A woman was robbed of her purse and cell phone along Maple Avenue in Vienna this past weekend.
The robbery happened around 4 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 20) along the 400 block of Maple Avenue W., as the victim walked down the sidewalk on the north side of the street.
“The man knocked the woman to the ground and kicked her in the face multiple times,” Vienna police said in the town’s weekly crime report. “The woman suffered facial injuries and was transported by rescue personnel to an area hospital. This case is being investigated.”
Photo via Google Maps
The cost of living in Tysons is high — most of the new residential developments around Tysons advertise their new living units as “luxury” — and there’s a good reason why.
And as developers fight over the last few pieces of prime real estate near Metro stations, some are admitting that the cost of setting up shop in Tysons is unlikely to go down anytime soon.
At Bisnow’s Tysons State of the Market event yesterday (Thursday) at 1600 Tysons Boulevard, developers met to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the region over the next few years.
“Costs have risen,” said Gary Block, chief investment officer for the Meridian Group, developers of The Boro. “It’s tough to underwrite new residential development today. Rents have to be very high to justify development.”
One of the biggest drivers of cost in Tysons is also one of the biggest draws: nearly unlimited density. Speakers at the State of the Market event said a high capacity for density means developers are looking to get more out of each plot of land, which means building up, and that means using more expensive steel frames rather than wooden frames.
“Wood frame is an option,” said Jim Policaro, senior vice president of Lerner. “But you’re giving up potential density. You’re going to have more noise issues with wood frame construction, but the net effect is rent that might be slightly lower. If you’re willing to give up some density and sacrifice the height you can get, it’s definitely a viable option.”
But the market for residential development in Tysons is focused on areas near Metro, areas where density is king.
“Residential coming into the market is driven by density, “said Mark Carrol, executive vice president of Skanska Commercial Development. “These locations are within walking distance of the Metro.”
Developers said a boosted demand for higher-end residential development will likely be one of the main impacts of the new Amazon headquarters in Arlington.
“Not everyone can live in Arlington, or wants to,” said Policaro. “Employees who are married with children might see Tysons as a laudable option for residential.”
Carrol added that from a cost perspective, developers have seen an escalation of almost 7 percent in this market. If there are residential developments that are more affordable than the new luxury developments, they will have to be in places further away from Metro access.
“Those further away from the Metro are going to have to make certain changes and accept the fact that their rent streams are going to be significantly lower,” said Brian Tucker, managing director for JLL.
As for who is moving into these high-end residential developments, Bob Kettler, founder and CEO of Kettler, said half of the people moving into condominiums in the area are “empty nesters” — older couples whose children have left their home. The other half is split between professional couples and affluent single professionals.
Kettler also noted that the demand is still very present for high-end residential, with prices on units moving up three times over the last four months.
Those traveling on I-66 should be forewarned: removal of the overhead gantry signs will mean three lanes in each direction will be closed from 9 p.m.-9 a.m.
The closures will take place between Route 123 and Gallows Road tonight (Friday). On Saturday, the closures will occur between Blake Lane and I-495.
The closures mean only one lane of traffic in each direction will be open.
According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the closures will include periodic traffic stoppages of up to 20 minutes between midnight and 5 a.m. in both directions on I-66.
Michelle Holland, a spokesperson for VDOT, said the closures are necessary for the sign removal, as the crews are unable to work on parts of the gantry while traffic is continuing on the street below.
Daytime lane closures are expected on Sunday (Jan. 27) for lane striping work on I-66 between Gainesville and I-495. Two lanes will be closed on eastbound and westbound I-66 as crews refresh pavement markings between 12-4 p.m.
Photos via Google Maps
Tysons Seminary Gets Board’s OK — “Reformed Theological Seminary on Jan. 22 received a special exception from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to operate a college out of an existing office building in Tysons. The three-story, approximately 32,400-square-foot edifice is located on 1.54 acres at 8227 Old Courthouse Road.” [InsideNova]
Applications Open for Rent Subsidies — “Low-income residents in Fairfax County, Va., have an opportunity to apply for a Housing Choice Voucher for the first time in more than a decade.” [Washington Post]
Praise for Local Student Newspaper — “The McLean High School newsmagazine – the Highlander – is quite good. So are some other student publications across the region, but the Highlander really stands out.” [Sun Gazette]
Nothing Bundt Cakes has been baking in 129 Maple Ave W. in Vienna for two months, but a ribbon cutting on Tuesday (Jan. 29) and celebrations this weekend mark the official grand opening for the bakery.
