Shoppers Pack Local Malls — Despite the popularity of online shopping, the holiday season is still a busy one for local malls. Shoppers packed Tysons Corner Center on Friday, and National Public Radio was there interviewing mall-goers about why they decided to brave the crowds rather than shop in the comfort of their own home. [NPR]
Teens Suspected of Marco Polo Arson — Police believe a pair of teens deliberately set the empty former Marco Polo restaurant in Vienna on fire. The teens are also suspected of separate acts of vandalism, arson and making fake bomb threats, according to WJLA’s Tim Barber. [Twitter]
Council Worried About Bike Corral Taking Up Parking Space — Members of the Vienna Town Council “voted unanimously Nov. 19 to table their decision about potentially relocating a bicycle ‘corral’ on Church Street until other alternatives become available,” because the proposed place for the corral to be relocated would eliminate a parking space. [InsideNova]
More on Falls Church Murder-Suicide — “Officers responded to the 7300 block of Parkwood Court at 10:48 after a relative discovered 51-year-old Judith Garcia Gonzales de Gudiel and her husband 60-year-old Ever Gudiel dead. Preliminarily, it appears Gudiel attacked Garcia, causing trauma to her upper body before hanging himself.” [FCPD]
Fairfax is eyeing bikeshare expansion along Route 123 from Tysons to Fairfax City, and Vienna is right in the middle.
At last night’s (Monday) Vienna Town Council meeting, Zan Frackelton, a transportation planner with Toole Design, updated the Town Council on an ongoing feasibility study considering whether bikeshare will work for Vienna and other localities along the corridor. The study is a collaboration between the Town of Vienna, George Mason University, and both Fairfax County and City.
Frackelton said Vienna’s relatively flat topography and a sprinkling of bike infrastructure make it a conducive to hosting a bikeshare system.
“We believe bikeshare is feasible in this area, but it requires some supporting actions,” said Frackelton, “such as ongoing improvements to the bicycle network to ensure people using this system have safe places to ride and reviewing policies as needed related to bicycling.”
While the red and gold Capital Bikeshare is the leading contender to fill the Vienna gap, Frackelton said it was also worth noting that the bikeshare market is becoming increasingly crowded with options, including the increasingly popular electric scooters.
“[Capital Bikeshare] is ideal for short, one-way trips,” said Frackelton. “But other systems are coming onto the scene, like dockless bikeshare and scooters, where you start your trip using an app and end where you want.”
However, Frackelton said Capital Bikeshare was the most logical choice for Vienna. With the expansion of the Capital Bikeshare in surrounding localities like Tysons and Reston, Frackelton also said Vienna was a logical next step for the Capital Bikeshare.
If Vienna does decide to go with electric scooters or e-bikes, which Capital Bikeshare is beginning to offer, Frackelton said the town will also have to consider new policies governing use of such devices. While Frackelton said the town could consider moving to dockless vehicles in the future, Frackelton said there’s not enough space on local roads to support that yet.
Among concerns raised by the Town Council was speeding on trails, which is not typically a concern for bicyclists but a potential problem if local bicycle trails become saturated with electric bicycles and scooters.
Town Council members also noted concerns that many of the late-night scootering in Washington, D.C. was done without lights or reflective gear that makes them difficult to see for cars. Frackelton said the study would look into these concerns as the study continues.
Frackelton said Fairfax County is planning to move forward with grant applications for funding for Capital Bikeshare stations and begin finalizing locations in 2019.
McLean Citizens Reject Ramp Closure Resolution — “After debating nearly two hours over a pair of conflicting resolutions regarding the Virginia Department of Transportation’s proposal to temporarily close an on-ramp to northbound Interstate 495 during weekday afternoon peak hours, McLean Citizens Association (MCA) board members on Nov. 7 rejected both resolutions.” [InsideNova]
Fire at Madison High School — A fire broke out in a classroom at Vienna’s Madison High School Friday night, but was brought under control by a sprinkler system. [Twitter]
Vienna Legislative Priorities — “The Vienna town government’s draft 2019 legislative agenda looks decidedly similar to ones of yore and continues to ask the General Assembly to maintain adequate state funding and not further reduce local authority.” [InsideNova]
New Retail Concept Coming to Mall — “Macerich this weekend is launching a concept known as ‘BrandBox’ at Tysons Corner Center just outside Washington, D.C., one of the most valuable shopping malls in the U.S. There, it will house six brands, including apparel retailer Naadam and makeup company Winky Lux, for six to 12 months. Each brand will have its own mini store inside an 11,000-square-foot space, with new retailers funneling in and out each year.” [CNBC, Glossy]
Opioid Epidemic Discussion in Vienna — “It might be a scary topic, but still an important conversation to have: TOV’s Club Phoenix is hosting a parent discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, on Understanding the Opioid Epidemic.” [Twitter]
It wasn’t nearly as contentious as the preceding vote, but the Vienna Town Council voted on Monday (Oct. 29) to authorize a $1.6 million contract to design a new police station. The new station will likely be triple the size of the current one.
