(Updated at 1:25 p.m. on 9/21/2023) Tysons residents looking to usher in fall by tossing back some cold brews will have a couple of options this month.
Oktoberfest at The Boro
Update — The Boro’s Oktoberfest was scheduled for this Saturday (Sept. 23), but with rain in the forecast, it has been postponed to the following Saturday, Sept. 30.
The Boro’s annual Oktoberfest celebration is set to return from 2-5 p.m. with a biergarten at The Sandlot (1680 Boro Place), food trucks, live polka music, a beer stein-holding competition and some more kid-friendly activities, such as crafts, face painting and glitter tattoos.
Beers on tap at the biergarten will include:
- Eggenberg Helle Weizen
- Eggenberg Hopfenkonig Pils
- Tucher Festbier
- Weihenstephaner Hefe-Weissbier
- Solace Gute Nacht Oktoberfest
- Zero Gravity Oktoberfest
- Aslin No Backsies Hefeweizen
The winner of the stein-holding contest will be rewarded with a gift certificate to one of The Boro’s retailers. Some branded beer mugs will also be up for grabs, going to the first 150 people to show up at Oktoberfest.
In recognition of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, The Boro is using the event “to raise funds and awareness” for a local chapter of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, per a media alert. The Pennsylvania-based nonprofit supports cancer research and provides resources to families of children diagnosed with cancer.
The Boro’s Oktoberfest celebration is free to attend, but registration through Eventbrite is encouraged.
Oktoberfest Wine, Cider & Beer Festival
Shipgarten (7581 Colshire Drive) in the Scotts Run neighborhood will also celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday (Sept. 23) with a Wine, Cider & Beer Festival.
Running from 1-6 p.m., the festival will feature dozens of international and Virginian wines, spiked and bourbon apple ciders, and beers from both local and out-of-state breweries. Samples of the venue’s regular draft beers from Tysons Biergarten and Waffles & Tacos will also be offered.
Event highlights outside of the booze include bratwursts and other food, outdoor games, live music from 12:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., a kids’ corner with a moon bounce, face painting and more, and a whole lineup of apple and pie games:
- 1:15 p.m. — Apple bobbing competition
- 2 p.m. — Apple grabbing race
- 3 p.m. — Apple toss
- 4 p.m. — Pie toss
- 5 p.m. — Pie-eating competition
Admission is free, but tickets can be reserved through Eventbrite. With no parking on site, Shipgarten provides complimentary shuttle service from 1700 Old Meadow Road as well as $20 valet service.
For Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Tysons, G34.3 Brewing Company (8532 Terminal Road, Suite L) in Lorton is throwing a party from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday with a beer release, German food and music. Tickets cost $29.99.
The Town of Vienna’s annual Oktoberfest is also returning on Oct. 7.
The highly anticipated new luxury condominiums at Monarch Tysons have delivered, with three spectacular new models to tour.
Residents are already enjoying these world-class residences and with exceptional privacy, serene outdoor spaces, lavish features and finishes, white-glove services, and the most luxurious amenities in Northern Virginia. You’re invited to attend an Open House event this Saturday, September 23 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Monarch, located at 7887 Jones Branch Drive, McLean VA, 22102.
Now is the time to buy at Monarch, with fewer than 12 residences remaining — all with great views!
Each residence offers abundant natural light, expansive views, chef’s kitchen, and spacious private outdoor living areas, with some featuring direct-entry elevators. From the richly lacquered cabinetry to the floor-to-ceiling windows, Monarch makes a statement at every turn.
This attention to detail extends throughout, from the spectacular grand lobby, state-of-the-art fitness center, inspiring party room, sparkling blue waters of our resort-style pool, and beautiful outdoor terrace.
Let our 24-hour concierge assist with everything from selecting a fine dining restaurant to coordinating a private party. No other condominium community in Tysons offers this level of superior service. World-class shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences are only a block away, and with the Silver Line Metro so close, residents can easily connect with everything Washington, D.C. and beyond.
