Fairfax County’s government is the place to beat when it comes to utilizing digital technology, according to a recent survey of the top digital counties in the U.S.
Fairfax County was ranked no. 1 among counties with populations of 1 million or more people by the Center for Digital Government for its 2023 Digital Counties Survey, knocking off King County in Washington after the original home of Amazon nabbed the top spot two years in a row.
The top ranking marks the culmination of a steady rise for Fairfax County, which came in fifth place for its category in 2021 and second last year. King County, which includes Seattle, took second place this time around.
“We are constantly coming up with new ways to make things easier for our residents and employees through technology,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay said in a July 25 newsletter highlighting the achievement. “We would like to thank and congratulate our Department of Information Technology and agency partners for all of the excellent work they have done, and we look forward to seeing the great work continue!”
A division of the data and media company eRepublic, the Center for Digital Government describes itself as a national research and advisory institute focused on information technology policies and how they’re used by local and state governments.
The annual digital surveys, which include separate ones for states and cities, evaluate how different jurisdictions “are applying technologies to better serve their constituents,” the organization says.
After previously lauding Fairfax County for its cybersecurity efforts, the center says it managed to rise to the top this year thanks in part to an emphasis on data management and incorporation of data-based metrics into the Countywide Strategic Plan originally adopted in October 2021.
“Fairfax provided staff with training and policies about proper data collection and use, and conducted a data asset inventorying project so employees could more easily locate answers to internal questions,” the survey said. “Use of end-to-end encryption also preserves data privacy.”
Other accomplishments include a newly centralized “data lake” to support the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, which provides treatment and other resources for individuals with mental health, substance use and developmental disability needs.
The survey also singles out the county’s new Planning and Land Use System, which consolidated zoning, permitting and other land use applications into one central database. The system fully launched last October after starting to roll out in 2020, though it encountered some initial technical challenges.
“The platform gives constituents a single spot for handling activities like submitting and tracking applications related to zoning, building, permitting and other land development areas, as well as paying fees or submitting complaints,” the survey said.
In addition, the Center for Digital Government was impressed by the county’s expanding use of geographic information systems (GIS) data. Over the past couple of years, it has used mapping technology to track everything from heat and flooding to development in Tysons and Reston.
In general, the D.C. region performed well in this year’s Digital Counties Survey, securing first place in all five population-based categories.
The leaders — including Arlington for the 150,000-249,999 people category and Prince William for 250,000-499,999 people — were united by their prioritization of collaboration and inclusion, Government Technology said when announcing the results.
“Collaboration and inclusion were critical factors to their success,” GovTech said. “Their commitment to equity ensured that the benefits of technological advancements were accessible to all residents, ensuring widespread access to resources and creating a more inclusive digital landscape.”
Photo via Adi Goldstein/Unsplash
Man Sentenced in Shots Fired Case at Herndon Bar — The man who fired a gun inside Sully’s Pour House in 2021 was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday (July 28) but will only have to serve eight months, a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge determined. The bar owner said she was “disappointed by what she calls a weak punishment.” [NBC4]
Braddock Road Project Will Affect Fewer Trees — “The Virginia Department of Transportation has reduced the amount of tree loss in the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements Project, agency officials announced at a recent community meeting. The project would create 10-foot-wide shared-use paths along both sides Braddock Road, as well as intersection improvements” [Annandale Today]
Astronaut Barbies on Display in Chantilly — “As Barbie-mania sweeps the nation and people cool down in theaters to see the movie, two Barbies that flew to the International Space Station are on display at the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Tipping Anecdote at Tysons Restaurant Stirs Debate — A Reddit user claimed that their waiter called their $52 tip on a $291.40 bill for three people “unsatisfactory” during a recent visit to Chima Steakhouse in Tysons. The story prompted a discussion about tipping culture with more than 600 comments, though most agreed the server was out of line. [Reddit]
Rocket Launch May Be Visible Tonight — “The D.C. region, if weather allows it, has a chance to see a rocket launch that will soar into the sky and be visible to many in the Mid-Atlantic and up the East Coast. Scheduled for launch at 8:31 p.m. Tuesday from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, this will be Northrop Grumman’s 19th commercial resupply services mission for NASA.” [WTOP]
Town Hall Held on Reston Comprehensive Plan — “Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn hosted a town hall meeting Thursday night at the North County Governmental Center to solicit public input and answer questions about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Amendment… ‘This has been a really a long, long slog to get to this point,’ Alcorn said, to the approximately 20 people who showed up for the meeting.” [Patch]
County Gets Top Spot for Building Permitting Process — “Fairfax County ranked number one for best building permitting process in the United States by the NAIOP Research Foundation…This ranking was decided after comparing the site plan and building permit review process of 100 communities across the U.S. and Canada.” [Fairfax County]
What to Know About Hurricane Season 2023 — “With hurricane season underway, it’s essential to stay informed and prepared. Our Department of Emergency Management and Security recently hosted Kevin Rodriguez, a lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service, who provided a ‘2023 Hurricane Season Outlook’ presentation.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
It’s Tuesday — The weather forecast predicts sunny skies and a high temperature of around 84°F. For Tuesday night, expect mostly clear conditions with a low temperature of around 64°F and a gentle northeastern breeze between 3 to 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
In its first public hearing last Wednesday (July 26), the Fairfax County Planning Commission heard from the community on its proposed overhaul of parking requirements.
