Tysons has a new logo.
Replacing the multi-colored “O” that has greeted drivers for the past five or so years with bright blue block letters, the Tysons Partnership unveiled the new emblem on Thursday (May 13) as part of a rebranding effort that included the launch of a new website.
18 months in the making, the Partnership says the new brand “reflects the urban district’s current successes and assured confidence in its future.”
“This has never been just about a new logo. This is about how Tysons defines itself and how, through public-private collaboration, we will be more,” Tysons Partnership President and CEO Sol Glasner said in a statement. “In just ten years we have proven success with a reported 2020 asset valuation of nearly $18 billion, imagine what we will accomplish together in the next ten to thirty years.”
A nonprofit association of private stakeholders formed in 2011 to implement the Tysons Comprehensive Plan, the Tysons Partnership started working to rebrand the area that Fairfax County wants to turn into “America’s next great city” in late 2019.
Supported by a $1 million economic opportunity grant from the county and $630,000 in private funding, the rebranding involved surveys, focus groups, and discussions with county officials and community members to define Tysons’ identifying characteristics and future aspirations, according to a press release.
Features of the new website include:
- A downloadable Tysons Activation Guide that explains the new brand and the Partnership’s strategy for establishing a consistent, recognizable identity for Tysons going forward
- Maps of Tysons neighborhoods and completed, planned, and in-progress developments
- Links to county and other public resources, such as the Comprehensive Plan, Capital Bikeshare and Metro
- A “Residents’ Stories” section with comments from people who live in Tysons
- Resources from the Tysons Transportation Management Association, which is dedicated to improving the area’s transportation conditions
- An events calendar
The brand launch was preceded by the release of an economic report and market study on March 4 that analyzed the state of Tysons’ economy, including trends in office use, retail, housing, development, and employment.
The Tysons Partnership ultimately hopes to establish a data hub that will make it easier for people to find information about the area.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors nominated the Partnership in December for an additional $1 million in economic opportunity funds that the organization plans to use for marketing, research and data analysis, transportation projects, and community events.
Right now, the Tysons Partnership starting to determine what the area’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic might look like with a still-open community survey.
County officials say the rebranding will further their vision of Tysons as a vibrant downtown area with a distinct sense of community, rather than the cluster of office buildings scattered around two shopping malls that it has been in the past.
“The fabric of Tysons is changing as residents and families add a new vibrancy to established diverse communities,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said. “The new brand aligns with this newer Tysons community, reflecting a future of inclusion and equity. It’s fun and vibrant, but more importantly it represents opportunity and possibility.”
Staff photo by Jay Westcott, image courtesy Tysons Partnership
McLean Resident Killed in Hit-and-Run — 43-year-old Allen Romero died on Sunday (May 16) after being hit by a 2011-2015 Ford Fusion while crossing eastbound Leesburg Pike just before the Redberry Court intersection in Great Falls. Officers responded to the scene around 5:21 a.m. and are now looking for witnesses. This is Fairfax County’s fifth pedestrian fatality so far in 2021. [FCPD]
Man Stabbed in Tysons Galleria Area — A man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being stabbed during an argument in the 1700 block of International Drive around 7:56 p.m. on May 7, police say. 40-year-old Atef Shaker-Armanuos of Falls Church was arrested and charged with malicious wounding. [FCPD]
Hearing Scheduled in Bijan Ghaisar Case — “A federal judge in Alexandria on Friday set Aug. 23 as the date for a hearing on whether manslaughter charges against two U.S. Park Police officers, for the 2017 fatal shooting of Bijan Ghaisar, should be dismissed. A Fairfax County prosecutor told the judge the hearing could last five days.” [The Washington Post]
Live Music Returns to The Boro — “Get your dancing shoes ready — live music is back at #TheBoroTysons! Plan an alfresco evening complete with free music from local performers every Thursday, 5:30pm-8pm this summer, starting on June 3rd.” [The Boro/Twitter]
New Soccer Field Opens on Graham Road — Fairfax County officials, including Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik and School Board Representative Karl Frisch, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday (May 15) for a new soccer field at the Graham Road Community Building in Falls Church. [Rachna Sizemore Heizer/Twitter]
The weekend is almost here. Before you start embracing a mask-free life (if you’re fully vaccinated) or head to bed for some much-needed sleep, let’s revisit recent news from the Tysons area that you might’ve missed.
