Five Vehicles Crash on Route 123 in Lorton — Non-life-threatening injuries were reported in a five-vehicle crash on Ox Road near Silverbrook Road in Lorton, Fairfax County police reported at 7:18 p.m. yesterday (Thursday). One lane in each direction was open, but police advised drivers to use an alternate route. [FCPD/Twitter]
Case Against Suspect in 1994 Murder Advances — “Prosecutors argue that [Stephan] Smerk fatally slashed Robin Warr Lawrence, 37, in her West Springfield, Va., home in November 1994. On Thursday, Judge Gary H. Moliken in Fairfax General District Court found probable cause that Smerk killed Lawrence and allowed the case to proceed to a grand jury.” [Washington Post]
New Crosswalk Planned on Route 1 After Fatal Crashes — “This spring, VDOT is slated to install a new signalized crosswalk under the traffic signal at the intersection of Buckman Road/Radford Avenue and Richmond Highway.” Fairfax County is also reviewing whether an “existing utility pole at the intersection of Belfield Road and Richmond Highway in Belle Haven can be retrofitted with a streetlight fixture to improve local lighting.” [On the MoVe]
Vienna Road to Partly Close for Sidewalk Construction — “Beginning April 8 at 9 a.m., there will be no through traffic allowed on Beulah Road NE between Church Street and Ayr Hill Avenue due to the construction of a Robinson Trust sidewalk project. Traffic will be detoured and parking on Ayr Hill Avenue will be restricted. The work will take place 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday, and is expected to last until mid-June.” [Town of Vienna/Instagram]
Herndon Company to Expand Satellite Network — HawkEye 360 “has scored a $40 million investment to increase the constellation of satellites it uses to detect and convert radio frequencies on Earth into geospatial insights for defense and commercial interests.” After successfully launching 21 satellites, it hopes to “have 60 satellites…orbiting at about 360 miles above Earth’s surface by 2025.” [DC Inno]
Spring Cleaning Begins at County Parks — “Cleanups have been scheduled at various locations throughout the county and offer a diverse array of activities to be involved in. From collecting and bagging trash to tackling other projects, volunteers will have the chance to contribute to the beautification and preservation of our natural spaces.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Vienna Businesses Partner for Boozy Book Fair — “Bards Alley Bookshop and Caboose Brewing Co. in Vienna will join forces this weekend for Books ‘n Brews, an inaugural boozy bookfair full of books, beer, and literary fun. The event is set for 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, at Caboose Tavern.” The fair is scheduled to return on June 2 and Sept. 8. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high of about 54 degrees and a 20% chance of showers after 3pm. In the evening, the sky will be mostly clear, and the temperature will drop to around 37 degrees. The 11 to 14 mph northwest wind is expected to gust as high as 21 mph. [NWS]
Hilton continues to rake in five-star reviews from employees.
The Tysons-based hotel giant has been named the best company to work for in the U.S. by Fortune Magazine, which released its 27th annual round-up of the top 100 companies today.
The announcement marks a return to the top for Hilton, which has been ranked no. 1 twice before but slipped to second place last year and in 2022. That was still enough for Fortune to recognize Hilton as the World’s Best Workplace for 2023, giving the distinction to a hospitality company for the first time ever.
“Our team members have always been at the heart of our hospitality, and these collective recognitions are the result of the passion they bring to our guests and to one another each and every day,” Hilton President and CEO Chris Nassetta said. “We are so proud of the incredible culture we’ve built together and look forward to building on this tremendous foundation in the years to come.”
Based on surveys conducted by the data and research platform Great Place to Work, this year’s 100 Best Companies to Work for were united by an embrace of hybrid and remote work, with only two requring employees to work on-site four or more days a week, Fortune CEO Alan Murray said.
According to Great Place to Work, earning employee trust is more critical than ever for a quality workplace, as many industries assess the potential and risks of generative artificial intelligence, technology that CEO Michael Bush says “will radically transform how we work.”
