Chick-fil-A is preparing to open along Maple Avenue.
The chicken chain announced on Facebook that the new location is set to hold a grand opening next Thursday (Nov. 21).
Franchise owner Jeff Hubley previously said that he is looking to hire up to 100 people for full- and part-time positions, including leadership development, hospitality and training, according to a press release. Employees can expect to have Sundays off and scholarship opportunities for continuing education.
“We still have several positions available for our Daytime Front of House team (breakfast and lunch hours), which has a full-time offering of $15/hour,” according to the Facebook post.
The restaurant will be on the ground floor of a building that will also house a Flagship Carwash on the second floor at 540 W. Maple Avenue.
Image via Town of Vienna
A house for sale near Wolf Trap is tied to the story of neighbors who teamed up to keep kids safe during their football practice from the D.C. sniper.
In 2002, a shooting spree in the D.C.-area killed 10 people. and wounded three other people over a three-week period.
“The Vienna Steelers banned together in the Coral Ridge cul-de-sac of one of the players’ homes,” Morgan Samson with The Casey Samson Team said in a blog post. “Parents stood guard at the entrances of the neighborhood so the boys could continue to practice.”
The team included Head Coach Casey Samson, Quarterback Billy Samson and “supporting dad” Pat Samson — “all of whom are now members of The Casey Samson Team,” according to the post.
The Casey Samson Team has the house at 9464 Coral Crest Lane listed for $1,550,000.
The 8,200-square-foot house has five bedrooms, a three-car-garage and includes a renovated kitchen, walk-in closets and two fireplaces. The lower level features a recreation room, playroom, hobby room and exercise room.
The house will be open from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 17), Morgan Samson said.
Photo via Casey Samson Team, map via Google Maps
A disorderly man allegedly threw a piece of chocolate at another man’s vehicle after the owner said he wasn’t interested in selling it, according to the Vienna Police Department.
The incident occurred on Thursday, Nov. 7, around noon.
More from the police report:
A citizen advised that he was approached by a man in the parking lot of 150 Branch Road, SE. The man asked how much he wanted to sell his vehicle for, then became disorderly when he said he was not interested. The citizen advised the man threw a piece of chocolate at his vehicle before driving off.
The man was located and advised it was the citizen who became irate when he asked about the vehicle, so he immediately left the area.
Police told the citizen about the warrant process, in case he wants to pursue charges for the man.
Photo via Facebook
Little City Incumbents Celebrate Reelection — “All four incumbents won handily in Tuesday’s City of Falls Church City Council and School Board elections and their success was touted as a ‘vote of confidence.'” [Falls Church News-Press]
Tysons Building Off The Market — Rubenstein Partners and Griffith Properties “completed the sale of Centerstone at Tysons, a six-story office building located at 1550 Westbranch Drive… The sale follows the announcement earlier in 2019 that Centerstone at Tysons was brought to full occupancy through a single 150,000-square-foot lease at the property.” [Cision]
French Cuisine Coming to Mosaic Soon — “Parc de Ville, a French bistro set to feature classic cuisine for brunch, lunch and dinner… is set to open for dinner service on Monday, Nov. 18.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Women-Owned Businesses Booming in Falls Church — “Across the Washington metropolitan area, the highest rates of business ownership for are in Falls Church City, and Prince George’s County, as 12 percent of establishments. In Falls Church City, 12 percent of workers work at business establishments owned by women.” [DC Policy Center]
Vienna IT Firm Working With Defense Department — “Vienna IT consulting firm Rightstar Inc. secured a spot on a $820.45 million blanket purchase agreement (BPA) Friday [Nov. 1] to supply the Department of Defense with commercial-off-the-shelf software.” [Washington Business Journal]
Former Falls Church City Attorney Dies — “Paul Terrence ‘Terry’ O’Grady, age 81, formerly of Falls Church, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Soaking Up The Sun in Vienna — “Vienna’s zip code is the top place for solar energy system installations in Northern Virginia, according to numbers from the Solarize NOVA program.” [Patch]
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 annual Vienna Turkey Trot is the Sunday before Thanksgiving on November 24.
The race starts at the Fire House on Cherry Street SE across from Waters Field. Here’s a brief overview of the event and some tips below.
The race begins with everyone lining up in the street by the Fire House. There’s music playing, everyone talking, and cheering. There’s a very enthusiastic man dressed in a Turkey Suit that will lead the race. There is a group stretch before the race, then they have the fun run line up to kick it off!
- Register early! You can pick up your packet before the race to make the morning easy the day of. The registration packets often include some fun things like a sweet treat, tattoos, jelly bands and if you registered early a t-shirt. They do have day of registration starting at 7 a.m. if you decide to jump into the race that day.
