County Proposes Expanding Tax Relief Program — “Today, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a public hearing on Dec. 7 to consider expanding the real estate tax relief program for seniors and people with disabilities…The expanded program would allow people with higher incomes and net worth to qualify, add a new 75% tax relief bracket and offer an option to defer tax payments.” [Fairfax County Government]
Man Sentenced in Falls Church Woman’s Drug-Related Death — “A former medical student from Ontario, Canada, was sentenced on Tuesday to one year in prison for distributing MDA — a psychedelic drug similar to MDMA, or “molly” — that resulted in the fatal overdose of a 21-year-old Falls Church woman in 2019, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.” [Patch]
MCA Takes Position on Tree Presevation Proposal — “McLean Citizens Association (MCA) board members on Nov. 3 commended the Fairfax County Tree Commission for crafting proposals to preserve the county’s tree canopy, but did not agree with all of the group’s recommendations…MCA’s resolution expressed concerns about the proposals regarding property setbacks and taller buildings.” [Sun Gazette]
Lewinsville Park Eyed for Pickleball Facilities — The Fairfax County Park Authority will present options to improve the park’s six existing tennis courts and introduce pickleball with a virtual public meeting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1. The potential project aims to address growing demand for pickleball facilities in the greater McLean area. [FCPA]
Local Veterans’ Job Fair Is Big Draw — “One week before Veterans Day, representatives of 66 companies interviewed job-seekers at the first annual Veteran and Military Career Fair on Nov. 4, 2021…Geared toward assisting veterans, active-duty service members transitioning out of the military, and military spouses, the hybrid event was attended by 250 job-seekers at the museum, and 259 virtually attendees located around the world.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]
The Town of Vienna has a new source of Nepali cuisine, and it happens to occupy the same space as the previous source.
Royal Nepal Bistro has been serving diners since Sept. 30 out of 131-A Maple Avenue W., the site filled by Mo:Mo House until that restaurant closed permanently on Aug. 28.
Manager Sunil Chaudhary says Royal Nepal Bistro has no connection to Mo:Mo House. Instead, it’s a spin-off of Royal Nepal, a restaurant in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood that wanted to expand its reach.
“This is one of the central points where Tysons is next to us. McLean is very close,” Chaudhary said when asked why Royal Nepal chose Vienna for its second location. “We have Oakton very close…so we thought this was the perfect location where we’d be able to expand.”
The team looked at a couple of other possible venues in Vienna before selecting the former Mo:Mo House space due to its cozy size, which seemed more appropriate for a bistro than the larger dining room that the restaurant has in Alexandria.
Chaudhary says the COVID-19 pandemic “slowed some things down,” with some steps taking a week or two longer than anticipated, but the process of setting up the new eatery was generally “sound and smooth.”
The bistro has been well-received by customers, garnering almost entirely five-star ratings on Yelp and warm mentions on the Vienna VA Foodies Facebook page.
“The response has been great from the community,” Chaudhary said. “They’ve been supporting us a lot, so we’re happy that we’re here in Vienna. It’s been an amazing response from the community.”
In addition to lamb, chicken, and vegetable momo dumplings, Royal Nepal Bistro’s menu features a variety of meat plates, curries, nasi goreng, salads, and Nepalese street food. It diverges from the Alexandria restaurant both in the kinds of dishes offered and their presentation style.
Chaudhary says the menu is different, because the goal is to cater to each community’s preferences. For instance, the popularity of healthy food-oriented eateries like Sweet Leaf Cafe and Chopt in Vienna suggests salads would be a good fit there.
Even though Royal Nepal Bistro has been open for over a month now, patrons can expect to see “a lot of changes” to its interior design, as those renovations are still underway, according to Chaudhary. He says the menu will also be revamped by the new year based on customer feedback.
“We’re looking for the response of the community, and we’ll update everything accordingly,” Chaudhary said.
From the outside, the office towers at 6400 and 6402 Arlington Boulevard look much the same as they did half a century ago.
