Tysons may not have the liveliest nightlife at the moment, but that could soon change as more late-night restaurants and places to hang out open. “Tysons After Dark” will highlight a different spot every week.
The Washington Nationals are back in D.C. for the third game tonight in the World Series.
As D.C.’s baseball team prepares face the Houston Astros at 8 p.m., Tysons Reporter has found some places around the Tysons area offering specials or hosting watch parties for the World Series — including new ones since last week’s roundup.
Here’s where to bring the “Natitude” tonight (Friday).
The Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike) plans to have a watch party tonight with $8 food specials. The watering hole was four projectors — two outside and two indoor inside — for people to watch the game, along with 17 TVs.
The Town of Vienna is hosting a “Big Game Watch Party” starting at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Oct. 25) in the main gym at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE). Chairs will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Taco Bamba spots in Falls Church (2190 Pimmit Drive) and Vienna (164 W. Maple Avenue) has the “Baby Shark Taco” for $4.50, according to a press release. The taco will include Venezuelan spiced fish “cazón” style with guacamole, green goddess-dressed cilantro and cabbage.
Meanwhile, pizza chain Matchbox will give diners wearing Nats gear on game days food and drinks at happy hour prices. Matchbox has a local spot in the Mosaic District at 2911 District Avenue, Suite 120.
Caboose Tavern (520 Mill Street NE) is offering $2 off of growler fills on game days and plans to hold watch parties from 8-10:30 p.m.
Settle Down Easy Brewing (2822 Fallfax Drive) in the Falls Church area plans to have a watch party with free pizza and $1 pints anytime a Nats player hits a home run. “We will extend our hours until the end of the game,” according to the Facebook event.
#StayintheFight
Photo via Caboose Tavern/Facebook
(Updated 10/25/19) The City of Falls Church is a 10-minute drive from rapidly expanding Tysons, but members of the Falls Church City Council want to maintain the feeling of a small community while still capitalizing on innovation and growth.
The City of Falls Church operates as an independent entity under the Falls Church City Council while Tysons still has no official governing body of its own, outside that of Fairfax County.
Councilmember Ross Litkenhous said that Falls Church wants to stay unique and its small population and efficient city council allows the city to stay “agile.”
“We are by no means trying to keep up with anybody,” he said.
Tysons Reporter talked to the councilmembers, seeking their input about the future of Falls Church.
“Always Been a Cut-Through”
Several councilmembers said the city is already seeing increased traffic thanks to Tysons’ urban sprawl.
The increase in traffic was brought on by the tolls on I-66 and the increasing popularity of apps like Google Maps, Litkenhous said.
Litkenhous worked in commercial development for 10 years before becoming a councilmember.
Councilmembers were originally told by the Virginia Department of Transportation that the addition of freeways tolls around the area would not impact traffic flow, he said, but people started driving through the city to avoid the tolls.
Now, the city is faced with concerns about pedestrian and bicycle safety that come with more traffic. Litkenhous cited several incidences concerning the safety of residents, especially kids.
There have been a few pedestrian deaths in the last few months in the Falls Church area, which are spurring discussions with officials.
But, Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly noted that it is important to remember that “Falls Church has always been a cut-through” and a “crossroad” in the Northern Virginia area.
“Mini Tysons”
In August, the city broke ground on a new project that focuses on improving pedestrian access and traffic flow near the upcoming George Mason High School.
The $15 million infrastructure investment will make the area safer and open up accessibility to the future mixed-use retail space, Cindy Mester, the Falls Church Assistant City Manager, said.
The mixed-use retail space is being developed by the same people who built the Wharf in D.C., Mester said, adding there will be a grocery store, a senior living facility, an arts center, restaurants and retail shops in the development.
Mester referred to the upcoming space as Falls Church’s own “Mini Tysons.”
Enticing Techies
When it comes to the evolution within the city’s limits, Litkenhous supports the idea of Falls Church evolving as a tech hub.
“Here in Falls Church, we’ve had a chance to capitalize on the indirect spinoff [of Tysons],” Litkenhous said.
With the new startups and tech companies in Tysons, it allows local high school students to take on fellowships or internships with innovative and entrepreneurial companies, according to Litkenhous, further encouraging students to pursue STEM-related fields.
