median refuge for the crosswalk (including evaluation for potential pedestrian beacon device), and creation of a channelized southbound right turn lane, on-road bike lanes, and transitional median striping as road diet treatments.
Wolftrap Elementary is at the heart of the residential network between Vienna and its namesake Wolf Trap National Park to the north, but despite this prime location for walkability, the school can be a challenge.
There is currently only one crosswalk to the school across the busy Beulah Road and only one narrow, cracked sidewalk. The other side of the road drops off into a ditch or undergrowth.
According to the school’s Parent-Teacher Association website, traffic on Beulah Road has increased over the last few years as GPS applications have increasingly directed drivers onto the once-quiet street into a shortcut from the Dulles Toll Road to Route 123 as part of an unofficial mini-beltway around Tysons. As county staff stated in their report, the PTA website indicates local parents witnessed the same issue.
“It is safest to cross if our crossing guard is present, but unsafe before and after her approximately 15-20 minute shift in the mornings and afternoons,” the PTA said. “Some drivers even ignore her, driving through the crosswalk when she directs cars to stop.”
The PTA website also indicated that cars frequently speed around the site, empowered by unclear speed limit signage.
“Cars are driving very fast, and the speed limit is ambiguous, either 25 or 35 mph,” the PTA said. “The speed limit is only definitively 25 mph when the lights are flashing around the time of morning arrival and afternoon dismissal from school.”
The PTA said the heavy traffic and unsafe crossing conditions currently confines traffic across the intersection to the few hours where it is monitored by a crossing guard.
Under the agreement, the county will manage the construction and maintenance of the improvements.
Photo via Google Maps
At a work session this Friday (Feb. 8), Vienna’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR) is going to take another crack at the Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) zone design guidelines.
The exact nature of the BAR’s review is a bit unclear. Details are scarce in the agenda, but the BAR is the second stage of a six-step process for new developments along Vienna’s main boulevard, following a staff review.
In September, the Town Council voted to impose a moratorium on new developments filed under the MAC ordinance. The moratorium took effect on Sept. 30 and is scheduled to last until June 17. As part of the moratorium, the BAR was tasked with drawing up new guidelines for public review of projects.
Scale and massing for new Maple Avenue developments has been the largest topic of debate in Vienna over the last year. The MAC ordinance, originally approved in 2014, was aimed at providing a new mechanism for developers to convert outdated and often vacant properties along Maple Avenue into mixed-use developments.
But to make these projects cost-effective for developers, many are significantly larger in scale than the buildings they’re replacing.
The tensions between developers, the Town Council and local residents came to a head last fall over the redevelopment of the Vienna Wolf Trap Hotel. During heated arguments on the Town Council over the four-story development in October, Councilmember Howard Springsteen called the projects that would ultimately be approved the “most divisive project to hit the town in 20 years.”
Photo via Vienna Vienna Development Associates LLC
Get those smoke alarms checked, because if you’re a Vienna resident that could get you a free pizza on Thursday.
Domino’s Pizza is partnering with the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department for Fire Night. On Feb. 7, anyone ordering at the Vienna Domino’s from 5-8 p.m. may have their pizza delivered in a fire engine.
According to the event description, once the delivery arrives, the firefighters will come inside and inspect the smoke detectors throughout the house. If all the smoke detectors are working, the order is free.
If any of the smoke detectors are not working, the firefighters will replace them for free, but the person who called in will be charged for the pizza.
Participation in the event is not required and is only eligible for deliveries.
Card payments are taken in advance and canceled if the order is free. Cash payment will be required if card information is not provided while placing your order if smoke detectors are not working.
Photo via Facebook
A group is meeting and planning out strategies to handle increased growth in downtown McLean — but, in the meantime, some of that transformation is already underway.
A new building at 6707 Old Dominion Drive was approved by the Board of Supervisors in October. The building is planned to replace a surface parking lot behind the current retail properties with a 44-unit mixed-use residential building.
During the planning process, some nearby McLean residents expressed concerns that the site could have a detrimental impact on local parking and traffic. Today, the property is a frequently crowded parking lot behind a retail complex on Old Dominion Drive.
The building will have 112 parking spaces for existing uses, replacing those taken by the new development, at surface lots to the south and west of the new building.
The plans show four levels of parking structure with 173 spaces located under six floors of residential units. The staff report indicates that the occupants of the 44 new condominium units are unlikely to have a substantial impact on nearby streets.