Sophisticated condominiums priced from $1.57M. Ask about our rate buydown program — see Sales Manager for details.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
(Updated at 2:15 p.m.) A crash involving three vehicles, including a Virginia State Police vehicle, has partially shut down the northbound Capital Beltway (I-495) near Merrifield, including all express lanes.
According to state police, the crash appears to have occurred around 12:36 p.m. when a trooper responded to a disabled vehicle in the northbound express lanes just south of Route 50.
“A multi-vehicle crash occurred several minutes later involving a box truck that overturned partially onto a state police patrol vehicle,” a VSP spokesperson said. “There is one reported injury in the box truck. The trooper was not injured.”
The trooper reported that he “got hit” and requested additional units, including a medic, at 12:50 p.m., according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.
Four people have been transported to the hospital, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says.
“One patient was extricated,” the fire department said in a 1:49 p.m. tweet. “Four patients were transferred. 3 with non life-threatening injuries and 1 with serious injuries.”
State police and FCFRD units remain at the scene to investigate.
Traffic from the blocked I-495 toll lanes is being diverted into the regular travel lanes. The north left and left center lanes are also closed, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s traffic cameras.
As of 1:36 p.m., traffic backups extended approximately 1.4 miles.
#FairfaxsBravest are on scene of a three vehicle crash on the I-495N Express Lanes prior to Rt. 50. One patient was extricated. Four patients were transferred. 3 with non life-threatening injuries and 1 with serious injuries. I-495N is shut down except for the far right lane. pic.twitter.com/xqLYy3tGp8
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) September 20, 2023
Multi-Vehicle Crash. I-495 NB (IL) at US-50 (Ex 50/Arlington Blvd). Fairfax County, VA. 2 left main lanes blocked, 2 right main lanes open. All I-495 NB Express Lanes blocked. Delays start after VA-236 (Ex 52/Little River Turnpike), approximately 1.5 miles.
— MATOC Alerts (@MATOC) September 20, 2023
All lanes on northbound 495 Express Lanes near Rte 50 are blocked due to incident. Drivers on Lanes being diverted off to regular lanes.
— VA Express Lanes (@VAExpressLanes) September 20, 2023
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
Do you generally have an optimistic view of the future? If so, you may be reaping some hidden benefits. And if not, you still have reason to… well, hope.
“Hope is a powerful state of mind. For example, it’s been linked to better social well-being outcomes, such as life satisfaction, sense of purpose, and quality of life,” says Cate O’Brien, PhD, AVP of Mather Institute. The Institute is the research area of Mather, the organization that’s bringing The Mather, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better, to Tysons in early 2024. The Institute is an award-winning resource for research and information about wellness, aging, trends in senior living, and successful aging service innovations.
“Our researchers partnered with Washington University in St. Louis on a study of hope and healthy behaviors,” says Dr. O’Brien. “We found that people with a hopeful disposition are more likely to practice healthy lifestyle behaviors and feel positive about the future.” Therefore, by promoting a hopeful outlook, you can actually impact multiple areas of your health.
The good news is that even if you’re not a natural optimist, it’s possible to improve that mindset. Mather Institute researchers combed through previous studies on the subject, and came up with 10 tips that have been proven to help people foster a sense of hope and stay motivated.
- Set goals for yourself. Goals could be short-term (e.g., aiming to walk for 20 minutes every day) or long-term (e.g., learning a foreign language).
- Start slow. Make sure that the goals you set are attainable (e.g., eating a healthy diet or getting enough sleep).
- Break up goals into smaller goals to make them more manageable. For example, if your goal is to walk for 45 minutes every day, start with a 30-minute walk, three times a week and build your endurance.
- Keep realistic expectations about your goals and be creative. If bad weather interferes with your weekly lunch with a friend, enjoy a “virtual” lunch together over a video call.
- Develop a purpose in life. You can volunteer at your local food pantry, participate in a fundraiser, tutor school-aged children, or collect or distribute items of clothing.
- Nurture your hobbies. Pursue your passion, be it gardening, baking, writing, traveling, or scrapbooking.
- Challenge yourself. Complete a crossword or Sudoku puzzle.
- Try new things. Learn new skills such as playing a musical instrument or try out a new restaurant every month.
