Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

JUST IN: Construction deadline extended for downtown Herndon redevelopment

Published April 30, 2024 at 1:15PM

Downtown Herndon is slated for redevelopment into a mixed-use community (staff photo by Fatimah Waseem)

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.

Around Town

Elden Street Tea Shop to launch new Reston location with tea festival

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 30, 2024 at 11:30AM

Elden Street Tea Shop is moving into a new location at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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).

News

County board backs Maryland’s push for funds to replace American Legion Bridge

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 30, 2024 at 10:30AM

Traffic heads from McLean into Maryland on the American Legion Bridge (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has thrown its support behind Maryland’s pursuit of federal funding for a long-awaited replacement of the American Legion Bridge.

At the request of Chairman Jeff McKay and Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, the board approved a letter on April 16 urging U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to fulfill the Maryland Department of Transportation’s expected grant request for its American Legion Bridge and 270 Corridor project.

Around Town

Pedal with Petals family bicycle ride returns to Tysons with new, bigger routes

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 29, 2024 at 1:30PM

The Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride returned to Tysons in 2024 for its second year (courtesy Tysons Community Alliance)

The D.C. area’s cherry trees are no longer blossoming, but cyclists can still take in the warm, pollen-filled spring air when the Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride returns to Tysons next month.

Organized by the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA), the event was introduced last April as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This time, it will take place on May 11, from 8-11 a.m., and the routes will cover more of Tysons, instead of centering on Tysons Corner Center.

News

Day care center seeks space in Tysons office building

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 29, 2024 at 10:30AM

The office building at 1749 Old Meadow Road in Tysons (via Google Maps)

A child care company with hundreds of day care centers and preschools across the U.S. is seeking to add one in Tysons.

Primrose Schools has submitted an application for a special exception from Fairfax County that would allow it to open a day care center inside the office building at 1749 Old Meadow Road near Scotts Run.

Around Town

Local independent bookstores hope to draw visitors with new ‘passport’ program

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 26, 2024 at 3:30PM

Fonts Books and Gifts in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

For this year’s Independent Bookstore Day, local bookworms will be encouraged to collect not just new literary titles, but also places to buy them.

More than a dozen shops across Northern Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia have teamed up for a new “Passport” program, giving customers a chance to win prizes if they visit different locations.

News

Lake Anne cooling service to launch ahead of expected heat wave

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 26, 2024 at 1:30PM

Residences along the Chimney House Road side of Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

RELAC Water Cooling will begin delivering air-conditioning services to residents and businesses in Reston’s Lake Anne area this weekend — ahead of its official launch date of May 22.

The volunteer-run utility announced today that it will “go live” tomorrow (Saturday) to test its services, providing chilled water from the artificial lake to cool 635 residential and commercial properties.

Countywide

Metro board approves new budget, but Virginia funding remains a question mark

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 26, 2024 at 11:30AM

The Franconia-Springfield Metro station entrance (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The cost of riding Metro trains and buses will go up, starting July 1, when the transit agency’s new budget takes effect.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) board of directors approved a $4.8 billion fiscal year 2025 budget yesterday (Thursday) that will increase fares by 12.5%, including by ending the flat $2 rate for weekend and late-night rides introduced in 2021 and expanded in 2022.

News

Tysons Forest task force recommends steps for preserving 65 acres of woods

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 26, 2024 at 10:30AM

Volunteers assembled at Tysons Forest for an Earth Day nature walk and litter cleanup (via Fairfax County Department of Cable and Consumer Services)

The continued development of Tysons doesn’t have to come at the expense of its remaining natural green space, argues a recent report on ways to preserve 65 acres of forest in the urban center.

A community task force has recommended two dozen actions that could help preserve and even enhance wooded areas collectively known as Tysons Forest, including tree plantings and clean-up efforts. Dated March 24, the report was formally accepted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 16.

News

NEW: Reston library will close this summer for renovation

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 26, 2024 at 9:30AM

Reston Regional Library will be replaced by a new facility as part of the Reston Town Center North redevelopment (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Planned facility upgrades will require the Reston Regional Library to close for an extended period this summer.

Friday, June 28, will be the last day of public operations for the aging building at 11925 Bowman Towne Drive before construction on interim renovations starts on July 1, Fairfax County Public Library announced yesterday (Thursday).