The contract was awarded to architecture firm Dewberry. The company previously designed the Fairfax Criminal Justice Academy and several government buildings across the county.
The current police station is a 9,800 square foot building at 215 Center Street South. It was built in 1994 and houses the administrative, operations and communications divisions of the department, while the criminal investigations section works out of an office inside the Vienna Town Hall.
A needs assessment in 2013 determined that the department would need a roughly 30,000 square foot building to house all of the police operations. The project will likely involve renovating the current building and constructing a new facility on the adjacent property at 144 Locust Street, which is owned by the town.
The total cost of the new police station’s construction is estimated to be $15.8 million. According to the Town of Vienna CIP review, the project is being financed through general obligation bonds. Construction is expected to begin in 2020.
According to the proposal, the new building will also have offices for other Town of Vienna departments as well as public spaces. Vienna Police Chief James Morris said it was important that the new building be a “community space” in addition to a police department.
“We do community policing all the time so that’s really important,” Mayor Laurie DiRocco agreed. “It’s nice to have people enter the police station for reasons other than negative reasons.”
Photo via Facebook
Halloween Safety Tips — The Fairfax County Police Department has a number of Halloween safety tips for parents, drivers, seniors and pet owners. If you’re planning on bringing the little ones trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, this post has additional tips and info. [FCPD]
Vienna Council Approves New Contracts — “Citing difficulties in arranging for Vienna’s general on-call maintenance and roadway contractor to handle small work orders, the Vienna Town Council on Oct. 29 voted 7-0 to spend up to $617,745 with U.S. Concrete and Paving Inc. to handle those tasks.” [InsideNova]
Falls Church Resident Hits the Jackpot — “When Michael Kraemer discovered he’d won the $4 million top prize in the Virginia Lottery’s Hot Millions Multiplier game, he didn’t immediately tell anyone. The Falls Church man simply drove off in his car and went to work as usual.” [Fairfax Times]
It was a full house at last night’s Vienna Town Council meeting, and there was little mistaking the mood of the audience.
The main item on the agenda was the redevelopment of 430, 440 and 444 Maple Ave. W. into a four-story mixed-use development. While there was no public discussion on the topic at the meeting, the audience largely ignored pleas for silence from the Vienna Town Council as they cheered Councilmembers opposing the project and booed at those supporting it.
The outcry, though vocal, was insufficient to keep the development from being passed on a 5-2 vote.
“This is probably the most divisive project to hit the town in the last 20 years,” said Councilmember Howard Springsteen. “I know development is going to happen there, but this is not my idea of what Maple Avenue Commercial should be. Look at the turnout tonight and the signs around town. People are not happy, so I’m not going to vote in favor of this.”
Springsteen was joined in his criticism of the project by Councilmember Pasha Majdi.
“The question is simple,” said Majdi. “Do you support 150 unit apartment buildings on Maple Avenue? For me, the answer is no.”
But the majority of the Council saw the development as a necessary part of revitalizing Maple Avenue, which has faced a slew of commercial vacancies recently, despite local objections.
Councilmember Linda Colbert said the Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) process existed to give residents a voice, which they had throughout the process. But Colbert still said that she felt that it was a good project that would make substantial improvements to the area.
“When I looked at final renderings, I smiled,” said Colbert. “I imagined a place where people can gather, play, walk and eat outdoors… We need Maple Avenue to be a vital part of the community. When I drive down it now, there are places where it’s not so vibrant.”
Colbert referred back to the development of Church Street, which had been controversial in its time but had paved the way to substantial revitalization.
“It’s a lovely little place and it’s got a three-story building on it,” said Colbert. “So if you just go over one block to Maple Avenue, going up one story won’t be a bad thing.”
Even among those that supported the motion, there was still recognition that the decision was going to prove as controversial as the development.
“In my 15 years of serving in Vienna, this is one of the most difficult decisions that I’ve personally had to make,” said Councilmember Carey Sienicki.
The large-scale redevelopment of three blocks of Maple Avenue, the subject of earlier debate and discussions, returns for consideration at tonight’s Vienna Town Council meeting.
A proposed four-story, mixed-use development would replace the Vienna Wolf Trap Hotel and Tequila Grande restaurant at 430, 440 and 444 Maple Ave. W. The subject has been the topic of conversation in development meetings throughout the summer.
In a response to questions raised at the earlier work session, project developer Vienna Development Associates LLC said the proposal was scaled down to 151 total residential units, a nine-unit decrease from the initial proposal.
The development has also been decreased by 12,000 square feet of floor area while open space on the site has increased from 20,000 to 24,000 square feet.
Critics of the development called for the building to feature more setbacks and to be reduced to three stories. But the developer said reducing the building to three stories would make the project economically unfeasible given the cost of underground parking, undergrounding utilities and proffers.
Included in the list of proffers offered by the developer are a variety of traffic improvements. The added congestion was one of the major concerns voiced by the public and the Town Council at earlier meetings.
- Extend the westbound left turn lane from Nutley Street to Maple Avenue by 120 feet.