At 13 stories tall, they still loom over Route 50 as it approaches Seven Corners and still boast striking black-and-white facades that draw the attention of passing drivers while revealing little about their occupants.
Inside, however, property owner BoundTrain Real Estate has been busy overhauling both buildings from their lobbies to the top floor that once housed offices for executives of First Virginia Banks, which built 6400 Arlington Boulevard — now dubbed the South Tower — as its headquarters in 1972.
6402 Arlington — the North Tower — came later in 1987, according to Fairfax County property records.
Formerly known as the Falls Church Corporate Center, the buildings have been rebranded as Lookout at 6400 as part of a $11 million renovation project that BoundTrain hopes will revitalize the site for an office market transformed by the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Lookout is a pretty good indicator on front-end demand people coming back to the office because of that value proposition,” BoundTrain Managing Principal Michael Klein told Tysons Reporter. “…Rent is still important. Economics are still important, but most tenants still want amenities.”
BoundTrain bought the 410,197 square-foot office complex for $38.1 million in February 2019 with the goal of modernizing it.
At that time, the towers were over 70% leased, but dated interiors, deferred maintenance, and a lack of amenities had turned them into a “broken asset,” Klein says. Interviews with tenants indicated they had stayed because the location is convenient for commuting.
However, the real estate company saw potential in the buildings, adopting the name Lookout at 6400 in reference to the 360-degree panoramic views they provided of Northern Virginia into D.C.
To take advantage of those views, BoundTrain gutted the former Virginia First Bank executive floor at the top of the South Tower and installed a 3,000 square-foot tenant lounge that retained one of two existing fireplaces but was otherwise entirely redone.
Other amenities introduced since work on the renovation started in September 2019 include a new roof, conference rooms, a 5,000 square-foot fitness center with a bicycle room, a wellness room, and a revamped ground floor that has a separate lobby and elevator for medical uses. Read More
The Town of Vienna has moved one step closer to permanently implementing the outdoor dining rules for restaurants that have been lessened temporarily due to the pandemic.
During the COVID-19 era, nearly two dozen businesses in the town have expanded their outdoor dining capacities by using parking spots, thanks to the relaxed rules.
Last Wednesday (Nov. 3), the town’s Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended streamlining the permitting process for outdoor dining. Instead of getting Board of Zoning Appeals approval and paying a $1,500 fee, a restaurant would get yearly permits through an administrative review (subject to the Board of Architectural Review) and a $100 application fee.
No one from the public commented aside from the town’s economic development manager, Natalie Monkou, who expressed her support for the change.
“We did as a town pull together all of our resources to be able to support our businesses…but it allowed businesses to survive in a safe way,” she said of the emergency policy changes amid the pandemic. “I also think we have to consider the future of outdoor dining and outdoor spaces.”
Monkou suggested the town help restaurants know whether they could winterize outdoor spaces with appropriate furniture, heating, and other investments.
How the Parking Formula Would Work
The changes to the town’s code would mean a typical business could go through the administrative process and use up to 20% of its minimum parking spots needed for dining.
So, if a business needed to have 10 parking spots, it could use two spots for a dining area. If a property had extra spots beyond that minimum, that parking could also be used for dining, too.
For businesses along Church Street, which are covered by a distinct zoning ordinance known as the Church Street Vision, use of parking spaces would be approved by Town Council. For all areas, the outdoor dining spaces would still have to be able to be removed easily.
Previously, the town approved the emergency, temporary relief on June 1, 2020 and has extended the measure repeatedly. The ordinance is slated to expire Dec. 7, 2021 but can be extended up to Dec. 31.
Planning Commission Chair Stephen Kenney directed staff to continue surveying businesses about whether a 20% threshold was being used still. He suggested while that amount was necessary at the start of the pandemic, it might be more than what’s needed at this point.