These were the most-read stories on Tysons Reporter this week:
- Fairfax County pushes McLean school to document history before it’s demolished
- Proposed senior living facility in McLean approved by county board with neighbor support
- Fairfax County looks to restore Little Pimmit Run stream in McLean area
- Fairfax County police arrest woman for allegedly posing as immigration attorney
- Tysons consultant to bring hundreds of jobs to Fairfax County with new global headquarters
Ideas for stories we should cover can be sent to [email protected] or submitted as an anonymous tip. Photos of scenes from around the community are welcome too, with credit always given to the photographer.
You can find previous rundowns of top stories on the site.
The Falls Church City Public Schools School Board unanimously approved a $53.6 million operating budget for the 2022 fiscal year on Tuesday (May 11).
The budget, which includes $43.8 million in revenue from the City of Falls Church, is balanced, provides wage increases for staff, and meets budget guidance from the city, according to school staff.
“The budget is, in my estimation, a celebration,” FCCPS Superintendent Peter Noonan said during the school board meeting.
At this time last year, FCCPS and the school board were “cutting hundreds of thousands of dollars” from the budget and unable to increase staff compensation, Noonan noted.
“As we moved through the budget this year, we’ve been able to accomplish some things that were a long time in coming, and it does represent a turning point in the COVID-19 crisis that we’ve been in,” the superintendent said.
For the third year in a row, the budget meets a directive from Falls Church City to limit any increase in city transfer funds to no more than 2.5% over the current budget and to avoid increasing the real estate tax rate, according to the school division.
Overall, the budget marks a 3% increase from the current budget with support from a $470,000 increase in state funding, thanks to “a substantial jump in sales tax revenue,” FCCPS says.
Federal revenue, primarily for special education, will increase by $32,000.
The budget includes a “well-deserved” step increase for eligible employees, averaging 2.5%, as well as a 1.5% cost of living adjustment for all staff, Noonan said. The budget also accounts for a projected 2.4% increase in health insurance costs.
“We are able to take care of staff and faculty,” he said. “This not only helps our employees but it helps us grow salary scales, which will ultimately impact our ability to continue recruiting staff. We remain competitive in the region, and we have great benefits as well.”
The current fiscal year 2021 budget eliminated salary increases for staff due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
With the new budget, FCCPS will hire a school counselor to lower the ratio of students to counselors in response to new state legislation. New positions have also been added for an additional social worker, an English-Language Arts coordinator, and three more custodial staffers for the newly opened high school, which was recently renamed Meridian High School.
School Board Chair Shannon Litton lauded FCCPS for the completion of the high school campus project.
“We know that that was an incredible feat that it is completed on time and on budget,” Litton said. “I think in the midst of this year it’s gotten overlooked, but it was honestly an incredible thing you’ve accomplished.”
Meanwhile, FCCPS projects enrollment to go up by 101 students from Sept. 30, 2020, bringing the total population up to 2,605 students.
“FY 2021 enrollment was lower than we projected,” a staff presentation said. “However, we are already seeing enrollment recovery and are expecting to have a further increase in enrollment next year.”
The budget also includes funding to continue replacing school-issued electronic devices every four years at the middle and high school levels.
Budget reductions include:
- Base pay for current employees was adjusted to reflect turnover this year and projected turnover next year, resulting in savings of ~$475,000
- Discontinued retirement program benefits saved the division nearly $93,000
- FCCPS saved $100,000 by adjusting its contracts with neighboring jurisdictions for some instructional services to better reflect how much those services are used
Photos via Falls Church City Public Schools
If you’re in the market to buy a house in the Tysons, McLean and Vienna areas, you’ve got options to explore.
According to Homesnap, there are 121 homes for sale, with a median list price of $463,750.
