Excessive Heat Warning Issued for Today — The alert will take effect in the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. With “dangerously hot conditions with heat index values around 110 expected,” the “potential for heat related illnesses” is increased, especially “for those working or participating in outdoor activities.” [NWS]
Proposed Apartments Could Displace Annandale Retailers — “The Eastgate mixed-use development proposed for John Marr Drive in Annandale will have 280 apartments, ground-floor retail, and an above-ground garage…The six-story apartment building will displace The Block, the Pelicana chicken restaurant, Kimen Ramen & Izakaya, and B-Thrifty,” though the food hall could move to the new building’s ground floor. [Annandale Today]
No Changes for Trans Student Athletes Planned — “Virginia High School League’s executive director, John ‘Billy’ Haun, told school leaders Monday he recommended the league’s existing policies, which allow transgender athletes to participate on teams that match their gender identity under certain conditions, not be changed,” despite the state’s new “model” policies. [Associated Press/WTOP]
Metro to Add Fare Boxes at Rear Bus Doors — “Metro this fall will begin to allow passengers to enter from both doors to speed up the boarding process and decrease wait times and delays, transit officials said Thursday, a major milestone in the agency’s years-long plan to transform bus operations.” [The Washington Post]
Applications Open for Historic Mount Gilead Curator — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications from resident curators for the rehabilitation and long-term maintenance of the historic Mount Gilead house at 5634 Mount Gilead Road in Centreville. All applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, to be considered.” [FCPA]
County Promotes Resources to Address Drug Abuse — “In 2022, more than 90% of fatal overdoses in the Fairfax County Health District involved fentanyl. ‘It’s something that’s really a community-wide problem,’ said Ellen Volo, the Opioid and Substance Abuse Task Force Coordinator…This is why Fairfax County is counting on everyone to help prevent it.” [ABC7]
Safeway May Sell Closed Hybla Valley Store — “The Fresh World international market chain hopes to replace Safeway at a Fairfax County retail center, though its ability to do so hinges on Safeway’s willingness to relinquish its space there.” Despite closing its store in 2017, Safeway has the Mount Vernon Square space leased through April 30, 2026 and is looking at “several potential new tenants” for a sale or sublease. [Washington Business Journal]
Fairfax Station Community Center Nears 50 Years — “Community members are invited to join Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw and staff of the David R. Pinn Community Center for a celebration and cake marking the center’s 50th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.” The site’s legacy goes back to its origins in the early 1900s as a church with classes for Black children and community events. [Neighborhood and Community Services]
It’s Friday — There is a 40% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms with mostly sunny and hot conditions, reaching a high of 98°F and a heat index of 109. At night, there’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, with partly cloudy skies and a low of around 76°F. [Weather.gov]
Soon, Tysons Corner Center visitors will be able to access the internet for free, check out a library book and learn how to prepare for college or a career all from the same room.
After closing at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fairfax County’s Community Services Room at the mall will reopen on Saturday (July 29) with an expanded array of services.
The launch will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by an open house so attendees can get acquainted with the available resources. The 2,280-square-foot room is located on the mall’s second level near Nordstrom.
“Our overall commitment is to create a stronger and interconnected community where everyone has access to vital resources, support, and opportunities,” Fairfax County Neighborhood & Community Services Communications Director Cristin Bratt said. “We hope this dedicated space for programming, community resources, library services and human services support will foster a sense of belonging in the Tysons area.”
According to NCS, Tysons Corner Center has provided the space to the county for “several years” as part of its development proffers or conditions. Prior to the pandemic, the room was used by Visit Fairfax, the county’s tourism agency.
Upon taking over management of the location, NCS says it decided to partner with other county agencies and local nonprofits to offer support services that residents may have difficulty accessing otherwise, particularly with Tysons still waiting on public facilities like a community center and library.
The community services room will include two computers that anyone can use to access the internet for the purpose of applying for jobs, social services benefits, a library card and other county resources.
NCS, which provides recreational, educational and developmental programs as well as basic needs assistance, will also use the space to offer restorative services and creative outlets for teens “engaged in high-risk behavior,” according to a press release.
To further assist youth and families in need, the department has partnered with the Arlington-based nonprofit Edu-Futuro, which focuses on immigrants and other underserved individuals.
