Dominion Square West in Tysons has been redesignated as a revitalization area to make way for an affordable housing project.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the designation to help facilitate an application for Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn noted that the term “revitalization area” isn’t related to the county’s economic revitalization efforts in areas like McLean and Lake Anne in Reston.
“This is a very specific term used in the state code, separate from what we’d say revitalization is in our Comprehensive Plan,” he said.
The nonprofit Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing has a contract with the county to buy the 2-acre site on Spring Hill Road in the Tysons West neighborhood. The land was purchased by the county using $10.97 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and another $10 million from a Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority reserve fund.
APAH must submit its application for the credit to Virginia Housing before its March 2022 deadline. The property’s new status as a revitalization area was deemed necessary to help meet the criteria for the application process.
According to county documents, the tax credit would be used as a source of funding by APAH to construct a nine-story, 175-unit multifamily building for the first phase of the Dominion Square West development planned near the Spring Hill Metro station.
The units would be affordable to county residents with incomes between 30 to 60% of the area medium income, which is $129,000 for a family of four, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 60% of that would be $77,500 for a family of four.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay noted that this was the first-ever item taken up by the board to come with a formal equity impact statement explaining how the project will help address the county’s goal of creating an inclusive community.
“Staff will be strategically applying the equity impact statements on items coming to the board, non-land use items,” McKay said.
According to the statement, the first phase of Dominion Square West “will provide equitable access to reasonably priced housing” in the increasingly urban economic hub of Tysons.
Since 2010, over 44,000 new units have been approved for development in Tysons. As of August 2021, a total of 752 of the 4,081 residential units delivered serve low to moderate-income households though the county’s affordable and workforce dwelling unit programs.
The county hopes to increase the supply of affordable housing by adding at least 5,000 homes by 2034.
Youngkin’s Teen Son Tried to Vote Twice — The Fairfax County Office of Elections is investigating reports that Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin’s 17-year-old son attempted to cast a ballot two times on Election Day despite being ineligible to vote. Poll workers told him he couldn’t vote but gave him a form to register for future elections. [NBC4]
Roaming Rooster Opens Doors in Tysons West — “Happy Friday, RR Fam! Our Tysons Corner location is almost ready to hatch. We are having a soft opening this weekend to train our staff. All menu items are 10% off. Please stop by! Grand opening will be announced soon.” [Roaming Rooster/Twitter]
The Boro Resident Criticizes Lack of Accessibility — Retired architect and land developer John G. Colby says the vision of Tysons as an urban center with “‘accessibility for all’ is sadly turning out to be a hollow promise.” The Boro’s second phase is set to be approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors tomorrow (Tuesday) despite having no ADA-reserved curbside parking or streetlights on Westpark Drive, among other issues, he notes. [The Washington Post]
Lucid Motors Opens Tysons Corner Showroom — “Electric vehicle startup Lucid Motors will open a showroom at Tysons Corner Center in Virginia on Saturday [Nov. 6]. It’s the automaker’s 11th showroom to open. Newark, California-based Lucid, founded in 2007, delivered the first of its electric vehicles to customers Oct. 30.” [WTOP]
Robberies Reported in McLean District — A man displayed a firearm and robbed the Tower Market & Deli in the Trillium Apartments complex in Fairfax on Oct. 29, according to Fairfax County police. There was also a robbery in the 7400 block of Lee Highway in the Hollywood Road Park area on Nov. 1, where a man “took the victim’s property by threatening force and left the area in a vehicle.” No injuries were reported in either incident. [FCPD]
An Arlington-based gourmet burger eatery could make its way to Tysons later this fall.
Basic Burger, which boasts that if your burger isn’t made to your specifications, they’ll make it right or give you your money back, is preparing to open at Tysons West (1500 Cornerside Boulevard).
“We hope to have Tysons West open within 6 weeks (permits permitting) and continue our regional growth from there,” Jamie Mansy told Tysons Reporter on Friday (Oct. 22).
Signs that recently went up at the shopping center indicate that the restaurant will take over the space previously occupied by the fast-casual, healthy food chain B.Good.
“We are upgrading the kitchen to fit our needs as well as bringing in a muralist to do some art work for us outside,” Mansy said.
Founded in 2015, the company opened its first location in Courthouse before moving to Pentagon Row in 2018. Mansy says they were working on expansion plans when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, temporarily putting those on hold.
Basic Burger serves a range of burgers, shakes, and sides, in addition to chicken sandwiches, salads, and more.
According to Mansy, the restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients where possible, with certified Angus patties hand-pressed daily. Basic Burger also uses French brioche buns, makes its “Basic Sauce” in house and gets its spices from a spice maker in Woodstock.
This is the second restaurant started in 2015 to reveal plans to expand to Tysons West in as many weeks. Roaming Rooster is also slated to open there this fall.
A D.C. restaurant that started as a food truck has chosen Tysons West as the site of its first location in Virginia.
The family-owned Roaming Rooster is slated to open a 2,000-square-foot space this fall in the shopping mall at 1500 Cornerside Boulevard, property management company Rappaport confirmed.