- Engage in social activities. Try to socialize regularly with friends and family. You can also join a book club or gardening club, video chat with grandchildren, or find a walking partner.
- Practice reflection. Meditating every day or maintaining a daily gratitude journal are some great ways to reduce stress, increase self-awareness, appreciate life, and think positively about the future.
The Mather, projected to open in Tysons, VA, in early 2024 for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
The Capital Beltway’s proximity to 2000 Corporate Ridge is both a boon and a potential obstacle to plans to convert the office building into a live/work development.
The accessibility of Tysons Corner Center and other attractions will make the property enticing to residents and workers, who can now cross I-495 with a pedestrian bridge, McGuireWoods land use lawyer Greg Riegle argued on developer Madison Highland’s behalf at a Fairfax County Planning Commission public hearing on Sept. 14.
However, county staff fear noise from the adjacent highway could deter those same residents and workers from utilizing the park and amenity spaces proposed to replace most of the 8-acre site’s surface parking.
The developer, going under the name McLean Corporate Ridge Property LLC, has committed to some mitigation measures, including window upgrades and evergreen tree plantings to separate the public park areas from an existing sound wall along the Beltway, according to a staff report.
“There still remains outdoor recreation and park space that is encumbered by noise impacts that exceed Policy Plan guidance,” staff said in the report. “Staff continues to recommend creative solutions, like artistic walls, to further mitigate noise impacts to better be in conformance with the Policy Plan or to increase the useability of the space of future residents should be further explored by the applicant.”
Despite those concerns, which Riegle noted could be further addressed at the more detailed site plan phase, county staff and the planning commission recommended that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approve Madison Highland’s rezoning application.
Following up on similar projects in Bailey’s Crossroads and Merrifield, the developer is seeking to convert the 10-story office building northeast of the Beltway and Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) into up to 250 live/work units, which can serve as housing, a workplace or both. Between 10 and 13% of the units will be designated as workforce dwelling units, in accordance with the county’s guidelines for Tysons.
Even after recent renovations, 2000 Corporate Ridge is struggling with vacancies in a slow office market, according to Riegle. Compared to a full replacement, the proposed conversion would be a more efficient and environmentally friendly way to put the building “to productive use,” while keeping the door open for future commercial uses, he told the planning commission.
“The building as it exists doesn’t contribute anything to the fabric or economy of Tysons, and there’s not a good way forward, absent repositioning here,” Riegle said. “The tactical repositioning is good for the site, it’s good for the community, and frankly, it’s good for the remaining office opportunities in Tysons.”
While the building and its 4-level, 644-space parking garage will stay, the project promises to transform the rest of the site with a 0.73-acre private amenity space for tenants and 3.2 acres of publicly accessible open space, including a “reforested hillside” to the north, a preserve with a boardwalk and bird-watching station to the south, and a neighborhood park near the McLean Hills Condominiums.
Located on the north side of the property adjacent to the Beltway, the reforested hillside will feature an 8-foot-wide, ADA-accessible trail that the developer has agreed to extend off-site with a shared-use trail to the I-495 pedestrian bridge.
To accommodate the trail, Madison Highland anticipates needing to remove most of the trees on the northern part of the site, much to Braddock District Planning Commissioner Mary Cortina’s alarm.
“That is the best sound barrier that you can have,” Cortina said. “I understand you need to make an accessible path, but all of those trees are gone, and that’s not just a loss to the immediate area, but everybody that drives by too. Every tree coming down between 495 and the buildings, it changes the air quality for the people that live there too.”
Sunny Yang, a planner for the county, said staff shares those concerns, but the site’s slope would otherwise make it difficult for the trail to meet accessibility requirements. The developer plans to preserve 15,200 square feet of trees elsewhere on the property, per the staff report, which calls the trail an “integral” connection for the development.
Under a proffer agreement that was being revised up to the afternoon of the public hearing, the developer has committed to looking for ways to save more trees when developing its site plan.
“We’re not in the business of taking down trees that don’t need to be taken down,” Riegle said.
Though disappointed by the prospective tree losses, Cortina joined the rest of the commission in supporting the proposal overall, praising the “beautiful” design and “attention to detail.”