The initiative known as Parking Reimagined puts forth changes to off-street parking, bicycle parking, and loading. Overall rates and regulations have not been comprehensively reviewed since 1988.
The county says the goal is “an evaluation of existing parking rates to determine if adjustments of requirements to meet current parking demand is appropriate, while also examining County administration of parking regulations.”
One of the most notable changes is a tiered system for off-street parking, where rates are based on a development’s gross square footage instead of the number of people served.
In a report released July 12, county staff called the system the “most critical new component” of Parking Reimagined. The proposal also allows the county to approve shared parking reductions and transit-based reductions of up to 30%.
Susan Jollie, president of the Hummer Woods Civic Association in Annandale, called the reduction in the minimum parking requirements “radical.”
“The proposed radical reductions in the minimum parking requirements will create numerous new problems while failing to secure the alleged public benefits,” Jollie said. She added that the proposal is controversial because of a failure to perform relevant research.
Dennis Hays, a representative for the Reston Citizen Association, points to the high number of residents who own a car within the county as a reason for opposition.
“The county’s website says that only 4% of U.S. households do not own a car,” Hays said. “That means 96% of household in Fairfax County have a car — 30% have more than one car possibly subject to that. So it’s not possible to simply say that everybody in this county is going to be able to ride their bike to Whole Foods, or hike out to the Blue Ridge Mountains on any given day.”
Earlier this month, the Reston Citizen Association wrote a letter of opposition to the county, saying proposal doesn’t fully consider the impact on Reston and the county.
The proposal saw some support from people who said it’s good for the county’s future.
Aaron Wilkowitz, vice president of Fairfax County’s chapter of YIMBYs of Northern Virginia, called the proposal a step in the right direction for the county.
“Parking minimums contribute to environmental destruction because parking lots themselves create heat islands retaining warmth from the sun,” Wilkowitz said. “Parking spaces increased car dependency, which leads to more smog and carbon emissions and parking spaces worsen housing scarcity.”
Sonya Breehey, Northern Virginia advocacy manager for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, said the proposal will benefit housing and climate.
“The proposed zoning amendment offers to better balance future parking demand with other communities like equity, affordability, environmental sustainability and effective land use,” she said.
Though the public hearing lasted more than four hours, the planning commission scheduled a second one for Sept. 13. After that, the matter is set to go before the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 26. If approved, the changes would go into effect on Jan 1.
(Updated at 5 p.m.) By the end of this year, Capital One Center might have a more convenient entrance to the McLean Metro station.
Construction on a north entrance for the station is underway and on track for completion by the end of the year, according to a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority spokesperson.
To ensure the project can be finished, the WMATA Board of Directors approved an access agreement at its meeting on Thursday (July 27) that will enable the transit agency’s contractors to “cross and occupy” Capital One’s property.
“The contractor will immediately establish a storage area, continue site work and begin using the Capital One property to access the construction site,” Metro staff said in a summary of the agreement. “Because of the urgency of continuing contracted work, the resolution requests that this approval take immediate effect.”
