Final consideration of state Sen. Saddam Salim’s (D-37) proposal to expand the availability of accessory housing units in Virginia will wait until next year.
A Virginia House of Delegates committee voted on Feb. 23 to table Senate Bill 304, until 2025, suggesting that the delay would give Salim and other legislators more time to refine the bill and collect data on existing local policies allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are known in Fairfax County as accessory living units (ALUs).
In his first term representing the 37th Senate District, which includes Tysons, Vienna, Oakton, Merrifield and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, Salim proposed requiring localities to allow ALUs in residential districts “by right,” meaning the property owner wouldn’t need a special permit that often comes with added fees and public hearings.
Though the bill passed the Senate 22-18 on Feb. 9, it was still being revised up until the House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee’s meeting on Feb. 23. The committee didn’t hear public testimony, but its chair, Del. Candi Mundon King (D-23), noted that seven people had signed up to oppose the bill and three to support it, on top of “extensive” feedback at a subcommittee meeting on Feb. 22.
“There is no concern about accessory dwelling units in concept. I think you saw unanimous support,” Del. Briana Sewell (D-25), who chaired the subcommittee, said. “The issue is fine-tuning the language, and the fact that you even brought forth an amendment today showcases that the work has not been complete.”
Also sometimes known as “granny flats,” ADUs or ALUs are independent, secondary residential units located on the same lot as a single-family house. They can either be attached to the primary dwelling or standalone structures, but as defined by Salim’s bill, they have their own living, bathroom and kitchen space.
Though he doesn’t seem them as a solution to local affordable housing needs, Salim says accessory units are still a useful option for residents who might otherwise be priced out of their neighborhood, including seniors and college students.
“Numerous constituents, including teachers, firefighters, nurses, and other essential workers, have expressed concerns about being priced out of our community,” he said in a statement to FFXnow. “Among the primary impediments to ADUs are local requirements for Special-Use Permits, which substantially inflate costs and delay construction timelines, rendering them financially unfeasible in many cases.”
When talking before the House committee, he recalled how he and his family had to live in other people’s basements after they immigrated to the U.S. from Bangladesh in the early 2000s.
“ADUs would’ve been something that would’ve helped us temporarily, whether it’s a room in someone’s house or a configuration of a bathroom, a kitchen and a bedroom that comes together,” he said. “…Living in those basements allowed us to apply for affordable housing. That took about three and a half years.”
Initially, Salim’s proposal prohibited localities from requiring ALUs to have dedicated parking or an occupant who has a relationship or “affinity” with the people living in the primary dwelling, among other potential restrictions. Some of the provisions would’ve contradicted Fairfax County’s zoning policies, alarming some local officials and residents.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors discussed the bill at a legislative committee meeting on Jan. 26, where staff recommended opposing it for encroaching on local authority to govern land use. The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) also sent a letter expressing concern that the legislation would “nullify” the county’s requirements for ALUs.
Throughout the General Assembly session, SB 304 was significantly amended. The version that went before the House Counties committee allowed localities to require dedicated parking for ALUs, a rental term of at least 30 days, owner occupancy of either the accessory or primary unit, and a size limit of 1,000 square feet or 50% of the primary dwelling, whichever is less.
Salim told the committee that he and his office worked with localities to make “reasonable changes and improvements to the bill,” as long as they weren’t asking to be exempted.
“While I understand local government concerns regarding their jurisdiction, I believe that this bill strikes the right balance, addressing the need for action without imposing too much control from Richmond,” he told FFXnow. “…We remain receptive to stakeholder feedback and will continue to refine the bill over the next year.”
Salim confirmed that King and House Speaker Del. Don Scott (D-88) will send letters to the Virginia Housing Commission, directing it to gather information from localities around the state on their ALU policies. A representative of the commission, which studies and provides recommendations on legislative solutions to housing issues, told the state lawmakers that it should be able to provide that data by July 1.
