New vehicle lanes and a shared-use trail are officially open to travelers on Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) after almost five years of construction.
The Virginia Department of Transportation announced last night (Tuesday) that it has finished expanding the roadway from four to six travel lanes — three in each direction — between Riva Ridge Drive in Reston and Jarrett Valley Drive just north of the Dulles Toll Road in Tysons.
A 2-mile segment between Riva Ridge and Reston Avenue has been open to traffic since October 2022, but the additional five miles of lanes were completed well ahead of VDOT’s target date of July 31.
Work has also wrapped up on 10-foot-wide paths for pedestrians and bicyclists along both sides of Route 7, as anticipated by the Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn’s office. Cyclists will get a chance to try out the amenity during Alcorn’s annual Tour de Hunter Mill community bicycle ride this Sunday (May 5).
“The shared-use paths tie into those on Route 7 beyond the eastern and western limits of the project, providing a direct bicyclist/pedestrian connection from the Fairfax County Parkway Trail to Tysons,” VDOT said in a press release. “In addition, Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail users now have a new route under the Difficult Run bridge to safely cross Route 7.”
The Route 7 Corridor Improvements project redesigned intersections, including at Lewinsville Road in Wolf Trap and Baron Cameron Road in Reston, and added a pedestrian underpass for Colvin Run Mill Park, though a trail connecting to the south side of the tunnel still needs to be built by Fairfax County.
The $313.9 million project broke ground in June 2019 with the goal of improving safety, reducing traffic congestion and expanding mobility, according to VDOT, which says the affected, nearly 7-mile section of Route 7 averages 50,000 vehicles a day.
Though construction is finished, a reduced speed limit of 45 mph will remain in early May, allowing crews to remove temporary signs that were posted throughout the work zone.
“Once this work is complete, the speed limit between Reston Avenue and Wolftrap Run Road will be restored to 55 miles per hour,” VDOT said.
Man Gets Life in Prison for N. Va. Gang Killings — An MS-13 leader was sentenced to life in prison yesterday (Tuesday) for giving orders that led to multiple murders in Northern Virginia during the summer of 2019. Prosecutors say Melvin Canales Saldana told gang members to kill rivals “more aggressively,” prompting some to target “random civilians so they could increase their status within the gang.” [Associated Press/WTOP]
Tysons Satellite Company Will Be Acquired — “Intelsat SA said Tuesday it has reached a deal to be acquired by SES SA for $3.1 billion in cash…The deal will position SES to better compete with broadband satellites of SpaceX-owned Starlink and Amazon.com Inc. The combined company will have a fleet of more than 100 geostationary and 26 medium orbit satellites.” [Washington Business Journal]
Vienna Sticks With Current Real Estate Tax Rate — “Vienna homeowners, on average, have to pony up an additional $135 because of rising property assessments, but the town’s real-estate tax rate will stay the same this year. The Vienna Town Council on April 29 unanimously agreed to keep that rate steady at 19.5 cents per $100 assessed valuation.” [Gazette Leader]
FCPS Revives Prom for Students With Disabilities — Fairfax County Public Schools recently held a day prom for around 100 special education students at the CrystalView Wedding and Events Banquet Hall in Fairfax. Returning from a five-year hiatus, the event drew students “from Centreville, Chantilly, Edison, Hayfield, Justice, Lewis, Oakton and South Lakes high schools.” [WUSA9]
Asian Food Market Draws Crowd in Annandale — “More than 500 people enjoyed Thai food at the Asiantque Market behind the Masonic lodge at 6911 Columbia Pike Sunday evening. This was the biggest crowd yet at the monthly food festivals, said organizer Nelson Figueroa Velez.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Wednesday — It will be a sunny day with high temperatures near 81 degrees and a northwest wind moving 7 to 9 mph. Night will be mostly clear, with a low around 59. The wind will shift to the southwest around 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]
Fairfax County is now bringing nature to residents’ doorsteps.