Rated as a great place to work by 95% of responding employees, compared to 57% for a typical U.S. company, Hilton was distinguished by an emphasis on diversity and career growth, along with worker benefits such as discounted stays at its hotels, according to Fortune.
An example of employee comments describes a supportive environment for all workers:
The company goes above and beyond to recognize and celebrate team members and I have never experienced anything like it at any other workplace. I can confidently share my ideas and they are taken seriously even as an hourly employee. I have learned so much about sales, revenue, front office, food and beverage and operations in my 4 years here and I worked in 4 other hotels that never provided nearly as much learning experience as I’ve received here. My boss is the most encouraging, supportive and understanding boss that I have ever worked for. I love it!
In a press release, Hilton said it has worked to create a “strong global culture” and invested in “programs and benefits that support inclusion, wellness, growth and purpose.”
“Hilton’s culture of people serving people engages and inspires team members to create great stays for our guests, which drives guest satisfaction, strengthens Hilton’s business and creates continued economic opportunity for communities around the world,” the company said.
Headquartered at Park Place II (7930 Jones Branch Drive) since 2009, Hilton employs about 460,000 people, including 4,300 people in the D.C. area. The company has over 7,500 properties and is currently angling to build a new, dual-branded hotel in Tysons’ Scotts Run neighborhood.
The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) hopes to put the “play” in “play-cemaking” with a mini festival on Saturday (April 6) that will feature food, art and opinions about what might make the urban center tick.
Hosted by Celebrate Fairfax at The PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the TCA Placemaking Fest is envisioned as both an example of how to distinguish Tysons and an occasion for community members to share their thoughts on future activities that could cement that identity.
The TCA will present proposed concepts at interactive stations, where attendees can give feedback while nursing an ice cream scoop from Tysons Creamery or bopping to music spun by DJ Cabezon.
“There’s going to be music, there’s going to be an interactive art piece. There’s going to be food for people and games,” TCA project manager Colleen Hawkinson, who organized the event, said. “We really want families and friends and everyone to come and really enjoy it and experience the activation and what placemaking can be.”
Feedback gathered at the event will inform a placemaking framework being developed by the TCA, a nonprofit community improvement organization tasked with promoting Tysons and guiding its evolution as Fairfax County’s aspiring downtown.
When it was created in October 2022, the TCA identified “placemaking” as a focus of its mission, along with communications, transportation and support for businesses. Acknowledging that the concept can seem intangible, Hawkinson says it can refer to anything that encourages people to interact and spend time in a particular space.
Examples range from physical design elements, such as a mural or splash pad, to events like farmers’ markets and the block parties held at The PARC, which was converted from a defunct Container Store into an event space in 2021.
“It’s about building up these places that then help support and create the sense of community,” Hawkinson said.
To showcase the concept, the TCA Placemaking Fest will have the aforementioned live music by DJ Cabezon, a “collaborative art experience” with local artist Michael Pacheco, photo booths, and food trucks from Tysons Creamery, Colonial Kettle Corn, El Chef Latino and Fine Dining to Go.
There will also be a “mobility maze” where kids can ride scooters through a mini street network with lanes, signs, sidewalks and even railroad crossings. Essentially a traffic garden with a different name, the maze was provided by Tech Painting Company and the transportation engineering firm Gorove Slade.
Admission to the event is free, though attendees are encouraged to register in advance.
The TCA anticipates finalizing its placemaking framework in May, allowing it to start implementing the recommendations as soon as this summer, according to Hawkinson.
“The TCA will certainly move forward on some things,” she said. “Some things might need assistance from the county…and there are areas where our private sector friends and partners may come in and help out, and that kind of gets around the essence of placemaking…all these different entities working toward a common goal.”
In the latest round of action on bills, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed 100 bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly, including one to protect Virginians from unlawful discrimination, hate crimes and antisemitism. The governor vetoed four others, including one to create civil penalties for shop owners who fail to advertise they are selling invasive plants that could harm other species.