Here are a few open houses taking place this weekend:
- 1168 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
6 BD/7.5 BA single-family home
Listed: $4,500,000
Open: Sunday, 2-4 p.m. - 7110 Sea Cliff Road, McLean
5 BD/4.5 BA single-family home
Listed: $1,973,973
Open: Sunday, 12-5 p.m. - 6502 Stratton Place, Falls Church
5 BD/3.5 BA single-family home
Listed: $1,295,000
Open: Saturday, 1-4 p.m. and Sunday, 1-3 p.m. - 6705 Beacon Lane, Falls Church
5 BD/3 BA single-family home
Listed: $975,000
Open: Sunday, 1-3 p.m. - 1650 Silver Hill Drive #1703, McLean
1 BD/1.5 BA condo
Listed: $769,000
Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. - 2110 Eluna Court, Vienna
4 BD/3.5 BA townhome
Listed: $695,000
Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Photo via Tim Mossholder/Unsplash
(Updated at 11:20 a.m.) Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is still a month away from launching its 50th anniversary season, but the National Park Service is already looking further into the future.
In partnership with the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, NPS announced yesterday (Thursday) that it will unveil a proposed amendment to the park’s general management plan at a virtual public meeting on May 25.
“As we mark our 50th anniversary season, Wolf Trap Foundation and the National Park Service are collaborating on proposed improvements that will elevate the Wolf Trap experience for visitors and artists into the next 50 years and ensure that Wolf Trap continues to be a treasured cultural community resource for generations,” a Wolf Trap Foundation spokesperson said in a statement to Tysons Reporter.
Last updated in 2005, the Wolf Trap National Park general management plan guides the park’s programming, services, facilities, and operations.
NPS spokesperson Jan Lemons says the general management plans for each national park are created by staff and reviewed periodically with updates coming “as needed to improve the visitor experience while still preserving the history, landscapes, and resources of the park.”
“The goal of this proposed amendment…is to strategically guide the park in future developments in a cohesive manner,” Lemons said. “The proposed amendments include several updates to the Filene Center to improve safety and security along with aesthetics, comfort, and convenience.”
According to a news release, the potential changes include:
- Update Filene Center amenities to meet current industry standards
- Improve traffic flow, add new parking and build a new pedestrian tunnel
- Improve accessibility for visitors with disabilities throughout the park
- Improve security
- Build, update or replace facilities including concession stands and restrooms
- Build a new structure to serve visitors
- Add directional and wayfinding signs
- Expand opportunities for year-round park use
The move to update Wolf Trap’s master plan comes as the park prepares to resume in-person performances more than a year after suspending most programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The park is also in the midst of a privately funded renovation project that will introduce new, permanent pavilions in place of the temporary tents that cover many facilities.
The live, virtual public scoping meeting on the proposed amendment will take place on May 25 from 6-7:30 p.m. Community members can join the meeting through Microsoft Teams or by calling 877-286-5733 and entering conference ID 161885943#.
The presentation materials will be posted on the project website that day, and a recording of the meeting will be available for viewing after May 26.
The meeting will be followed by a public comment period with a deadline of June 25. The NPS will accept feedback through the project website or by mail to Wolf Trap National Park Acting Superintendent Ken Bigley at 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.
According to the NPS, the 30-day public comment period is the first step in the process of developing an environmental assessment to evaluate how the proposed changes might affect park resources.
“The NPS is preparing an Environmental Assessment for this proposed amendment,” the NPS said. “We’ll consider public comments as we develop and finalize the amendment, and then will implement park improvements as funding becomes available.”
Fairfax County officials say they plan to follow the state government’s lead on how to handle the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated mask guidelines, which now state that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask outdoors or indoors in most settings.
The CDC announced the revised guidelines yesterday afternoon (Thursday) in a move intended to highlight the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
“We will continue to follow the masking guidance put out by the state and follow the data,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said in a statement. “While there are still times that a mask may be necessary, the vaccine works. This is a strong incentive to get vaccinated if you have yet to do so. It is crucial and effective in protecting your family, friends, and community.”
Virginia officials are currently reviewing the new guidance and expect to issue updates to Virginia’s mask requirements soon, according to Alena Yarmosky, the press secretary for Gov. Ralph Northam’s office.