The commission’s vice chair, David Miller, suggested the ordinance last for a limited time frame each year, such as from April 1 to Oct. 1 or Nov. 1, noting how snow and other weather can limit patrons’ enjoyment outside.
The town council will hold a public hearing on the matter on Monday (Nov. 15).
An Idylwood brewery that launched in 2018 is expanding to Oakton at Hunter Mill Plaza on Chain Bridge Road and Hunter Mill Road.
Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. will open Settle Down Easy — Oakton Tasting Room, an 80-seat, 4,000-square-foot space slated to open in the spring. Its website prominently displays the change as “coming soon.”
A marketing representative says to-go orders doubled the brewery’s production amid the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for the expansion.
Announced at Settle Down Easy’s three-year anniversary celebration on Saturday (Nov. 6), the new space will also offer cider and wine as well as artisanal meats and more through an exclusive food partnership with The Fermented Pig.
Per a news release:
The new 4,000-square-foot, 80-seat tasting room aims to become a community staple, celebrating local purveyors and businesses as well as providing an upscale yet relaxing atmosphere for customers to enjoy. Settle Down Easy Brewing Co.’s original location in Falls Church/Merrifield opened in November 2018 with a high-quality and approachable selection of craft beers and seasonal varietals. Now, three years later, the brand will expand to include this new addition in Oakton.
‘We experienced wonderful success following our initial opening, and even throughout the global pandemic we were able to expand our customer base through our to-go program,’ said Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. owner Frank R. Kuhns. ‘We are thrilled to open a new location in Oakton and really integrate our concept with the many incredible local food and beverage producers in the area.’
The Fermented Pig, a family-owned business that specializes in artisan meats and charcuterie, will partner with Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. to open its first brick and mortar location inside SDE — Oakton Tasting Room. The seasonal ‘farm to fork’ menu will offer artisanal paninis, fresh salads, local cheeses, charcuterie, entrees and more — all sourced from local suppliers within 100 miles of the tasting room. In addition to the food offerings, Settle Down Easy Brewing Co.’s flagship brews, SDE — Oakton Tasting Room will feature a rotating selection of taps from other Fairfax County breweries, as well as local ciders on tap and a curated wine list.
Franklin Sherman ES Kicks Off COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine Rollout — “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) kicked off the national rollout of COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 5-11 today, when the school division welcomed First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to a clinic at the school where the first Polio vaccine was administered in 1954.” [FCPS]
Fire Department Now Accepting Toys for Tots — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is participating in the annual National Capital Region Toys for Tots campaign, where firefighters and paramedics collect new, unwrapped toys that will be delivered to children for the holidays. Collection boxes will remain outside local fire stations until 8 p.m. every day until Sunday, Dec. 12. [FCFRD]
National Airport Opens New Security Lines — “Passengers will see a new way through security at Reagan National Airport starting Tuesday at 4 a.m. It launches as air traveler traffic is picking up to nearly 30,000 passengers a day at DCA and that’s expected to increase with the busy holiday season just weeks away.” [DCist]
Extended Closure Scheduled for I-66 West Ramp at Nutley — “The ramp from I-66 West to Nutley Street North and South will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, November 12, continuously through 11 a.m. Monday, November 15, for paving operations. Traffic will be directed farther west to the exit to Vienna/Fairfax/GMU Station, stay to the right onto Country Creek Road, continue onto Virginia Center Boulevard, then at the traffic signal turn left to Nutley Street North or turn right to Nutley Street South.” [VDOT]
Transportation officials will hold an online public hearing next Wednesday (Nov. 17) at 7 p.m. about changes to roads to add cycling paths and more by the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro station.
The project involves temporary and permanent changes to Country Creek Road, Virginia Center Boulevard, and part of Sutton Road with the aim of improving traffic flow and safety.
As part of the $9.2 million project, the Virginia Department Transportation and Fairfax County are temporarily adding a two-way cycle track, buffered bike lane, upgraded pedestrian signals, and other improvements.