Because the development contains less than 50 units, none are required to serve as affordable housing, though a contribution to the county’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund is included in the development plans as a condition of approval.
According to the application:
“The benefits of a residential/office/commercial mix of uses has been proven many-fold in the County. This property, located adjacent to what is considered the “South Village” area will hopefully serve to catalyze other redevelopment efforts within the [downtown area].”
Merrifield Oriental Rug, located in Tysons for seven years and in the area for the last 30, is closing within the next three months.
As the store prepares to close, it will be offering oriental rugs at steep discounts, some at below their cost to the store.
“We’re lowering prices to 50 percent,” said Merrifield Oriental Rug’s owner Sayeed Hasanzadah. “Often adding a 20 percent additional discount, some are as low as 80 percent.”
Hasanzadah says the store will be open for three months at most and says he plans to shut down by the end of April at the latest. After that, Hasanzadah says he will take a month to put the rest of their inventory into storage.
In the back of the store, Hasanzadah shows off a series of handmade rugs rolled against the wall. One, a four-foot by six-foot rug, is selling for $76. A three-foot by five-foot rug is selling for $49.
If you feel bad about taking advantage of the steep sales for the closing business, don’t.
“It’s a happy reason,” said Hasanzadah. “I’ve been working in wholesale [for years]. I want to travel. Life is too short.”
Although Hasanzadah did note that declining sales helped push him towards retirement.
“The last 10 years, the economy has not been cooperating,” said Hasanzadah. “Fifteen years ago business was booming. But after 2007, things started going down. So now is the time that I should retire.”
McLean Company’s $1 Billion Sustainability Plan — Candy maker Mars, Inc., based in McLean and the largest private company in Fairfax County, “has pledged to invest $1 billion over the next few years to support efforts involving renewable energy, food sourcing, cross-industry action groups and farmers.” [FCEDA]
Hunter Mill Candidates Skeptical of Development — “In the Hunter Mill District, home to both Reston and Vienna, current member Cathy Hudgins is retiring. The three declared candidates, thus far, all have platforms which argue the county has been too favorable to development.” [Greater Greater Washington]
Store Closing at Tysons Corner Center — Clothing retailer Charlotte Russe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is reportedly closing nearly 100 stores, including its Tysons Corner Center location. [Fox 5]
Vienna Inn Anniversary — “The Vienna Inn sells over 10,000 of its famous chili dogs every month, so it wouldn’t be easy to tally all the chili dogs sales since its 1960 opening. What we do know is the Vienna Inn has been open for 59 years and will mark its anniversary in February.” [Patch]
Teen Charged for Menacing Video — “A video showing a masked figure pulling a gun out of the trunk of a car in front of Wakefield High School has led to an arrest and charges against a Falls Church teenager.” [ARLnow]
Tysons Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in the Tysons area.
We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield and McLean. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!
Monday, Feb. 4
Lost Dog Fundraiser for Westgate Elementary
Lost Dog Cafe McLean (1690 Anderson Rd)
Time: 5-11 p.m.
Lost Dog Cafe will be hosting a fundraiser tonight for the Westgate Elementary PTA. A portion of all purchases will be donated to the school organization.
Tuesday, Feb. 5
Greensboro Park Property Blood Drive
Greensboro Park Property (8180 Greensboro Dr.)
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Inova Bloodmobile will be parked outside the Greensboro Park Property tomorrow for a blood drive. Appointments can be made online or by calling 1-866-256-6372.
State of the Union Watch Party
Glory Days Grill (3059 Nutley St.)
Time: 8:30-10:30
The local Fairfax Area Young Republicans will be hosting a viewing of the State of the Union address near Vienna. Members, or other interested Republicans, are invited to attend.
Wednesday, Feb. 6
Movie Screening: Coming to America
Angelika Film Center (2911 District Ave.)
Time: 7-10 p.m.
The Angelika Film Center in the Mosaic District will hold a screening of “Coming to America,” the 1988 comedy about a prince who comes to the United States to find love. Tickets are $14.50.
Thursday, Feb. 7
Trek Travel Night at Spokes Etc.
Spokes Etc. (224 Maple Avenue E)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Spokes Etc. will hope a social event and discussion on traveling and cycling in preparation for a group trip being organized to Portugal by Spokes Etc. later this year. The event is free and will include raffle prizes.
Bob Marley’s 74th Birthday Tribute featuring Adwela & The Uprising
Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Four bands will be playing an all-night tribute to reggae musician Bob Marley for what would be his 74th birthday. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the show.
