Plans for a proposed commercial building in Falls Church may soon move forward.
Fairfax One LLC wants to add a 12,000-square-foot building at 130 E. Fairfax Street — the current location of parking for the nearby Protestant Episcopal Church. The project, which is called Southgate II, proposes to house Scramble, a kids’ play gym that is currently located in Alexandria.
The developer told the city’s Planning Commission earlier this year that churchgoers would still be able to park there, along with space at an adjacent property.
While some of the Planning Commissioners had concerns about the location of the kids’ center and the project’s “suburban, strip mall feel,” some argued that child care is needed in that part of the city and that the building is an improvement from the site’s current conditions.
On Monday, the Falls Church City Council is set to move along the rezoning process for the site. Currently, the site plan for the project is on hold until the rezoning application is finalized, according to city documents.
Map via Google Maps
Falls Church Development Moving Forward — “With the Falls Church City Council’s first in-depth public look at the detailed special exception site plan for the 9.77-acre mega-West End development project Monday night, an undertone arising from the Covid-19 pandemic’s ‘unbelievable headwinds’ suddenly facing it in these extraordinary times was in the background for the three-hour discussion.” [Falls Church News-Press]
List of Local PPP Loan Recipients — Patch has lists of local businesses in Vienna, McLean and Tysons that received loans of $150,000 or more. [McLean Patch, Vienna Patch]
Local Leaders Respond to DeVos’s Criticism — “U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos had some criticism for Fairfax County Schools’ virtual learning during the pandemic and reopening plan for the fall. Leaders from the school system, the largest in Virginia, responded in defense of the plan providing only virtual learning or a mix with two days of in-person learning.” [Patch]
Pandemic’s Impact on Local Dentist — “As coronavirus restrictions in response to the pandemic ramped up in mid-March, dentists like Dr. Nicole Van closed their offices for all but emergencies. Since reopening, the dentist’s office experience looks different from pre-pandemic times.” [Patch]
Photo courtesy Hilde Kahn
Virtual Job Fair — “The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is still looking for enthusiastic workers to fill seasonal positions now that COVID-19 safety restrictions are being eased and park facilities are reopening under Gov. Ralph Northam’s phased Forward Virginia Blueprint.” [Fairfax County]
Fine Free — “The Mary Riley Styles Public Library no longer charges fines for overdue books and other materials. All previously assessed fines for overdue materials will also be forgiven.” [City of Falls Church]
Support for Climate Crisis — “U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, who represents the 8th District of Virginia that includes the City of Falls Church, [Tuesday] hailed the release of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis action plan, “Solving The Climate Crisis.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos called out Fairfax County Public Schools for asking families to decide between fully remote instruction or two days a week in the classroom amid the pandemic. She called the district’s distance learning a “disaster.” https://t.co/sf40OQAuR8
— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) July 7, 2020
More Falls Church Businesses Get Micro-Grants — “This round was open to a wider range of small businesses and non-profit applicants than those awarded to 84 businesses in a first round in May… All 42 eligible applicants will receive funding thanks to the [Falls Church] EDA.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Ransomware Attack — “A DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) subsidiary has experienced a ransomware attack on some of its systems, the Tysons tech firm disclosed Monday. Xchanging is a global standalone insurance managed services business, according to a release from DXC. The company does not believe that the attack compromised any customer data, however, some customers currently do not have access to the platform.” [Washington Business Journal]
“Vienna is for Lovers” — “To aid small businesses during the pandemic, the Vienna-based owner of custom apparel maker French Press Printing has held T-shirt fundraisers in Vienna and Oakton. Now French Press Printing’s Sarah Bohn is featuring a local artist’s original work and donating a portion of proceeds.” [Vienna Patch]
Citizens Group Backs Subdivision — “The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) board of directors passed a resolution July 1 in favor of a rezoning that would allow a three-house subdivision to be built at 8801 Jarrett Valley Drive.” [Inside NoVa]
Have a Safe Fourth of July Weekend — Tysons Reporter will be off tomorrow (Friday) and return to our normal publishing schedule on Monday.
Schools May Get Renamed — “[The] Falls Church School Board agreed by consensus to move forward with a process to consider whether or not to change the names of two of its schools, George Mason High and Thomas Jefferson Elementary, on grounds that the Founding Fathers the schools are currently named for both owned slaves.” [Falls Church News-Press]
New Unemployment Data — “Following state and national trends, the Northern Virginia region’s unemployment rate declined in May to 8.6%, down from 10% in April.” [Inside NoVa]
New Police Data Collection Law — “The City of Falls Church has noted in a statement that effective July 1, the Virginia Department of State Police, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Uniform Crime Reporting Section will begin the collection of community policing data.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Falls Church’s parks and recreation department is hosting a scavenger hunt that will take people to parks and historic landmarks throughout the city.
The “Historic Scavenger Hunt” will have clues participants will have to solve about parks and landmarks.
“At each stop, you’ll find a kiosk or sign with a corresponding letter. Unscramble the letters from the nine clues and you’ll crack the code word and win a Historic Scavenger Hunt t-shirt!” the city said in a newsletter.
People can download the form to track the code work. Once the form is complete, people can email it to [email protected] by Sunday, July 5, for the chance to win a t-shirt.
Falls Church isn’t the only Tysons-area place holding a scavenger hunt — the McLean Community Center is also hosting one.
Back in mid-March, government services, community centers, restaurants, schools and more closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Now that Virginia is entering Phase Three today (Wednesday), here’s an update on what’s reopened or staying closed in the Tysons area.