Among the 100 bills signed is a measure that will codify a recommendation by the Commission to Combat Antisemitism that Virginia revise its laws to better protect Jewish citizens from hate crimes, along with Muslims, Sikhs and other ethnic-religious groups.
Youngkin said the legislation aligns with one of his top priorities: combating antisemitism.
“As the first state to weave religious freedom into the fabric of our nation, Virginia is leading once again and sending a clear message that Virginians should not be the victim of a crime simply because of their religion, race, or ethnicity,” the governor said in an April 2 press release.
Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, and Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, carried the legislation, Senate Bill 7 and House Bill 18.
“I’m thankful for the governor’s signature and the bipartisan co-patrons of this important bill,” said Reeves in a statement. He added that legislation outlawing antisemitism isn’t just about protecting a particular group, but about “defending the fundamental values of equality, justice, and human dignity for all.”
Helmer, a descendant of Holocaust survivors and a Jewish man whose children “confronted antisemitism” in school, Helmer said the legislation is important to him.
“Hate has no place in our communities,” Helmer said in a statement, adding that he is grateful for the governor’s signature to “protect people of every ethnicity across the commonwealth.”
Other interesting pieces of legislation the governor signed into law include House Bill 143, which directs the Virginia Department of Transportation to create a publicly-accessible utility work database and map that details projects within state-maintained areas, excluding emergency maintenance and services to private properties. Another measure, House Bill 322, will create a Cosmetology Compact, which will allow people to be licensed to provide barbering, hair styling and other cosmetic services in Virginia and other states that join the compact initiative.
Vetoed legislation
The governor also vetoed four bills that would have required the state to adopt model public education policies on climate change and environmental literacy, permitted college instructors to request non confidential garnishment data for research purposes, and created penalties for shop owners who fail to identify invasive plants they sell.
In explaining why he rejected the bill on adopting model policies for climate change, the governor said the measure is already included in the Standards of Learning for students, and the proposal “imposes a significant and redundant task” on the Department of Education and the Board of Education.
He said the proposal also mandates separate and independent reviews of the science Standards of Learning and instructional material; school divisions would also need to integrate new resources into their curriculum outside the standard process, requiring additional funding for materials and reallocating instructional time.
The governor also vetoed legislation allowing college and university faculty members to request district court records for eviction research.
Youngkin said the legislation “infringes” upon the rights of Virginians who have faced an unlawful detainer, garnishment or warrant in debt action.
He also wrote that the proposal, carried by Sen. Ghazmi Hashmi, D-Richmond, “does not effectively address the issue of incomplete eviction data, as garnishments and warrants in debt actions can involve various transactions, such as credit card or business-to-business disputes.”
Last year, Youngkin signed legislation requiring the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia to report to the General Assembly the number of writs of eviction by Sept. 1. He said that report would provide information to address gaps in eviction-related data.
According to the report filed in January, 41 petitions were filed and 33 were disposed of in 2023.
As for the legislation regarding harmful plants, Youngkin said he opposed placing additional requirements and penalties on small businesses for selling plants with “low levels of invasiveness, such as periwinkle and winter honeysuckle.”
Youngkin said the Department of Conservation and Recreation already shares information with the public about invasive plant species and why planting native species is beneficial.
He also said the department’s list would essential act as a “legally binding authority” regarding invasive plants and override the Administrative Process Act, which mandates public notice and a period where the public can give feedback.
Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax, who carried the bill, along with Del. Holly Seibold, D-Fairfax, wrote on X the legislation was a “common-sense compromise” supported by the nursery industry, stores and anti-invasive plant advocates.
“Once again, the governor has chosen politics over common sense policies,” Salim wrote. “It’s incredibly disappointing to see the governor go back on his words from just a few weeks ago.”
The governor has until Monday to act on any remaining bills passed by the General Assembly, including legislation to lift Virginia’s ban on skill games, a hot button topic in this year’s session.