With the new startups and tech companies in Tysons, it allows local high school students to take on fellowships or internships with innovative and entrepreneurial companies, according to Litkenhous.
Though Litkenhous said he would love to have some of these companies move into Falls Church, he realizes offices are limited and added that a co-working space within city limits would be a solution. “We can’t work in a vacuum here and we recognize that,” he said.
A Stroll in a New Direction
Unlike Tysons through, Litkenhous said Falls Church focuses on small businesses and walkability within city limits. “We’ve got Tysons beat on walkability by a mile.”
Last year, the City Council started the “Live Local Campaign,” sparked by Litkenhous, which encourages people to eat, play and spend money within the city’s limits.
Councilmember Phil Duncan said he keeps tabs on local businesses moving into the city and tries to support them by attending grand openings.
“I think there’s a good mix of big names and more local, family-run businesses,” he said, adding that some businesses that would have previously passed up Falls Church might realize that it is a new market.
“This whole area will become a great American city,” Duncan said.
Coming up in November, the city will host its second “Live Local Campaign” to encourage people to spend money within the community by eating at local restaurants and shopping for holiday gifts from small companies.
Both Litkenhous and Connelly said they want people to follow in their example and take advantage of all the dining and shopping options within the area.
Ultimately, Mester said she thinks the people in Falls Church help to make it special and unique.
“We have a caring and wonderful workforce,” she said.
The Falls Church Anglican built a new church along Route 50 in the Falls Church area after losing its former sanctuary space.
The new location (6565 Arlington Blvd) is nearly complete and began holding services in September, Zach Kincaid, the church’s spokesperson, said. Now they are looking to finish certain cosmetic projects around the church, including landscaping and interior design.
The Anglican Church built a new space because they lost their original sanctuary (115 E. Fairfax Street) in a legal battle when they split from the Episcopal Church due to political and religious differences. The Episcopal Church declined to comment.
The new church cost around $16 million, which came from contributions by the congregation and parishioners, Kincaid said.
Before deciding on the Falls Church spot along Route 50, they considered following other parishes that built churches in Loudoun County, where real estate is less expensive, Kincaid.
“The glue that stuck us to something around here was to be part of this neighborhood still,” he said. “It was a fleeting thought.”
In total, the new space consists of 16,000 square feet of space divided between two stories, Kincaid said. About 6,000 square feet will be used for a gathering space for children and family, while the remainder will be worship space.
The church has around 900 chairs but typically seats around 1,200 worshipers each Sunday, Kincaid said.
“Lots of people tend to turn their attention to church as Advent comes up,” he said, explaining that membership and attendance tend to increase around Christmas time.
To engage with the surrounding community, the church invited surrounding neighborhoods to stop by for open houses.
The church shares an office space next door with other professions, such as doctors.
Renovations should be completed soon, Kincaid said, but they currently do not have an exact date. The church is finishing up the permit process with Fairfax County.
Photo courtesy Craig Thoburn
(Updated 10/24/19) A Mediterranean restaurant and dumpling eatery are some of the newcomers headed to Falls Plaza in the the City of Falls Church — and they are hiring.
Tasty Dumpling and Plaka Grill have “now hiring” signs in their windows at the shopping center at 1200 W. Broad Street.
For Tasty Dumpling, interested people can contact Linda at 703-946-6037 and 703-269-1752. For Plaka Grill, people can send resumes to [email protected] or call 571-484-9446.
Plaka Grill is moving into a roughly 3,500-square-foot space by Giant, while Tasty Dumpling will occupy a 1,400-square-foot space between CVS and Staples, according to the shopping center’s brochure.
Plaka Grill, a locally-owned Greek restaurant, is relocating its Falls Church location from 513 W. Broad Street to Falls Plaza. The restaurant also has a spot in Vienna.
“With the move to the new location in Falls Plaza, the restaurant will be expanding its footprint with additional kitchen space that will allow the restaurant to expand its catering offerings,” according to a press release from the restaurant.
The restaurant is planning to open in November, the press release said.
“We’re thrilled to move to a location with abundant parking to better serve our customers,” Peter Drosos, the restaurant’s owner and chef, said in the press release. “Falls Plaza is ideally situated, and we’re excited for the opportunity to be more accessible to our guests whether they’re choosing to dine in with us or get carry-out, delivery or catering.”
Sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s and Rania’s Love Vegetarian Restaurant also have signs saying they are coming to the shopping center.
A spokesperson for Jersey Mike’s said that the eatery is aiming for a December opening.
People interested in brainstorming ideas for how to make Lee Hwy (Route 29) safer can attend a meeting tomorrow (Thursday) night.
Local businesses and Virginia Tech planning students are planning to share ideas for improvements along the highway from Graham Road to Tinner Hill Road.
The meeting is set to take place from 6:30-8 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (601 S Oak Street).
Nearby, a study is underway to consider changes to Route 50.
Map via Google Maps
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Val Sotillo, Northern Virginia-based Realtor and Falls Church resident. Please submit your questions to her via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!
Question: What neighborhoods are between Tysons and City of Falls Church?
Answer: The neighborhood of Idylwood is located in Falls Church. It originally developed as a suburban community along the route of the W&OD Railroad, and later along Virginia State Route 7. It is bordered to the east by the city of Falls Church, to the north by Pimmit Hills and Tysons, to the west by Dunn Loring, and to the southwest by Merrifield.
Here are the top reasons that make Idylwood an awesome neighborhood:
Great Location
It’s located within 3 miles, of West Falls Church station on the Orange Line, and Greensboro station on the Silver Line. It’s easy access to I-66, 495, Dulles Access Toll Road, and just minutes from Tysons — only 12 miles from D.C.
For joggers and bikers, there’s easy access to the W&OD Trail, going all the way from Shirlington to Purcellville.
Things To Do
It’s located just a couple of miles from all the fun, shopping and entertainment in Tysons and City of Falls Church. Idylwood Park (7715 Virginia Lane) offers baseball fields, tennis courts, a playground and a large soccer field. What I enjoy most about this park is that it is literally walking distance to the W&OD trail.
Jefferson District Park offers a Mini-Golf course, lighted tennis and basketball courts, picnic facilities, a children’s playground and nine-hole executive golf course.
There’s also a range of ethnic restaurants. Taco Bamba is one of my all-time favorites. They have amazing tacos and the best Mexican street corn. Crisp & Juicy for Peruvian Chicken (expert here!); Victor Grill, super casual and delicious Argentinian steakhouse (they have the best deals on wine, especially Malbec); and 2941 Restaurant if you want to celebrate a special occasion or try fancy French-American food.
Idylwood Plaza has everything you need! From Whole Foods, to Starbucks, to My Eye Dr. Just give yourself time to find parking as the shopping center is very busy.
You’re also close to all the fun in Mosaic District!
Many Housing Options
There are different options from detached homes, townhomes and condos. In Idlywood, there are currently 26 properties for sale, ranging from a one bedroom condo for $199,999, to a $1.699M 5 bedroom home built in 2015, located by West Falls Church Metro. You can see all active listings here.
Seventeen properties are currently under contract, ranging from a 2 bedroom condo at $240,000 to a custom built 5 bedroom Craftsman house at $1.649 million.
In the past 6 months, 73 condos were sold for a median price of $265,000, 35 townhouses were sold for a median price of $592,5000, and 51 single family homes sold for a median price of $775,000.
Great Quality of Life.
Falls Church Ranked as No. 1 Healthiest Community in U.S. in 2018. Need to say more?
Changes on the Horizon
While the area has a timeless quality to it, things will change a bit in the next few years. Founder’s Row is a mixed use project located at the corner of W. Broad and N. West Streets and it will include a 6-8 screen dine-in movie theater with 850 seats, 5,000 square feet of office and 60,000 square feet of retail-restaurant space and 72 senior and 322 market rate apartments. Also, new developments in Tysons and Mosaic District are in progress. I’ll keep you posted!
If you’d like more information, or would like a question answered in my weekly column, please reach out to [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon.
If you’d like more information, or would like a question answered in my bi-weekly column, please reach out to [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon.
Val Sotillo is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite #10C Arlington, VA 22203, 703-390-9460.
Commuters and residents want to see more bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements along Route 50 in the Falls Church area.
At a meeting hosted by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) last night, VDOT officials and residents discussed different ideas for improving the route, which has up to 51,000 vehicles travel daily, according to VDOT.
