The father and son-operated Rango’s Fine Tex-Mex restaurant at 1934 Old Gallows Road is finally open.

The 200-seat restaurant had originally planned to open in November, but opened in early February.

“So far, so good,” said Robert Rosa, one of the two owners along with his dad, Ishmael Rosa. “People have been really nice and the word of mouth [around town] has helped.”

Robert said his goal for the restaurant is to stand out for quality, portions, and a family-friendly atmosphere.

“It’s a great location,” Robert said. “This [kind of restaurant] was in high demand, but there was a low supply in the area.”

The restaurant offers a variety of the usual taco and burrito platters in lunch and dinner varieties. A margarita menu features regular and frozen margaritas, sangria, Mexican beers and mojitos.

Robert also said one of the best parts of the job has been running it with his father.

“It’s been great working with my dad,” Robert said. “I’ve been working with him my whole life.”

Fairfax County officials are hoping a new lane restriping on Pimmit Hills streets can trick speeders into slowing down.

At a meeting at Westgate Elementary last night (Monday), Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) staff said that Lisle Avenue — a main traffic route through Pimmit Hills — and Pimmit Drive are not wide enough to add bike lanes while maintaining street parking.

But staff said adding clear designators of the parking spots could give the street a “narrowing effect” that has been shown to reduce excessive speeding.

The actual size of the lanes doesn’t change, but the narrowing can have a psychological impact on drivers and reduce the feeling of wide-open roads that lulls drivers into the idea that it’s safe to speed.

“We see reductions in outlying speeds of 10-20 miles above the speed limit on traditionally wide roads,” said Chris Wells, bicycle and pedestrian program manager for FCDOT. “These narrower streets benefit in eliminating the fastest speeders.”

Normally, Wells said he would like to see bicycle lanes added, which would also have the narrowing effect, but that the only way to introduce bike lanes would have been to take away street parking.

The lane changes are being planned as part of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s planned repaving of the entire Pimmit Hills Neighborhood.

Allison Richter, liaison for Fairfax and Arlington counties for VDOT, said that Pimmit Hills had been on the schedule for a while, but water line work in the area meant VDOT held off because they didn’t want to put down asphalt only for it to be torn up again.

The timeline of when the repaving and restriping will take place is vague, occurring sometime between April and November. Richter said VDOT lets contractors select their own schedule as a cost-saving measure, but more exact dates will be known closer to when work starts.

At the meeting, a half dozen local residents also urged officials to look at the intersection of Pimmit Drive and Route 7, which they said is terrible for pedestrians and faces frequent backups into the Trader Joe’s parking lot. Wells said staff would look into what could be done to improve the location, but they’re restrained at the moment to the project’s scope.

Photo via Google Maps

GO Bus, a bus line that operates throughout the northeast, has added an additional stop in Tysons.

According to a press release, the new stop will be at the Tysons Corner Metro station.

From the press release:

For the D.C. and Virginia service to/from New York City, this new stop joins five other stops in the D.C./Virginia metro area, and is the 13th stop overall in the GO Buses network.  Other existing stops in the region include L’Enfant Plaza (C Street SW in D.C.), Eastern Market (Pennsylvania Avenue SE in D.C.), the Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station in Alexandria, the Fairfax/GMU Metro station in Vienna, and the Manassas commuter lot on Cushing Road in Manassas. The New York City stop is in Midtown Manhattan (30th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).

While the press release boasts fares as low as $18, the lowest Tysons to New York City tickets available over the next month are $22.

This isn’t the first new affordable Tysons-New York line to open up. Last November, OurBus opened a new line to New York for around the same price.

Photo courtesy Go Bus

The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.

We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!

Monday (March 4)

• McLean CBC Study Task Force — 7-9 p.m. at Fairfax County McLean Government Center (1437 Balls Hill Rd) — Tonight the task force developing policy recommendations for downtown McLean’s future will continue looking at where the rural transitions to urban in McLean. Staff is also scheduled to present potential land use scenarios.

Tuesday (March 5)

• McLean Citizens Association Meeting with Superintendent Scott Brabrand — 7 p.m. at Mclean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave) — At an MCA-hosted meeting, the Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent is scheduled to discuss priorities and challenges facing the schools, particularly regarding the overcrowding at McLean High School. Residents will be able to ask Brabrand questions.