“I am confident that with this data, the bill will have the votes to become law next year,” Salim said. “Ultimately, Virginia faces a pressing need for expanded housing options, and delay is not an option.”
MCA President Linda Walsh said the citizens’ association hasn’t taken a stance on the amended bill.
“We most likely will take a look during the fall as we start to review the bills that have been held over and any new bills that have been submitted for consideration,” she said.
(Updated at 12:25 a.m.) A right-wing legal group led by Stephen Miller, a former advisor to Donald Trump when he was president, is challenging Fairfax County Public Schools over its policies supporting transgender students.
America First Legal filed a complaint against the Fairfax County School Board on Monday (March 4) arguing that the school system is discriminating on the basis of sex and religion by letting students use the names, pronouns and bathrooms that match their gender identity.
The complaint was submitted to the Fairfax County Circuit Court on behalf of an unnamed female student. It identifies “Jane Doe” as a current high school senior who has attended FCPS since 2014, when she was in third grade.
Her opposition to the regulations that the school board originally adopted in October 2020 stems from her beliefs as a “practicing Roman Catholic” that “rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person,” the filing says.
According to the lawsuit, the student supports her peers using the name and pronoun they’re “comfortable with” and “having access to the use of private restrooms” if they don’t want to use ones that correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth.
However, she objects to being “compelled” to address other students by their “chosen” names and pronouns, and she says sharing bathrooms with transgender girls “makes her feel unsafe and uncomfortable.”
“The Petitioner lives in daily fear that if she speaks in a manner that is consistent with her sincerely held philosophical and religious beliefs, she will be subject to discipline, chastisement, and/or social ostracization,” the complaint said.
Last updated on April 21, 2022, FCPS Regulation 2603.2 says all students should be treated in accordance with their gender identity “to ensure that all students, including gender-expansive and transgender students experience a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment.”
FCPS leaders maintained their support for the policy last year after the Virginia Department of Education released “model policies” directing public schools to treat students based on their “biological sex.” The state’s proposed policies prompted student protests in Fairfax County and across Virginia when they were first released in 2022.
The VDOE policies are facing a discrimination lawsuit filed last month by two transgender students backed by the ACLU of Virginia. Though an American First Legal advisor says FCPS’s policies contradict Virginia Supreme Court rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an appeals court decision in 2021 that found banning transgender students from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity is unconstitutional.
FCPS didn’t return a request for comment on America First Legal’s lawsuit by press time.
Providence District School Board Representative Karl Frisch, who chairs the board, stressed that FCPS “remains committed to fostering a safe, supportive, welcoming, and inclusive school environment for all students and staff, including our transgender and gender expansive students and staff.” Read More
Fairfax Connector to Restart Service Friday — Fairfax Connector workers represented by ATU Local 689 voted yesterday (Wednesday) to ratify a new contract with bus operator Transdev, ending their strike after 15 days, the union announced. The bus system will officially resume service on Friday (March 8). [FFXnow]
Annandale Man Charged in Baby Son’s Death — “Detectives from the Mason Police District arrested Shane Frye, 37, of Annandale, in connection with the overdose death of his 4-month-old son. Officers responded to the 4200 block of Americana Drive in Annandale on June 15, 2023, for an unresponsive baby, who was being cared for by Frye.” [Annandale Today]
Casino Opponents Got Help From MGM Owner — “A coalition of political and business leaders, including the owners of MGM National Harbor Hotel and Casino in Maryland, paid for a phone survey and provided buses to take Tysons casino opponents to Richmond.” Leaders of opposing community groups say they were already organizing volunteers to testify before state lawmakers when a PR firm tied to MGM offered to help with expenses. [Patch]