Tomorrow (Friday), 20 percent of sales at the store will go to Amy’s Army, a non-profit dedicated to cancer research.
From 5-7 p.m., the store will also host a wine and cake tasting. Nothing Bundt Cakes’ most popular flavors will be specially paired with selections from Vienna Vintner.
On Saturday, the first 50 guests will receive free bundtlets — small bundt cakes — for a year. This offer is limited to one bundtlet cake per month for 12 months. The store opens at 10 a.m.
From 12-2 p.m., Nothing Bundt Cakes will host a “Cake-A-Palooza,” with a variety of free samples of various types of cakes.
Photo via Facebook
Tune up the bike and break out the spandex, the Tour de Tysons is returning for its fifth annual competition this March.
On Feb. 20 at 12:15 a.m., registration is scheduled to open for the 2019 race around the Tysons area. The entry fee is $35 for men and women’s races and $15 for younger ages.
The event is hosted by the Tysons Partnership and the National Capital Velo Club.
Races vary from 30 minutes to one hour in length. The race starts on Westpark Drive, then turns onto Jones Branch Drive and Westbranch Drive.
Cyclists who are not registered with the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association will be required to purchase a one-day license with cash at the race.
The event, featuring 10 races from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., has drawn 300 competitors in previous years.
Photo via Facebook
(Updated at 4 p.m.) Happy hour at Chef Geoff’s in Tysons runs from 3-7 p.m., and if legislation passed yesterday (Wednesday) in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate is signed by Gov. Ralph Northam, the specials during that happy hour may even become public knowledge.
As it is written, current legislation forbids Chef Geoff Tracy and other Virginia restaurateurs from advertising happy hours outside the restaurant. Two-for-one drink specials are illegal and happy hours are not allowed to occur after 9 p.m. Last year, Tracy filed a lawsuit against the state, saying the regulations were a violation of his free speech.
The two companion bills introduced in the Virginia House and Senate to loosen those restrictions passed on a 90-4 and a 40-0 vote. According to the new legislation, restaurant owners would be able to advertise the prices featured for alcoholic beverages and market happy hours “provided those techniques do not tend to induce over-consumption or consumption by minors.”
“From our perspective, the legislation would give us everything we’re asking for,” said Anastasia Boden, a lawyer with the Pacific Legal Foundation, which is representing Geoff in the case. “It would give restaurants the ability to advertise happy hours.”
Boden said she’s pleased by the legislation, but they want to make sure the bills become law before officially dropping their lawsuit. The arguments for the case have finished, and Boden says the firm is waiting to hear back from a decision for the judge.
“Nothing is certain in the legislature,” said Boden. “We’ve had an argument on the merits, now we’re waiting for a decision, so we just have to see what happens first. [If the legislation passes] at that point, there would be nothing left for us to pursue.”
Like Boden, Tracy says he’s happy with what he’s seen in the legislature.
“The ability to tell people the price of a pint will be a victory,” said Tracy. “I think it’s a big win. It’s great for Chef Geoff, it’s great for Virginia restauranteers, great for Virginia happy hour customers.”
But Tracy also noted that he’s frustrated the arguments over happy hours came to this point in the first place.
“It’s a strange process that we went through. I think it’s interesting that while fighting me and running me ragged all over the place to come up with 50,000 pages of documents while I’m running a restaurant that simultaneously the Virginia ABC was working on legislation to do what I proposed earlier,” he said.
“It’s a weird thing that went down in terms of the process,” Tracy continued. “It’s a big victory for us, but a big loss for Virginia taxpayers, because they footed the bill of this lawsuit while Virginia ABC basically didn’t believe what they were fighting about. It’s a bit of a weird thing, but I’m happy with the result.”
Photo via Facebook
(Updated at 2:45 p.m.) Rising waters due to heavy rain have prompted a road closure west of Tysons.
Fairfax County Police closed Old Courthouse Road at Besley Road after floodwaters from nearby Wolftrap Creek inundated the roadway. There’s no word on how long the closure will remain in place.