The meeting coincidentally happened a day after a 40-year-old man was struck and killed at the intersection of Route 50 and Graham Road. On a map of reported crashes since 2013, that intersection had two reports of fatal crashes, along with dozens of other crashes ranging in severity from property damage to serious injuries.
A study is underway to evaluate potential safety and operational changes for three miles of Route 50 between Jaguar Trail and Wilson Blvd.
VDOT officials said that the study is looking at data showing crash hotspots, speed and traffic count from January 2013 to the spring of 2019 and projections out to 2030.
“We don’t go into a study with the solutions already in hand,” Allison Richter, the liaison for Fairfax and Arlington counties, said.
The possible improvements VDOT is looking at include:
- traffic signal timing/operations
- turn lane
- turn restrictions
- access management
- pedestrian enhancements
- “innovative intersections“
Richter said that bike and pedestrian safety improvements are under consideration.
About 50 people showed up for the meeting, including Fairfax County police, Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross, School Board Member Dalia Palchik and Tom Biesiadny, the director of Fairfax County’s transportation department.
Many of the people who lined up to provide feedback to VDOT pointed out specific problem areas — urging for time-restricted turn lanes, signal timing changes — and more focus on bicyclists, pedestrians and people using mass public transit.
“This area is becoming more urban over time,” one attendee told VDOT officials, adding that VDOT should focus on safety over speed for drivers.
Added safety measures could include two-way bike lanes on one-way service roads and more lighting, attendees said.
Sonya Breehey, a bike safety advocate, suggested traffic calming on the frontage roads.
“Arlington Blvd scares me,” Breehey said.
A handful of people called for VDOT to lower the speed limit from 45 miles per hour, with one person suggesting a new speed limit of 35 miles per hour.
One man who provided feedback urged VDOT to not forget about drivers, who might face slower speeds and longer travel times.
“Better late to dinner than dead,” someone from the audience shouted after the man finished commenting.
“Please be respectful,” the man responded.
People can take an online survey — which allows respondents to mark problem spots on a map and rank the six possible improvements — and submit comments to Bobby Mangalath, at 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, Va. 22030 by next Thursday, Oct. 31.
VDOT plans to hold another information meeting when the study wraps up in the spring.
(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) Fairfax County police have identified the man who was fatally struck by a police cruiser along Route 50 in the Falls Church area yesterday.
Shortly after midnight on Sunday (Oct. 20), a police cruiser struck and killed 40-year-old Carlos Romeo Montoya near Arlington Blvd (Route 50) and Graham Road, police said.
“We do not have a current address at this time,” police said in a press release today. “Next of kin have been notified.”
More from FCPD:
A patrol officer who has more than four years of law enforcement experience and who is assigned to the Mason District Station was driving in a marked police cruiser in the area of Arlington Boulevard and Graham Road. The officer was responding to a call for service for disorderly subjects.
The marked police cruiser was proceeding through a green light eastbound on Arlington Boulevard approaching the intersection of Graham Road.
This intersection has a pedestrian crosswalk with a pedestrian signal for the crosswalk. The posted speed limit for Arlington Boulevard in that area is 45 miles per hour.
As the police cruiser proceeded through the intersection, an adult male was struck in the left travel lane of Arlington Boulevard by the cruiser. The location of impact was within the crosswalk as determined by the police cruiser in-car video.
The officer immediately stopped to render first aid and called for the Fire and Rescue Department. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital by rescue personnel and was pronounced deceased.
“The best information we have right now is that the officer did have a green list, was proceeding through the intersection and that the pedestrian was, unfortunately, crossing against the ‘Don’t walk’ sign,” Chief Edwin Roessler Jr. said during a press conference yesterday.
Montoya’s death marks the 14th pedestrian fatality in the county this year, according to police.
“This is an intersection that has a historical issue with pedestrian safety,” Roessler said at the press conference.
Cyclist and pedestrian advocates are urging people to attend a meeting tonight (Monday) about changes to Route 50.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is looking to get community feedback about a Route 50 study currently underway to identify potential safety and operational changes for Route 50 between Jaguar Trail and Wilson Blvd.
The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) took to social media to urge people to attend the meeting.
Bruce Wright, a board member of FABB, said that the Graham Road and Route 50 intersection was identified in 2004 “as a big problem” for pedestrian safety and is “still very dangerous.”