- Adjust the existing crosswalk on the east side of the Maple Avenue and Nutley Street intersection, including the construction of a new accessible curb and the relocation of the pedestrian signal at the crosswalk.
- Apply signal timing and/or phasing modification at the Maple Avenue and Nutley Street intersection.
- Provide a dedicated left turn lane and dedicated right turn lane to exit new development onto Maple Avenue.
For at least a year, the developer will also have to provide a shuttle bus that runs from the property to the Vienna Metrorail station. The shuttle must be operational before the development reaches 90 percent capacity.
If the development is approved, the developer says rents at the new apartments will range from $1,500 to $3,000 per month.
Image via Vienna Development Associates LLC
Vienna Halloween Parade Recap — Thousands attended the Vienna Halloween Parade on Wednesday, enjoying cool fall weather and a wide variety of marchers and floats heading down Maple Ave. One particular source of interest was a Vienna garbage truck decorated with artwork from local elementary school students. [InsideNova, Patch, Fairfax News]
Reminder: SoberRide This Weekend — Those heading to bars and parties this weekend can get a free, safe ride home thanks to the SoberRide program. The program, which is active for certain festive holidays — like Halloween — offers a free Lyft ride home up to $15 with a limited-time code. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
Hocus Pocus Playing in Tysons — Starting Saturday and running through Halloween, the classic 1993 Disney film Hocus Pocus will be playing at the AMC Tysons Corner 16. [Patch]
Pair of Weekend Events at Biergarten — The Tysons Biergarten will be hosting “APBA Pit Bull Appreciation Day 2018” on Saturday afternoon and “Feargarten,” a costume party, on Sunday night. [Facebook, Twitter]
Town of Vienna Replacing Furniture — “The Vienna town government soon will replace Town Hall’s reception desk, kiosk and conference-room furniture under a $23,788 contract approved Oct. 15 by the Vienna Town Council. The main reception desk at Vienna Town Hall is more than two decades old, lacks adequate work space and has non-working drawers.” [InsideNova]
Vienna Buying New Snow Plow — “Winter is coming, and the Vienna Town Council on Oct. 15 voted 7-0 to ride a buy a 2-ton dump truck and snow plow from Henderson Products Inc. and National Auto Fleet Group, using the town’s vehicle-replacement funds. The vehicle and equipment will cost $144,356, or about $20,000 more than had been estimated in the town’s plan.” [InsideNova]
Tech Company Opening McLean Office — “Medallia, Inc., the global Customer Experience Management leader, has designated its office in McLean, VA as its Public Sector headquarters. The office is located just outside of Washington D.Cand houses 50 Medallia employees and growing.” [PR Newswire]
Drug Conspiracy Included Vienna Meeting — The story of a $1 million drug deal bust includes a meeting between the suspect, an informant and an undercover officer at a Vienna hotel. [Washington Post]
Bioretention Areas Proposed in Vienna — “Seeking to piggyback on the installation of ‘choker’ curb extensions to slow down traffic where Meadow Lane, S.W, intersects with Tapawingo and Kingsley roads, S.W., which they approved April 9, the Vienna Town Council on Oct. 15 agreed to pay Urban Ltd. $56,350 for survey and design work for bio-retention areas at those intersections.” [InsideNova]
Vienna’s 72nd Annual Halloween Parade tonight (Wednesday) will haunt Maple Avenue starting at 7 p.m.
The parade starts at the corner of Maple Avenue and Branch Road SE. It will proceed west along the street past a reviewing stand before ending at Center Street S. The streets surrounding Maple Avenue will be closed with traffic redirected along Church Street.
Expect a crowd for the popular, family-friendly parade. Attendees, however, are asked not to place blankets or chairs on the sidewalks, benches, or bus shelters.
Children are invited to walk in the parade in their costumes with no registration required but they must be accompanied by an adult. Those wishing to walk in the parade should meet in the parking lot at United Bank (374 Maple Ave. E).
The parade is also a contest, with participants judged in the following categories:
- Youth bands
- Floats with and without music
- Youth performers
- Antique/classic vehicles
Winners of the costume contest will be recognized by the Vienna Town Council at a meeting in November.
Spectators are asked to keep off the street and monitor any children they might bring. Merchants along Maple Avenue are asked not to put items on the street today and to keep the sidewalks clear so pedestrians can easily walk along the parade route.
For those who have never attended the parade, local realtor Laura Schwartz had a few tips for how to get the most out of the experience.
More from Vienna’s town government on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/138098266212749/posts/2014486968573860
https://www.facebook.com/TownofViennaVA/posts/2013359752019915?__xts__[0]=68.ARDaI9EfUEqJj3C37nDt0PXWzWllaDBbQOq0FtIKYT_5_D269Q9VqhGdurr6LpQCLMjQ4fi5u3fRp_2Gz5s1Cbkwo-kISZSdSpPgXUuVuSYWuseJjN6N3C-ruo7RYZcJvafkWoDIIEz2LiJNPcfDq5RRjKChSNjXjt3X3RmpqK4qLy2ln3yGi2NvHsbsEe5jaQhepdmIYKffRqz92zpQcqGvfOk&__tn__=-R
