The new Sisters Thai in Tysons remains a work in progress, but community members will get a taste of what’s to come next month at Perchfest.
Set for May 19-21, the spring edition of Capital One Center’s biannual festival at The Perch (1803 Capital One Drive) will feature food tents for three of the development’s upcoming restaurants, along with live music, lawn games and other activities offered in the past.
In addition to Sisters Thai, which is building its biggest location yet at 7730 Capital One Tower Road, showcases are planned for Stellina Pizzeria (1610 Capital One Drive) and the upscale American restaurant Ox & Rye (7770 Capital One Tower Road).
“Capital One Center is delighted to host the next celebration of Perchfest — our biannual signature event at The Perch, which has become an exceptional rooftop experience for our community and Capital One associates,” Meghan Trossen, Capital One Center’s marketing and community affairs manager, said in a press release.
Trossen said there are no updates yet on actual opening dates for the restaurants. Sisters Thai and Stellina were previously projected to open in the later half of 2022, while Ox & Rye is slated for winter 2023.
The Tex-Mex restaurant Ometeo and a Spanish concept called Santi are also on the way, but they won’t be among the food offerings at next month’s festivities.
Capital One Center, the mixed-use development around the financial giant’s Tysons headquarters, has turned Perchfest into a spring and fall tradition since The Perch opened atop Capital One Hall in 2021. The festival typically draws about 15,000 people over three days, according to Trossen.
Next month’s festivities will include live music by local bands, kid-friendly activities like face-painting and inflatable lawn games, a morning fitness class, and a pop-up box office for Capital One Hall, which will sell fee-free tickets for upcoming performances.
The Watermark Hotel will also have a presence, offering merchandise and prizes as well as “VIP” packages with “special access to festival perks, an upgraded suite overlooking The Perch, welcome amenities and more,” per the press release.
Starr Hill Biergarten and the Perch Putt mini golf course and food trucks will be open throughout the weekend.
Perchfest will run from 4 p.m. to midnight on May 19, 11 a.m. to midnight on May 20, and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 21. Admission is free, but Capital One Center recommends registering in advance and making a donation to its charity partner, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue.
It’s repaving and restriping season once again, with public meetings coming later this month on proposed projects that would add bicycle lanes and improve crosswalks.
April marks the beginning of an annual process that ends in November with hundreds of miles of roadway being repaved and restriped by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
In Fairfax County, more than 1,700 miles of roadway are expected to be repaved this year. The work often leads to new bike lanes, shoulders, crosswalks, signage, and street markings.
The program is “an opportunity to increase driver, bicyclist and pedestrian safety with road and crosswalk improvements while minimizing the financial investment in restriping work,” the Fairfax County Department of Transportation says on its website.
The first virtual public meeting hosted by VDOT and FCDOT will come on April 17 at 7 p.m. and cover proposals in the Hunter Mill and Providence districts.
One plan would add bicycle lanes on Glade Drive between Sunrise Valley Drive and Reston Parkway in Reston by narrowing the driver travel lanes.
In addition, upgrades are proposed at Monroe Street and Monroe Manor Drive in Herndon. This could include “marked crosswalks, high-visibility crosswalks and/or crosswalk signage,” the county says.
After a proposal for Ellenwood Drive was discussed at a separate meeting in February, the Providence District could get more bicycle lanes at four spots in the Merrifield and Annandale area:
- Executive Park Avenue between the Red Cross building and Prosperity Avenue
- Gatehouse Road between Telestar Court to Gallows Road and, potentially, Gallows Road to Williams Drive
- Williams Drive between Eskridge Road and Arlington Blvd and potentially between Arlington Blvd and Pennell Street
- Willow Oaks Corporate Drive between Williams Drive and Gallows Road
The lanes would be added by narrowing travel lanes or “repurposing underutilized parking lanes.”
Upgrades are also being considered for the intersection of Willow Oaks Corporate Drive and Professional Center Access Road in Merrifield. This could include marked crosswalks, high-visibility crosswalks, and additional signage.
Comments on projects in both districts will be accepted through the close of business on May 1.
Virtual public meetings will be held to discuss projects in Sully District on April 18, Franconia and Mount Vernon on April 19, Braddock and Mason on April 20, and Springfield on April 26.
Most of the proposed projects in those districts would also add bike lanes and improve crosswalks.
While all repaving and restriping work is set to begin soon and conclude by November, exact work dates for each project will be available “approximately ten days prior to work beginning.”