Providence District Commissioner Phil Niedzielski-Eichner called the conversion a “creative” approach to reusing a “high-vacancy” office building constructed in 1985, noting that the plan has evolved since it was first submitted to the county last year.
“As we talk about the dynamics of land use, the reality is we’re always making tradeoffs between objectives and ideal purposes, and I fully respect the issue of the tree save,” he said. “It’s very important in all of our considerations, but I also want to balance that against the benefits being realized with this application.”
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote on the application on Oct. 24.
Local and State Candidate Forum Tonight — “The South County Federation, a non-partisan umbrella group of homeowners, civic and citizens associations in the greater Lorton area, plans to hold an in-person and virtual candidate forum Sept. 20 for several general election races…All 20 invited candidates said they would participate.” [On the MoVe]
Charges Dropped in Sexual Battery Case — At a preliminary hearing Monday (Sept. 18), a Fairfax County judge dismissed sexual battery and abduction charges against a 20-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Chantilly in July, saying there wasn’t probable cause for a trial. The man remains in jail on separate charges in Loudoun and Prince William. [WUSA9]
Lincolnia Restaurant Featured on TV Is Closing — “Foxfire Grill, which underwent a dramatic makeover on the reality TV show, Restaurant Impossible, will close at the end of October. The restaurant on Little River Turnpike in Fairfax County has indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a full bar. Its last day will be October 31.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
McLean Contractor at Risk of Bankruptcy — “Just two years after going public and raising $267 million from investors, McLean cybersecurity contractor IronNet Inc. appears to be on borrowed time…It’s not the first time IronNet has warned of a potential bankruptcy, but the board’s decision to furlough almost all employees and suspend operations on Sept. 5 has made its situation especially dire.” [Washington Business Journal]
McLean HS Hires Fairfax Girls’ Basketball Coach — Four-time state championship winner Pat Deegan has taken over as head coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team at McLean High School. The former Fairfax High School coach was chosen to succeed “Jen Sobota, who recently stepped down after 10 seasons and winning more than 100 games to become the assistant director of student activities at McLean.” [Gazette Leader]
Dulles Chamber of Commerce Seeks New CEO — “Friday was Melissa McKenna’s last day as the president and chief executive officer of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, according to the organization’s weekly email newsletter…Chamber Chair Joe Malabo and Vice Chair Mike Williams are working out the details of a search committee to find a new president and CEO.” [Patch]
N. Va. Coalition Assists People With Public Transportation — “The Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA) is working with Centreville Immigration Forum and other organizations to remove some of those barriers. Their pilot program is training 55 participants, all of whom are low-income and do not speak English fluently. Each person received a transit card worth $100 for their training trips.” [DCist]
For Principal, Working at FCPS Is a Family Affair — “Since 2000, Edison High School Principal Amanda Burke has been a familiar face at Fairfax County Public Schools. She started her career teaching at the high school she now leads. Today, Principal Burke’s infectious enthusiasm for education reflects in her two children, who also work for FCPS.” [FCPS]
It’s Wednesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high near 79 degrees and a light northwest wind of 3-6 mph. The evening will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 60 degrees and a gentle northeast breeze. [Weather.gov]
The sounds of Broadway are coming to Fairfax County in a truck this fall.
The Concert Truck will kick off the season with six stops across the county in three days, starting at the Oakwood Meadow Senior Residences in Rose Hill on Sept. 27 and concluding on Sept. 29 at the Providence Community Center in Oakton.
The mobile concert hall will also make stops at The Boro for its inaugural Tysons Fall Mixed Market, George Mason Regional Library in Annandale, the Mosaic District in Merrifield, and Capital One Center in Tysons.
At each stop, The Concert Truck co-founder and pianist Nick Luby will be joined by singer Jacob Lamb for an hour-long performance “featuring arrangements of Broadway classics,” according to a public relations representative for The Boro.
Luby started The Concert Truck with fellow pianist Susan Zhang in April 2016 as a way to expand the accessibility of live music, according to the pop-up’s website.