- The Kids Fun Run starts first at 8 a.m. The 5k/10k starts when that’s over at 8:30 a.m.
- Plan to park in one of the approved lots: The Community Center, Vienna Elementary, Patrick Henry Library, The lot BEHIND the Vienna shopping center, Town Green lot or Caboose Parking Lot.
- Strollers are welcome! But dogs are not. Leave Fido at home.
- My family and I always love to watch the other runners after we do the Fun Run and we stay to cheer them on. Stay to cheer people on! You can line up on Center Street or Cottage to cheer them on. I think most of them appreciate the cheering.
For more information on prices, age groups and course information visit the website.
The Vienna Market is moving forward in the Town of Vienna after a long back-and-forth over the project’s designs.
The project plans to replace the Marco Polo building and other surrounding properties with 44 condominiums and 8,200 square feet of retail space — along with an underground parking garage — to 245 W. Maple Avenue. Vienna’s Board of Architectural Review approved the project in chunks, with the final approval on Sept. 19.
But in October, Residents Charles and Laura Anderson sought to appeal the BAR’s approval of the rear architectural designs and plans for the Vienna Market, claiming that the approved plans — especially the rear facades — violated the Maple Avenue general design criteria and the Town Code.
At that meeting, the developers, NV Homes and Northfield, proposed a compromise — wrapping brick from the front onto the rear of townhomes — to make the rear facades consistent with the front and side facades.
The Town Council approved a motion to modify the BAR’s decisions on Sept. 19 and Aug. 15 regarding the four rear facades of the townhomes.
After the BAR’s work session last Friday (Nov. 1), the Town Council approved the architectural changes on Monday (Nov. 4).
“This decision establishes that the term ‘public view’ applies to all facades of commercial buildings visible from a public street,” Councilmember Pasha Majdi said.
Councilmember Nisha Patel lauded the developer and community working together to reach a compromise.
“I think it’s a great win-win,” Patel said.
“I think this makes for a better project,” Mayor Laurie DiRocco said.
Image via Town of Vienna
Monday is Veterans Day — a chance to celebrate the servicemen and women who currently or previously served in the United States Armed Forces.
Certain businesses or offices are altering hours in remembrance or even offering perks for veterans.
The City of Falls Church is hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Community Center (223 Little Falls Street) beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday. A wreath will be laid for those missing in action and attendees can listen to a performance by the Falls Church Concert Band.
Founding Farmers (1800 Tysons Blvd) is offering a 50% discount on brunch, lunch and dinner for those who bring along a military ID or wear their uniform. The Department of Veterans Affairs compiled a list of other chain locations offering discounts or free things for servicewomen and men.
The Fairfax County government offices and Fairfax County Public Libraries will be closed in remembrance.
Fairfax County Public Schools will be open and teachers are encouraged to lead students in Veterans Day oriented activities.
Across the county, all of the neighborhood and community service centers will be closed.
In Falls Church, the senior center and Mary Riley Styles Public Library will be closed, while the community center will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.
The Vienna Community Center will have reduced hours from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Over in McLean, the McLean Community Center and the Old Firehouse Center will be closed on Monday.
Trash collection from the county will run on a normal schedule, although the offices will be closed, according to the website. Locals are advised to put their trash and recycling out by 6 a.m. for timely collection.
Fairfax County animal shelters are closed on Mondays, the website said.
Some Fairfax Connector routes will operate regular weekday service, while others won’t run at all. For Metro, buses and trains will run on a Saturday schedule on Monday.
Sunrise is eyeing the site of an approved mixed-use development after the Vienna Town Council killed plans for a Sunrise facility farther up Maple Avenue.
Now, Sunrise wants to open an assisted living facility at 380 Maple Avenue, according to a Nov. 1 submission to the town.
That spot is currently the site of a contentious, approved redevelopment, which would add a four-floor building with ground-floor retail and multi-family condominium units at 380 Maple Avenue.
From Families to Seniors
The Vienna Town Council approved the plans for 380 Maple Avenue in June. But after new councilmembers joined in July, the Vienna Town Council decided to hold a public hearing on possibly rescinding the rezoning application.
In September, Dennis Rice, the owner and developer behind the development at 380 Maple Avenue, told the Vienna Town Council that selling the project to an assisted living facility could address neighbors’ lingering concerns.
“I think the town needs an assisted living facility, and it’s a good location for it,” Rice told the council in September, adding that having the development house seniors instead of families would eliminate concerns about the number of new students going to local schools.