“Roaming Rooster will be a great addition to the line-up of fast-casual dining options in Tysons and we are looking forward to announcing additional retail and services opening at Tysons soon,” Henry Fonvielle, president of Rappaport, said in a statement.
Existing restaurants at Tysons West, which is situated near the Spring Hill Metro station, include the fast-casual District Taco and Moby Dick Kabob. The health food-oriented chain B.Good opened an eatery at the mall in 2019, but it appears to have permanently closed during the pandemic.
According to its website, Roaming Rooster launched in 2015 and quickly expanded from one to three food trucks. It now has four locations in D.C., with an expansion into Maryland also coming this fall.
The company says its restaurants use free-range chickens that aren’t given antibiotics or chemicals.
The menu primarily features different flavors of chicken sandwiches, including fried chicken, buffalo fried, Nashville hot, and honey butter fried. There are also salads, wings, chicken tenders, and various comfort food sides.
A 27-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at the Tysons West shopping mall earlier this month, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Tuesday).
According to the police report, the assault occurred around 4 p.m. on March 3 and was reported to the police on March 4 when officers were called to the 1500 block of Cornerside Boulevard in Tysons.
The FCPD says that the woman was sitting on a bench near the shopping center when “an unknown man approached her, engaged her in conversation then sexually assaulted her.”
“The woman screamed and was able to leave,” the police report says. “As she walked away, the man continued to follow her. A bystander saw the man following her and escorted her inside a business.”
The man was spotted in the area again on March 12, and responding officers took him into custody. Police have identified the individual as Mohamed Souidi and says he has no fixed address.
Souidi has been charged with object sexual penetration and abduction. He is being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond.
The FCPD says detectives with its major crimes bureau are continuing to investigate the case and are looking for potential witnesses.
“Considering the time and location of the assault, detectives believe there may have been people in the area who unknowingly witnessed this crime,” the department said.
Information can be shared with the investigating detectives by calling 703-246-7800, option 3, or submitting an anonymous tip through the FCPD’s Crime Solvers phone line (1-866-411-TIPS), app, and website.
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.
Whether you’re already into fitness or one of the many people making a New Year’s goal to exercise more in 2020, there are several gyms around Tysons to check out.
Tysons Reporter did some research on gyms and fitness studios in the area and separated them into Tysons’ eight neighborhoods. This week, we’re profiling the ones in Tysons West.
24 Hour Fitness (1500 Cornerside Blvd, Suite A) has typical gym offerings, including an indoor pool, weights, cardio equipment, racquetball court, sauna and basketball court. The club offers groups for cycling and exercise, classes and training. The club is open from 4 a.m. to midnight every day of the week, according to its website.
Tysons Playground Fitness & Performance Center is a family-oriented space with youth programs for kids ages 8 and up and weight loss programs for adults at 8502 Tyco Road, Suite B. Members have 24-hour access to the facility, according to the website.
Tysons City Boxing (8501- 2A Tyco Road) offers boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and circuit training for beginners and advanced people. Most of the classes appear to be scheduled in the afternoon, with ones extending into the evening at 5:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., according to the schedule.
Another boxing studio — Rock Steady Boxing — has a non-contact boxing-based fitness curriculum for people with Parkinson’s Disease. The facility is located at 8501 Tyco Road A-2.
Hot Yoga Tysons has “hot, warm and cool” classes running as later as 9 p.m. on certain days. The studio is at 1420 Spring Hill Road, Suite 130.
BREAKAWAY Fitness has treadmills, an open floor, cable cross, hammer strength, ellipticals, bikes and rowers, along with personal training, massages and group exercise, according to its website. The facility is open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 7 a.m.-noon on Saturday at 1524 Springhill Road, Unit GG.
Fitness chain CrossFit has two locations — one called “Route 7” (8504-B Tyco Road) and another called “Tysons Corner” (8453 Tyco Road, Suite K). Both have classes in the evenings.
Fans of Orangetheory Fitness can find the hour-long classes at 1430 Spring Hill Road, Suite 150. The studio offers classes in the evenings, with the latest ones starting around 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on certain weekdays.
The Edge Strongman 2.0 (8502-B Tyco Road) “is dedicated to providing elite-level strongman coaching to both men and women with the equipment, personalized service and extensive knowledge,” according to its Facebook page. It is open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and until 4 p.m. on weekends, according to its website.
Jersey Mike’s plans to start serving subs with a side of fundraising today near the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons.
Located at 1501C Cornerside Blvd, the sandwich chain is one of several eateries in Tysons West Phase III — a redevelopment that added new retail buildings across from Walmart.
Other options for diners include the newly opened B.GOOD, Smoothie King and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Franchise owner Asha Thakur, the franchise owner, is set to hold a grand opening and free sub fundraiser today (Wednesday) to Sunday (Dec. 8) to support the Children’s National Hospital, according to a press release.
People who live or work in the area might snag one of the 10,000Â coupons circulating throughout the community offering a free regular sub for a minimum $2 contribution to the Children’s National Hospital.
