Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

BREAKING: Comstock drops plan to redevelop downtown Herndon

Published December 10, 2024 at 9:45PM | Updated December 11, 2024 at 10:20AM

A sign showing the concept plan for Comstock's downtown Herndon redevelopment project (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Years of work to redevelop the core of downtown Herndon have officially fizzled out.

Developer Comstock informed town leaders last Friday (Dec. 6) that it will no longer move forward with a long-awaited project that promised apartments, retail, an arts center and a public parking garage, interim town manager Chris Martinez announced at the Herndon Town Council meeting tonight (Tuesday).

Countywide

Judge lets lawsuit challenging FCPS policies on gender identity proceed

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 10, 2024 at 1:15PM

A LGBTQ pride flag sticks in a woman's hair at a 2023 rally in support of transgender students outside Luther Jackson Middle School (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A right-wing group’s lawsuit challenging Fairfax County Public Schools policies designed to be inclusive of transgender and other gender non-conforming students will be allowed to move forward.

Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Brett A. Kassabian issued an order last Friday (Dec. 6) mostly overruling an attempt by the Fairfax County School Board to dismiss the civil suit, which argues that policies requiring students to be identified and treated based on their gender identity violate the rights of students who don’t want to follow those policies.

News

Great Falls Park will go cash-free for entry fees in 2025

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 10, 2024 at 9:00AM

An informational sign for Great Falls Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Great Falls Park has resolved to stop accepting cash as payment for its entry fees in the new year.

The National Park Service announced yesterday (Monday) that it will require visitors to the park at 9200 Old Dominion Drive to pay their entrance fees with a credit or debit card or by electronic means starting on Jan. 1, 2025.

News

Driver of allegedly stolen vehicle arrested after Richmond Highway chase

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 9, 2024 at 11:15AM | Updated December 9, 2024 at 2:15PM

Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

The driver of a vehicle reported as stolen was arrested this morning (Monday) following a brief police pursuit on Richmond Highway in the Huntington area.

According to the Virginia State Police, troopers tried to stop the driver of a vehicle that turned out to be stolen at the intersection of Richmond Highway (Route 1) and Quander Road around 3 a.m. Instead of stopping, the driver fled north in Route 1’s southbound lanes.

News

Owner seeks denser development option for office condos stranded by Mosaic District

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 9, 2024 at 9:45AM

The Alliance Center Condominium site in Merrifield (via Fairfax County)

After getting boxed in by the Mosaic District, the owners of Merrifield’s Alliance Center condominiums are looking to revitalize the half-century-old commercial property so it’s more in line with its neighbor.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval last Wednesday (Dec. 4) of a comprehensive plan amendment that will set parameters for more intense mixed-use, residential development on the 3.2-acre parcel at 2929 Eskridge Road.

News

Inova to open subscription primary care office at Reston Row

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 9, 2024 at 9:00AM

Comstock's planned Reston Row development (via LandDesign/Fairfax County)

Inova Health System will soon expand its Reston footprint with a new medical office at Reston Station.

Inova 360° Concierge Medicine, the nonprofit healthcare system’s subscription-based primary care program, has signed a lease for 4,505 square feet at 1880 Reston Row Plaza, a 10-story office building now under construction near the Wiehle Metro station, Reston Station developer Comstock announced last week.

Around Town

Daytime cafe First Watch to add three more Fairfax locations

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 6, 2024 at 9:00AM

First Watch is coming soon to Idylwood Plaza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The new year promises to bring at least one sure bet: First Watch cafes will continue to spring up across Fairfax County.

After opening its largest restaurant yet in Fair Lakes this summer, the national chain is expanding to three more locations in the county, all of them expected in the first half of 2025.

News

Teen pedestrian killed in crash on Old Keene Mill Road near library

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 6, 2024 at 8:15AM

A sign for Old Keene Mill Road at Sydenstricker Road near the Pohick Regional Library in Burke (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A teen died after they were hit by a driver while crossing Old Keene Mill Road in Burke on Wednesday (Dec. 4).

While crossing at the Sydenstricker Road intersection near Pohick Regional Library, the 14-year-old pedestrian apparently walked into the westbound lanes on Old Keene Mill Road and was struck by the driver of a Ford Fusion, the Fairfax County Police Department said yesterday (Thursday), citing a preliminary investigation by detectives.

Around Town

New restaurant coming to Reston Town Center’s Marriott hotel

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 5, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated December 5, 2024 at 3:56PM

Dishes planned for Reston's upcoming Seven Restaurant include grilled calamari (courtesy Donohoe Hospitality Services)

More details have been released about the restaurant that will occupy the lobby of Reston Town Center’s upcoming Marriott hotel.

Seven Restaurant will launch on the street level of Marriott’s AC Hotel and Residence Inn at 1975 Opportunity Way in January 2025, when the dual-branded hotel is expected to open its doors.

Countywide

Fairfax City school board calls for transparency in Hayfield football investigation

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 5, 2024 at 11:15AM

Hayfield Secondary School (staff photo)

Leaders of Fairfax County Public Schools are under growing pressure from both the Fairfax City School Board and their own school board to shed light on accusations of recruiting violations at Hayfield Secondary School.

The City of Fairfax School Board approved a resolution on Monday (Dec. 2) formally requesting that FCPS contract an independent investigator “with expertise in athletic ethics and compliance to conduct a thorough review” of Hayfield’s football program.