The new entrance will be located north of Route 123 (Dolley Madison Blvd) near the Scotts Crossing Road intersection. Riders can currently only access the station at 1824 Dolley Madison Blvd from the south side near Scotts Run, where there is also a small kiss-and-ride lot.
According to WMATA, the project includes the “addition of double doors in the north curtainwall, exterior sidewalks, lighting and other necessary improvements.”
The project’s $1.3 million budget is primarily being funded by Fairfax County through I-66 toll revenues awarded by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission in 2021.
Capital One also agreed to contribute $300,000 and will pay for any additional work that’s needed, such as “steps, additional lighting and relocation of a waterline,” Metro staff said.
Under the approved access agreement, WMATA and its contractors are required to restore any portion of Capital One’s property affected by construction to its existing condition. The transit agency could also be on the hook for up to $10 million if there are any costs related to injuries or property damages.
While the new entrance is expected to be finished this year, it won’t officially open to the public until Capital One completes construction on the adjacent Capital One East lot, according to the Metro spokesperson.
Replacing a parking lot, Capital One Center opened a temporary baseball park on the lot earlier this year. A permanent urban park with recreational amenities, landscaping, a plaza and food truck parking is also planned for the site.
Back in March, the developer said construction on the urban park could start later this year and wrap up in late 2024. Capital One Center didn’t immediately return a new request for comment.
Correction: The headline initially suggested that the new Metro station entrance will open this year. WMATA says that, while construction will be finished, an opening won’t come until Capital One finishes its work.
Whenever Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) gets widened, the new lanes from International Drive in Tysons down to the West Falls Church Metro station area will be reserved exclusively for a future bus rapid transit (BRT) system.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a comprehensive plan amendment last Tuesday (July 25) incorporating the BRT into the county’s vision for Route 7 and International Drive, a move that enables county staff to pursue funding.
“I do think this is an important movement forward in this project,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said after a public hearing.
The Tysons portion of the Route 7 BRT — which is intended to provide faster, more direct service than a traditional local bus route — is part of a regional system that the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission has been planning for a decade now. The finished route will extend into Falls Church City and Seven Corners, ending at the Mark Center in Alexandria.
For the initial Tysons phase, though, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation has settled on the West Falls Church Metro as the southern endpoint and the Spring Hill Metro station as the northern terminus.
Adhering to an alignment approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2021, the BRT will have nine stops:
- The West Falls Church Metro station
- Westbound Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) at Chestnut Street
- Patterson Road, near the Tysons Station and Idylwood Plaza shopping centers
- George C. Marshall Drive
- Fashion Blvd, serving Tysons Corner Center
- International Drive and Fletcher Street
- International and Greensboro Drive, next to Tysons Galleria
- International and Lincoln Circle, near the Rotunda Condominiums
- Spring Hill Metro station
Along with establishing the potential stations, the newly approved amendment designates two additional lanes planned for Route 7 from Haycock Road to International Drive as dedicated BRT lanes.
The comprehensive plan recommends expanding Leesburg Pike from four to six lanes between Haycock and the Capital Beltway (I-495) and from six to eight lanes between the Beltway and Route 123. Funds have already been secured to design the Beltway to Route 123 segment.
The amendment also repurposes two existing lanes on International Drive up to Lincoln Circle for the BRT’s exclusive use. For the rest of the route, the buses will travel in mixed traffic or use Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes, which are open to cars making a turn.
In response to concerns raised by the Fairfax County Planning Commission, which recommended approval of the amendment on June 21, the document was slightly modified prior to the board hearing to emphasize the importance of making Route 7 accessible for pedestrians and bicyclist as well as transit.
“The inclusion of BRT on Route 7 into the comprehensive plan strengthens the county’s position as it continues to refine the design and pursue funding options,” Palchik said. “The recommendations will set up Route 7 to equitably accommodate anticipated future growth within this part of Fairfax County…all the way to Alexandria in future phases, and to better serve all users and modes.”
Though FCDOT staff previously said they would consider having pull-off areas to accommodate express buses, none have been included in the conceptual design for the future BRT-only lanes, which will be in the road median with staggered station platforms to reduce right-of-way needs.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity lamented the decision not to plan for an express option as a repeat of the county’s “mistake” on the forthcoming Richmond Highway (Route 1) BRT.
