Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors is supporting an application for federal funding to pay for a rehabilitation project along the GW Parkway.

Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust proposed the board matter, which supports an application for funding from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program.

The funding would support the parkway’s North Section Rehabilitation Program, which aims to reconstruct nearly 8 miles of the GW Parkway from Spout Run Parkway to I-495.

“The proposed project addresses serious deterioration of the parkway and implements significant safety improvements,” the board matter says.

If the funding is approved, the board matter says the National Park Service (NPS) plans to:

• repave the road
• repair stormwater management systems and walls
• rehabilitate two historic, scenic overlooks
• replace guardrails
• construct new curbs
• build emergency turnarounds along the north end

The project will also include work on a northern section, addressing a $1.7 billion maintenance backlog that includes $395 million for the parkway, the board matter says.

More than 33 million vehicles per year travel on the GW Parkway, according to Fairfax County. Last year, emergency work had to fix the cause of a sizable sinkhole on the GW Parkway, disrupting traffic for months in the area.

Foust noted that the project is meant to address safety and longevity issues for the parkway.

The Board of Supervisors voted to approve sending a letter of support for NPS’s application for the federal funding.

Map via Google Maps

As construction kicks off on renovating the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, the library will temporarily move to trailers near Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.

The library (120 N. Virginia Avenue) is set to close on Monday (Feb. 17), according to a press release from the city. The temporary library is set to reopen in mid-March at trailers at 601 S. Oak Street.

According to the press release, the temporary library will be open:

• Monday-Tuesday, Thursday: 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 1-9 p.m.
• Fridays: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Sundays: 1-5 p.m.

“Visitors may park on the street while minding the posted street signs,” the press release says. “Visitors should be mindful of the surrounding neighborhood and respect private property.”

More from the press release:

The temporary location will host a good selection of books, periodicals, and other media. Programming like book discussion groups, ESL Conversation Groups, and storytime will continue, with some changes; visitors should check the library’s website for exact details.

All due dates for books and other media are extended into March. Once the temporary location opens, books may only be returned there (601. S. Oak Street). No books or media may be returned at the N. Virginia location, including the drive-through book drop, after Friday, February 28.

New interlibrary loan (ILL) requests are not accepted until the library opens in the temporary location (in early March). Starting February 11, patrons will not be able to place new holds until the temporary location opens in March. Previously placed holds will still be available for pick up at 120 N. Virginia Avenue until February 17. Holds will then not be available for pick-up until the temporary location opens.

The Falls Church City Council approved the construction contract for the project on Monday (Feb. 10).

The renovation is set to revamp the aging library, move the Local History Room and improve safety. The project is scheduled to be completed by May 2021, according to the press release.

Map via Google Maps

Alfie, a 3-year-old terrier raised in Vienna, is looking to bow-wow the judges at this year’s Westminster Dog Show.

The annual show in New York awards prizes to various dog breeds. Alfie recently won Westminister’s “Best of Breed” award for Bedlington Terriers yesterday (Monday).

Breeder Linda Freeman told Tysons Reporter told Alfie is a “world traveler” who has won championships in the U.S., Sweden and Finland.

“Alfie loves dog shows,” Freeman said. “He was in Tucson, Arizona in November and had a huge specialty win. We show him because he loves it.”

Alfie travels with Patricia Eriksson, who obtained Alfie from Freeman and takes him and other dogs around Europe, Scandinavia and the U.S., Freeman said.

After showing horses as a child, Freeman said that she’s been showing and breeding dogs since 1981 after discovering they “were easier to transport.”

People can watch the competition on tonight (Tuesday) to see Alfie compete in the terrier group in Madison Square Group.

Photo courtesy Linda Freeman

Keiko Charcoal Chicken is still closed as of this afternoon in the Town of Vienna.

The restaurant’s Facebook page said on Dec. 29 that the restaurant planned to be closed through Jan. 15 for the holidays. But as of today (Feb. 11), the restaurant still appeared closed.

Tysons Reporter found that the location’s doors were locked and lights were off.