Animal Shelter Needs Help Getting Dogs Adopted — “We currently have over 100 dogs in our care, and our shelters are quickly running out of space. We need our community’s assistance in finding loving homes for these wonderful pups. With so many adorable faces waiting to meet you TODAY, there has never been a better time to adopt!” [Fairfax County Animal Shelter/Facebook]
County Board Appoints Police Review Panel Liaison — “Craig Miles has been appointed Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel (PCRP) liaison by the Board of Supervisors (BOS), effective Monday, March 11.” Replacing the panel’s one-time executive director, the liaison will advise, support and coordinate activities with the panel and manage “the intake process for complaints against officers and employees of the FCPD.” [Fairfax County Government]
Police Warn About Cryptocurrency Scams — “Detectives and investigators with the Fairfax County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Division warn community members of Bitcoin and crypto-related scams being reported within the county. Criminals are exploiting people into depositing money into crypto ATMs and defrauding them of their money, police said.” [Gazette Leader]
Tysons Hotelier to Sponsor Golf Competition — Hilton McLean Tysons will be the official hotel for the 2024 Solheim Cup, a biennial women’s golf competition that “pits the best U.S. players against their European counterparts.” Hilton Worldwide Holdings has signed on as a global partner for the event, which will be held Sept. 10-15 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville. [Washington Business Journal]
Vienna Sets Date for July 4 Fireworks — Vienna will hold “its Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Show on July 2 at Yeonas Park…Like several other Northern Virginia communities, Vienna in recent years has been holding its Independence Day celebration earlier than the traditional July 4 because of difficulties in securing fireworks vendors.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Thursday — There’s a 20% chance of rain before 10am, and skies will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures reaching up to 61°F. There’s a 20% chance of precipitation. The skies will be partly cloudy at night with the temperature dropping to about 43°F. [Weather.gov]
Updated at 3:35 p.m. on 4/2/2024 — Yellow Diner officially opened in Vienna on Monday, April 1, operating from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. every day except for Tuesdays.
Earlier: An end to the long, winding road to an opening for Vienna’s Yellow Diner is in sight.
The new restaurant is “a hundred percent guaranteed” to open at 501 Maple Avenue West this month, co-owner and operational manager Emanuel Pagonis told FFXnow. A firm date hasn’t been set yet, but the team is targeting the last week of March for a grand opening.
“It’s three years in the making, but it’s a beautiful place, a beautiful restaurant inside,” Pagonis said by phone. “I’m just excited for people to come in and feel happy, honestly. That’s what I’m most looking forward to.”
The concept for Yellow Diner came to Emanuel and his father, Peter Pagonis, who owns the Greek restaurant Nostos in Tysons, during the uncertain days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They wanted to build a “happy community spot” that everyone will feel comfortable visiting at any time of the day, according to Emanuel Pagonis. They also saw a deficit of quality breakfast options in Vienna, particularly following Amphora Restaurant’s closure in 2021.
The Maple Room, a steak and seafood restaurant, opened last year in Amphora’s place, but it offers more of a fine-dining experience, operating only during dinner hours.
“We wanted to make this a new, little beacon of happiness where people can come and enjoy American classics and feel nice and warm when they walk in,” Emanuel said.
The Pagonis family got the Vienna Board of Architectural Review’s approval to replace a defunct SunTrust Bank branch with Yellow Diner in July 2022, but converting a bank originally built in the 1970s into a modern restaurant required an extensive permitting and construction process.
Now that the water, gas lines, electricity and other utilities have been installed, the build-out finally complete, the team is focused on hiring staff and taste-testing their planned recipes. The menu is still being finalized, but it will be completely different from the Greek cuisine at Nostos, Emanuel Pagonis confirmed.
Breakfast and brunch will consist of eggs benedict, pancakes, waffles and other classic American comfort foods, as Tysons Today previously reported. For dinner, which will start at 5 p.m., the restaurant will shift to “American fusion” dishes.
Though it seeks to impart the same feelings of comfort associated with an old-school diner, Yellow Diner will have a different, more modern ambiance than a mid-century establishment like The Virginian, for example, which dates back to 1965.