Wright said that service roads along Route 50, the dense residential area nearby and high speed limit contribute to the safety factors at the intersection. Wright said he wants VDOT and the county to consider redesigning the intersection and lowering the speed limit.
“It is such an important corridor and yet it’s optimized for motorists,” Wright said.
FABB is working with local police to identify where bicycle crashes are happening, Wright said, adding that the group wants to work with VDOT as well.
The crash is currently under investigation and is working to determine the cruiser’s speed, the lighting conditions at the intersection and the condition of the pedestrian walk sign, along with a forensic medical examination, police said.
“The results of the investigation by the Crash Reconstruction Unit will be presented to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County,” the press release said.
Anyone with information about the crash can contact Crash Reconstruction Unit detectives at 703-280-0543.
“The involved officer was reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of our investigations by the Crash Reconstruction Unit and the Internal Affairs Bureau,” police said.
Map via Google Maps
Swinks Mill Road Reopens in McLean — Severely damaged by flooding in July, the road at Scotts Run reopened Friday (Oct. 18). [VDOT/Twitter]
McLean Resident Retires From NVTC — “Northern Virginia Technology Council’s (NVTC) president and CEO Bobbie Kilberg is set to retire on June 30 after 22 years leading the organization.” [Technical.ly]
Pedestrian Killed Along Route 50 in Falls Church — “A police cruiser struck and killed a man who was crossing an intersection in West Falls Church, Virginia, early Sunday morning, police say.” [NBC4]
Home Catches Fire in Dunn Loring — Firefighters responded to a house fire in the 8100 block of Timber Valley Court in Dunn Loring area on Saturday. The fire is now out. “No reported injuries at this time.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter]
How Walkable is Tysons? — Find out what it’s like to stroll around Tysons with a walkability researcher, who measured the noise levels and air quality. [Greater Greater Washington]
New Leader at McLean Private School — “BASIS Independent McLean, a preK to grade 12 private school in McLean, Va., recently named Paul Geise as its head of school. As a veteran educator with more than 40 years of experience, Geise excels in leadership of schools in the United States and United Kingdom, specializing in strategic plans and fostering student and community development in schools.” [Patch]
Marshall HS Students Visit Capital One HQ — “Members of Marshall High’s Latinos United Club took a field trip to Capital One’s headquarters in McLean to meet with their mentors. Students learned about the vast career opportunities in technology at Capital One and participated in various activities with the mentors including job shadowing, panel discussions, and a tour.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
USA Today May Phase Out Print Edition — “After a nearly 40-year run, USA Today and its digital sites are about to undergo a major restructuring that will include building up digital marketing while phasing out the print edition.” [Poynter]
Falls Church Receives High Bond Ratings — “For the second consecutive year, the city has earned the highest credit rating from all three major bond rating agencies.” [City of Falls Church]
Falls Church Polling Place Moved — “Due to delays in a renovation of the Falls Green apartments (formerly Oakwood), the City of Falls Church’s Ward 2 polling place has to be moved for the upcoming Nov. 5 election.” [Falls Church News-Press]
New Natural Health Center in Vienna — “The Health Improvement Center, a natural health care center, has moved to a new location in Vienna. The move to a larger space happened in August, while a ribbon-cutting is set for Nov. 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The new location is 407 Church Street NE Suite C.” [Patch]
Next week, people can give their input on ways to improve Route 50 in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is holding a meeting on Monday (Oct. 21) to get community feedback about a Route 50 study that started in June and is currently underway.
The study is looking at potential safety and operational changes for three miles of Route 50 between Jaguar Trail and Wilson Blvd. Up to 51,000 vehicles travel daily in the area of Route 50, according to VDOT.
Possible improvements include:
- traffic signal timing/operations
- turn lane
- turn restrictions
- access management
- pedestrian enhancements
- “innovative intersections“
The meeting is set to take place in the cafeteria at Falls Church High School (7521 Jaguar Trail) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. A short presentation will start at 7 p.m., followed by time for questions with VDOT staff.
People can take an online survey and submit comments at the meeting or by Thursday, Oct. 31, to Bobby Mangalath, at 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.
VDOT plans to hold another information meeting when the study wraps up in the spring.
Photo via VDOT