Last week, the Fairfax County Park Authority launched a new, fully electric mobile nature center called the Wonder Wagon. The tricked-out nature-themed van, operated by park staff, is intended to bring outdoor wonders to underserved communities and Title 1 schools.
According to spokesperson Ben Boxer, the park authority hopes the van will bring people closer to nature by using hands-on activities to deepen local residents’ connection with the environment, especially for those without immediate access to parks.
“Our Wonder Wagon staff are experienced programmers who specialize in providing engaging, thought-provoking experiences for people of all ages,” Boxer told FFXnow. “With the tools and exhibits contained in the Wonder Wagon, they will be leading a variety of activities from catching bugs and observing birds to identifying and learning about local flora and fauna.”
In 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved $114,640 for the FCPA to hire staff and purchase supplies, but that was only half of what was needed to get the program off the ground.
Over the last year, the Fairfax County Park Foundation, the nonprofit that supports the park authority, raised the remaining funds, securing an additional $177,742 from donors for staff, the van and operational expenses. Contributions included an environmental fund grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia and the National Park Service’s Chesapeake Gateways Grant.
The Wonder Wagon officially launched on April 20 during Earth Day Fairfax, an Earth Day festival held at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly.
The van won’t be available for events at private schools or residences, such as birthday parties. Instead, it’ll be making appearances at public events and school activities, according to Boxer.
All requests may be submitted online. The park authority’s website also has a calendar of upcoming Wonder Wagon appearances.
The Town of Herndon has granted Comstock a little more breathing room before the developer needs to move forward with its long-planned downtown overhaul.
A two-year pause in construction that was set to expire today (Tuesday) has been extended to Aug. 15 under a revised comprehensive agreement, the town announced this morning.
With a revised site plan and building permits for the redevelopment currently under review, the town and Comstock anticipate the extension will provide the time “necessary to finalize project details” that would allow construction to finally start, according to a press release.
“Comstock remains committed to the Town of Herndon and sees great value in being a part of this great community,” Comstock Chief Operating Officer Tim Steffan said. “The Herndon team has been tremendous to work with through these extremely trying economic times. We believe there is a path forward to create a tremendous asset to the town and Herndon community that will work for all involved.”
Adopted by the Herndon Town Council in October 2017, the agreement between the town and Comstock calls for nearly 5 acres of downtown Herndon to be redeveloped with 273 apartments, approximately 17,000 square feet of retail, a 16,265-square-foot arts center and a 726-space parking garage.
The agreement was amended in 2020 to set Dec. 31, 2021 as the deadline for construction to start, but it included an option allowing Comstock to pause the start date for up to two years due to market conditions and other complications, including issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As that initial deadline approached, the developer indicated that construction could instead begin by August 2022. Instead, it exercised the option for a pause in April 2022, citing increased costs and challenges with obtaining construction materials.
A current estimate for the project’s total cost is not immediately available, according to a Town of Herndon spokesperson.
The town says it’s been “working diligently” with Comstock to “restructure their contractual relationship in a manner that reflects the realities of project development in 2024.”
“In particular, today’s sky-rocketing inflation and its impact on interest rates are markedly different than when we first entered our agreement with Comstock,” Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton said. “Our aim is to arrive at a mutually beneficial process that realizes the town’s vision for our downtown and makes good business sense for Comstock.”
The Elden Street Tea Shop is almost ready to unveil its new location in Reston.
After closing its original Herndon location in January, the business is set to reopen at 1633A Washington Plaza in Lake Anne Plaza this Saturday (May 4).
The tea shop will celebrate its grand opening in conjunction with the second annual Northern Virginia Tea Festival, which will take place on the Lake Anne Plaza waterfront from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Lake Anne Washington Plaza Merchant Association, the festival is expected to draw more than 40 vendors who will sell various tea-related products and accessories, according to a press release.