“As part of the improvements we are going to adopt a road diet on the eastbound sections of Country Creek Road and Virginia Center Boulevard where there is [additional] capacity in roadway width to introduce a two way cycle track and sidewalk,” project manager Zamir Mirza said in an email.
According to a project page, the proposed final changes include the following:
- Constructing shared-used paths along Blake Lane and Sutton Road from the I-66 bridge to Country Creek Road
- Creating a separated two-way cycle track along Country Creek Road/Virginia Center Boulevard
- Realigning the I-66 westbound ramp to Country Creek Road
- Modifying the traffic signals at the intersections of Sutton Road and Blake Lane, Country Creek Road and the ramp from westbound I-66, and Country Creek Road and Vaden Drive.
According to a meeting notice, people can give their comments during the public hearing. Alternatively, they can comment by Dec. 3 through an online comment form, by email to [email protected] with “Vienna Metro Station Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements” as the subject line.
Letters can also be mailed to Zamir Mirza, Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.
The project is happening in conjunction with the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway project, where 11 miles of a trail network for cyclists and pedestrians is being constructed parallel to I-66, connecting with existing trails.
Interim road changes by the Vienna Metro are slated to begin in fall 2022, and final construction could start in summer 2024.
For the first time since the end of July, Fairfax County is seeing only a moderate level of COVID-19 transmission in the community.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, the county reported just 41.8 new cases per 100,000 people during the week of Oct. 31 through Nov. 6, down from 50.2 cases over the previous seven days. That puts it in the 10-49 case threshold for a moderate level of community spread.
The county’s 2.4% testing positivity rate falls in the “low” transmission threshold, but federal and state health officials use the metric that is higher to categorize a locality’s spread.
“We are currently seeing a downward trend in Fairfax County COVID-19 cases, largely because residents have been proactive in getting themselves and their families vaccinated,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said. “In addition, our community has remained diligent in following COVID-19 mitigation practices. These efforts are producing results.”
Fueled by the spread of the Delta variant, Fairfax County started seeing substantial COVID-19 spread on Aug. 4, prompting county leaders to revive their recommendation that everyone wear a face mask indoors regardless of vaccination status.
The county has required masks inside its facilities since Aug. 9, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for localities with substantial or high transmission.
However, with all surrounding Northern Virginia jurisdictions still seeing substantial transmission, the county’s mask requirement will remain in place for the time being.
“Because we know that residents of Northern Virginia travel and interact throughout the region, we will continue to monitor and work in partnership with our neighbors to reach safer levels before changing masking requirements,” McKay said.
With another 54 cases added today (Monday), the Fairfax Health District has recorded a total of 93,990 COVID-19 cases, 4,387 hospitalizations, and 1,214 deaths during the pandemic, according to the Fairfax County Health Department.
The current seven-day average of 66.6 new cases is on par with where the county was on July 27 and just under half the weekly average of 153 cases reported one year ago, when the coronavirus’ winter surge was starting to kick in.
As COVID-19 cases continue to decline, Fairfax County has seen an uptick in vaccinations, buoyed by the availability of booster shots and last week’s expansion of eligibility to children aged 5-11.
According to county health department data, 833,789 Fairfax Health District residents, or 70.4% of the population, have gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That includes 83.3% of individuals 18 and older.
McKay says the pediatric vaccine rollout “has gotten off to a strong start,” but the county didn’t provide more specific information about how many vaccinations have been administered to that age group so far.
Fairfax County Public Schools will hold its first vaccine clinic for elementary school-aged children this afternoon at Franklin Sherman Elementary School, with first lady Jill Biden visiting.
Appointments can also be scheduled with FCHD, the Tysons Community Vaccination Center, Inova, and community sites like pharmacies and grocery stores at vaccines.gov.
760,125 Fairfax Health District residents — 76.2% of adults and 64.2% of the overall population — are fully vaccinated.
Photo via CDC/Unsplash
Fairfax County Public Schools will kick off its COVID-19 vaccination clinics for children today (Monday) with a visit from the first lady of the United States.