The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) is hoping to rally local cyclists and pedestrians for a show of support for two bridges in a new planned urban center in Merrifield.
Tomorrow evening (Tuesday) at 7 p.m., the Merrifield Study Task Force is scheduled to host a meeting at the Providence District Office and Community Center at 3001 Vaden Drive in Fairfax to discuss the bicycle and pedestrian connectivity of the new plan.
The plan is to transform 203 acres of land at the Beltway-Arlington Boulevard interchange southeast of the Mosaic District into a new development that may contain office, hotel or residential buildings.
According to the organization’s website:
FABB is advocating for improved bicycle access as part of the comprehensive plan amendment. This includes two bike/ped bridges over the Beltway (one south of Route 50 at the Inova site and one north of Route 50) and improved connections to the Providence Recreation Center, Holmes Run Park, and the Cross County Trail.
Analysis of the plan’s impact will continue through the group’s March 5 meeting, after which the group will begin drafting recommendations for a final staff report estimated for June.
FABB is also scheduled to host a meeting on Feb. 20 at 7:30 to discuss the latest trail improvements through the Virginia Department of Transportations Transform I-66 project and discuss upcoming bicycling developments for the Tysons area.
Photo via Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning
By all accounts, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) was speaking to a friendly crowd in Tysons at the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce last Thursday.
But within 24 hours, Northam would find himself at the center of national headlines in a scandal involving a racist photograph on his medical school yearbook page, prompting calls to resign from many politicians, including Tysons-area representatives.
State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31st District) described herself as a personal friend of Northam’s, but expressed support for the Virginia Black Legislative Caucus’ statement that Northam should step down.
(1 of 2) Gov. & First Lady Northam are personal friends. I know my friend and his good record of public service to VA. I also know VA history and that the picture in question is offensive and hurtful. https://t.co/sBO3oCwCzu
— Barbara Favola (@BarbaraFavola) February 2, 2019
Del. Rip Sullivan (D-48th) shared the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus statement on Twitter and said he stood with the Virginia House Democrat’s call for Northam to resign.
Delegates Mark Keam (D-35th) and Marcus Simon (D-53rd) expressed similar condemnation for Northam.
Back in Richmond to continue the people’s work in the Virginia legislature.
Here’s my latest but consistent position on the Governor:
“Everybody deserves forgiveness,” he said. “But nobody deserves to be governor.”https://t.co/4VKABjyjC9
— Mark Keam 🇺🇸 (@MarkKeam) February 4, 2019
State Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd District) said on her Facebook page that she does not believe Northam is racist, but that if he is one of the people in the now-infamous photograph he would need to resign. Northam himself has wavered back and forth over whether he does or doesn’t appear in the photograph.
Congressional Reps. Don Beyer (D-8th District) and Gerry Connolly (D-11th District) shared a joint statement calling on Northam to resign, while Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-10th District) said she’s personally spoken with Northam and asked him to step down.
The Governor needs to resign. We’ve spoken twice since this story broke, and I encouraged him to resign because it's what's best for Virginia.
This is a difficult time for our Commonwealth, but I know we can move forward & start healing under the leadership of @LGJustinFairfax.
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) February 2, 2019
One of the few silent voices on the issue has been State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34th District).
Petersen has not shared any statements on Northam, though many on his Facebook page speculated his quoting of the Bible verse about those without sin casting the first stone was a thinly veiled reference. In an interview with WDVM, Petersen said he was baffled by the situation.
Photo via Facebook
Anyone who’s driven to the western end of Maple Avenue has probably spotted the enormous castle-looking building under construction just past Nutley Street.
The new building’s unusual design is representative of an eclectic mix of uses planned for 540 Maple Ave W.
The ground floor will host a Chick-fil-A restaurant with a ramp leading up to the Flagship Carwash on the second floor. The site will also include a wider pedestrian walkway in front of the building.
And after a series of delays and public backlash, construction has resumed on what is planned to be the first of a series of new projects approved under the Town of Vienna’s contentious Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) process.
The process allows greater sizes and densities for new buildings on Maple Avenue as part of an effort to push back against rampant vacancies plaguing the town’s main street.
Signs from last year indicated that the new site had planned to be opened by winter 2018, a deadline that has come and gone with construction noticeably far from complete.
Construction at the facility had briefly stalled in 2018, but has made significant project over the last month. InsideNova reported the delay was likely related to the water table at the location. But whatever the reason, the work has resumed at the project.
No new timeline has been posted.