Town Hall, which is currently open to the public by appointment-only, will reopen fully on Monday, July 6. “Citizens are still encouraged to limit unnecessary trips to Town Hall and to utilize online services when possible,” according to the town’s website. The town’s council, committees and boards will still meet virtually.
The community center will also reopen on Monday “with strict social distancing, reduced occupancy, and enhanced cleanings.” People will be able to rent space with limited room occupancy rules in the community center.
“Playgrounds, restrooms at parks, the Community Garden, tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts, and Vienna Dog Park are open,” the town’s website said. “Field permits and picnic pavilion rentals are now allowed.”
The town has cancelled events through August, but does have some online options along with no- and low-touch summer camps.
As for closures, rentals are still not permitted at the Teen Center, Bowman House, Freeman Store & Museum and Town Green.
The City of Falls Church took to Twitter to share an overview of what Phase Three looks like:
Phase 3 of the Forward Virginia reopening plan begins on Wednesday, July 1 everywhere in the Commonwealth – including the City of Falls Church. See what's different from Phase 2: https://t.co/wlyqNR2sCT pic.twitter.com/Zv02GCVbrL
— City of Falls Church (@FallsChurchGov) June 26, 2020
Back in May, Wolf Trap cancelled its summer performances.
The McLean Community Center reopened in a limited capacity when Northern Virginia entered Phase Two. “To minimize face-to-face public contact, we ask that you continue to contact us online, or by email or phone,” MCC wrote on its website mid-June.
In May, Virginia DMV offices started to reopen for appointments. People can make appointments at the Tysons location (1968 Gallows Road), which is open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Additionally, Virginia DMV extended the deadline for driver’s license expirations from the end of August to the end of October.
Tysons Reporter previously shared what the statewide changes will look like in Phase Three, from fitness centers and pools opening at 75% capacity to non-essential retail and restaurants fully opening.
Fairfax County Public Schools is offering families two choices for returning to school in August: full-time online instruction or two days each week at school and asynchronous learning on the remote days.
Just because more and more places are reopening doesn’t mean people have to go to them, Gov. Ralph Northam has stressed in press conferences.
Per Northam’s order, people have to wear masks when going into public buildings and businesses.
As fitness centers are starting to reopen in the Tysons area as Virginia continues to roll back COVID-19 restrictions.
Currently, Northern Virginia is in Phase Two and plans to enter Phase Three on Wednesday (July 1).
Here are a few updates on which gyms are reopening, which are staying virtual and which are closing for good.
Solidcore in Tysons is offering in-person classes as of June 23. They are enforcing a variety of measures to enforce social distancing, such as “alternating machines back-to-front” to maintain 6 feet of distance.
They are asking customers to “minimize gathering in common areas,” to use the bathroom at home and to bring duffles to be stored in the pit of their machine rather than in a common area, according to procedures posted on their website.
Additionally, coaches will not be giving hands-on corrections and will be wearing masks and gloves at all times.
Crunch in Vienna is offering special reopening hours from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the weekend.
24 Hour Fitness has closed permanently in Tysons. However, the Falls Church location plans to reopen soon with new protocols to maintain safety. They have created a way for customers to check-in on their own, make workout reservations and even continue working out at home via digital instruction through a mobile app.
Hot Yoga Tysons is offering “two to three” virtual classes each day throughout the week for people who are craving yoga and pilates sessions from their homes.
1 To 1 Fitness in Tysons is also continuing to offer virtual personal training. Their sign-up provides users the opportunity to request a trainer who meets their specific preferences in a coach and a workout.
May gyms and fitness centers may start to open up in July as future guidelines have fewer restrictions. Virginia’s Phase Three will allow fitness centers and pools to open up to 75% capacity.
Photo by Danielle Cerullo on Unsplash
Late Payment Fees Reduced — “As a move to help taxpayers during the ongoing pandemic, Fairfax County significantly reduced penalties for late personal property and real estate tax payments this year.” [Fairfax County]
Profile of Local Activists — Here’s how two students have been pushing for the removal of the bust of Stonewall Jackson in Stonewall Manor. [Washington Post]
History of Antique Lamp Store in Dunn Loring — “Artisan is still around, but it has moved to a cluttered little shop in a secluded corner of a Fairfax County industrial park where the owner has adapted its business plan to the digital age. It has evolved out of necessity from a mom-and-pop storefront on a first-name basis with clients into a niche retailer whose audience stretches from Taiwan to Italy.” [Washington Post]
Local Man Hits the Lottery — “[Falls Church resident Douglas] Rosen scored $100,000 in the Virginia Lottery’s Pick 4 game using his birth year, 1958, as the winning four digit combination.” [Falls Church Patch]
New Principal — “Hoang Nguyen, who has served as assistant principal of Kilmer Center since 2016, has been named the new principal of Kilmer Center, effective July 1. Nguyen began his career in FCPS as a special education teacher at Armstrong Elementary before moving to Marshall Road Elementary to serve as a crisis resource teacher where he remained for seven years.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Ramp Changes — “Starting around June 24, drivers on southbound Nutley Street in the Vienna area will use a new ramp and traffic signal to reach eastbound Interstate 66, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officials said.” [Inside NoVa]
Restaurants Team Up in Falls Church — “Open Kitchen D.C.’s gathering at Yayla Bistro back in March was just supposed to bring attention to another discrete treat buried within the region’s immigrant-owned restaurant scene, but it became one last gasp of normal life before the coronavirus pandemic hollowed out dining rooms across the nation.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Unemployment Problems — “Virginia has frozen unemployment benefits for more than 12,000 people who refused to return to work amid the ongoing public health crisis, the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) announced Friday.” [DCist]