First Proposed Facility Faced Backlash
Sunrise’s original plans to bring a facility to the Maple Avenue and Center Street received a myriad of concerns from residents and councilmembers over parking, retail and the downtown location.
In June, outgoing Councilmember Tara Bloch put forward a motion to approve the project, which would have needed five “yes” votes to pass because of a protest petition, and the Town Council ended up rejecting the proposed 82-unit facility with a 3-4 vote.
A month later, Sunrise Senior Living decided to sue Vienna officials for $30 million, alleging that the Town Council’s rejection violated the Virginia Fair Housing Law by discriminating against seniors and people with disabilities and that the Town Council treated Sunrise differently from other developers seeking rezoning under the Maple Avenue Commercial Zone.
The Town of Vienna disputes the allegation that the council violated the Virginia Fair Housing Law, according to Town Attorney Steve Briglia.
Next Steps
Town officials will soon look over Sunrise’s new plans.
The Board of Architectural Review is scheduled to discuss the facility at its work session tomorrow (Friday) at 8 a.m.
Next Wednesday (Nov. 13), the Planning Commission’s work session is set to focus on a proposed proffer amendment and conditional use permit for Sunrise.
Image via Town of Vienna, map via Google Maps
The Vienna Town Council now has until the start of next summer to redesign the Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) zone.
The moratorium was put in place last September to allow the town staff time to redesign the town’s guidelines. The moratorium has been extended several times and most recently was scheduled to expire later this November.
While one female resident spoke in favor of the extension during the public hearing last night (Monday), resident C. John Pott told the Town Council that he wants to see an outside consultant share how other places are handling commercial and residential challenges.
“I think it’s very important we get a consultant with national experience and knowledge,” he said, adding that the Town Council also should have a financial analysis regarding the ordinance and affordable housing guidelines included.
Last night, the Vienna Town Council voted unanimously to extend the moratorium to June 30.
Councilmember Douglas Noble said he does not want the Town Council to miss another deadline for revamping the guidelines.
“If we were a business, we would not be doing very well,” Noble said, adding that he wants to see the town update its code and commercial zones by next spring.
Painted wooden benches raised thousands of dollars for the Vienna Arts Society during a recent auction.
The benches were auctioned off on Saturday (Nov. 2).
“Vienna Arts Society Auction brought in a capacity crowd,” Lu Cousins, the director of the art group, posted on Facebook. “My sincerest thanks goes out to the community for your support and of course to the artists, their families and the team that worked so hard to make this happen.”
Cousins told Tysons Reporter that the auction raised “well over $50,000.”
The funds will go toward the Vienna Arts Society’s Art Center and outreach activities.
Before the auction, the colorful benches adorned local businesses to mark the Vienna Arts Society’s 50th anniversary. Local businesses sponsored the cost of the Amish-built benches.
During the summer, two of the 42 benches were stolen, leading to extra security measures from the arts group and Vienna Police Department. One of the artists was able to paint another bench, letting Vienna Arts Society auction off 41 benches.
Cousins highlighted one bench in particular — Doré Skidmore’s bench, which features books, will honor Abby — “a beloved pup who enjoyed listening to children reading to her,” Cousins said.
“The public interest story goes out to Lamar Collier who — together with The Friends of Patrick Henry Library — had the winning bid for the bench to be placed at the library in honor of her precious dog Abby and the Read to a Dog, Woof and Paws program,” Cousins told Tysons Reporter.
At the Vienna Town Council meeting on Monday, Mayor Laurie DiRocco lauded the Vienna Arts Society, artists and local businesses that helped with the bench art.
“It was fantastic to see the benches all around town for the six months they were there,” DiRocco said, adding that several benches will stay on display in the town.
The mayor added that she also got a bench with her husband. “We’re going to put it by the Freeman Store,” she said.
Oh no, Take a Seat, Vienna benches created by Vienna Arts Society members are about to go away. But wait…don't despair! You can snag one (or more) of these unique benches at a live auction November 2. Tickets available at VAS, 243 Church St NW, or https://t.co/D9z2HfNHnd. pic.twitter.com/2rcq92eL8P
— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) October 19, 2019
Could it be a Berner and Yellow lab? #ViennaVA #ViennaArtsSociety #ViennaBenches #BerneseMountainDog #labradorretriever @TownofViennaVA # pic.twitter.com/ZcIpjCgqHK
— Msonmac (@msonmac) June 8, 2019
Spotted by the Ben & Jerry’s in Vienna pic.twitter.com/kBHL1VhPjf
— Catherine Douglas Moran (@c_douglasmoran) May 6, 2019
Photo courtesy Lu Cousins