If the repaving requires parking to be limited, signs will be posted at least three business days in advance. Parked cars, basketball hoops, and garbage cans may need to be moved to accommodate the work.
In general, work hours will be limited to “outside of rush hours” with crews typically on-site in neighborhood streets on weekdays between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, on interstates and some primary roads, work might happen overnight to limit the impact.
Residents should expect construction vehicles in their neighborhood during the project, and the county is asking motorists to “be alert to temporary traffic patterns.”
Cheers went up after the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) ruled last year that a natural gas pipeline planned through the residential neighborhood of Pimmit Hills will need to be reviewed and approved by the county.
However, even when proposing that decision on Feb. 2, 2022 after a multi-day public hearing, BZA Vice Chairman James Hart acknowedged that the case over the sixth phase of Washington Gas’ Strip 1 Tysons project was likely headed to court.
That court date will arrive this month. The utility company’s lawsuit seeking to vacate the board’s decision will go before a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge for a trial on April 25 and 26, spurring Pimmit Hills residents to rally together once again in opposition to the pipeline.
“We’re concerned citizens, you know. It’s our neighborhoods, our streets, our children, our playgrounds, our schools,” said Kurt Iselt, one of four residents named as defendants in the lawsuit after they brought the case to the BZA.
The challenged pipeline segment is the last stage of a push by Washington Gas to upgrade its natural gas infrastructure in the Tysons area, replacing a 14-inch-wide line with a 2-feet-wide, high-pressure one.
In the works since 2012, the overall project will span approximately five miles from Tyco Road to a regulator station at the Pimmit Drive and Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) intersection.
Phase six will be routed from Peabody Drive to Cherri Drive and Pimmit Drive to Route 7 — right through the heart of Pimmit Hills. Washington Gas had considered an alternate route along Magarity Road and Route 7 but said construction would take longer and bring more disruptions.
After initially denying it twice, the Virginia Department of Transportation approved a permit for the project in 2019, despite opposition from residents and local and state politicians representing the area.
At the request of Islet and fellow residents Christina Chen Zinner, Sarah Ellis and Lillian Whitesell, a county zoning administrator reviewed the project and decided it qualified as a “light utility facility” exempt from local regulation per the county’s zoning ordinance (page 241), which hadn’t yet been struck down.
The lawsuit by Washington Gas argues that the BZA lacked the authority to partially overturn the zoning administrator’s determination and require the project to obtain a special exception permit and undergo a 2232 review.
“Phase 6 is part of [the] Petitioner’s ‘ordinary distribution system’ that delivers natural gas to its customers and located in a VDOT right-of-way. Accordingly, Phase 6 is exempt from the zoning ordinance,” the petition filed on March 3, 2022 states, asserting that the BZA’s decision violated “decades of precedent” and state law.
The petition also argues that the Pimmit Hills residents haven’t shown that they would “suffer concrete, particularized harm” from the pipeline’s construction and, therefore, had no legal standing to appeal the zoning administrator’s decision.
The residents contend that the size and high-pressure nature of the proposed pipe makes it far from “ordinary,” particularly for a residential neighborhood already grappling with an aging sewer system and frequent construction to update or replace 1950s-era houses.
“There’s a reason these ordinances and these safety measures are in place,” Zinner said, recalling a 2021 gas explosion that injured workers in Springfield and a leak in February that closed key Reston roads. “We don’t want them to take a shortcut around this because it might save them some money, but these are our families, our children, our elderly community that are at risk, and it’s just we value people over profits.”
A Washington Gas spokesperson said the company “does not comment on pending litigation.”
While only four residents are involved in the lawsuit, their call for the pipeline to be rerouted — or at least go through the county’s zoning review process — has broad support. A Gofundme page started by the Pimmit Hills Citizens’ Association to help cover their legal fees has raised over $21,000, nearing its $23,000 goal.
Travis Sloane learned about the project after moving into Pimmit Hills in 2020. The pipeline will be about 20 feet from his living room on a street where he walks his 4-year-old daughter to day care, he says.
“If you want to have that quintessential idea of David and Goliath, a utility company is trying to do all of this, and none of us have those deep pockets,” he said. “…But I think it speaks volumes that the community is willing to come together on such an important issue and where we all stand on it.”