Thursday (March 7)

• 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show — 6:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave) — The McLean Community Center will be hosting an all-day trip to Philadelphia to see 10 acres of landscapes and gardens. The trip is $138, or $133 for McLean residents, and includes transportation, tickets to the show, a morning snack and driver’s tip.
• 2019 Shape of the Region Conference — 8-11:45 a.m. at Valo Park (7950 Jones Branch Dr) — The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia will host a conference looking at the economic inequality in the region and how closing that divide can help businesses. Registration is $65.
• Adventures in History: Ancient Egypt — 4:30-5:30 at Dolley Madison Library (1244 Oak Ridge) — Library staff will host a class for kids ages 6-12 on ancient Egyptian history, featuring games, stories and skill-building exercises. The event will include a costume contest.

Sunday (March 10)

• Jazz Brunch at Blackfinn — 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Blackfinn Ameripub Merrifield (2750 Gallows Road) — The bar and eatery near the Mosaic District is hosting a relaxing Sunday brunch featuring live music from the Blue Dot Jazz Troupe. Seating is first come, first served with free admission.
• 2019 Trombone Summit — 2 p.m. at Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E) — University of North Texas’ “U Tubes” and the Capitol Bones will host a trombone festival at Jammin Java.

Photo via Facebook

Dominion Energy is rebuilding its substation in Tysons, but will have to design the project around a long-planned ramp connecting downtown Tysons to the Dulles Toll Road.

At a Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 27, the Commission ultimately deferred a decision on the substation to March 13 to address technical details related to the site’s exterior. But while the substation itself is probably of little interest to most Tysonians, if they even spot it behind the dense tree-cover, the conversation at the meeting included plans on building around the station to construct a new connection from Tysons to the Dulles Toll Road.

The “Greensboro Drive Connection” is a proposed ramp that would bypass the substation and connect Tyco Road to the parallel Dulles Toll Road. The new route would include a direct extension to Greensboro Drive, ending west of The Rotunda and just north of The Boro development.

While the project is seen as less costly than other connectivity alternatives and would function as a fairly conventional exit/entrance ramp, county staff also noted that the ramp could potentially load large amounts of traffic onto Tyco Road and would not be bicycle or pedestrian friendly.

But Fairfax County Planning Commission members said the new road could help revitalize Tyco Road, currently a strip-mall type set of retail being outpaced by more Metro-adjacent developments to the west.

During the Planning Commission meeting, staff noted that the potential ramp could be located on either side of the station, though they would closely abut the station.

If the project does move forward, construction likely wouldn’t start until FY 2028.

According to Sheri Aiken, senior land use planner for McGuire Woods, LLC (which is representing Dominion) the existing substation has been in place since the early 1960s but requires an upgrade to handle increased demand from Tysons. Aiken said the rebuilt station will utilize GIS equipment and have an overall more efficient and less cluttered look. The chain link fence around the project is also planned to be replaced with a 12-foot wall.

“This station is critical to the future of Tysons and to the effort put forward by Dominion Energy to work with undergrounding of the line,” said Planning Commission member Phillip Niedzielski-Eichner, who represents the Providence district.

Hästens, a self-described luxury bed company based out of Sweden, is opening a new store in Tysons Galleria.

According to an employee in the Tysons Galleria management office, construction hasn’t started on the store yet. The opening is expected sometime late in the summer.

Hästens was founded in 1852 and is the official bedding supplier of the Swedish royal court.

Some of the beds are over six-figures, though the most popular model is $27,500.

There are approximately 200 locations worldwide. This is the first location in the region for the chain, whose next closest store is in New York City.

Photo via Facebook

Some attempted shoplifting at the Tysons Corner Center mall’s Apple Store escalated into a foot chase as one of the suspects attempted to flee, according to county police.

The incident occurred yesterday (Tuesday) at 1 p.m.

According to Fairfax County Police, officers responded to the Apple Store for a report of two individuals taking store property. One of the men was stopped by store employees, but a juvenile led officers on a short foot pursuit through the mall before being arrested.

“Aideen Bryar, 18, of Chevy Chase, Md., was charged with petit larceny and released on a summons,” police said in a crime roundup. “The juvenile was released to their parents and charges for petit larceny are forthcoming.”

File photo

(Updated 2:40 p.m.) — The Boro, the Meridian Group’s 1.7 million-square-foot development that aims to compete with Tysons Corner Center Mall as the commercial heart of Tysons, is inching closer towards completion.

The first opening is Boro Tower, which has already started opening to tenants.