There’s also a possibility the governor could veto the legislature’s budget, which axed many of Youngkin’s key priorities, including a pro sports arena proposal and income tax cuts. Youngkin has said he hopes to avoid that step.
Lawmakers will return to Richmond on April 17 to take up the governor’s legislation and budget amendments.
This article was reported and written by the Virginia Mercury, and has been reprinted under a Creative Commons license. Mercury editor Samantha Willis contributed to this report.
County Cuts Herndon Police From Training Academy — “In a March 18 letter…Deputy County Executive Thomas Arnold, who oversees public safety, said he had decided ‘to terminate the Town of Herndon Police Department’s affiliation with the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy effective June 1.'” The move came after Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard objected to the academy’s director signing graduation certificates in Chinese. [Washington Post]
Five Men Arrested in Online Child Solicitation Sting — “Five men have been arrested after a multi-day operation to bring down online predators, the Fairfax County Police Department announced on Wednesday…Those people then came to Fairfax County with the intention of committing a sex act with the minor, but instead found detectives waiting for them.” [WUSA9]
Reston Town Center Reports Strong Leasing — Boston Properties recently reported that 96% of its offices at Reston Town Center are leased, despite a 20% vacancy rate in Reston overall. Jake Stroman, co-head of the developer’s D.C. area office, attributes that success to RTC’s “scale and suburban location,” along with the mix of residents, retail, amenities and events. [Washington Business Journal]
Longtime Hybla Valley Dry Cleaner to Close — “South Valley Cleaners, a longtime tenant at Mount Vernon Plaza in Hybla Valley, is closing for good and urging customers to pick up their dry-cleaned garments April 6-7 from noon to 4 p.m.” An employee says business has been hampered by rent increases, inflation and staff shortages. [On the MoVe]
Dog Daycare Expanding to Lincolnia — “Playful Pack, a place offering dog daycare, boarding, and washing, is coming to Barcroft Plaza. The facility is expected to open at the end of the summer or early fall, depending on when the permits are approved, said Tyler Parker, a co-owner of Playful Pack LLC, along with his wife Alyssa and his brother, Scott.” [Annandale Today]
Centreville Students Open Prom Dress Shop — “Marketing students from Centreville High School and the Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall program will open their Prom Dress Shop for the prom season on Friday, April 5, at Centreville High School…Any area student — not just those from Fairfax County Public Schools — who do not have the funds to purchase a prom dress may choose from hundreds of new dresses donated by Macy’s.” [FCPS]
Mobile Art Exhibit Coming to Tysons — “Capital One Hall is proud to host the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) for a FREE mobile exhibit [on] April 9th 11am-7pm and April 10th 9am-1pm…This dynamic compilation of paintings, prints, photographs, and film, by artists from a range of cultures and time periods, illustrates the universality of human emotions.” [Capital One Center]
Vienna’s Zero Waste Store Highlighted — “A zero waste store in Vienna, Virginia, is a shining example of how small businesses can make a big difference in building a more sustainable future. Through its innovative approach, Trace — The Zero Waste Store, at 140 Church St. Northwest, inspires customers to embrace a lifestyle that is not only mindful of the planet, but also enriching for the community.” [WTOP]
It’s Thursday — Showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm, with some storms potentially producing small hail. The high will near 56, and the chance of precipitation is 60%. Night will be partly cloudy with a low around 39 and a chance of showers until 2 am. [NWS]
An office building in Tysons is being demolished to make way for workforce housing near the McLean Metro station.
SCG Development announced today (Wednesday) that it has closed on the financing needed to build the first phase of the project, which is being called Somos at McLean Metro. Construction can begin immediately on the mid-rise, 231-unit rental apartment building at 1750 Old Meadow Road.