Among other deviations, it will have a bar with full cocktail and liquor lists, along with fresh juices and lemonade.
Including an outdoor patio, the restaurant can seat 94 people, though it has the capacity to expand in the future, according to Emanuel.
“Until you come inside and see the place, you won’t really know what we’re about,” he said. “Our name is Yellow Diner, but we look a little different than your traditional diner, so we want people to come in and see for themselves.”
Perhaps Nikki Haley’s rally in Idylwood last week made a difference after all.
In yesterday’s Republican presidential primary, the former South Carolina governor won more support from Fairfax County voters than frontrunner Donald Trump, though she trailed the one-time president by a sizable margin in Virginia overall.
According to preliminary results from the Fairfax County Office of Elections, Haley received 48,007 votes (57%) compared to Trump’s 33,752 votes (40%). The four other candidates on the Republican ballot combined for 2,038 votes, though none of them were seeking the nomination anymore.
Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy left the race before early voting started in January, while Texas pastor Ryan Binkley suspended his campaign in February. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who dropped out and endorsed Trump on Jan. 21, led the also-rans with 923 votes, including 771 that were cast yesterday (Tuesday).
In total, 83,797 ballots were cast in Fairfax County’s Republican primary — a roughly 10.6% turnout. The vast majority of votes (72,238) came in the day of the primary, though mail ballots will be counted until noon on Friday (March 8) as long as they were postmarked on or before election day.
As of this morning, Trump has drawn 63.3% of the vote in Virginia’s Republican primary, getting 33 delegates as part of a Super Tuesday haul that puts him close to the 1,215 delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination. With 34.6% of the Virginia vote, Haley gained six delegates, but after trailing in all of yesterday’s primaries except for Vermont, she announced today (Wednesday) that she will end her campaign.
Biden prevails in Democratic primary
Over in the Democratic primary, President Joe Biden garnered nearly 89% of votes in Virginia, including 51,612 (86.6%) of the 59,812 votes cast in Fairfax County, according to unofficial results.
The Fairfax County Democratic Committee said it was “thrilled with last night’s outcomes” in both the Democratic and Republican contests.
“With President Biden’s sweep in Virginia we are committed to keep the commonwealth blue as we head into the November election,” the FCDC said. “We are further heartened by the significant loss of Former President Trump in Fairfax County as it underscores local rejection of the divisive politics employed by his and Glenn Youngkin’s party.”
Though no serious primary challengers to the sitting president emerged, Marianne Williamson received 5,989 votes in Fairfax County, and Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips got 2,211 votes.
It’s unclear why voters cast ballots for those candidates, but in some states, activists have urged Democrats to withhold their vote from Biden to protest his handling of Israel’s war on Gaza. A Listen to Virginia Coalition, a spin-off of the original “Listen to Michigan” campaign, asked voters to cast ballots for Williamson instead, since Virginia doesn’t have an “uncommitted” or write-in option.
Biden has been allocated 1,497 delegates so far and needs 1,967 to officially win the Democratic nomination, which will be determined at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on Aug. 19-22. The Republican National Convention is scheduled for July 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Fairfax County saw a total turnout of 18.15% for yesterday’s primaries, a decline from the 34.2% of voters who participated in the last Democratic presidential primary in March 2020. The most recent Republican presidential primary was in March 2016 and had a 20.8% turnout.
The man behind “Uptown Girls” will get an early birthday party this week in Tysons, Fairfax County’s aspiring downtown.
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra is set to return to Capital One Hall on Friday (March 8) for “The Music of Billy Joel,” a tribute to the “Piano Man” that will pair the classical group with Broadway star Michael Cavanaugh.
Preceding Billy Joel’s 75th birthday, which will come in May, the concert continues a new series by the FSO and Capital One Center that began last month with a recreation of the 1964 show that introduced the Beatles to the U.S.