Over in Falls Church, the upcoming Jersey Mike’s at the Falls Plaza location (1108-A West Broad Street) is expected to open at a later date, a spokesperson for the company told Tysons Reporter.
The Tysons spot is open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. every day, the press release said.
The new Dunkin’ Donuts near the Spring Hill Metro station plans to offer a free donut deal on Friday.
The coffee and donut chain recently arrived in Tysons West Phase III — a redevelopment that added new retail buildings across from Walmart — along with other food and drink options, including Smoothie King and B.GOOD.
The celebration on Friday (Nov. 22) is set to take place from 7-11 a.m. Attendees will be able to get a free donut — excluding fancy and speciality ones — with any purchase and can enjoy a Dunkin’ prize wheel, photo opportunities with Dunkin’ mascots Cuppy and Sprinkles, an on-site DJ and customizable screen-printed donuts that guests can put their face on. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m.
The store (1495 Cornerside Blvd, Suite 1C) is open 5 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekends.
As of today (Thursday), Tysons West has a new fast food option by the Spring Hill Metro station.
B. GOOD (1495 Cornerside Blvd, Suite 118) opened its doors this morning at 10:30 a.m. and now offers customers a variety of smoothies, burgers, bowls, sandwiches, salads, sides and “Flexitarian” options, for those who are vegan or environmentally conscious. To celebrate, the location is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony today followed by giveaways, samples and live music by a local acoustic guitar player.
Tysons Reporter attended a sneak-peak preview of the new location yesterday along with people who volunteered to test out the food.
“It gives us an opportunity to work out the kinks and is a training opportunity,” Lizzy Jenkins, a company spokesperson.
Around 11 a.m. yesterday, people started to trickle through the doors — some were curious about the new restaurant while others wanted to inquire about job opportunities. Many of the customers so far were families or young professionals from out of town, Jenkins said.
The eatery is decorated in a comfortable yet clean style with wooden tabletops, lantern-like hanging lights and Virginia-themed art scattered throughout the restaurant.
When it came time to sample the fare offered by B.GOOD, Jenkins ordered her favorite dishes which included the “Sweet Heat Flex Burger,” the “Spicy Avacado Lime Bowl” and “Chicken Avacado Sandwich,” which was accompanied by sweet potato fries and pink lemonade.
The “Sweet Heat Flex Burger” is a vegan burger made from beets and pineapple, topped with heaping caramelized onions, spicy slaw and beet hummus. The burgers on B.GOOD’s menu rage in price from $7.50 to $9.50.
The “Spicy Avacado and Lime Bowl” consists of kale and quinoa base and is topped with sauteed veggies, tomato, cilantro, black bean and corn salsa, accompanied by a side of chipotle vinaigrette. The bowl is one of the most popular items on the menu, Jenkins said. Prices for bowls range from $10 to $11.50.
The “Chicken Avacado Sandwich” is a simple dish that is exactly what it appears to be — chicken breast with slices of avocado, lettuce and tomato. Sandwiches start at $7.
Smoothie prices range from $6.50 to $7, while salads run from $9 to $10.
When it came to menu design, B.GOOD made a distinctive choice not to follow suit with vegan options like the Impossible Burger. Instead, the company created other vegan-friendly sandwich options, which they call “Flexitarian.”
“We are from the land, not the lab,” Jenkins said, who added that they recognize people decide to be vegan for a variety of reasons. Some of their Flexitarian burgers are vegan, while others contain eco-friendly meat options, like turkey.
The location will be open from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays. The eatery is running a promotion where guests can enjoy a variety of sides for $2 from 2-5 p.m. until the end of the year.
The company also designed a rewards app that allows regulars to rack up points for free drinks and food. For every $1 someone spends, they will receive one point. At 50 points, people will earn a soft drink, at 75 points a smoothie or breakfast item and at 100 points, they will receive a free entre.
B.GOOD is getting ready to serve up grain bowls and burgers near the Spring Hill Metro station next week.
The fast-casual chain is set to open its Tysons location (1495 Cornerside Blvd, Suite 118) next Thursday (Nov. 14), Sammy Brodsky, a spokesperson for B.GOOD, told Tysons Reporter.
Diners can expect a variety of grain bowls, salads, burgers, milkshakes and smoothies, according to a press release.
The chain prides itself on offering a “wide-range of better-for-you fare to health-conscious locals,” according to a press release. This will be B.GOOD’s first spot in the D.C. area and 65th location in the U.S.
“There is a diverse population of savvy diners who know what good food is all about, and there is ongoing demand for fast, healthier food options,” Chris Fuqua, B.GOOD’s chief executive officer, said in the press release about choosing the Tysons area.
B.GOOD is one of several newcomers to Tysons West Phase III — including newly opened Smoothie King and Dunkin’ Donuts. Sandwich shop Jersey Mike’s is also planning on opening at the redevelopment across from Walmart.
A grand opening next Thursday will include smoothie samples and prize giveaways, along with free entree deals for the first 50 attendees’ next visits and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m., according to the press release.
The eatery will be open from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays.