Report: County 911 Center Contributed to Confusion on CPR Call — “When firefighters and medics were sent to the wrong Reston, Virginia Metro station last month for a man in cardiac arrest Fairfax County blamed Metro…A recording of Metro’s call along with 911 center documents show Fairfax County provided both misleading and wrong information in its official statements.” [STATer911]
McLean Mac and Cheese Startup Lands New Funding — “McLean frozen food brand 8 Myles Inc. is closing a $1.05 million seed round this week to expand its operations and hire its first-ever full time employee. Co-founded by Myles Powell in 2015, 8 Myles makes frozen homestyle macaroni and cheese dinners that use no preservatives or artificial ingredients.” [DC Inno]
Temporary FCPS Worker Arrested for Exposing Himself — “A Dumfries man, who was a staff member at a Fairfax County high school, has turned himself in to police for allegedly exposing himself to an employee at a Cracker Barrel restaurant.” Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s principal said the man “was a temporary hourly staff member” and no longer has access to the school. [FOX5]
Group Planned to Look at Justice HS Parking — Fairfax County Public Schools is inviting Justice High School families, staff, students, and community members to serve on a new Justice High School Pyramid Community Working Group that will examine “parking and transportation needs and potential solutions.” An expansion for the Lake Barcroft school was approved last year. [Annandale Today]
Vienna Advances Sidewalk Project Despite Possible Tree Losses — “A proposed sidewalk on the west side of Hillcrest Drive, S.W., has received push-back from residents in the past, but the Vienna Town Council voted 6-1 April 10 to proceed with final engineering-design work for the project.” Up to 26 trees may need to be removed. [Gazette Leader]
General Assembly Takes Action on Vetoes and Amendments — “The politically divided Virginia General Assembly worked through Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s scores of proposed amendments to legislation during a one-day session Wednesday, approving most of his suggestions on matters ranging from intoxicating hemp products to energy policy.” [Associated Press/WTOP]
Reston Restaurant Hosts Local Author Signings — “Three local authors with links to South Lakes High School will be at Red’s Table Restaurant in South Lakes Village Center talking about their work and signing copies of their books on Thursday. Chuck Cascio, author of seven books who had taught at South Lakes for 18 years, will be joined by his former students Sean Murphy and Danny Olmes.” [Patch]
McLean Library to Stage Pop-Up Book Display Friday — “Dolley Madison Library proudly presents our Pop-up Book collection for your viewing pleasure. An opportunity to enjoy the art and imagination of the Pop-up Book as stories ‘POP’ off the page! All Ages, children must be accompanied by caregiver.” [Fairfax County Public Library]
It’s Thursday — Sunny. Pleasantly warm. High of 85 and low of 59. Sunrise at 6:35 am and sunset at 7:43 pm. [Weather.gov]
If everything goes according to plan, the all-affordable housing complex planned near the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons could break ground this December.
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority will issue up to $99 million in tax-exempt bonds to support construction of half of the Dominion Square project, which will deliver over 500 apartments for households earning 60% or less of the area median income (AMI).
The bonds were formally authorized yesterday (Tuesday) by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, a vote that county staff said was needed to keep the project on track to close financing in December.
“This is not the last time we’re going to see this project,” Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said. “As it comes through the process, there are a number of issues that are being worked out, and hopefully, we can keep this on schedule and get these units built and occupied as soon as possible.”
The county is currently reviewing a site plan after the planning commission approved the project on Feb. 15. Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH), the nonprofit developer, will also likely seek a parking reduction next, according to Alcorn’s office.
Part of a larger financing package for the development that includes $55 million from Amazon, proceeds from the newly authorized bond sales will specifically fund a 265-unit multifamily residential building now known as the “North Four Building.”
The North Four is one of two 21-story buildings that APAH will build to replace an auto dealership parking lot at 1592 Spring Hill Road. The other building — dubbed the “South Four” — will have 251 units with a community center on its ground floor.
According to a county staff summary, all 516 units will be priced at rates affordable to residents earning between 30 and 60% AMI. Based on fiscal year 2022 income levels, rents would range from $801 to $2,486, depending on the AMI and number of bedrooms.
In addition to the community center, which will be managed by the county, expected amenities include an outdoor courtyard, playground, business center, bicycle storage, a meeting room, and support services for residents — potentially including emergency cash support and legal, financial and medical assistance.
APAH says it has a total of $153.9 million for North Four and $144.1 million for South Four, per a financing plan. The nonprofit will lease the land from the county housing authority for 85 years.