The organization will provide mentorship, education, leadership development, case management, and college and workforce development services. Its staff at the community services room will be bilingual and trained to work with Latino, immigrant and English-learning youth.
The community services room will also host Fairfax County Public Library’s outreach team for school-age and teen services and the Fairfax County Department of Family Services:
Library Services for Teens — Fairfax County Public Library’s School-Age and Teen Services Outreach team will provide library outreach to teens who face barriers in accessing library services by empowering and engaging youth and demonstrating the value and relevance of the library. Planned Library services for teens include gaming, arts and crafts, STEM, book clubs, library resource workshops and more, as well as provide access to popular library materials via a curated pop-up collection available for checkout.
Domestic & Sexual Violence Services — The Department of Family Services’ Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ onsite services will include education; training; help planning for safety; crisis intervention; and referrals to resources for shelter, housing, counseling, and legal assistance. Services are available to individuals, families and community members impacted by domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking and stalking.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, who represents most of Tysons, says she hopes the community services room will serve as a “hub of opportunity” where different organizations can work together.
“Empowering communities is a catalyst for positive change,” Palchik said in a statement to FFXnow. “The new Community Services Room at Tysons provides a collaborative space for individuals to connect, learn, and grow together and serves as a beacon of opportunity, fostering unity and well-being among our residents.”
The Tysons area will have no shortage of fresh fruits and vegetables for the rest of this year, as one farmers market prepares to make its introduction and another expands its presence.
A brand-new Tysons farmers market will launch at noon today (Thursday) at The PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike).
Run by Potomac Farm Market, the market will return every Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. through Oct. 19. It will have “seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh cut flowers, and other locally sourced specialties” from area farmers and food producers, according to Celebrate Fairfax, the nonprofit that operates The PARC.
“We’re thrilled to work in partnership with Potomac Farm Market and host the farmers market at The PARC,” Celebratate Fairfax President and CEO Ashley Morris said. “The market provides an opportunity to bring neighbors together to connect over fresh, locally sourced food while also supporting local farms.”
To mark today’s launch, Celebrate Fairfax has planned a grand opening event with free ice cream from Tysons Creamery, while supplies last. The giveaway is a nod to National Ice Cream Month, but it will also likely be welcome for patrons on a day expected to get dangerously hot.
The farmers market is currently scheduled to be held outside, but organizers say it could be relocated indoors if necessary.
“We are monitoring the weather and have the ability to move the farm market inside The PARC if needed,” Celebrate Fairfax Director of Community Events and Engagements Trinity Yansick said.
Mosaic District farmers’ market set to expand
Looking south of I-66, nonprofit FreshFarm announced yesterday that it will expand its popular farmers market at Merrifield’s Mosaic District.
Operated by FreshFarm since 2019, the Mosaic market is open year-round on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It typically occupies more than two blocks along District Avenue from Strawberry Lane to Penny Lane, requiring the road to be closed to vehicle traffic.
Starting on Aug. 6, the market will extend its reach onto Strawberry Lane, increasing its vendor line-up from 45 produce, food and craft stalls to almost 60.
Covering the equivalent of three city blocks, the expanded market will be “in the running to be the largest farmers market in Northern Virginia,” FreshFarm says. Offerings will include “a wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables, artisanal baked goods, pastured eggs and meats, locally roasted coffee, prepared foods” and more.
“The expansion into Strawberry Lane means we can connect even more farmers and producers with the community while also providing local residents with a wider variety of fresh and healthy options,” FreshFarm Director of Agricultural Programs Rebecca Chávez said.
She added that the nonprofit hopes the bigger market will draw more participants for its Fresh Match program, which allows SNAP and other federal benefit recipients to get a dollar-for-dollar match on any benefits they spend at the farmers market.
“[It] both helps shoppers take home more nutritious produce and local foods while creating and sustaining new revenue streams for local growers,” Chávez said.
The Mosaic market’s expansion will coincide with the first day of National Farmers Market Week, which is recognized annually by the national nonprofit Farmers Market Coalition.
Earlier this year, workers for FreshFarm — whose other markets include ones in Reston and Oakton — unionized with United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400.
Farmers markets are also underway from the Fairfax County Park Authority, which runs 10 markets that appear from the spring into the fall, or even December in some cases.
Local officials are in the midst of developing a data-driven way to prioritize and implement spot transportation improvements throughout Fairfax County.