First reported by The Washington Post, FCPS confirmed to FFXnow that first lady Jill Biden will visit Franklin Sherman Elementary School this afternoon to encourage pediatric vaccinations.
On Oct. 29, the Food and Drug Administration announced it’s authorizing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use for kids age 5 to 11, saying it’s safe in smaller doses administered, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave the final go-ahead last Tuesday (Nov. 2).
Franklin Sherman was chosen as the first vaccination site in a nod to its history hosting field trials for Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine in the 1950s, according to FCPS. Sixth graders at the school have been learning about its role in helping eradicate polio.
Biden, who has been teaching at Northern Virginia Community College while serving as first lady, is also scheduled to meet Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy today as part of the White House administration’s campaign to encourge families to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19.
FCPS is expected to host a series of school-based clinics to help vaccinate elementary school-aged children, but details of the schedule have not yet been announced.
Photo via Marc Nozell/Flickr
The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.
We’ve searched the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean, and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!
Tuesday, Nov. 9
- On Deck with Mercury — 6-7 p.m. at Great Harvest Bread Co. (136 Church St. NW) in Vienna — For his monthly public forum, Town Manager Mercury Payton will be joined by other Vienna officials to talk about upcoming holiday events and how participating can help the town.
- David Ryan Harris with Justin Kawika Young — 7:30 p.m. at Jammin Java (227 Maple Ave. East) in Vienna — Accomplished guitarists share easy listening vibes. With Young’s multilingual singing and Harris’ performing ties to John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, and others, the show should delight listeners’ ears. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $15, plus fees, for general admission.
Wednesday, Nov. 10
- Parking Reimagined (Online) — 7-8:30 p.m. — Weigh in on the future of off-street parking in Fairfax County at this virtual town hall hosted by the Hunter Mill District Office, one of four scheduled town halls with additional dates planned. Community feedback will inform updates to parking rules in the county zoning ordinance.
Thursday, Nov. 11
- John Lloyd Young’s Broadway! — 8 p.m. at The Barns (1635 Trap Road) — Originally scheduled to perform at Wolf Trap a year ago, the Tony and Grammy Award winner brings together songs from several shows, including “Chicago,” “Dreamgirls,” and “Jersey Boys.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $37, plus fees.
Friday, Nov. 12
- Tea Okropiridze — 6-9 p.m. at McLean Textile Gallery (6819 Elm St.) — The art gallery holds an open house and reception to celebrate its new exhibit featuring the work of a Northern Virginia artist Tea Okropiridze, who specializes in tapestry, fiber art, and more. The exhibit opens Tuesday and runs through Dec. 7.
- The Blessing Tour — 7 p.m. at Capital One Hall (7750 Capital One Tower Road) — Grammy-nominated singer Kari Jobe and special guest Cody Carnes, both Christian musicians, bring “a full worship experience” to Tysons. Tickets start at $25.
Saturday, Nov. 13
- The Boro’s Gambit — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sandlot Tysons (behind The Boro at 1640 Boro Place) — Watch Grandmaster Rashad Babaev, who lives at The Boro, play 30 games of chess at once. Proceeds benefit United Charities for Azerbaijan. Cost is $20 plus fees to compete. Free for spectators.
- 4th Annual Veterans Day Salute — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Falls Church Distillers (442 S Washington St. Suite A) — After going online last year, the distillery’s block party is back in person with live music, alcohol tastings, food, and more. Tickets for food and alcohol are $5 each, and donations are encouraged to support partners Northern Virginia Veterans Association (NoVA Vets) and George Mason University’s Veteran Initiatives.
Sunday, Nov. 14
- McLean Antiques Show & Sales — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave.) — The final day of a weekend event features a variety of antique dealers. Proceeds benefit the high school arts-focused James C. Macdonald Scholarship Fund. Cost is $10 with a discount available. Free for children age 17 and younger.
Photo via Justin Higuchi/Flickr