“Visitors can browse and shop for everything from loose-leaf teas and tea blends to tea sets, teapots, and infusers, as well as local crafts and unique gifts,” the merchant association said in an announcement for the festival. “…The Tea Festival is a fun and educational experience for all with plenty of opportunities to sample teas, learn from experts, and have fun!”
Other activities will include live music, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony demonstration, morning yoga sessions, classes and workshops, and chai-making and costume contests.
While admission to the vendor market is free, access to the classes, workshops and tea ceremony will require a ticket. Tickets will be sold at the festival, but a Northern Virginia Tea Excursion package that includes a full-day trip to Lunch The Tea Cart in Berryville on May 5 has sold out.
The tea festival was first held in May 2023 at Elden Street Tea Shop’s first location at 714 Pine Street in Herndon.
Co-owner Rachel Eisenfeld previously told FFXnow that the business had outgrown the space, which it established in 2017. Though they hoped to retain the downtown Herndon location while opening a second spot, lease negotiations with the landlord stalled, leading the shop to relocate instead.
Elden Street Tea Shop sells loose-leaf tea, both in-store and wholesale. Once it reopens in Reston, it will offer a variety of events, such as tea parties, yoga and tea meditation, paddle board tea time, open mic night and literary tea hours.
Speed Camera Added Outside Oakton HS — A speed camera has been installed for Oakton High School on Blake Lane near Sutton Road, just days after a driver was sentenced to four years. Fines will be issued after a 30-day warning period. Fairfax County anticipates expanding its pilot program to as many as 50 locations this year. [Fairfax County/Twitter]
Annandale Doctor Pleads Guilty to Over-Prescribing Opioids — “An Annandale doctor pleaded guilty [on Friday, April 26] to maintaining a drug-involved premises.” While working at Fairfax Pain Clinic between 2016 and 2020, he “prescribed high opioid dosing without first confirming diagnoses, performing relevant medical examinations, or reviewing prior medical records.” [U.S. Attorney’s Office]
FCPD Reveals Drug Take Back Day Results — “On Saturday, our district stations joined forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other Fairfax County agencies to collect 1,167 pounds of expired medications and prescription drugs from the community during the 26th Annual National Drug Take Back Day Initiative.” The West Springfield District Police Station led the way, collecting 303 pounds. [FCPD]
Annandale Church Volunteers Fix Up Homes — “Nine men with developmental disabilities living in two group homes in the North Springfield area got a nice surprise when they returned from outings Saturday evening. While they were gone, volunteers from several Annandale churches spent the day fixing up their homes.” [Annandale Today]
Mount Vernon Trail Bridge Project Nears Finish — “Nearly exactly a year after the National Park Service kicked off its replacement of Bridges 23 and 24 along the southern Mount Vernon Trail, the project is near its completion…The Park Service has scheduled a ribbon cutting for the opening of Bridge 23 on May 19 at 10 a.m. at Belle Haven Park.” [On the MoVe]
TJ Students Could Win $20K in Math Competition — “The students from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology are among six teams that made it to the finals in the MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge…More than 600 teams in the U.S. and the U.K. submitted papers” proposing “ways lawmakers could potentially monitor and address the dual problems of homelessness and lack of affordable housing.” [WTOP]
Massive Reston Library Book Sale Coming Up — “Over 1,000 boxes of books mean this will be our biggest sale ever. And, due to upcoming library renovations, there will be no sales in August or September…So come to our big sale and stock up on our record-breaking selection!” The sale will start for Friends members tomorrow and for the general public at 10 a.m. on Thursday (May 2). [Friends of the Reston Regional Library]
It’s Tuesday — Mostly sunny skies with a high of 87°F and light southwest winds at 8 to 10 mph can be expected this afternoon with a 20% chance of showers after 2pm. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a low near 65°F. There is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. [NWS]
Real estate taxes will likely go up for Fairfax County homeowners in the coming year, but perhaps not by as much as they could.
The Board of Supervisors plans to approve a 3-cent tax rate increase, down from the four cents that was advertised. That will reduce the average tax bill hike from about $524 to just over $450.