The spot improvement screening program, which was discussed at a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ transportation committee meeting on July 18, lets the county identify priority locations for new transportation improvements, especially along intersections.
The program also intends to prioritize safety as a metric to evaluate transportation.
So far, the county has identified 287 projects as high priority out of a total of 3,966 reviewed locations. Roughly 46% of the spots already have a planned project nearby, according to the county.
The Dranesville District had the most spots, but the majority of them were categorized as “low priority.” The Franconia and Mason districts led the way in terms of high-priority spots.
Underway since 2021, the county’s methodology prioritizes safety while also considering equity and the multimodal nature of the area, Fairfax County Department of Transportation staff said.
The county is in the midst of finalizing locations for each district. Evaluation and implementation is contingent on approval by the Board of Supervisors.
FCDOT staff recommend focusing on high priority locations and working with the Virginia Department of Transportation to strategize funding for projects. Staff also suggested further narrowing spots where there are no programmed safety-related projects.
If approved, the spot improvement program could get renewed every three to five years.
While the full list of possible spot improvements was not released at the meeting, Vanessa Holt from FCDOT’s traffic engineering section said that public input will be solicited on projects.
“Our program recommendations include focusing on the high priority spot locations,” Holt said.
At the meeting, supervisors asked staff to consider other elements in their evaluations. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn suggested incorporating near-misses, camera data from VDOT, and other data points into the prioritization process.
“I really like the process, the drivers being data-driven,” Alcorn said.
The program, which is not yet funded, is different from the county’s active transportation program, which sets aside $100 million for improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized travelers.
Board Chairman Jeff McKay also emphasized that not all traffic fatalities are linked to road safety issues.
“Unfortunately, we do have fatalities in some corridors of the county. It’s not a road design issue at all,” McKay said.
He also added that the proximity of other projects to prioritized spot improvement locations shouldn’t automatically downgrade a project from the list. Instead, the location may be a strategic area to kill two birds with the same stone.
Others like Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity noted that funding for these projects may not be available for several years, resulting in the need to manage public expectations about implementation.
Holt acknowledged that the public’s feedback is critical as the process moves forward.
“We recognize that data analysis is not perfect when we have that human element in transportation safety,” Holt said.
D.C. Area Braces for Heat Wave — “The heat could challenge several calendar day records for both afternoon highs and warm nighttime lows. And there’s a chance Washington could see the air temperature touch the century mark for the first time since Aug. 15, 2016. Significant relief…is not anticipated until Sunday.” [Capital Weather Gang]
Heat Cancels Pickleball in Herndon — “Attention pickleball players! Due to the high heat index and moving summer camps inside, drop-in pickleball for Thursday, July 27, is canceled. Your safety is our top concern, and we apologize for any inconvenience. Stay hydrated and cool, and we’ll resume soon!” [Herndon Parks & Recreation/Twitter]
Electrical Issues Close Reston Pool — The electrical system that powers Autumnwood pool’s filter pump is beyond repair, according to Reston Association. While staff pursue replacement parts, the pool has been closed, and hours have been extended through Aug. 6 at the North Hills swimming pool. [RA]
Oakton Family Grapples With Invasive Worms — “The Ambrose family clears dead hammerhead worms from their driveway in Oakton every morning. It’s been a ritual for the past two months, when they first spotted a 14-inch hammerhead worm slithering in front of their home.” [DC News Now]
Chicken Restaurant Coming to Seven Corners — “Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers will take over the former Dogfish Head Alehouse building at 6220 Leesburg Pike in the Seven Corners Shopping Center. The restaurant will open in the middle or end of 2024, a company spokesperson says.” [Annandale Today]
McLean Community Center Fills Vacated Board Seat — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 25 tapped Matt Colsia to a recently vacated seat on the McLean Community Center Governing Board. Colsia succeeds Shivani Saboo, who resigned from the body earlier in the month due to a job transition.” [Gazette Leader]
FCPS Sees Strong Turnout for Job Fair — “Despite the well-known challenges associated with being a teacher, a job fair for prospective teachers drew large crowds Wednesday at Luther Jackson Middle School.” Fairfax County Public Schools “was seeking more employees for positions, such as teachers, counselors, instructional assistants and substitute teachers.” [WTOP]
Metro GM’s Tenure Off to Promising Start — “When Randy Clarke was hired as Metro’s General Manager a year ago, some people wondered if a guy who ran just one commuter rail line and less than 100 bus routes in Austin, Texas could cut it at Metro, the struggling second-largest transit agency in the country. But after a year at the helm, Clarke is so popular, he’s getting asked for selfies in the checkout line at Trader Joe’s.” [DCist]
It’s Thursday — There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm today, with sunny and hot conditions and a high near 98°F, feeling like 105°F. Tonight, expect a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly between 8pm and 2am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 75°F. [Weather.gov]
A wellness center that says it can help people defy the signs of aging, if not the actual process, has set up shop in Vienna.