“Virginia will continue to follow CDC guidelines, as we have throughout this pandemic. We are reviewing this guidance and expect to have more updates soon,” Yarmosky said in a statement. “Ultimately this reinforces the importance of getting vaccinated. Vaccines are our pathway out of this pandemic, and they are how we can all get back to doing what we love.”
The change comes almost exactly one year after the Commonwealth first instituted a mask mandate in an effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
There are caveats to the significant loosening of mask-wearing guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals, defined by the CDC as people who have gone at least two weeks since their last needed dose.
Fully vaccinated individuals must still cover their face and maintain social distancing when going into doctors’ offices, hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and congregate settings, such as prisons or homeless shelters. Masks are also still required on public transportation and in transportation hubs like airports.
Nonetheless, the move reflects the progress that the U.S. has made in finally getting COVID-19 under control.
With cases declining locally and statewide, and more of the population getting vaccinated, Virginia already loosened its mask guidelines in April, and several capacity restrictions are set to ease tomorrow (Saturday). Northam plans to lift all limits on June 15 if case rates continue to fall.
The new mask guidance was announced within 24 hours of the CDC — along with Virginia and Fairfax County — expanding eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine to adolescents between the ages of 12 to 15.
“With the expansion of eligibility to everyone 12 and older, more Virginians can get vaccinated than ever before,” Yarmosky said. “If you haven’t already, now is the time to get your shot.”
Clinical trials for vaccinating kids under the age of 12 remain ongoing as well.
Photo via Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
Tysons Partnership Considers BID — The Tysons Partnership could become a business improvement district that would impose a tax to help fund its efforts to implement Fairfax County’s Tysons Comprehensive Plan. The district would be a first for the county, similar to what Arlington has around Amazon HQ2, but a majority of property owners would have to approve the tax. [Washington Business Journal]
Fairfax Connector Commits to COVID-19 Health Protocols — The bus system has joined the American Public Transportation Association’s Health and Safety Commitments Program, pledging to take “all the necessary measures to operate safely” as Fairfax County plans a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The program commits transit systems to following public health guidelines, including cleaning protocols and mask requirements, and keeping passengers informed. [Fairfax Connector]
MPAartfest Submissions Open — The McLean Project for the Arts is seeking submissions for its 15th annual MPAartfest, a one-day, juried fine art and craft show featuring local and regional visual artists. This year’s festival will take place on Oct. 3 in McLean Central Park. The deadline to submit work is June 15. [McLean Project for the Arts]
McLean Teen Organizes Church Food Drive — “A 14-year-old from McLean, Virginia, is making an extraordinary difference in her community by helping hundreds of families who need some extra help during the pandemic…[Sophia] Sears’ efforts were done in conjunction with St. John’s Episcopal Church.” [WTOP]
The arduous journey toward a re-imagined West Falls Church Transit Station Area is drawing to a close with the last two approvals slated for this summer.
“I want to thank the entire team for two-and-a-half years of dedicated work on behalf of the Dranesville district,” Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust said during a community meeting on Tuesday (May 11). “This has been a long, difficult process, and as a consequence, the product is much better. The time was well spent. The product is good — and getting better — and we still have some time.”
The development plan will go before the Fairfax County Planning Commission on June 16 and the Board of Supervisors on July 13. The plan was narrowly approved by a task force that voted 5-3-1 earlier this month.
When the proposed plan was presented to the community for the first time on Tuesday, however, some residents expressed concerns about traffic along Haycock Road, pedestrian safety, and distance from Virginia Tech’s property.
“I’m not anti-development, but I’m really concerned,” one attendee said. “I’ve been trying to get our streets to be safer as they’re crowded with cars.”
Predicting that the new I-66 exit ramp will pour traffic into the new community, she asked staff to find a way to make it inconvenient to “pop out onto Haycock Road” for those looking to get to Tysons, DC or Arlington “as fast as possible.”
“I know every area is screaming for sidewalks, but one thing you could do is paint the speed limit or look at other creative, inexpensive ways that communities have found to reduce the speed and the number of cut-thru cars, and make better buffers and calming measures for people who live here, pay taxes and are part of the community,” she said.