“We are so thrilled for another exciting performance with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and cannot wait to welcome the incredible Michael Cavanaugh to the stage at Capital One Hall,” Capital One Center Managing Director Jonathan Griffith said in a press release. “The music of Billy Joel has been the soundtrack for generations of music fans, and we can’t wait for this special performance in Tysons!”
A singer and pianist, Cavanaugh was nominated for a Tony and a Grammy in 2003 for portraying Billy Joel in the musical “Movin’ Out.” He got handpicked for the role by Joel, who saw and joined him on stage during a show that Cavanaugh had in Las Vegas in 2001, according to his website.
After “Movin’ Out” closed in 2005, Cavanaugh began touring across the country to perform renditions of Billy Joel’s songbook. His collaborations with classical orchestras started with the Indianapolis Symphony in 2008.
In a recent interview for WTOP, Cavanaugh described the New York-born singer-songwriter’s music as “eclectic” and “emotional.”
Some of that variety will be on display at the Capital One Hall concert, which will include hits like “Piano Man,” “Just the Way You Are,” “New York State of Mind” and more.
FSO Executive Director Jonathan Kerr said the orchestra “can’t wait” to return to Capital One Hall with another “unique” collaboration “between great artists and the symphonic world.”
“We’re not simply performing music you love; we’re crafting a cultural time machine that transports you back to pivotal moments in music history,” he said in the press release.
The pop-meets-classical series will conclude with a visit to Tysons by the Indigo Girls on May 11 at 8 p.m.
Tickets to the Billy Joel tribute concert start at $35 and are still available through the Capital One Hall and Fairfax Symphony Orchestra websites. The show will start at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m.
This weekend, the Tysons concert venue (7750 Capital One Tower Road) will also host shows by the Virginia Chamber Orchestra and the Fairfax Jubil-Aires, a Clifton-based choir.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has advanced a proposal for a 4-cent real estate tax increase, which would mark the first hike in six years, if approved.
Yesterday (Tuesday), the board gave County Executive Bryan Hill the green light to advertise the fiscal year 2025 proposed budget and schedule a public hearing starting Tuesday, April 16, at 3 p.m.
The public hearing will be held in the board auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway) over three days, ending on April 18.
Several board members, including Chairman Jeff McKay, acknowledged the necessity of raising tax revenue to pay for employee raises, schools and Metro, among other priorities. However, they noted that the tax rate adopted in the final budget draft may be lower than the advertised rate, which sets a ceiling on what the board can approve.
“It is the prudent thing to do,” McKay said, adding that the board needs flexibility to increase the tax rate if the state does not provide enough funding for specific items, such as schools.
Under the proposed plan, the real estate tax rate would increase from $1.095 per $100 to $1.135, boosting the average tax bill by more than $524. Initially, Hill had recommended a 6 to 8-cent hike, but the board rejected the proposal.
If adopted, the new tax rate would generate an additional $129.28 million in revenue, which would help offset the revenue loss caused by a decline in commercial property values, particularly office space.
About 73% of taxable residential properties in the county saw their value rise this year, compared to just 36% of non-residential parcels, according to the county’s Department of Tax Administration. The average residential property assessment increased by 2.86% to $744,526 from 2023.
Also included in the proposed budget is an 8.8% increase in personal property taxes and a proposed 10-cent-per-pack increase in cigarette taxes, raising the total projected revenue to $363.22 million more than last fiscal year.
The advertised budget largely focuses spending to essential areas like public schools and employee compensation, with nearly half of the funding ($165 million) allocated to Fairfax County Public Schools — falling short of Superintendent Michelle Reid’s request for an additional $254 million.
While board members acknowledged the significance of Reid’s request, several noted during yesterday’s meeting too much of the burden would fall on property owners.
Instead, supervisors blamed the state for failing to adequately fund the school system, pointing out that Virginia’s funding for public education falls well below the national average. They also highlighted Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed state budget, which would reduce funding for K-12 schools.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, the lone Republican on the board, said that while he supports the advertised rate, he wants to see the board try to whittle the number down.