After a recent soft opening, Restore Hyper Wellness will celebrate its arrival at 214 Maple Ave West more officially tomorrow (Thursday) with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony, starting at 10 a.m.
To mark the occasion, the studio will offer some deals on services and memberships through Sunday (July 30), including $125 cryoskin facials, $100 off premium hydrafacials and 50% off the retail rate for select single services, according to a press release.
“Restore addresses the fastest growing segments of wellness, helping people looking to manage persistent pain, defy the signs of aging, boost athletic performance, and dial up their natural defenses,” the company says.
Restore started as a cryotherapy clinic in Austin, Texas, in 2015. While training for a triathlon, its founders turned to the practice involving exposure to extreme cold that proponents say can reduce muscle and joint pain and give a mood boost — though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expressed skepticism of the purported benefits.
Restore’s version of whole body cryotherapy immerses the client in temperatures as low as -165 degrees for up to three minutes. The Vienna location can accommodate up to four people at a time, per the press release.
Other available services include compression, infrared saunas, red light therapy, IV drip therapy and skin-cleansing facials.
Employing about seven staff members, the Vienna center is led by general manager Christopher Pursell, a Manassas resident who worked for PetSmart for 18 years before pivoting to the health and wellness industry.
“What I love about Restore is that there are benefits for everyone — from elite athletes to people like me, who’s just looking to be a better, healthier dad,” Pursell said. “Full-body cryotherapy is like my afternoon coffee — giving me a boost to my mood and metabolism as well as promoting better sleep. I look forward to introducing the many ways Restore can help the Vienna community live life to the fullest!”
The center’s operating hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Restore has hundreds of locations across the U.S., including in Arlington and Alexandria, but this is its first Fairfax County site. The company says it plans to open 500 locations by the end of 2024.
(Updated at 2:05 p.m.) A Heat Advisory will take effect tomorrow (Thursday) for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, with temperatures expected to near 100 degrees.
Released by the National Weather Service this morning, the alert is slated to be in place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow.
While currently forecasting a high temperature of 97 for Fairfax County, the NWS warns that the day could feel more like 105 degrees based on the heat index, which factors in humidity. An Excessive Heat Watch has also been issued, predicting “dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110 possible.”
A Heat Advisory has been issued for Thursday. Maximum heat indices in the advisory area are expected to be 105-109 degrees. Outside of the advisory, it will still be hot. Heat and humidity will increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those outdoors. pic.twitter.com/kgggr7V88z
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 26, 2023
“Heat and humidity will increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or
participating in outdoor activities,” the alert said.
The NWS is urging community members to take some precautions if they have to spend time outside:
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, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling 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.
The Fairfax County government shared a reminder of the symptoms of heat exhaustion or stroke, which can include fainting, dizziness, muscle cramps, headaches, nausea and either excessive or no sweating.
“During hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged in ways you may not expect,” the county said.
During hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged in ways you may not expect.
Stay #WeatherReady by learning the symptom of heat-related illnesses: https://t.co/DiDPYHsJm1 pic.twitter.com/72uTMvAT2t
— Fairfax County Government
(@fairfaxcounty) July 26, 2023
If the advisory unfolds as scheduled, the county will activate its extreme heat response, opening up a number of public facilities as cooling centers and providing supplies like water and sunscreen at those locations and homeless shelters.
The county has also recently bolstered its response to extreme heat events by improving its process for alerting unsheltered residents and offering free Fairfax Connector bus passes to cooling centers.
In addition to heat, tomorrow’s forecast holds a 30-40% chance of thunderstorms after 2 p.m.
With development starting to pick up in the Spring Hill area, the need to protect some of the last remaining natural green space in Tysons has taken on a new level of urgency.
