Happy Friday! Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
Falls Church Home Prices Spike — “The city of Falls Church zoomed past the District of Columbia to be the local jurisdiction where home-buyers spent more, per square foot, than anywhere else in January… The median per-square-foot cost of $453 for Falls Church property for the month was up 13 percent from a year before.” [Inside NoVa]
Furry Convention Leaving Tysons — The Mid-Atlantic region convention called “Fur the More” is moving from Tysons to Crystal City this year. [ARLnow]
Falls Church Theater Nabs Nominations — “Falls Church’s rapidly-emerging regional theater powerhouse, the Creative Cauldron, scored an astonishing nine Helen Hayes Award nominations for the past season.” [Falls Church News-Press]
McLean Board Seeking Candidates — “Local residents who are looking for ways to make a difference in the community should consider running for a seat on the McLean Community Center’s (MCC) 2020-2021 Governing Board.” [Falls Church News-Press]
I-66 Corridor commuters, in response to commuters request to get a slug pickup station at the Pentagon, Congressman @GerryConnolly @EleanorNorton @DonBeyerVA and @JenniferWexton send a request to the Pentagon #vatraffic pic.twitter.com/MeOOVVJnY8
— Sluglines (@sluglines) February 12, 2020
Sneak Peek: Later today, look for an article on Vienna’s new economic development manager and her plans for how to spark business in the town. Next week, look for a profile of Fava Pot in Falls Church.
Weekend Send Off: Let Tysons Reporter know what your plans are for the long weekend.
Movies are weeks away from coming to the big screen at The Boro development in Tysons.
Caroline Flax, an associate at The Meridian Group, said via a spokesperson that ShowPlace Icon is planning to open in March at 1667 Silver Hill Drive.
“This location, the seventh in the U.S. under the Showplace Icon brand for Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, spans 72,000 square feet, with 1,795 seats spread across 14 theaters, plus a restaurant and a bar and lounge,” the Washington Business Journal reported.
The opening of the 70,000-square-foot store, Mid-Atlantic flagship Whole Foods store in the fall marked when the development started to come alive with places for people to eat and shop.
So far this year, several eateries have opened — North Italia, Fish Taco and Paris Baguette — along with Tysons Nail Lounge.
International ramen restaurant Hokkaido Ramen Santouka (1636 Boro Place) also plans to open this March.
Flax said that people can also expect these stores and eateries later this year:
- Tasty Kabob in the “spring”
- Paper Source in the “spring”
- Caliburger in the “summer”
According to The Boro’s social media accounts, other summer newcomers will include El Bebe Tacos & Tequila, Open Road Grill and The Shade Store.
Photo via The Boro/Facebook
The intersection of Westpark and Westbranch Drives in Tysons just became safer with new updates from the Virginia Department of Transporation, according to a press release.
The updates include new signage, pavement markers and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant curb ramp upgrades, the press release said.
The additions will also include four Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) crossings, which alert hearing-impaired pedestrians when it is safe to cross, according to the VDOT website. Though this feature isn’t operational yet, the press release said people can expect it to function within a few weeks.
More than 11,000 cars use this intersection on a daily basis, according to the press release.
Photo courtesy VDOT
Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
Library Displays History of St. John’s Episcopal Church — “Throughout the month of February, a display at Dolley Madison Library in McLean is featuring St. John’s Episcopal Church. The display illustrates the church’s history and close relationship with the community of McLean and presents a newly published book recounting the church’s first 150 years.” [Patch]
Falls Church Facing Cardboard Congestion — “A cardboard pile up at the Gordon Road recycling center has more to do with the excesses of the holiday season than negligence on the part of City of Falls Church residents. The City will also soon test out moving glass recyclables from the curb to a central location as it joins the regional effort to dispose of the waste in a more effective manner.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Pedestrian Gets Foot Run Over — “A pedestrian was walking westbound on the sidewalk in front of the entrance of a parking lot at 431 Maple Ave., W., on Feb. 1 at 5:50 p.m. when a vehicle approached the entrance and the driver motioned for the pedestrian to walk across, police said.” [Inside NoVA]
Final countdown until @ShowPlaceICON opens their doors and we can enjoy these heated recliners! We are just weeks away!📽️ 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Fn7mIzcFvN
— The Boro (@TheBoroTysons) January 27, 2020
Have a great Tuesday and look out for Morning Notes again on Friday.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
The new development in Tyson’s by the Greensboro Metro is called “The Boro.”