While additional funding is proposed for affordable housing, public libraries and parks, the county’s fiscal year 2025 budget won’t satisfy Fairfax County Public Schools’ full funding requests or include the pay levels sought by county employees.
An initial draft of the county’s FY 2025 budget markup suggests setting a real estate tax rate of $1.125 per $100 of assessed value, a 3-cent increase from the current rate of $1.095 per $100.
During a budget committee meeting on Friday (April 26), board members argued that the tax rate increase is necessary due to a revenue shortfall from a sluggish commercial sector and reduced state funding.
“Our current situation is not sustainable, and we can already imagine what’s going to happen in the next tax year as it relates to commercial office and particularly the elevator office,” Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk said.
As a result, the county is unlikely to increase the market rate adjustment (MRA) for county employees beyond the 2% proposed by County Executive Bryan Hill.
According to the markup draft, general county employees are set to receive an average salary increase of 3.25% to 6%, effective July 1, including the 2% MRA, pay scale adjustments and increases for performance and length of service. Deputy sheriffs will, on average, receive an increase of 7.85% in FY 2025.
The county also proposes allocating only $165 million of the $254 million requested by FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid — nearly all of which would be used to fund teacher and personnel pay raises.
That will still be nearly 7% more in funding than what the school system got last year. The supervisors expressed hope it will cover Reid’s proposed 6% salary increase for all school employees, but their optimism hinges on the state providing additional money to fill any remaining financial gaps.
Board members raised concerns over the state’s chronic underfunding of public schools, which costs FCPS $345 million annually, according to a recent study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission of Virginia. That could be compounded by budget cuts proposed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
State funding cuts force local governments — which derive most revenue from real estate taxes — to place a heavier tax burden on homeowners, who end up footing the bill to make up the difference, supervisors said.
Looking to the future, they urged the school board to seek funding more in line with the county’s projected revenue to ensure it can fulfill the request.
“I think it’s worth reminding people who are watching that over 89% of FCPS budget expenditures go to compensation,” Board Chairman Jeff McKay said. “So, this is not an insignificant thing we’re talking about. If you have 89% of your budget going to something, you should be studying that ad nauseam and making sure that every dollar that’s going there is targeted to the people that need it most to be able to properly stay in market.”
The board acknowledged a need to diversify the county’s revenue sources but stopped short of suggesting specific solutions.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity argued that the rising burden of real estate taxes is driving out residents.
“From budget testimony calls and emails to my office, it’s clear our residents can’t handle another tax increase,” he said. “I mean, it’s 56% in 10 years, and that’s because of budget increases. Census data clearly shows people are voting with their feet and leaving Fairfax County.”
Instead of doing an internal review, Herrity called for an independent, third-party review of the county’s financial situation that could provide “hard facts.”
“As we’ve seen in the last two months, from when the county executive presents his budget in February to April, you can’t do the analysis you need to do,” he said.
Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw countered Herrity’s claims about the county’s migration patterns, pointing to housing issues as the fundamental cause.
“They want to be here in Fairfax County,” Walkinshaw said. “We have great schools, a strong economy, and they want to be here. They need housing in order to be here.”
At a mark-up session tomorrow (Tuesday), the board will consider allocating $4 million to support affordable housing initiatives, per the draft. Since setting a goal in 2022 to build 10,000 units by 2034, the county has already created or has plans to build approximately 4,000 affordable housing units.
Additionally, the board intends to set aside a total of $1 million for Fairfax County Public Library’s materials collection, pickleball courts at Wakefield Park, the Women’s Center relocation and construction of the Eileen Garnett Civic space in Annandale.
The Town of Herndon’s farmers market is opening for the season this Thursday (May 2).
The market will then reoccur from 8 a.m. to noon every Thursday through the first week of November on Lynn Street in downtown Herndon.