“Dominion Square represents APAH’s commitment to meet the need of affordable housing across the region,” APAH said in a statement. “We are thankful to the Fairfax County Board for their support and authorization of bond financing. This critical step ensures Dominion Square receives the funding necessary to get this building built and provide opportunity for the residents that will call it home.”
Jewelry worn by stars like actor Kristen Bell and singer Kelly Clarkson will soon be for sale at Tysons Corner Center.
Texas-based designer Kendra Scott is planning a three-day grand opening to celebrate the arrival of her new, 2,653-square-foot store at the mall, where it’ll be located next to Lululemon.
Doors will open on Friday, April 21, at 10 a.m. for Kendra Scott’s first Tysons location, though the business also has stores at Reston Town Center and the Mosaic District in Merrifield.
During the grand opening, which will run from April 21-23, the store will offer giveaways — including a free piece of jewelry for every shopper who spends at least $75 — and donate 20% of its proceeds to local nonprofits.
“Kendra Scott hosts more than 10,000 Kendra Gives Back events in retail stores annually and looks forward to establishing relationships and connecting with the Tysons community,” the company said in a press release.
Here is the schedule for the grand opening:
Friday, April 21, 6-8 p.m.
- Proceeds go to the Junior League of NoVa for “social activism-focused projects directly benefiting the local community.”
- Floral Pop Co will offer complimentary custom floral bouquets for the first 25 supporters who spend $100 or more. Guests may enjoy “sips and sweets” while they shop.
Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Proceeds go to Best Buddies of Virginia & DC, funding programs that support individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Complimentary coffee will be provided by the Bean Bag Bakery.
Saturday, April 22, 4-7 p.m.
- Proceeds go the food bank Food for Others as part of a partnership with the Tysons Community Alliance.
- Guests will enjoy entertainment by Deejay Courtney and may enjoy sips and sweets while they shop.
Sunday, April 23, noon-3 p.m.
- Proceeds go to Chi Omega and Make-A-Wish, which grants wishes for children with critical illnesses.
- Charcurry Boards will provide charcuterie cones, and guests may enjoy sips and sweets while they shop.
Established in 2002, Kendra Scott sells jewelry and other fashion accessories, including watches. With a flagship studio in Austin, Texas, the company has grown to over 130 stores and pop-ups, and over 850 specialty boutiques in the U.S.
Scott appeared as a guest judge on the 12th season of the reality show “Shark Tank,” and her designs are regularly worn by celebrities, including a necklace that has been seen on everyone from Taylor Swift and Blake Lively to Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, according to People magazine.
After the grand opening, the Tysons store will be operate from 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. on Sundays.
Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area should be on alert for potential outdoor fire hazards today (Wednesday), the National Weather Service says.
A combination of wind gusts and dry weather has created an “elevated threat” of wildfires throughout the region until the early evening, according to a special weather statement issued just after 9 a.m.
From the alert, which will be in effect until 8 p.m.:
…ELEVATED THREAT FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRES THROUGH THE EARLY EVENING…
West to northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph are expected with gusts around 20 to 25 mph through this afternoon and relative humidity values will fall to between 20 and 30 percent. Given recent dry weather, fuels are very dry. Therefore, an elevated fire danger will continue until about 8 PM before the winds gradually weaken and humidity rises.
Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged during this time. Please refer to your local burn permitting authority on whether you can burn. If you do burn, use extreme caution and ensure fire suppression is readily available.
Some areas of Northern Virginia further to the west are under a Red Flag Warning.
The fire risk comes as temperatures are expected to reach the low 80s, which is well above average for April, according to the weather service.
That warmer-than-average trend is projected to continue into tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday (April 14), the Capital Weather Gang forecasts, stating that the next couple of days could feel like early summer.
Clouds will be on the decrease this morning, with sunny skies expected during the afternoon hours. Temperatures will be well above normal for April. pic.twitter.com/mOQblDA2p1
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 12, 2023
All kids under the age of 12 will soon be able to ride the Fairfax Connector for free.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to change the bus system’s policy to allow any child 12 or younger to ride for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
The vote closes a gap in the county’s transit policy that left children between ages 5 and 12 paying for bus fare, while younger kids and high school students can ride for free.
Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn said the change is part of an ongoing effort to expand the number of riders who can ride Fairfax Connector fare-free — without going fully free like neighboring Alexandria.
“This is a nice step forward,” said Alcorn. “…As we move forward with identifying populations that really should get free fare, we should do that, and just as a reminder, we have some other things coming in terms of reduced fare. So, this is one of a number of initiatives we’re doing in terms of our bus fare strategy.”