“Somos at McLean Metro Phase A will bring high quality affordable housing options to families and individuals in a very high barrier to entry market that is walkable to the McLean Metro and all the surrounding amenities that Tysons has to offer,” SCG Development President Steve Wilson said in a press release. “We are thrilled to move this project to the construction phase after many years of effort. I am very thankful that our team and partners who have shared this vision for our community and worked hard to make it happen.”
Built in 1984, the existing, six-story office building was vacant, and its demolition is now underway, a process expected to take about six weeks, according to SCG. A three-story parking garage on the site will remain as the base of one of the new residential buildings.
Approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in October 2022, the Somos project will deliver a total of 456 workforce dwelling units (WDUs) across two buildings. All of the WDUs will be aimed at households earning 30-60% of the area median income (AMI), which was $145,164 for the county, as of 2022.
The developer received funding help from Virginia, Fairfax County and Amazon for the project’s first phase, per the press release:
Virginia Housing, Virginia’s state housing finance agency, has committed over $54.5 million in financing, as well as 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). These tax credits make it possible for the residential units to be available at rents affordable to residents earning 60% or less the area median income (AMI).
“Our investment towards Somos at McLean provides much needed increased affordable inventory in the Northern Virginia area,” said Tammy Neale, CEO of Virginia Housing. “We look forward to seeing the impact this property will have on residents and the community of McLean.”
Amazon is also supporting this new affordable housing community with a $28.97 million low-rate loan to Phase A from the Amazon Housing Equity Fund, a more than $2 billion commitment to create or preserve more than 20,000 affordable homes for low- to moderate-income families in the Arlington, Virginia-Washington D.C. region, Washington state’s Puget Sound region, and the Nashville, Tennessee region. SCG Development is also receiving substantial support from Fairfax County, reflecting the significance of this large-scale, transit-oriented development opportunity, and a contribution of tax credit equity from Stratford Capital Group.
Amazon also contributed a $55 million grant to accelerate construction of an all-affordable housing project near the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons. The nonprofit Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) broke ground on the 516-unit Exchange at Spring Hill Station in December.
Through affiliates, SCG is leasing the Somos site from the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA), which has a ground lease that will ensure the housing is designated as affordable for at least 99 years.
“We are committed to creating groundbreaking solutions for Fairfax County’s affordable housing needs. Innovative partnership has enabled us to leverage private equity to convert an unused office building site into hundreds of affordable homes,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said, adding that she’s looking forward to a formal groundbreaking.
While it doesn’t have any commercial space, the Somos development plan included a “play and pedestrian court area,” a 6-foot-wide recreational trail and a 21,008-square-foot publicly accessible park along Old Meadow Road. The project will have a total of 1.21 acres of park space.
Construction on the first phase is expected to be 25 months, according to SCG.
“Phase B is looking towards a fall closing and will provide another 225 units,” the developer said.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is seeking public input on several projects vying for inclusion in its six-year funding program.
The biggest request by far comes from Fairfax County, which applied for $587.2 million to fund four major projects — more than the other eight localities participating in the fiscal year 2024-2029 Six-Year Program combined.
“With funding requests totaling nearly $1 billion, the projects cover various transportation modes including transit, rail, roadway enhancements, technology, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and intersection/interchange improvements,” the NVTA said in a press release.
Leading the way among Fairfax County’s requests is a multimodal improvements project that would expand about one mile of Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) between the Capital Beltway (I-495) and I-66 in the Pimmit Hills area.
Adding one lane in each direction, the project is intended to make room for the planned Route 7 bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which will initially travel between the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons and the West Falls Church Metro station. Ultimately, regional and local officials hope to extend the service down to the Mark Center in Alexandria.
In the Pimmit Hills portion of Route 7, the buses will travel in dedicated lanes in the median. Shared-use paths on both sides of the road and improvements at five signalized intersections would also be implemented, according to NVTA’s description of the project.
“The separation of vehicular traffic and the installation of shared use paths will create a safer environment that is accessible to all users,” NVTA says. “The future implementation of BRT will enhance regional sustainability by reducing congestion and getting more people out of automobiles.”