It was the only reported closure in the McLean police district as of 1 p.m., though others had been reported around Fairfax County, including:
- Fairfax Station Road at Innisvale Drive due to water in the roadway
- Woodburn Road at Spicewood Road due to water in the roadway
- Burke Lake Road at Kilkenny Lane due to water in the roadway
- Burke Road at Heritage Square Drive due to water in the roadway
- Fox Mill Road at Folkstone Drive due to water in the roadway
- Lawyers Road between Galloping Way and Whipporwill Road due to water in the roadway
There were also scattered reports of standing water on local roads that wasn’t high enough to prompt closures but did create a driving hazard.
Parts of Fairfax County, meanwhile, are under a Flood Warning Thursday evening.
Flood warnings have been posted for areas in green until 8/8:30 this evening. Never drive through a flooded road. The rain is over now and we are looking dry through the weekend. pic.twitter.com/AUnGoU7UBm
— Amelia Draper (@amelia_draper) January 24, 2019
Fairfax County is again reminding drivers to “turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded streets. The fire department posted the following VDOT safety video earlier today.
Map via Google Maps
Update on 1/25/19: The fire started when a large tree fell onto power lines servicing the building, resulting in a power surge within the electrical panel located in the basement, said Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. There were no injuries, but the damage from the fire is approximately $25,000.
(Updated at 2:25 p.m.) Firefighters are on scene of a two-alarm structure fire in the Town of Vienna.
The blaze broke out in a basement of the Pennywise Thrift Shop, at the intersection of Church and Mill streets, around 12:30 p.m. As of 1:05 p.m., firefighters on the scene said that the fire was still burning but was largely under control. As of 1:20 p.m., firefighters were removing portions of walls on the first floor, reporting that additional fire was burning in the walls.
Numerous road closures have been reported in the area. So far, no injuries have been reported.
The thrift shop has been open since 1961 and sells “affordable, lightly used clothing and household items,” according to its website. The store is run by Vienna’s Church of the Holy Comforter.
A tree fell on utility lines near the store, causing a hazard for firefighters, according to a fire department spokesperson, but it’s not clear whether that might have also helped to cause the fire.
As of 2 p.m., the fire was out and investigators were working to determine the cause.
One local resident told Tysons Reporter that she is concerned about how the thrift store will be able to recover and what will happen to everything inside.
“I’m worried about all of the merchandise in the thrift store there,” the resident said. “It’s probably all smoke damaged now.”
https://www.facebook.com/fairfaxcountyfirerescue/videos/vb.412016308855827/292026685004920
UPDATE – 100 block of Church St NE in Vienna. Fire is out. No injuries reported at this time. Second Alarm units returning to service. #fcfrd #fairfaxcounty #news pic.twitter.com/ik4Kme04MY
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 24, 2019
UPDATE – 100 block of Church St NE in Vienna with fire in the basement. Fire is under control. Crews checking for any extension of fire. #fcfrd #fairfaxcounty #news pic.twitter.com/xBsFN1o2gf
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 24, 2019
Due to response to a fire at Church and Mill streets, several roads and intersections in the area are currently closed. Please avoid the area if possible.
— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) January 24, 2019
Units on scene 100 block of Church St NE in Vienna with fire in the basement. Second alarm requested. #fcfrd #fairfaxcounty #news pic.twitter.com/ekxphlffVJ
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 24, 2019
Photo (8) via Google Maps
Urgent.ly, a Tysons-based startup that connects drivers in distress with nearby roadside assistance providers, announced yesterday (Wednesday) that it has secured $21 million in funding.
New investors in the project include car manufacturers BMW and Jaguar.
“Global automotive and new mobility companies are increasingly designing and marketing more transportation options with varying tasks, sizes and complexity,” the company said in a press release. “This level of innovation will render traditional roadside assistance obsolete, evolving into mobility assistance that can service today’s vehicles as well as fleets of the future that will include electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, micro-mobility vehicles, drones, robotic delivery and more.”
The company is headquartered at 8609 Westwood Center Drive, just off Leesburg Pike and west of the Dominion Square development.
Urgent.ly’s platform aims to make linking a driver to a roadside assistance program seamless and accessible. The company claims its product can provide a 50 percent reduction in response times and offers real-time tracking for both the driver in the crash and the roadside assistance company.
The BMW Group also selected Urgent.ly as a partner for further work with the manufacturer’s in-house roadside assistance system.
“We are truly gratified by the support of our investors, including some of the world’s top global automotive brands, as we work to define the future of mobility and roadside assistance and deliver experience customers demand and deserve,” Chris Spanos, CEO and co-founder of Urgent.ly, said in the press release.
Photo via Facebook