Chairman Jeff McKay said one of the long-term benefits of getting more children riding Fairfax Connector is familiarizing a new generation with mass transit.
“This is great,” McKay said. “Not only is it for people who need it — in this case it’s free fare for children — but we’re also building a population and educating a population on how to use mass transit. It’s an investment in the future, and we’ve certainly seen that with the student bus pass program.
Calling the new policy “fantastic,” he thanked county staff for proposing the change and “the speed at which they got this to the Board for approval.”
The new policy will take effect on May 1.
Metro Worker Fired After Overrunning Innovation Station — “On March 17, safety commission officials said Tuesday, a train operator put his train into [automatic mode] several times during the day. He was caught when his train shot past the Innovation Center station platform in Virginia, triggering a Metro probe into the platform overrun.” [The Washington Post]
Disciplinary Incidents Rise in FCPS — “The number of disciplinary incidents reported in Fairfax County, Virginia, public schools more than doubled in the first semester of the current school year, compared to the first semester of the 2021-22 academic year, according to preliminary county data.” [WTOP]
Fairfax County Congressional Rep. Diagnosed With Parkinson’s — “Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton of Virginia announced on Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease…Wexton said that she wants to use her platform to raise awareness and fight for a cure and made it clear that she doesn’t intend to leave office.” [CNN]
State Police Revise Account of I-95 Fatal Shooting — “The state police disclosed in a news release for the first time that a trooper talked to Tatiana N. David, 34, the woman who was reportedly abducted, during a traffic stop Wednesday that came just before a police chase and the shootout on the major highway.” [The Washington Post]
Designer of Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly Dies — “Bill Hellmuth, chairman and CEO of HOK Inc. and the backbone of the architecture firm’s D.C. presence, died April 6 after a long illness, HOK announced. He was 69. Hellmuth had a hand in the design of dozens of buildings in Greater Washington, including…the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.” [Washington Business Journal]
Metro to Unveil New Proposed Bus Map — “Metrobus planners are unveiling five years of work on Monday — a redesigned ‘visionary’ bus network map for the entire region, something that hasn’t been done in 50 years. The map includes 100 bus routes with 20-minute frequency or better (many have 12-minute frequencies), a 24/7 bus network, and simpler, more direct routes.” [DCist]
Police Credit License Plate Reader With Helping Find Missing People — “A new device that lets law enforcement officers track stolen vehicles, stolen license plates, and wanted persons helped Fairfax County Police to locate three out of four people recently reported missing, including a former member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.” [Patch]
Reston Homeowner Introduces Solar Shingles to Neighborhood — “He knew traditional panels would be a bear to install in a house with a loft, cathedral ceilings, and no attic to hide protruding infrastructure. And two, he feared tangling with notoriously strict homeowner associations. ‘The HOAs can be brutal in Reston,’ Hester said” [Energy News]
It’s Wednesday — Morning clouds. Pleasantly warm. High of 82 and low of 56. Sunrise at 6:36 am and sunset at 7:42 pm. [Weather.gov]
A display of peppers at a local farmers market (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Several county-run farmers markets are returning for the spring season this month with the remainder opening soon after.
The Fairfax County Park Authority operates 10 farmers markets across the county where residents can pick up fresh veggies, fruit, meat, and other locally produced goodies.
“Our markets are strictly producer-only, meaning that all of our farmers and producers may only sell what they raise on their farms or make from scratch,” reads the county’s website.
Three farmers markets are coming back later in April.
- April 19: McCutcheon/Mount Vernon on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon
- April 22: Burke on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon
- April 29: Reston on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon
The seven remaining farmers markets will open in May.
- May 3: Oak Marr on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon, Wakefield on Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m.
- May 4: Annandale on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon, Herndon on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- May 5: McLean on Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon, Kingstowne on Fridays from 3-7 p.m.
- May 7: Lorton on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Each market’s webpage has a list of vendors that are set to be selling. Besides food for sale, many markets will also offer family-friendly activities, live music, and civic-engagement opportunities.
Besides the county-run farmers markets, the nonprofit FreshFarm also has a number of local markets, including three that operate year-round.
- Oakton on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Mosaic District on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Reston on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Two other FreshFarm markets — Springfield and Mosaic on Thursdays — were open last year, but it is not immediately clear if those will be open starting next month. FreshFarm is the area’s largest farmers market operator, and in February, its employees voted to unionize.