“I hope we can start looking at a deep dive on the budget and see what we can do for our taxpayers,” he said.
In addition to testifying at next month’s public hearings, community members can provide feedback to the county on the proposed budget and tax rate online, by text, phone and email.
A final budget and tax rate will be adopted by the board on May 7.
ICYMI: Fairfax Connector Workers to Vote on Contract — Members of ATU Local 689, the union that represents Fairfax Connector bus drivers and mechanics, will vote today (Wednesday) on whether to ratify a tentative contract agreement with operator Transdev. If the deal is approved, it would end a nearly two-week-long strike that disrupted travel for thousands of bus riders. [FFXnow]
Ohio Murder Suspect Arrested in Springfield — “A man wanted on murder charges in Columbus, Ohio, was arrested in Fairfax County, Virginia, on Monday night after police said he fled from a traffic stop and struck multiple police vehicles before authorities took him into custody.” Police said the man and “multiple police officers sustained minor injuries during the arrest.” [WTOP]
Police ID Suspect in 1989 Homicide — “Police in Stafford and Fairfax counties say they arrested a suspect in the slayings of 18-year-old Amy Baker and 32-year-old Jaqueline Lord in 1989 and 1986, respectively.” Baker, a Stafford resident, disappeared while visiting family in Falls Church on March 29, 1989. Her family found her body two days later near the I-95 exit ramp to Backlick Road in Springfield. [Potomac Local News, FCPD]
Driver in Fatal Route 29 Crash Charged — A 22-year-old Fairfax resident has been arrested on DUI-related manslaughter and reckless driving charges for a fatal crash that occurred on Dec. 5 at the intersection of Route 29 and Clifton Road near Centreville. Police say the man was drunk and driving over 110 mph when he crashed into a Hyundai, killing Manassas resident Sohail Iqbal. [FCPD]
Dentist to Open Practice in Fort Belvoir — “Gentle Dental Fort Belvoir…will open soon at Belvoir Square and hold a ribbon cutting ceremony with refreshments March 16 at noon. The practice’s founder and general dentist, Dr. Duy Nguyen, graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke.” [On the MoVe]
Local Women-Owned Restaurants Join Festival — “More than 40 bars and restaurants around the D.C. region are celebrating Women’s History Month together…The third annual Women’s History Month Festival is the biggest celebration to date. It’s organized by the nonprofit group Regarding Her, which started in Los Angeles and now includes the women who own bars and restaurants in D.C.” [WTOP]
Rep. Don Beyer Proposes A.I. for Suicide Prevention — “The congressman said that he is trying to figure out a way to use artificial intelligence to improve suicide hotlines. After enrolling part-time at George Mason University to pursue a master’s in AI, to learn how to regulate its use, he said he realized that AI could be beneficial in other areas.” [ARLnow]
It’s Wednesday — Expect rain to begin mainly after 1pm, with patchy fog clearing by 8am and a high near 58°F. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation, with up to half an inch possible. Rain will continue mainly before 1am on Wednesday night, dropping to a low around 51°F. [Weather.gov]
Updated at 9:45 p.m. on 3/6/2024 — Fairfax Connector workers with ATU Local 689 voted today (Wednesday) to ratify a new contract with bus operator Transdev, ending a 15-day strike, the union announced.
The bus system will officially resume service on Friday (March 8), according to Transdev and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.
“Our management teams and staff have been preparing to restore full bus service as soon as possible after approval of the new contract,” FCDOT said. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our passengers during this challenging time and look forward to welcoming them back on board.”
Earlier: An end to the strike that has kept Fairfax Connector buses on ice for nearly two weeks may be near.
ATU Local 689, the union representing more than 600 bus drivers and mechanics who run Fairfax County’s public bus service, have reached a “tentative” contract agreement with Transdev, the contractor that operates the service, the union announced tonight (Tuesday).