Equipped with lights, sound and instruments, the 16-foot box truck launched in Columbia, South Carolina, delivering eight performances in five days. It has since appeared across the country and partnered with local and national arts organizations, such as the Kennedy Center’s Washington National Opera and the Virginia Arts Festival.
The full schedule for the truck’s Fairfax County tour is below.
September 27, 2023 @ 11:00 a.m.
Oakwood Meadow Senior Residences
5815 S. Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VirginiaSeptember 27, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m.
Boro Park
The Tysons Mixed Market
8350 Broad Street Tysons, VA 22102September 28, 2023 @ 11:30 a.m.
George Mason Regional Library
7001 Little River Turnpike Annandale, VA 22003September 28, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m.
Mosaic
2905 District Avenue Fairfax, VA 22031September 29, 2023 11:00 a.m.
Capital One Center — The Sculpture Garden
1680 Capital One Tower Road Tysons, VA 22102September 29, 2023 @ 2:30 p.m.
The Providence Community Center
3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031
For anyone looking to get a more traditional Broadway experience, Capital One Hall is bringing back its “Broadway in Tysons” series for a third year. The season will open with “Jesus Christ Superstar” — which is celebrating its 50th anniversary — on Oct. 20-22, followed by “The Cher Show” on Feb. 16-18, “STOMP” on April 5-7 and “Little Women” on May 17-19.
Extending a quarter-mile along Tysons One place, the park will feature a dog park, a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail, a Metro plaza area and active recreation zones, including a children’s play area, according to the application.
In an initial version of the proposed development plan, the linear park was designed around Tysons One Place, but based on feedback from county staff, the developer will expand the park space by razing and relocating that section of the roadway.
“The linear park, that’s something we’re all really, really excited about…It really will serve as a great connection for folks coming from International Drive to the Metro, to the bus bays, to the site,” Clifford said, predicting that the park “will be a crown jewel of the area.”
With Metro currently only accessible from the mall via elevated walkways, Macerich “made a concerted effort” with its revised plan “to bring folks back down” to street level, Vice President of Development Hillary Zahm said.
In addition to the linear park, the plan adds a corner plaza with ramps to the Lord and Taylor site — known as phase 2A — and a loop trail around the mall’s perimeter that will include connections to the Metro station, the bridge to Westpark Drive, and the I-495 pedestrian and bicycle bridge.
According to a staff report, Macerich has also agreed to install a crosswalk with pedestrian signals and ADA-accessible curb ramps across Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) at Tysons Blvd, a provision that the county had sought after a woman was killed there in 2021.
“We will have at-grade pedestrian crossings into the Metro south pavilion and the bus bays, so there are crosswalks proposed in phases 2A and 2B,” Zahm said. “So, there will be a clear pedestrian path into the site, into the towers and the shopping center, both at-grade and elevated.”
Providence District Commissioner Phil Niedzielski-Eichner, who represents the area, commended Macerich for working with county staff “to generate a development plan that is as exciting as it is consistent with our hopes and aspirations for the future of Tysons.”
The application, which outlines five total phases of development for Tysons Corner Center, will go to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for a public hearing and final vote on Sept. 26.