“As of right now, we’ve delivered the Boro Tower,” said Caroline Flax, senior analyst for the Meridian Group. “Tegna moved in January.”

The Boro Tower is part of Block C, which includes the Showplace Icon theater building. Flax said the movie theater building is complete, with tenants finishing their build-out inside the space.

The residential and retail towers of Block A at the development’s northern point are scheduled for an opening later in the summer. Flax said the 25-story luxury condominium “Verse” tower, a collaboration between the Meridian Group and Kettler, is planned to open this fall. Pre-leasing for residential units for “Rise,” a 27-story apartment tower, will begin in the spring with move-in scheduled for the summer.

Much of the site’s premier retailers are located along Boro Place, the pseudo-main street of the Boro development. The street is currently undergoing its final round of paving.

Flax said many of the openings on Boro Place hinge on the timing of the region’s largest Whole Foods opening.

“Boro Place is going to open in coordination with Whole Foods, which is looking at late summer, early fall,” said Flax. “A lot of tenants don’t want to open until they do.”

Flax noted that most of the restaurants and retail in the development have already been announced, but that the company is still working on a couple contracts for retail occupants.

“We’re excited to get everything open and ready for the general public,” said Flax.

As the winter starts to thaw, stands hawking Girl Scout cookies are starting to crop up nationwide.

But rather than randomly stumbling on them, a new app can help Tysonians with a sweet tooth track their dealers.

Here’s a look at some of the spots around the Tysons area to get your cookie fix:

Tysons

• McLean Metro (1824 Dolley Madison Blvd): Thursdays and Fridays: 3:30-7:30 p.m.
• Silver Diner (8101 Fletcher Ave): Friday (March 1) 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday (March 2): 9-11 a.m. Sunday (March 3): 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Safeway (1688 Anderson Road): Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Ascent Apartment Building (8421 Broad Street): Monday (March 4): 5-7 p.m.
• Marshalls (8353 Leesburg Pike): Friday (March 1): 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday (March 2): 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday (March 3): 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• TJ Maxx (8389 Leesburg Pike): Fridays, 5-7 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• 7-Eleven (1931 Old Gallows Road): Saturday (March 2): 1-3 p.m., Sunday (March 3) 12-2 p.m.

Vienna

• OLGC CFF (8601 Wolftrap Road): Saturday (March 2): 8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
• Vienna-Dunn Loring Metro (2700 Gallows Road): Weekdays, 3:30-7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Advance Auto (311 Maple Ave E): Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Dollar Tree (264 Cedar Lane SE): Friday (March 1): 4-6 p.m. Saturday (March 2): 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Sunday (March 3): 12-2 p.m.
• Lacrosse Unlimited of Vienna (209 Maple Ave E): Fridays, 4-7 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Sundays, 10-11:45 a.m.
• Rexall (150 Maple Ave W): Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Cocoa Vienna (120 Church Street NE): Saturday (March 2): 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday (March 3) 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Dunkin’ Donuts (2750 Gallows Road E): Saturdays and Sundays, 8-10 a.m.
• Ben and Jerry’s (136 C Maple Ave W): Sunday (March 3): 12-3 p.m.

McLean

• Balducci’s (6655 Old Dominion Dr): Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Giant Food (1454 Chain Bridge Rd): Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Safeway (6244 Old Dominion Drive): Fridays, 4-7 p.m. Saturdays, 1-5 p.m.
• Advance Auto (1449 Chain Bridge Rd): Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Flowers and Plants (1378 Chain Bridge Rd): Saturdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• McLean Family Restaurant (1321 Chain Bridge Rd): Saturdays, 9-11:30 a.m.
• Child’s Play (1382 Chain Bridge Rd): Sundays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Photo via Facebook

Last summer, the Washington Business Journal reported that Facebook Inc. was “nearing a deal” for space in 1775 Tysons Blvd., an office building near Tysons Galleria. But any potential agreement now seems to be off the table.

“I can confirm that we are not looking at leasing 1775 Tysons Blvd,” said a representative from Facebook’s corporate communications team.

Facebook is in the middle of an expansion into the D.C. area, including 75,000 square feet in Terrell Place, an office near the Gallery Place.

Facebook representatives would not say if there was other space in Tysons the company was considering.

“We don’t disclose if or where we are looking for offices,” the representative said. “We only share information once a lease has been signed.”

The 476,000-square-foot office complex is home to WeWork, Baird and other corporate offices.

The building is owned by Lerner Enterprises, which did not respond to interview requests.

Photo via Wikipedia