Acknowledging the potential threat, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn — who represents Tysons west of Route 7 and north of Route 123 — will create a community task force to determine the best way to preserve Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley, also known as Tysons Forest.
“The Task Force will provide a forum for discussion and recommended action to maximize the ecological benefits of this green corridor while maintaining appropriate access by us humans,” Alcorn said in an announcement at yesterday’s Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Encompassing over 40 acres of wooded land, Tysons Forest extends from the Ash Grove historic site down to the Tysons Towers apartments. It includes Raglan Road Park (8590 Raglan Road) as well as the stream valley park.
The area was dubbed “Tysons Last Forest” by residents who banded together in 2013 to halt plans for a road through Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley Park.
The county’s Tysons Comprehensive Plan emphasizes that the Old Courthouse Spring Branch and Scotts Run stream valleys “should not only be protected from development and infrastructure impacts, but be restored and enhanced.”
However, the plan also envisions “substantial redevelopment” for Tysons West to transform an area currently dominated by auto dealerships and offices into a mixed-use, transit-oriented district with “significant office, residential and retail components, as well as arts and entertainment uses.”
While that development mostly hasn’t emerged yet, the parkland is already close enough to human activities that a potential deer hunt last year was deemed too risky.
The plan proposes developing “multi-use trail and other passive recreational facilities” at Old Courthouse Spring Branch park, while considering athletic fields or other “local-serving recreational uses” at Raglan Road Park.
No changes to that plan will come from the new task force, which isn’t intended to address development in the area, Alcorn told FFXnow.
“Rather it is a task force of representative property owners along the stream valley to discuss management and ecological enhancement of this green corridor that forms the border of Tysons,” he said. “Some of the area has already completed stream restoration but there is as of yet no coordinated plan for the stream valley that lies between the Dulles Toll Road and Gosnell Road.”
According to Alcorn, the task force will be community-led and include representatives of property owners and other “community partners.” He said the other county supervisors and their staffs are also welcome to participate.
The group will convene this fall and is expected to wrap up its work in early 2024.
“It’s actually going to be a fun exercise to see how those ecological assets could be built upon and used for the broader community,” Alcorn said.
Alcorn’s full announcement is below:
As the Board is aware, Tysons is planned as Fairfax County’s urban center. Immediately to the west of existing and planned development in the Hunter Mill portion of Tysons is a stream valley that includes Old Courthouse Spring Branch. Also included in this stream valley is Raglan Road Park and other Fairfax County Park Authority property which contain more than 40 acres of forested land. This green corridor is of great value to nearby residents, local businesses, visitors to the area, and the numerous flora and fauna that make this stream valley their home.
Unlike many areas of Fairfax County, land along the stream valley is owned by a variety of property owners including but not limited to the Park Authority. For the Board’s awareness, I am creating a community-led Task Force with representatives of property owners and other community partners to develop high-level strategies for the preservation and enhancement of the stream valley. The Task Force will provide a forum for discussion and recommended action to maximize the ecological benefits of this green corridor while maintaining appropriate access by us humans. I appreciate the Park Authority’s active interest and participation in this effort and look forward to sharing the task force findings and recommendations as this important community work moves forward.