If you haven’t explored the area yet, it’s designed to be a multi-purpose community that brings residential (both condo and apartments), retail, entertainment and office together in one space. The neighborhood is built with a 14-screen ICON movie theater (reclining seats!), and the largest Whole Foods in the D.C. area.
While still under construction at the time of this writing, I wanted to give you my favorite things in The Boro right now:
- The bread pudding doughnuts at Curiosity Doughnuts in Whole Foods. My son also loved the beignets.
- Fish Taco! Everything on the menu is great — I’ve been to their Maryland location as well, but the chips & guac, followed by the Ancho Shrimp salad is so, so good.
- The Whole Foods food hall — a great meeting spot for a please-everyone food hall, easy parking in the garage or short walk from the metro. Lots of tables to sit and chat.
- Honorable Mention: Paris Baguette for all your carb and sweet tooth needs. I myself am more of a salty treat girl (my popcorn addiction is well known), but who can pass up a delicious croissant?
I look forward to checking out the new spots as they open.
Valentine’s Day is coming up on Friday (Feb. 14). To celebrate, several restaurants, stores and places in the Tysons area are offering themed events this week.
Here’s where to find restaurant deals, parties and even a Valentine’s Day Zumba class.
Tysons
Several restaurants in Tysons are offering Valentine’s Day meals and specials.
From 5-10 p.m. on Friday, La Sandia (7852 Tysons Corner Center) will have a three-course menu for two ($35) with dishes like chunky tuna guacamole, carne tampiquena and espresso tres leches.
Turkish Coffee Lady Café, a woman-owned small business in Tysons Corner Center, will have “coffee readings” on Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
“The promotion is inspired by the Turkish tradition of reading your fortune in the coffee grounds found at the bottom of the cup after enjoying a delicious brew: Turkish coffee dregs known as ‘telve’ allows fortune readers to see your future in the most scrumptious way,” according to a Facebook post.
Looking for a unique dining experience? Greenhouse Bistro (2070 Chainbridge Road) will have “Dining in the Dark” from 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday, where diners eat a four course prix-fixe meal while blindfolded.
Looking to break a sweat instead? Sport & Health McLean (1800 Old Meadow Road) will have a Valentine’s Day Zumba Party from 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Merrifield and Vienna
The “All You Need is Love” party for people ages 55+ at the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE) will provide attendees with a meal from The Davis Center.
The party, which is being hosted in partnership with the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna, is set to run from noon-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Tickets are $18 per person.
In the Mosaic District, several stores are offering Valentine’s Day-themed events, including Kendra Scott on Thursday (Feb. 13) and Kaleidos with NIB Studio on Friday.
True Food Kitchen (2910 District Avenue) is offering a pre-fixe menu on Valentine’s Day weekend from Feb. 14-16.
On Saturday (Feb. 15), Undeniable Boutique will have “Certified Lipsologist” Ariana Lightningstorm give a palm reading for people’s lips.
Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash
A new redevelopment of condos and townhomes is set to replace the Commons of McLean apartment complex behind the Mitre Corporation.
Toll Brothers’ Union Park will include The Brownstones, brownstone-style townhomes, and The Lofts, townhome-style condos.
The Lofts, which start in the low $700,000s, will include one-car garages, optional private elevators, open floor plans and oversized windows.
One plan is 2,763 square feet, while another is 1,587 square feet. Both have three bedrooms, two bathrooms and one half-bath.
Meanwhile, The Brownstones are priced in the upper $900,000s and will have optional private elevators and expanded rooftop terraces.
There are five different home designs for The Brownstones, ranging from 2,168-2,644 square feet. All of the designs have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Some of the designs have two half-baths, while others have three half-baths.
Union Park is expected to come this spring, according to the Toll Brothers website.
Image (1) via Google Maps, other images via Toll Brothers
Hat tip to Timothy B.
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.
Tysons’ eight neighborhoods have several gyms and fitness studios are people looking for places to exercise indoors.
Tysons Reporter did some research and has been chronicling where to break a sweat around Tysons.
A few weeks ago, we looked at options in Tysons West and Tysons Central 7. This week, we’re profiling the ones in Tysons Central 123, North Central and Old Courthouse.
Tysons Central 123
[solidcore] has 50-minute classes of slow and controlled resistance training at 7911 Westpark Drive. Most weekday classes are offered between 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m., while weekend classes tend to be held from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Packages start at $20 per class.