“The number one reason people take transit is if it gets them there quicker,” he said. “If you’re going to have to sit at every stop, it’s going to take longer than if you rode a bike, if you got into a car and drove.”
While he didn’t know offhand how long it’ll take buses to get from one end of the route to the other, FCDOT senior planner Sean Schweitzer said the BRT is intended to be faster than a local bus with fewer stops, dedicated lanes and quicker boarding.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay noted that pull-off spots would likely “require dramatic additional land acquisition,” potentially displacing residents and businesses. Even without the space for pull-offs, the Route 1 widening will affect almost 200 properties.
“This idea that these systems, because there’s not an express [bus] — meaning you can bypass a station — are not time-saving is just not true,” McKay said. “…We wouldn’t be approving a BRT if the idea wasn’t to get transit users through the corridor faster than any means they can get through today.”
(Updated at 1:35 p.m.) The ear-splitting thunder that accompanied Saturday’s rainstorm has faded, but efforts to clean up the resulting damage continue.
All southbound lanes on the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in McLean and Arlington remained closed during rush hour this morning (Monday), as crews worked to remove fallen trees.
“Currently, the northern section (from Spout Run Parkway to I-495) continues to be closed, with the exception of the northbound lanes from Route 123 to I-495,” the National Park Service said last night, urging drivers “to use caution in the area.”
The cleanup effort is expected to take another three to four days, according to the park service, which has deployed five different teams to assist.
“These closures are necessary to ensure the removal of hazardous trees, including those that have fallen across the roadway and broken limbs that pose a risk to travel lanes,” the NPS said in an update shortly before 1:30 p.m.
According to Dominion Energy, 768 of its customers in Fairfax County are still without power, as of 9:30 a.m.
The largest outage is in the West Falls Church area along Sleepy Hollow Road, affecting 437 people. The estimated time of restoration is still undetermined “pending investigation,” according to the utility company’s outage map.
There are also still smaller outages scattered around the Seven Corners area, Springfield and the Richmond Highway corridor.
Over the past couple of days, Dominion has managed to restore power to most of the 128,000 customers in Virginia who experienced an outage during the storm on Saturday (July 29), including approximately 26,000 people in Fairfax County.
“This was a severe storm with winds as high as 60-80 mph, which caused significant damage to trees, branches and power lines,” Dominion said in a tweet yesterday, stating that its crews would continue working through the evening to restore electricity for all those still affected.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said it responded to 238 calls between 4:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday — double the call volume it sees on a typical summer Saturday.
Currently, the northern section (from Spout Run Parkway to I-495) continues to be closed, with the exception of the northbound lanes from Route 123 to I-495, and the southbound lanes of the Spout Run Parkway are also closed as tree crews work to remove trees from the roadway.
— National Parks of Greater Washington, DC (@NPSNewsDC) July 31, 2023
This was a severe storm with winds as high as 60-80 mph, which caused significant damage to trees, branches and power lines.