Farmers, bakers and pickle-makers are among the local vendors featured at the seasonal event. Plus, community members can bring food to the market for composting.
Organized by the town in conjunction with the Fairfax County Park Authority, the market will also feature live music during the summer months and gardening clinics by the county’s master gardeners.
The market’s web page lists 17 vendors. Sellers joining this year’s roster include Happy Creek Cheeses, BlackStone Honey Bee Farms and Bad Ass Pickles, according to a town press release. Returning vendors include Mt. Olympus Berry Farm, Sip Coffee, House of Empanadas and The Fermented Pig.
Last fall, the town considered moving the market to the weekend, though that ultimately didn’t come to fruition for this season.
“The town continues to pursue additional opportunities for markets on alternate days,” Herndon spokesperson Anne Papa wrote in an email to FFXnow.
After the farmers market opens, families can visit a display of “big trucks and heavy equipment” at the Public Works Maintenance Complex (1479 Sterling Road).
That event, dubbed Big Truck Day, runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday (May 3), and admission is free. A press release advises large groups to call ahead (703-435-6860), and donations of non-perishable food will be collected.
Google plans to invest $1 billion to expand data center campuses in Northern Virginia this year, including two Loudoun County sites and a newly opened site in Prince William County.
Ruth Porat, the president, chief investment officer and chief financial officer of Google and its parent company, Alphabet, announced the funds on Friday (April 26) at the company’s Reston headquarters. They will bring Google’s total investment in the state to more than $4.2 billion to date.
“We’ve been here for five years with two data centers, and today, I’m really proud to announce that we’re investing an additional billion dollars in Virginia to expand those campuses and to add a third data center in Prince William County,” she said.
Google also introduced a $75 million artificial intelligence opportunity fund and an AI essentials class as part of two new workforce development initiatives geared towards helping employees and learners in Virginia benefit from new technologies.
“The intent is to ensure that everyone everywhere across Virginia and across the United States has the ability to get central training around AI,” Porat said. “How can we individually use it? How can we use it to support our businesses large and small?”
Through providing grants to best-in-class workforce development and education organizations, Google’s opportunity fund will equip more than a million people with fundamental AI skills.
“Google’s new AI Essentials course will teach people to use AI effectively in day-to-day work. In under 10 hours, people will get practical, hands-on experience using AI to help with work tasks through videos, readings, and interactive exercises,” a press release reads.
One of the fund’s first recipients, Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), will provide the new AI Essentials course and a Google Cybersecurity Certificate to its Onward to Opportunity participants in Virginia and across the country, according to the release.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin spotlighted the state’s technological advances, noting that Northern Virginia is the global hub for data centers with more development than the next five U.S. markets combined.
“With that comes tremendous synergy and an ecosystem that enables advanced development,” Youngkin said. “And so, Google’s $1 billion investment is a continued demonstration that that ecosystem is one worth investing in.”
Youngkin also said local communities are benefitting from data centers by paying $2.2 billion in wages and “a billion dollars in local revenue that funds an immense investment in schools and public services and social services.”
At the same time, some localities have moved to more closely regulate data centers in response to concerns about their neighborhood and environmental impacts. Fairfax County will hold community meetings starting this Thursday (May 2) to gather feedback on its proposed zoning changes.
In the press release on Google’s announcement, IVMF Executive Director Dr. Mike Haynie expressed appreciation for the technology giant’s continual backing.
“We are extremely proud to receive continued support from google.org that will allow us not only to continue to deliver the cybersecurity training that we’re currently delivering to the military connected community, but now also enhance the support we can provide to our nation service members, veterans and military spouses through AI training,” he said.