Located near Tysons Corner Center, N2Shape (8000 Towers Crescent Drive) offers personal training, small group training, senior fitness and corporate fitness. According to the online schedule, the group classes are scheduled in the morning.
Later this year, people can look for CycleBar in Tysons Galleria.
North Central
Custom Kinetics (7921 Jones Branch Drive) is a personal training company. The training options include strength, weight loss, performance and kettlebell.
1TO1 Fitness also offers personal training in Northern Virginia and D.C. The Tysons location is at 7900 Westpark Drive.
Old Courthouse
Fitness Together at 8300 Boone Blvd, Suite 160 has personalized training with a resistance training program, cardio program and nutrition help.
For spin classes, Tai Chi and pilates, Equinox is at 8065 Leesburg Pike. The luxury fitness studio is open 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, until 10 p.m. on Fridays and from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends. Equinox also offers treadmills, spas and cardio workouts.
For the rest of Tysons’ neighborhoods, there’s a Sport and Health (1800 Old Meadow Road) in East Side and 7Core Fitness (1735 Burning Tree Drive) in the area between the Vienna area and the West Side neighborhood.
Photo via Custom Kinetics/Facebook
Happy Friday! Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
Remembering a McLean Teacher — “Rita Olson, beloved music and science teacher at The Country Day School, has passed away. After a courageous battle with cancer for the past six months, Rita passed away peacefully early Saturday morning.” [Patch]
Business Leaders Say School Matters — “Business and nonprofit leaders gathered for the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Economic Outlook event last week had one thing on their mind: keeping the region’s workforce growing for the area’s expanding businesses. To do so, they said, two things will be necessary — regional collaboration and high-quality education.” [Inside NoVa]
Tysons Restaurant Lands “Most Romantic” List — “A handful of Northern Virginia and D.C. restaurants are on the OpenTable ‘100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America for 2020’ list” including Eddie V’s at 7900 Tysons One Place. [Patch]
Online Grocer Leases HQ Space in Tysons II — “Ocado Solutions is opening a new headquarters office in Tysons, Virginia, in a deal announced just weeks after the company disclosed plans to open one of its first robot-powered fulfillment centers in suburban Washington, D.C.” [Costar]
How Can Tysons Become Walkable? — “Tysons is evolving from suburb to city, but try to walk around and it still feels disjointed, with very long walks from one block to the next. Filling in these spaces is a growing network of non-street paths, including elevated walkways and mall promenades.” [Greater Greater Washington]
North Italia is open at #TheBoroTysons! Visit their new location 👉 1651 Boro Place. 🍝 🍕 pic.twitter.com/aYaDZoVpGp
— The Boro (@TheBoroTysons) February 5, 2020
A Tysons citizen group recently sent a list of concerns to Fairfax County officials.
The Greater Tysons Citizens Association was founded in 2008 and is made up of residents and organizations in the Tysons area, including the Vienna Town Council and McLean Citizens Association.
In the letter dated Jan. 29, the association noted that with the upcoming 10-year-anniversary of the Tysons Comprehensive Plan, the group is worried about the impact of Tysons’ transformation on surrounding communities.
The letter was sent to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and School Board.
The letter goes on to outline four main concerns:
- traffic congestion
- reaching the goal of 20 urban athletic fields in Tysons
- infrastructure funding and Tysons school planning
- recent interpretations of the Tysons Comprehensive Plan
The association then provided requests for each item.
For traffic congestion, the association would like the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors to look into short- and long-term solutions with community members.
As the athletic fields, the group would like the Board of Supervisors to revisit a follow-on motion decision that allowed a developer of The View to make a monetary contribution to be allocated to a community center.
“We urge investigating and pursuing other funding sources for construction of the Tysons community center,” the letter says. “We urge the PC and BOS to return to the long-accepted practice of requiring in-kind contributions rather than monetary contributions when the calculated field contribution exceeds 1/3 field.”
The association had several suggestions for the school issue:
- complete the revamp of the methodologies used in the capital improvement and proffer formula for better school population projections
- increase staffing in the facilities branch of FCPS
- identify and implement new options to acquire land and fund construction of new schools
Finally, the group requested that the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission have an in-depth review regarding interpretations of the comprehensive plan and any “potential ramifications.”
Tysons Reporter received a copy of the letter from the McLean Citizens Association (MCA).
Sally Horn, the chair of the Greater Tysons Citizens Association, is set to discuss the letter with the MCA tonight.
The MCA meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue).