The county is seeking $210 million in regional funding from NVTA for the project, which carries a total estimated cost of $244.4 million.
Other projects submitted by Fairfax County include:
- Frontier Drive Extension (nearly $165 million requested): The road would be extended from the Franconia-Springfield Metro station to Loisdale Road, accompanied by new, separated pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
- Seven Corners Ring Road ($122 million): The first segment of the planned road would add “travel lanes, a bi-directional cycletrack, and parking lanes” from the westbound Arlington Blvd (Route 50) ramp to Leesburg Pike (Route 7).
- Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements ($90 million): The second phase of the project calls for shared-use paths, High-Intensity Activated crosswalk beacons, trail connections and other intersection improvements from Humphries Drive to Southampton Drive near Kings Park.
In addition, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has asked for $6.1 million to upgrade its Backlick Road station (6900 Hechinger Drive) in Springfield, including by building a longer, 300-foot platform that can fit eight-car trains.
Updated every two years, NVTA’s six-year programs are supported by sales and grantors’ taxes, the state’s Northern Virginia Transportation District Fund and the Interstate Operations and Enhancement Program. The authority is required to devote 70% of its revenue to regional projects, while the remaining 30% goes directly to its localities.
Public comments on the FY 2024-2029 program are being accepted online, by phone (703-947-7606) and by mail until 11:59 p.m. on May 19. A public hearing will be held at NVTA’s offices (2600 Park Tower Drive, Suite 601, Vienna) at 7 p.m. on May 9.
National Poetry Month has arrived, bringing a new slate of free poetry readings and other events at Fairfax County parks.
For the final year of her tenure, Fairfax County Poet Laureate Danielle Badra has organized a second “Poetry in the Parks” initiative, inviting community members to experience linguistic and natural beauty at the same time.
Announced Monday (April 1) by ArtsFairfax, the series will kick off on April 27 with a “National Poetry Month Reading” at Green Spring Gardens (4603 Green Spring Road) in Lincolnia. D.C. area writers Camisha L. Jones, Emilia Philips, Benjamin Renne and Marcielo Shirley will participate in the reading, which is scheduled for 1-2:30 p.m.
Subsequent months will see the returns of a “Pride Month Poetry Reading” and two “Poetry Beneath the Stars” events, which were both included in last year’s inaugural “Poetry in the Parks” series.
Brought back “by popular demand,” the “Poetry Beneath the Stars” writing workshops will be held on May 4 and Aug. 17 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Turner Farm Park (925 Springvale Road) in Great Falls. Attendees will craft verse about the cosmos while viewing it through telescopes in the park’s Roll Top Observatory.
This year’s Pride Month poetry reading will bring Badra, Gowri Koneswaran, Brian Teare and other LGBTQ+ poets together on June 1 from 1-2:30 p.m. to highlight the role of poetry in the queer community. The event has shifted to Green Spring Garden after previously being hosted by Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly.
“Poetry in the Parks brings together nature lovers and poetry lovers in an incredible way,” Badra said in a press release. “Last year, we had professional stargazers with a newfound admiration for poetry, and poets who were first-time visitors to a featured park creating outstanding verses. It was such a beautiful melding of worlds, which is ultimately the goal of each Poetry in the Parks event.”
The three “Poetry in the Parks” events in 2023 were attended by more than 120 people, according to ArtsFairfax, which partnered with Badra and the Fairfax County Park Authority for the program.
As part of the 2024 series, Badra will also unveil new permanent plaques with poems about nature at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park and Riverbend Park in Great Falls.
“As a long-term expression of Poetry in the Parks, the plaques will invite park visitors to reflect on their environment, with the additional opportunity to submit a poetic or artistic response to the plaque through a link on the ArtsFairfax website,” ArtsFairfax says. “Selected submissions will be featured in a digital collection.”