Fairfax City Schedules Fireworks Test — “Fairfax City Parks and Recreation has arranged for a “test fire” of fireworks from the roof of Fairfax High School. The test fire, consisting of two 15-second bursts, will occur between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. April 30.” The test is planned in preparation for the city’s Independence Day Celebration, which is scheduled for July 4. [City of Fairfax]
Vienna Veteran Charged With Making Toxin — “A judge on Friday ordered a Marine Corps veteran and former militia member to remain jailed pending trial on charges he attempted to make ricin, a biological toxin.” The 42-year-old man was arrested about two weeks ago after “traces of ricin along with lab equipment and castor beans, from which ricin is derived,” were found in his home. [Associated Press/WTOP]
Local Man Allegedly Showed Porn to Elementary School Students — “The 18-year-old man from Fairfax County was arrested and is facing several charges, including possession of child pornography, Arlington County police announced…The man worked at Abingdon Elementary School in the Fairlington neighborhood, in the after-school program for students, police said.” [ARLnow]
Arrest Made in Reston Armed Robbery — “Reston Days B officers & K9 just arrested a man after he broke into a home & robbed a woman at gunpoint in the 2200 blk of Stone Wheel Dr in Reston. The man tried to flee across a nearby golf course but was quickly apprehended.” [FCPD/Twitter]
Community Service Held for Clifton Fire Victims — “The Brice family held a celebration of life after the family was struck by tragedy earlier this month: their sons, 6-year-old William and 3-year-old Zachariah, died in a fire at their grandparent’s house in Clifton…The parents, supported by the community, cherished the memories of the kids on Saturday at the event.” [WUSA9]
Local Musicians Plan Inaugural Mount Vernon Festival — “Fifty-five years after hundreds of thousands of people descended on Woodstock, New York for a legendary music festival, a Fort Hunt-area musician is organizing a somewhat smaller rendition for local community members’ enjoyment — Waynewoodstock.” [On the MoVe]
Satellite Company Signs Deal for Reston Move — “SES and SES Space & Defense have inked a 35,000-square-foot lease restructure and relocation at Reston Square, 11790 Sunrise Valley Dr. in Reston, VA. As part of the deal, SES, a Luxembourg-based satellite communications company, will consolidate operations at the Reston property, serving as one of its main U.S. offices.” [Connect CRE]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high of approximately 89 degrees, with a west wind at 5 to 7 mph that will turn southward in the afternoon. Monday night will be mostly clear with a low temperature around 65 degrees and a south wind at about 7 mph. [NWS]
Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
Sold by Sharmane and Style by Valentine teamed up to bring you some quick and easy tips to ease into your summer style without the stress.
“More than any other season, summer style can be a struggle for just about everyone.” Says personal stylist Katie Valentine, from Style by Valentine.
We start out with the best intentions, but heat, humidity, bugs, and pit stains tend to throw a damper on even the most ardent summer fans. Summer is also a time when a lot of our favorite style tricks stop working. Katie says clients often wonder how to look pulled together when wearing a third piece feels out of the question. But just because the sun won’t quit, doesn’t mean your style has to.
Here are 3 easy ways to transition your style from spring to summer:
- Change your shoes. Instead of sneakers or heels, grab sandals and instantly cool off your feet, but not your style. “For this trick you want to think transitioning from closed to open toes,” suggests Katie. Pro tip, she suggests using color to unify the seasons. So, if you love to wear your white sneakers or flats in the spring, invest in a pair of white sandals. That way you don’t have to rethink your outfits. You are literally just changing your shoes.
- Accessories: Belts, purses, hats, and shoes made of raffia, weaves, and canvas are killer summer accessories to own and will instantly change the look and feel of your outfits. “Leather goods are still fine, as leather is breathable,” says Katie. But make sure you reach for warmer and neutral toned leather accessories.
- Third piece magic but make it summer. “Third pieces are one of the easiest ways to pull your look together AND flatter your figure,” says Katie. But who wants to wear a third piece when it’s 90 degrees out? She recommends investing in a summer blazer if your work life requires it, or a jean jacket or short sleeve cardigan if you lead a more casual lifestyle. Linen and open weaves are both trendy and will keep you cool. And remember, a shirt can be a third piece if it is worn open over a tank or dress.
Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | [email protected] | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