Cirque du Soleil’s Big Top tent is set up at Lerner Town Square in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Lawsuit Seeks to Disqualify School Board Candidate — The Fairfax County Republican Party and three residents argue Marcia St. John-Cunning should be removed from the Franconia District race, saying six signatures on her campaign petition are invalid. Endorsed by local Democrats, St. John-Cunning is competing against GOP-endorsed Kevin Pinkney to succeed Tamara Derenak-Kaufax, who isn’t seeking reelection. [Patch]
Singer Challenges Wolf Trap’s Merchandise Sales Commissions — Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts has drawn some criticism after acoustic singer Sarah Beth Tomberlin told fans that the venue was seeking a 41% cut of all her merchandise sales. Tomberlin instead opted not to sell merch when she opened for Ray LaMontagne on Sunday (Sept. 17). [DCist]
Rep. Jennifer Wexton Won’t Seek Reelection — Updated at 4:45 p.m. — The Congresswoman representing Virginia’s 10th District announced yesterday (Monday) that she won’t pursue a fourth term next year after getting diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a neurological disorder with no cure. Wexton’s decision opens up a “vulnerable” seat that’s mostly based in Loudoun County but includes a portion of Fairfax County around Clifton. [Washington Post]
French Bistro Opens in Vienna — “Acclaimed Chef Roberto Donna, executive chef at Roberto’s Ristorante Italiano, opens his newest dining enterprise, Le Bistro, Tuesday…Le Bistro replaces what used to be Blend 111, at 111 Church St. NW. Donna posted a menu for the restaurant’s September 15 soft opening on the Vienna VA Foodies Facebook page.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
FCPD Makes Arrests in Drugs Investigation — “Detectives initiated their investigation in March of 2023, following a tip regarding a narcotics distribution ring operating in the Mount Vernon District. Through their diligent efforts, the detectives gathered substantial evidence and successfully apprehended four individuals, who now face multiple charges.” [FCPD]
Classes Set to Begin at New Reston University — “Trine University will begin offering classes at its new Reston, Virginia, education center in October. Located at 1881 Campus Commons Drive, the center will offer four master’s degrees in a hybrid format,” including business, engineering management and information studies programs. [Trine University]
Long-Awaited Park Finished on Route 1 — “Fairfax County officials held a ribbon cutting Sept. 16 to mark the opening of North Hill Park, a 12-acre public park located on the eastern side of Richmond Highway between Groveton and Hybla Valley.” The site includes trails, a playground, a fitness area, pickleball courts and a basketball court. [On the MoVe]
It’s Tuesday — The weather forecast for today indicates a sunny day with a high temperature near 76 degrees. As for tonight, expect mostly clear skies and a low temperature of around 56 degrees. [Weather.gov]
The value of an office building just outside the Mosaic District will determine whether Fairfax County has to go to court to boost a Merrifield sewer’s capacity.
The owner of 8315 Lee Highway is the lone remaining holdout in land rights negotiations with the county, which has reached agreements for six of the seven properties that will be affected by the project, land acquisition staff reported to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last week.
While hopeful that a resolution can be achieved without a court visit, the board voted 8-2 last Tuesday (Sept. 12) to authorize staff to complete the land acquisitions — including by exercising the county’s eminent domain powers if necessary.
“A lot of times, this is the impetus to get to the finish line,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said before the vote. “…This has been a long process, and to make sure we’re continuing to make progress on this, hopefully, we reach an agreement before it has to go to court.”
The sewer capacity upgrade will replace a 12-inch-wide line with a 20-inch PVC pipe wrapped in 30-inch steel casing. The new pipe will extend 563 linear feet between the corner of Route 29 and Eskridge Road and the U.S. Postal Service’s Merrifield facility.
The project will also add three new manholes. The existing sewer line will be abandoned in place.
The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services determined that existing pipes were “at risk” of overflows that could affect nearby buildings and the environment “due to the current average daily flows and the current pipe size,” according to a staff report in the board meeting package.
“The goal of the project is to alleviate this public health risk concern and provide additional capacity to account for the growing population size upstream of the pipes in the Merrifield area,” staff wrote.
DPWES says it hopes to begin construction on the project in January to avoid disrupting post office operations during the busy winter holiday shopping season.
However, the county and CJC Associates LP, which owns the building at 8315 Lee Highway, are still “very far apart” in their assessments of the site’s redevelopment potential and the project’s impact on its value, Land Acquisition Division Director Dennis Cade admitted at last week’s public hearing.
Negotiations for sewer and temporary access and construction easements needed to allow construction and equipment staging on the property have been underway since spring 2022, according to Jocelyn Campbell, a right-of-way agent for the county.
Confirming that his company recently presented a counteroffer to the county, CJC Associates partner Jim Coakley said “outside parties” have estimated that the building could lose about $325,000 in income from leasing during the construction period.
“People will not want to move to the building with all the construction that’s happening and all those other elements that are there,” Coakley told the Board of Supervisors.
There has also been disagreement about the value of the land. Coakley said an appraisal from the county had compared it to industrial properties in Lorton and the Alexandria area that are “nowhere near a Metro station” or prime development sites.