The South American chicken chain opened at 235 Maple Ave E. last spring.

The future home of the temporary police station was a hot-button topic at the Vienna Town Council meeting last Monday (Jan. 3).

Vienna Police Chief Jim Morris gave updates on proposed community impact and general plan details before the council voted unanimously to designate both town-owned properties at 114 Locust Street SW and 440 Beulah Road NE for public use.

At the meeting, Morris addressed concern from the public, quelling fears that traffic would increase on Locust Street since the facility will not be open to the public — therefore no added traffic will be coming to the area.

People arrested around the town will be brought to another facility, and people with walk-in complaints will be directed to another office.

Other major concerns about the property included stormwater management, which has historically been an issue on the property, according to councilmembers.

“I can never go on [the] record saying we are going to fix the issue,” Morris said, adding that the stormwater plan is a larger issue. Morris did say that they will do their best to manage the problem.

Michael Gallagher, the director of public works in Vienna, said at the meeting that improvements with the water drainage system at 114 Locust Street SW could also improve the stormwater management system for adjacent lots depending on the slant and placement.

Stormwater wasn’t the only issue — Councilmember Howard Springsteen expressed concerns over safety, especially for police car parking.

“Secure parking is critical — I know someone tried to bomb police cars years ago,” he said at the meeting.

Now, the police department will be meeting with the town’s Planning Commission to discuss plans before bringing finalized documents back to the council.

“We are already moving forward with planning and zoning,” Morris said, adding that representatives from the police station have a work session scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb. 12). Morris said he also met with planners last Friday (Feb. 7).

Plans are already 80-90% complete, according to Morris, who added that there is still room for input from interest groups, such as neighbors to the property and councilmembers.

Town councilmembers, including Douglas Noble, expressed concern that the plans might be getting ahead of themselves before going through the proper public scrutiny.

“I want to make sure there is enough slack in the schedule,” Noble said.

Image via Town of Vienna

The intersection of Westpark and Westbranch Drives in Tysons just became safer with new updates from the Virginia Department of Transporation, according to a press release.

The updates include new signage, pavement markers and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant curb ramp upgrades, the press release said.

The additions will also include four Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) crossings, which alert hearing-impaired pedestrians when it is safe to cross, according to the VDOT website. Though this feature isn’t operational yet, the press release said people can expect it to function within a few weeks.

More than 11,000 cars use this intersection on a daily basis, according to the press release.

Photo courtesy VDOT

Updated 3/3/2020 — Wolf Trap added new performers including Pitbull and Elvis Costello & The Imposters to its summer line-up. An updated list is below with the new concerts.

Summer is still several months away, but the Filene Center at Wolf Trap recently unveiled its summer lineup, which will feature several Irish music and dance, along with John Legend.

Tysons Reporter rounded up the noteworthy concerts coming to the outdoor amphitheater.

• May 28: The Head and the Heart
• May 29: MAZE featuring Frankie Beverly, Keith Sweat
• May 30: Yacht Rock Revue
• June 3: Celtic Woman
• June 4: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
• June 10: Elvis Costello & The Imposters (newly added)
• June 11: Andrew BirdCalexico and Iron & Wine
• June 14: A.R. RAHMAN
• June 18-21: Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show
• June 23: Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco
• June 26: John Prine & Emmylou Harris
• June 28: Pink Martini
• June 30: King Crimson
• July 7-8: Steely Dan with Steve Winwood
• July 14: Straight No Chaser
• July 15: Barenaked Ladies
• July 21-22: Tedeschi Trucks Band
• July 26: Fantasia (newly added)
• July 29: The National
• July 30: Greensky Bluegrass and The Wood Brothers (newly added)
• Aug. 1-2: Steve Martin and Martin Short
• Aug. 8: Grace Potter and the Marcus King Band (newly added)
• Aug. 12: Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan,Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile
• Aug. 13: Goo Goo Dolls
• Aug. 15: David Gray
• Aug. 18: Train
• Aug. 19: Ziggy Marley & Stephen Marley
• Aug. 21: John Legend
• Aug. 22: Mary Chapin Carpenter
• Aug. 28: Little Big Town
• Aug. 30: Pitbull (newly added)
• Sept. 18: The Avett Brothers