Appointed in November 2022, Badra became Fairfax County’s second poet laureate, following in the footsteps of “How to Prove a Theory” author and Northern Virginia Community College professor Nicole Tong. ArtsFairfax created the two-year position in 2020 as a way to promote poetry in the community.
The search for Badra’s successor will begin when applications open on April 15. ArtsFairfax will hold a virtual information session to discuss the poet laureate program from noon to 1:30 p.m. on April 23.
Republicans Propose Renaming Dulles Airport After Trump — “Several Republican members of Congress introduced a bill to rename Washington Dulles International Airport for former President Trump. HR 7845, which is apparently a real thing, would make Dulles the second DC-area airport named for a President who was broadly unpopular in the region.” [Washingtonian]
Aspiring Casino Developer Denies Arena Interference — “Comstock CEO Chris Clemente told AP the idea of pairing the casino with the arena had been bandied about by lawmakers of both parties. He rejected the notion that there was any kind of coordinated attempt to hold off the initial arena deal in favor of an arena-casino pairing.” [Associated Press]
Yellow Diner Now Open in Vienna — “The long-awaited Yellow Diner in Vienna open[ed] Monday, bringing American classics and old-school diner food to an eager clientele. Created by the Pagonis family, owners of the renowned Tysons-area Greek restaurant Nostos…the cheerful, 94-seat diner offers a modern take on classic diner cuisine, as well as a full bar.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
County Police Auditor Releases Annual Report — “Fairfax County police mostly were vindicated in the independent police auditor’s recent review of seven incidents between 2017 and 2020 in which officers pointed firearms at people, but an officer violated policy in one case and others failed significantly in another.” [Gazette Leader]
Tysons Salon Extends Stay — “Sola Salons Studios, a premier provider of salon studios, secured a lease renewal and extension at 8607 Westwood Center, Suite 100 in Tysons Corner, Virginia. The approximately 3,900 square feet space will continue to serve as a hub for Sola Salons Studios’ operations in the region.” [CityBiz]
Early Female FCPD Officer Dies — “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of one of our first female officers, Karen Blackmon. Karen embarked on her journey with our department on January 31, 1972. With unwavering commitment, Karen served with distinction. Our thoughts & prayers are with her family & friends.” [FCPD/Twitter]
Lorton HVAC Company Gets New Owner — “United Air Temp, Air Conditioning and Heating, a fast-growing residential HVAC and plumbing company based in Lorton, has been sold to a new private equity owner.” Connecticut-based Littlejohn & Co. LLC says “it will help accelerate United Air Temp’s additional organic growth and M&A activity,” including plans to expand into Georgia. [Washington Business Journal]
It’s Wednesday — Chances of precipitation are 100%. Expect showers and thunderstorms before 4pm, followed by scattered showers and storms, with heavy rain possible. Patchy fog and a high near 59 are anticipated. At night, there is a 50% chance of showers before 2am. Conditions will be mostly cloudy with a low around 41. [NWS]
The Mosaic District will celebrate an unusually long cherry blossom season this weekend with the return of its annual Art Blooms festival.
Organized in partnership with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the two-day event will bring artisan and farmers’ markets, live entertainment and family-friendly activities to the Merrifield neighborhood from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (April 6-7).
Typically open on Sundays, FreshFarm’s farmers market will also be present at the Mosaic District this Saturday for the Art Blooms festival. More than 50 local produce and food vendors are expected, along with a pumpkin painting area for kids.
An additional 90 vendors selling artwork, clothes and other handmade goods will be on site from URBN Market.
Festival emcee Tommy McFly will kick off the live entertainment around 10:45 a.m. on both days.
Saturday, April 6
- 11 a.m. — Vienna Singing Princesses
- Noon — The Cassaday Concoction
- 2 p.m. — A Mosaic Partners Fashion Show
- 4 p.m. — The Significant Others
Sunday, April 7
- 11 a.m. — Vienna Singing Princesses
- 11:15 a.m. — Tiny Dancers
- 12:30 p.m. — School of Rock
- 4 p.m. — So Fetch
Other attractions will include a games corner, spring-themed selfie stations created by the Merrifield Garden Center and the option to sip cocktails from participating restaurants in the Mosaic District while walking outside.