The news came just two hours after the Fairfax County Department of Transportation announced at 6 p.m. that service would be suspended tomorrow (Wednesday) for a 14th consecutive day.
According to an ATU spokesperson, the strike remains in effect, but union members won’t be picketing. Instead, they will vote on whether to ratify the new contract, which will set standards for pay, benefits and working conditions and replace one that expired on Nov. 30.
“If it passes, they could return to work as soon as Thursday,” ATU Local 689 spokesperson Ben Lynn said.
Fairfax Connector workers have been striking since Feb. 22, when the union called for a work stoppage, saying it remained far apart from Trandev in what they were seeking from a new contract, even after 12 bargaining sessions.
While details of the potential agreement aren’t currently available, Local 689 says it secured “major transformative improvements…that would guarantee retirement security for members, include competitive wages for bus operators and mechanics, and enhance the 40-hour guarantee,” among other priorities.
Transdev confirmed that it had reached “a mutually agreeable, tentative agreement.”
“The next step will be for the ATU 689 membership to vote on ratifying the contract tomorrow,” a Transdev spokesperson said. “We will immediately prioritize restoring full service as soon as possible.”
Fairfax Connector service has been suspended throughout the strike, disrupting travel for the approximately 26,000 passengers who ride its buses daily.
FCDOT encouraged riders to utilize alternatives such as teleworking, carpooling, walking, bicycling, Metro and Virginia Railway Express (VRE), though many commuters resorted to ride-sharing services. Starting last Friday (March 1 ), the county offered free Capital Bikeshare rides.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said in a newsletter that participants in the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP), which provides half-price fares to low-income riders, got “a supplemental one-time credit in their accounts that they can use for alternative transportation during the strike.”
Though initially criticized by the union for not taking a more vocal stance on the contract dispute, McKay got involved last week when he sent a letter to a federal mediator on Feb. 28, asking her to move up talks between Transdev and ATU that previously weren’t scheduled to resume until March 5.
In a statement, McKay said county leaders are “pleased” by the news of a tentative agreement, signaling that Fairfax Connector service could resume soon.
“The mutually agreeable solution that resulted from this effort not only respects the exemplary work of the system’s drivers and mechanics but ensures that we are moving forward in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner that benefits our residents,” McKay said.
Lezzet has closed its Vienna restaurant after less than two years in the town.
The location closed for good “last week unfortunately,” a spokesperson for the Mediterranean restaurant confirmed to FFXnow by email on Friday (March 1), though they didn’t elaborate on what led to that decision.
A notice taped to the restaurant’s front door was similarly opaque, saying only that it was permanently closed.
An expansion of a popular restaurant that started in Centreville in 2020, Lezzet opened in the Cedar Park Shopping Center (262-G Cedar Lane) on April 10, 2022. It was accompanied by El Sabor Grill, a Mexican restaurant and bar also operated by general manager Burcin Can.
El Sabor opened in March 2022 and closed after less than a year of business.
Lezzet was founded by chef Serkan Gozubuyuk, who had more than three decades of experience cooking Turkish cuisine. An immigrant from Turkey, his previous work included stints as an executive chef at Ankara in Dupont Circle and a sous chef for Agora Tysons.
The Centreville location (13850 Braddock Road, Suite E) remains open. It has the same menu as the Vienna location, serving kabobs, flatbreads, wraps and other Turkish and Mediterranean dishes.
Lezzet joins a growing list of restaurant closures in the Town of Vienna, following in the more established footsteps of Noodles and Company and preceding last week’s shuttering of Akai Tori Ramen & Yakitori. The family-owned store Princess Jewelers is also set to close after 38 years on March 16.
Anchored by CVS Pharmacy and Simply Social Coffee, Cedar Park Shopping Center’s remaining dining options include Sushi Koji, America’s Best Wings, Hunan Delight, Pizza Boli’s and The Red Bird, a hot chicken eatery that opened in December.