He noted that the county recently signaled support for a proposal to redevelop a nearby commercial property at 2929 Eskridge Road with mixed-use housing.
“We’re very excited to see you’re looking at potentially approving 3.0 [floor area ratio] right across the street from us, right next to the Mosaic District, so I think that’s really been helpful,” Coakley said. “That also speaks to the valuation of our land, which we think is very valuable.”
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck voted against authorizing the land acquistions, asking why the county hasn’t considered Coakley’s suggestion that construction access be provided via the post office instead of his property.
“I don’t think the property owner’s concerns have been addressed. I don’t have enough information to support this,” Storck said.
An engineering team found the proposed alternative would be too disruptive to the post office and require additional construction, since the parking lots for the two properties currently aren’t connected, DPWES staff said.
Cade emphasized that negotiations can continue even after certificates for the land rights are filed with the state, and the county still hopes to reach a voluntary agreement without having to go to court.
“Knowing that we do have six of the seven gives me more hope that we’re moving in the right direction,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said. “…It’s unfortunate that we’re not fully there yet, but I am hopeful that we’ll continue in that direction.”
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or [email protected].
Can you smell the cider donuts and hot chocolate?
Maybe that’s me dreaming of New England Falls where I grew up, but there are tons of Fall Festivals in Northern Virginia if you’re looking to fill that fall fun void! Make sure you check the dates and times carefully as some are one weekend only while others run through October.
Cox Farms — Centreville, VA
September 16-17, September 23-November 7
Live music, cow milking, farm chores, hayride, tunnels, slides, swings, corn maze, goats, cider, donuts and their market! This is my favorite event all year and I actually hold my client appreciation event here in the fall. You really can’t beat a day in cooler weather walking around their farm!
Falls Church Festival — Falls Church, VA
September 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fall Festival includes their “Taste of Falls Church” plus a beer garden, live music, children’s entertainment, local crafters, and organizations.
Mosaic Fall Festival — Fairfax, VA
September 23-24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Performances by the Vienna Singing Princesses, Tea with Mrs. B, School of Rock, Tiny Dances, Patrick Alban and Noche Latino, plus others! Lots of vendors, kid activities, and more.
Great County Farms — Bluemont, VA
October 1-31
Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival featuring pick your own pumpkins (also apples), wagon rides, pig races, Dino shows, Marshmallow roasting, cider pressing, live music, 5-acre play area, donuts and their market. Adult pro tip: Bluemont Vineyard and Dirt Farm Brewing are across the street and the views can NOT be beat.
Oktoberfest — Vienna, VA
Saturday, October 7, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Held on Historic Church Street by the red caboose, the event features live music, games, kids activities, German auto show, lots of food and drinks. I’ll be at the beer garden checking IDs at Noon. If you come by — please say hi!
City of Fairfax Fall Festival — Fairfax, VA
Saturday, October 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The event includes over 400 vendors, children’s activities, 3 stages of music and entertainment, and carnival rides. There’s a beer garden and an “after fest” concert at 530pm.
Halloween on the Green — Vienna, VA
Saturday, October 14, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
A free event with family fun on the town green, which features crafts, games, storytelling, moon bounces, treats and a decorate your own pumpkin activity.
Reston Farm Fall Fest — Reston, VA
September 23 through October 29 (weekends only) 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Moon bounces, games, train ride, petting zoo, face painting, balloons and food.
Town of Vienna Halloween Parade — Vienna, VA
October 25, 7 p.m.
A fabulous tradition that runs along Maple Avenue from Branch to Center Street. The parade starts at 7 p.m. and I’ll post my annual tips for attending in October.
Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival — Germantown, MD
September 23-October 29, hours vary based on day
Admission includes hayrides, jump pad, corn maze, giant slides and more. There’s also food available like cider, donuts, kettle corn and more. You can pick your own pumpkins, do a pumpkin cannon, face painting and pony rides. They suggest making a reservation as they sell out.
Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park — Leesburg, VA
Open everyday now through November 5
Festival activities include wagon rides, giant slides, zip line, moon bounce, corn bin, hay maze, pony rides, animals, moon bounce pillow and more.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