Complimentary shuttles will be provided from the Dunn Loring Metro station, according to the event page.
The famed Yoshino cherry trees at the Tidal Basin in D.C. reached peak bloom — when 70% of their flowers have opened — on March 17, the second-earliest date on record. But inconsistent weather this spring has kept trees around the D.C. area flowering for much longer than usual, according to the Washington Post.
In addition to attending Art Blooms at Mosaic, those looking to celebrate the extended bloom without leaving Fairfax County can still visit the Children’s Science Center lab in Fair Oaks Mall, where they can make a kite and origami and partake in an educational scavenger hunt. Timed tickets are available for $15.
Though it’s not part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival this time, the Tysons Community Alliance is bringing back its Pedal with Petals Family Bicycle Ride. This year’s event will take place on May 11 during National Bike Month at the Tysons Concourse business park (1593 Spring Hill Road).
Registration for family and advanced bicycle rides is now open. There will also be a food truck, free bike repairs, a DJ and other activities.
Paving and re-striping season has descended upon Fairfax County once again, ushering in a series of public meetings later this month on proposed projects that include bicycle lanes and improved crosswalks.
Hundreds of miles of roadway will be repaved and re-striped by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as part of the program throughout the state.
“VDOT and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) use this program as an opportunity to increase driver, bicyclist and pedestrian safety with road and crosswalk improvements while minimizing the financial investment in restriping work,” FCDOT says on its website.
The first meeting kicks off next Monday (April 8) at 7 p.m. for the Franconia and Mount Vernon districts.
In the Franconia District, bicycle lanes on Oakwood Road between Van Dorn Street and Crown Royal Drive are proposed, along with crosswalk improvements at Terrapin Place and at the Crown Royal Drive and Founders Hill Place intersection.
The Mount Vernon District is slated for:
- Bike lanes on Laurel Crest Drive between Silverbrook Road and Douglas Fir Drive
- Bike lanes on Old Mount Vernon Road between Drews Court and Maryland Street
- Crosswalk improvements at Laurel Crest Drive and Paper Birch Drive
The Hunter Mill District’s meeting on April 9 will focus on Center Harbor Road in Reston, where bicycle lanes are proposed between Wiehle Avenue and Reston Parkway, and crosswalk improvements proposed at the Sundial Road intersection.
The Providence District meeting is set for April 10, with bike lanes proposed on Anderson Road between Birdwood Avenue and Magarity Road. A Capital Bikeshare station is also proposed near the intersection of Anderson Road and Dartford Drive.
Meetings for the Braddock, Mason and Springfield Districts are slated for April 11. Braddock is expected to have the following projects:
- Bike lanes on Heming Avenue between Heming Place and Braddock Road
- Crosswalk improvements at Heming Avenue and Hogarth Street
- Crosswalk improvements on Heming Ave at Elgar Street and Axton Street
Springfield is only slated for one road restriping that would add crosswalk improvements on Center Road and Garden Road.
The Sully District has the most proposed changes, which will be discussed at a meeting on April 23 at 7 p.m.:
- Bike lanes on Walney Road between Westfields Boulevard and Westmore Street
- Bike lanes on Field Encampment Road between Golden Oaks Lane and Centrewood Drive
- Crosswalk improvements on Field Encampment Road at Cider Barrel Circle and St. Germain Drive
- Crosswalk improvements at Compton Village Drive and Bradenton Drive
Paving begins in the spring and concludes in November. Exact dates for each project will be available 10 days before work is expected to begin.
Work hours are usually limited to outside of rush hours, although residents can expect work vehicles in their neighborhood during the project.
Links for each web meeting are available on FCDOT’s website, along with dial-in information.