— Dominion Energy (@DominionEnergy) July 30, 2023
Yesterday’s storm meant a busy evening for your #FCFRDsBravest. The #FCFRD responded to 238 calls between 4:30pm and 10pm. That is more than double the total amount of total calls and 10x the number of fire-related calls run during that time period on a normal summer Saturday. pic.twitter.com/10YzyuJp61
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) July 30, 2023
Saturday Storm Causes Power, Trees — “Wind damage — mainly downed trees — occurred all over the region, including northern Virginia, the District and Maryland. Some trees fell onto homes and cars. In many instances, roads were blocked. But the winds also toppled portable toilets and street signs and tore shingles off roofs.” [The Washington Post]
Police Launch Final Week of Road Safety Campaign — “We start our fourth and final wave of the successful ‘Road Shark’ campaign on Monday, July 31 through Sunday, August 6. During this high-visibility and coordinated enforcement, FCPD continues to deter aggressive driving, reduce crashes, and change driving behavior.” [FCPD]
Northern Virginia Evictions Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels — “Roughly 2,500 eviction suits were filed in Arlington County between July 2022 and June 2023, about a 10% increase above pre-pandemic levels. Fairfax County, the state’s most populous, saw 7,500 filings — with filings in the first quarter of 2023 surpassing those in the first quarter of 2020 by close to 3%.” [DCist]
People Rescued After Boat Capsizes During Storm — “Great rescue by our Marine Patrol boat [Saturday]! A boat capsized in Belmont Bay today during the storms. Our officers came to the rescue, pulling five people safely from the water. Their swift action and dedication undoubtedly saved lives!” [FCPD/Facebook]
Water Main Replacement Coming Near Fairfax HS — “As part of Fairfax Water’s program to continually improve its water service, selected water mains on and around Cornell Road will be replaced in early August…After the new water mains are installed, the water supply may be interrupted for short periods to make necessary connections to the existing water system.” [City of Fairfax]
McLean Softball Players Win State Tournament — “Led by strong pitching and sound defense, the McLean Little League age 9-11 girls all-stars softball team won recent District 4 and state tournament championships with a combined 5-0 record and allowing a limited number of runs in the process.” [Gazette Leader]
Lorton Nonprofit Gets Food Pantry Donation — “Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) announced July 27 that it received a $2,700 donation from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Food Lion…LCAC…plans to use the grant for purchasing meat, produce and other high-demand food items for its pantry.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Monday — There is a 20% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with partly sunny skies and a high near 84°F. The night will be mostly clear, with a low of 65°F. [Weather.gov]
Though it may be hard to believe on a 100-degree day, winter will come to Fairfax County again, and when it does, Kaleido Entertainment and Arts Group will be ready.
The company hopes to bring its Winter Lantern Festival back to Tysons after a buzzy and evidently successful inaugural run from Dec. 16, 2022 to Feb. 12 of this year.
For the festival’s return to the D.C. area, Kaleido is planning an even longer season that will kick off around Thanksgiving on Nov. 24 and continue through Feb. 18, according to a special permit application filed with Fairfax County on July 20.
While the previous event was allowed under a temporary special permit, the festival needs to get the Board of Zoning Appeals’ approval this time, because it will last longer than 21 days.
Like before, the event will feature hundreds of illuminated paper lanterns crafted into animals, natural and mythic scenes, and other designs. A list in the application suggests the displays will be laid out in quadrants according to four themes: ocean song, animal world, creative technology and cartoon paradise.
If approved, the festival will again be held in Lerner Town Square at Tysons II (8025 Galleria Drive). The proposed operating hours are 5-9:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Kaleido anticipates having 10 employees on site and 2,000 patrons, though it’s unclear whether that’s per day or over the festival’s full stay. A public relations consultant for the company didn’t return a request for comment from FFXnow by press time.
“Patrons came by cars [or Metro] from 5 pm – 9pm after work on weekends. Last year there were no reported traffic concerns or accidents,” the application’s statement of justification says. “We expect NO negative impact of traffic in and out of Tysons during the hours of operation.”
According to the statement, Tysons II property owner Lerner has agreed to provide 6,046 parking spaces for the festival at five office buildings in the development, which also encompasses Tysons Galleria.
“It is much more than needed,” the application says.
The county hasn’t officially accepted the application for review yet, so the zoning appeals board hearing doesn’t have a scheduled date.
It’s another stifling day in Fairfax County with no immediate relief in sight.
As of 11 a.m., temperatures at Fort Belvoir had reached 90 degrees, but thanks to 65% humidity, it likely feels closer to 103 degrees outside, according to the National Weather Service.
An Excessive Heat Warning will remain in place until 8 p.m. today — only for another alert to take effect from noon to 8 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday). The NWS warns that “dangerously hot conditions” can be expected on both days, with the heat index potentially climbing up to 111 degrees.
To help community members, particularly those who are unhoused, Fairfax County has activated its Heat Plan for both today and tomorrow, establishing public facilities like libraries and recreation and community centers as designated cooling centers.
“When Fairfax County’s heat plan is activated, cooling centers around the county will be available during normal operating hours for individuals needing relief from the heat,” the county said. “These cooling centers will also have supplies available including bottled water, sunscreen, insect repellant, and body wipes.”
.@NWS_BaltWash has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for today, July 28, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can expect dangerously hot conditions with heat index values around 110 degrees.