The draft plan includes language directing the county to develop a West Falls Church Active Transportation Plan with recommendations for transportation improvements that will increase connectivity, fill in missing or inadequate facilities, and promote walking and bicycling.
“County staff are working on this,” county transportation planner Tim Kutz said. “A follow-up motion will be approved after the plan amendment goes forward and we’ll be reaching out in the fall to continue engaging with you. Getting your perspective is going to be critical in developing recommendations to increase active transportation in the area.”
The plan includes mitigation measures for what people perceive as “bad traffic,” with signal timing, new signals and reconfigured intersections, county planner Bryan Botello said.
Residents worried there was little to ensure the local government implements those changes, but staff said these changes will happen when developers come into the picture.
“The improvements approved are recommendations that would happen when the development team is actually going to the rezoning and development review stage,” senior transportation planner Bob Pikora said. “The comprehensive plan informs what we will be doing in the zoning and review phases, but the developments will be up to the development team.”
More landscaped buffers and green spaces have been added to the plan, according to staff.
New plans have not materialized for the Virginia Tech property after the university nixed a project to expand its Northern Virginia Center with a design school and other facilities. But some task force members were keen to get a buffer between the campus and nearby housing.
“We’ve added an additional landscaped buffer between Virginia Tech and the Villages condominium, and added additional language that strengthens the buffer, and creates a linear park,” Botello said.
Housing will be separated from Virginia Tech by landscaped buffers, a pedestrian walkway, a road and streetscaping, according to the plan.
The new plan envisions a sequence of parks through the area instead of the courtyard featured in the current comprehensive plan.
“There are really a lack of options for accessible parks south of I-66, so it was certainly a priority for us when we were drafting the plan,” Botello said, noting that the park areas shown below could take the form of pocket parks, urban greens, or a civic plaza.
A recreational park is envisioned at the northeast corner of the study area, at the corner of Haycock Road and Metro Access Road.
Images via Fairfax County
Daniel Phoenix Singh has officially taken over as the new executive director of the McLean Community Center.
The MCC Governing Board appointed Singh as the center’s new executive director on April 12 and publicly announced his hiring during a meeting on April 28.
Singh replaces George Sachs, who retired from the position after 11 years of service.
“I am incredibly lucky to be inheriting this strong staff that George has so carefully cultivated,” Singh said.
Singh comes from his previous position as the division chief of tourism and cultural arts for Baltimore County. He also founded a nationally acclaimed dance company in 2003.
He has master’s degrees in business administration from Georgetown University and in fine arts from the University of Maryland.
“On behalf of the Governing Board, we are thrilled that [Singh] will be leading the MCC,” MCC Board Chair Suzanne LeMenestrel said. “His expertise in the arts, technology and recreation and his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion will serve our community exceptionally well. We are looking forward to working with [him] as the MCC welcomes community members back to the center.”
MCC will take a step toward normalcy on Saturday (May 15) with a drive-thru version of the annual McLean Day celebration, its first major in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year.
“MCC is uniquely positioned to address the pressing issues and ramifications of re-entry into the world after COVID-19; the racial climate and equity needs surfacing in the U.S.; or considering how we can affect change locally for global problems such as climate justice,” said Singh. “We want to be ‘The Center of It All’ for both McLean community members and the issues that are of importance to them.”
MCC plans to launch several new programs within Singh’s first 180 days, including:
- Seniors in Action: a series of classes for senior citizens centered around their wellness and forming a community
- A series of arts events spearheaded by Singh and Performing Arts Director Sarah Schallern Treff, such as a poetry event celebrating Asian-American Pacific Islander month, community partnerships in honor of LGBTQ Pride, and an artist-in-residence series
- Outdoor art installations and pop-up events in McLean
- An expansion of the center’s social media presence and the launch of a community-focused blog
- Task forces for projects that come from the community listening sessions
- Block parties for teens, along with in-person summer programming at The Old Firehouse
“The staff and board are incredibly talented, and the community is very passionate about the mission and have already presented wonderful ideas for us to continue George Sach’s legacy,” said Singh.
For more information on Singh and the programs at MCC, visit their website or call 703-790-0123.
Photo via McLean Community Center