New Dunkin’ Donuts Coming to Woodlawn — “The next-generation Dunkin’ under construction at Woodlawn Shopping Center is tentatively slated to open toward the end of third quarter 2023, according to the public relations firm for the ownership group. The store originally had hoped to be open for business early this year.” [On the MoVe]
Taller Metro Fare Gate Installations Begin — “After more than half a year of testing, Metro has finalized a taller faregate design that will roll out across the entire rail system in the coming year. The goal is to reduce fare evasion, which costs the agency about $40 million a year.” Vienna will be the first Fairfax County station to get the new gates, likely in early fall. [DCist]
County Board Recognizes Pride Month Organizers — The “Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized and thanked on Tuesday the many companies, organizations, and individuals who contributed to the celebration of Pride Month across the county in June…Bri Morgan of Reston Pride accepted the board’s proclamation on behalf of all the organizations” [Patch]
Reston Community Center Seeks Board Candidates — “Reston Community Center (RCC) is seeking interested candidates to run for seats on its Board of Governors…Candidates must complete a Candidacy Statement to have their names placed on the Preference Poll ballot. Candidacy Statements will be available at RCC facilities or online…beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1.” [RCC]
Farmers Market Launches in Tysons Tomorrow — “New @The PARC! Potomac Farm Market and Celebrate Fairfax are working in partnership to bring the farm to you every Thursday through October 19th from 12pm-7pm…In celebration of National Ice Cream Month, this grand opening will also feature FREE ICE CREAM while supplies last from Tysons Creamery.” [Celebrate Fairfax/Facebook]
McLean HS Students Celebrated for Quiz Show Win — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 25 honored the McLean High School ‘It’s Academic’ squad of the 2022-23 school year. The team became the first in Fairfax County Public Schools’ history to win back-to-back annual championships.” [Gazette Leader]
Annandale Church Dedicates Renovated Sanctuary — “Hundreds of church members celebrated the completion of the new sanctuary at St. Ambrose Catholic Church on Woodburn Road in Annandale last week at a dedication ceremony and special Mass. The old church building had become too small for the growing parish and needed extensive repairs.” [Annandale Today]
Frying Pan Farm Park Awaits Return of 4-H Fair — “Celebrate Fairfax County’s agricultural traditions and enjoy some old-fashioned fun as the Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival returns to historic Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Va., Aug. 3-6, 2023…The 4-H Fair kicks off with the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at 10 a.m.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]
It’s Wednesday — The forecast for Wednesday is sunny and warm, with a high near 90 degrees and a calm wind that will pick up to 5-7 mph from the south in the afternoon. The night will be mostly clear, with a low around 75 degrees. [Weather.gov]
Fairfax County’s efforts to become more energy efficient will get a power boost this week, as work begins on improvements at McLean’s Spring Hill Rec Center.
Set to break ground at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday), the project will add the recreation center at 1239 Spring Hill Road to a growing list of county facilities supported by solar panels. Other planned changes include pool dehumidification unit replacements, LED lighting upgrades, improved building automation systems and a new geothermal HVAC system.
“The project represents a significant step forward toward meeting the county’s goals for carbon neutrality in its facilities, fleet vehicles and operations, including 50% of county electricity from renewable sources by 2040,” the Fairfax County Park Authority said.
Adopted in July 2021, the county’s Operational Energy Strategy set 2040 as the target date for achieving carbon neutrality in its energy use — the point when it will remove as many greenhouse gas emissions as it releases.
In addition to getting half its electricity from renewable sources by 2040, the county hopes to reach carbon neutrality by cutting overall energy usage in half, transitioning to fully electric or non-carbon-emitting vehicle fleets by 2035 and producing zero waste by 2030, among other goals.
After running into some early roadblocks, particularly when it came to solar panels, the push to make the county’s facilities more energy efficient has picked up steam in recent months.
There are 22 solar projects in progress, including the Spring Hill one as well as five others that are under construction and expected to be completed this year, the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination reported to the Board of Supervisors at a July 18 committee meeting.
Later this afternoon, the board will hold a public hearing on whether to lease some upcoming facilities, including the new Franconia Governmental Center and planned Mason District Police Station addition, for solar photovoltaic (PV) array installations.
The county has also finished installing 96 electric vehicle charging stations at 11 facilities and has another five locations and 116 charging spaces on the way through 2024, though the Spring Hill Rec Center isn’t on that list.
The rec center will be the county’s fifth energy efficiency retrofit project, following completed upgrades at the Cub Run and South Run rec centers and the City of Fairfax Regional Library. Improvements to the Pender Building that houses the Department of Housing and Community Development are on track to finish this November.
According to the park authority, the Spring Hill Rec Center’s new solar PV array will produce 307 kilowatts of energy, providing 13% of the building’s annual electricity.
“That’s enough energy to power 33 homes, annually,” FCPA spokesperson Benjamin Boxer said.
Coordinated by energy service contractor CMTA, the upgrades are collectively expected to reduce the facility’s electric consumption by 19% and gas consumption by 29% each year, the FCPA says.
The park authority anticipates finishing work on the project by late summer 2024.
“There may be occasional, temporary disruptions to Rec Center operations due to construction activities, but the Park Authority will work to minimize any impacts to our patrons,” Boxer said.
Offering classes, camps and one of the FCPA’s three licensed preschools, the Spring Hill Rec Center hosts a 15,000-square-foot fitness center, an indoor gym, a swimming pool and spa, and various outdoor facilities, including a playground and baseball and soccer fields.