In response, we've activated our heat plan, which includes cooling centers and supplies. pic.twitter.com/BtVB7qOC7i
— Fairfax County Government
(@fairfaxcounty) July 28, 2023
The county is also distributing supplies through partners who work with unsheltered residents and at homeless shelters, drop-in centers and meal distribution sites.
In addition, overflow capacity is being allowed at the county’s three emergency shelters for adults: the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter in Fairfax (12970 Katherine Hanley Court), the Embry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston (11975 Bowman Towne Drive) and the Patrick Henry Family Shelter in Seven Corners (3080 Patrick Henry Drive).
Here’s more from the county on how to handle the high temperatures that have lingered since Thursday:
Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
- Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside.
- When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.
- To reduce risk during outdoor work, schedule frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9- 1 -1.
If the air temperature hits 100 degrees, it would be the first time that the D.C. area has seen that level of heat since 2016, according to the Capital Weather Gang. Temperatures appeared to be slightly below the pace needed to hit that mark.
The combination of heat and humidity could lead to some storms later today and tomorrow night, the NWS forecast says. Fortunately, an approaching cold front could finally break the heat wave on Sunday (July 30).
Extreme #heat is forecast once again today. It's already 91 degrees at 11am! Be sure to:
Drink plenty of fluids
Take frequent breaks
Find shade, use sunscreen#LookBeforeYouLockKnow the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke: https://t.co/J0cPVdWlch pic.twitter.com/r4guyfWGD3
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) July 28, 2023
88 at 10a in DC. Feels like 98 (heat index). https://t.co/VTD1kqxxiy
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) July 28, 2023
The final piece needed to fully redevelop the West Falls Church Transit Station Area has fallen into place.
After a public hearing on Tuesday (July 25), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved developer Rushmark Properties and HITT Contracting’s proposal to transform Virginia Tech’s Northern Virginia Center in Idylwood into a mixed-use hub designed to promote sustainability.
With the aid of architectural renderings, a representative for the development team known collectively as Converge West Falls bestowed a futuristic aura on the plan to replace the university’s existing four-story academic building at 7054 Haycock Road with an updated office building and apartments.
“This all looks otherworldly almost,” Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross observed before expressing “some qualms” with the location of a kids’ play area next to four-lane-wide Falls Church Drive.
The play area will be in a 7,908-square-foot Pocket Play Park — one of three publicly accessible open spaces proposed for the 7.5-acre Converge development, according to the rezoning application.
The developers also plan to build a 7,419-square-foot Sustainability Pocket Park with a boardwalk and other features on a stormwater management pond and a 42,668-square-foot Innovation Civic Plaza in the median of West Falls Station Blvd, a new private street that will be extended west from the recently approved Metro station redevelopment to the West Falls project now under construction in Falls Church City.
Those parks will be complemented by walkways, public art, pollinator gardens, landscaping and seating throughout the property, along with QR codes that will enable visitors to learn more about the site’s construction, said Walsh Colucci lawyer Andrew Painter, the development team’s representative.
The civic plaza is intended to serve as “the nucleus” of the development with an event lawn and an electronic, LED “Cloud Pavilion” whose canopy can be programmed to change color, shape, size and design based on the environmental factors, such as the angle of the sun.
“We believe this is going to be an immersive experience that will be a distinctive public art moment for the entire West Falls Church transportation area,” Painter said of the open-air pavilion.
According to Painter, the developers also wanted to create a “defining architectural statement” with the planned, 270-square-foot office building, which will house a new corporate headquarters for HITT and a Coalition for Smart Construction run by Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture.
Topping out at 120 feet tall, the building will have a 100,000-square-foot solar panel array on its roof that’s expected to generate between 1,100 and 1,400 megawatts of electricity — enough to power the whole facility. It will aim for net-zero carbon emissions.
“Furniture within this building will be generated with a 3D printer,” Painter said. “The façade of the building will be prefabricated to reduce the carbon footprint…Every step of the way, we’ll be incorporating those types of sustainability elements in the building.”
Apartment building height a sticking point for some residents
Community criticisms of the project, however, focused on the 13-story, 440-unit residential building — specifically its height, which will reach 145 feet along West Falls Station Blvd and taper down to 85 feet at the corner of Falls Church Drive and Haycock Road. Read More