Photo via Wolf Trap

Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:

Library Displays History of St. John’s Episcopal Church — “Throughout the month of February, a display at Dolley Madison Library in McLean is featuring St. John’s Episcopal Church. The display illustrates the church’s history and close relationship with the community of McLean and presents a newly published book recounting the church’s first 150 years.” [Patch]

Falls Church Facing Cardboard Congestion — “A cardboard pile up at the Gordon Road recycling center has more to do with the excesses of the holiday season than negligence on the part of City of Falls Church residents. The City will also soon test out moving glass recyclables from the curb to a central location as it joins the regional effort to dispose of the waste in a more effective manner.” [Falls Church News-Press]

Pedestrian Gets Foot Run Over — “A pedestrian was walking westbound on the sidewalk in front of the entrance of a parking lot at 431 Maple Ave., W., on Feb. 1 at 5:50 p.m. when a vehicle approached the entrance and the driver motioned for the pedestrian to walk across, police said.” [Inside NoVA]

Final countdown until @ShowPlaceICON opens their doors and we can enjoy these heated recliners! We are just weeks away!📽️ 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Fn7mIzcFvN

— The Boro (@TheBoroTysons) January 27, 2020

Have a great Tuesday and look out for Morning Notes again on Friday.

Updated 2/11/2020 — City of Falls Church Fire Official Henry Lane determined the house fire was accidental and caused roughly $150,000 in damages, according to a press release from the city.

Earlier: A house fire that broke out earlier today in the City of Falls Church near the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School is under investigation.

Firefighters from Arlington County responded to the fire in a single-family house in the 400 block of S. Oak Street shortly before noon today.

One person in the house self-evacuated and was taken to a local hospital, according to a press release from the city. “Their condition is not known at this time,” the cit said.

Parents are asked to use the rear entrance of the school until further notice, according to the city, which noted that the fire did not threaten the school building.

Lane closures around S. Oak Street near West Broad Street and Seaton Avenue were resolved shortly after 2 p.m.

The Arlington County Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire, according to a tweet.

S Oak St. has reopened to traffic. Thank you to both @ArlingtonVaFD & @ffxfirerescue for responding to the scene! https://t.co/rqLQLo5P5m

— City of Falls Church (@FallsChurchGov) February 10, 2020

Images via City of Falls Church

The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.

We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!

Tysons Reporter also complied a list of events to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Wednesday (Feb. 12)

• Lovin’ Our Library Open House — 2 to 6 p.m. at The Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave) — This event invites people to play mini-golf through the adult fiction section and enjoy crafts for all ages in the children’s room. This event is free for the public.

Thursday (Feb. 13)

• 1Million Cups Fairfax  2 Year Anniversary — 6 to 9 p.m at Chima Steakhouse (8010 Towers Crescent Drive) — 1Million Cups, a networking opportunity for entrepreneurs, is hosting a dinner party. Appetizers will be complementary and a cash bar is available.

Friday (Feb. 14)

• Valentine’s Day Murder Mystery — 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Maggiano’s Little Italy (2001 International Drive) — Guests can enjoy a murder mystery party where they take part in a seated dinner and evening of activities. The tickets are $100 and include dinner and the event, which begins at 6 p.m.
• St. Valentine’s Day Release Party — 5 to 11:30 p.m. at Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street) — Falls Church Distillers is releasing their Churn Burn aged in habanero porter beer barrels. Attendees can enjoy live music and specials.
• Celtic Music Concert — 8 to 10 p.m. at Cherry Hills Farmhouse (223 Little Falls Street) — This event invites people to enjoy live Celtic music. Tickets are $15 ahead of time or $20 at the door.

Saturday (Feb. 15)

• $5 Comedy Night — 7 p.m. until midnight at The State Theatre (220 N. Washington Street) — This event will feature a variety of local talent. All are welcome but those under 18 need to be accompanied by a parent.

Photo via the City of Falls Church