Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

McLean Central Park basketball court to undergo renovation

Published April 5, 2024 at 11:00AM

The McLean Central Park basketball court is slated for renovation (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

The outdoor basketball court at McLean Central Park is getting a new and hopefully improved look.

Contractor ATC began mobilizing this week for a renovation of the facility, a process expected to take about six weeks, depending on the weather, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced yesterday (Thursday).

Countywide

Poll: What are your plans for watching the 2024 solar eclipse?

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 5, 2024 at 9:30AM

A view of the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse from Madras, Oregon (via NASA/Gopalswamy)

In just three days, the moon will cross right in front of the sun, creating a total solar eclipse that will be visible from more than a dozen states.

Virginia isn’t one of those states, but in Fairfax County, an estimated 87.4% of the sun will still be blocked when the eclipse peaks around 3:20 p.m. — a bigger percentage than the 2017 event, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority.

News

Tysons-based Hilton ranked as the best company to work for in the U.S.

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 4, 2024 at 3:30PM

Hilton, which has corporate headquarters in Tysons, has topped Fortune's 2024 100 Best Companies to Work for rankings (courtesy Hilton)

Hilton continues to rake in five-star reviews from employees.

The Tysons-based hotel giant has been named the best company to work for in the U.S. by Fortune Magazine, which released its 27th annual round-up of the top 100 companies today.

News

Overturned truck spills jet fuel at Fort Belvoir, prompting environmental review

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 4, 2024 at 1:30PM

Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department respond to a fuel spill at Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir on April 3, 2024 (courtesy of Fort Belvoir Fire Emergency Services)

Clean-up efforts are underway at Fort Belvoir after a truck overturned near its airfield yesterday (Wednesday), spilling thousands of gallons of jet fuel and temporarily closing part of Richmond Highway.

Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to the Davison Army Airfield (6954 Britten Drive) around 6:30 p.m. in response to an overturned government fuel truck.

Around Town

Food trucks, mobility maze to energize upcoming Tysons Placemaking Fest

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 4, 2024 at 11:00AM

A "mobility maze" has been painted in the parking lot behind The PARC at Tysons for the Tysons Community Alliance's upcoming Placemaking Fest (maze and photo courtesy of Tech Painting Co)

The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) hopes to put the “play” in “play-cemaking” with a mini festival on Saturday (April 6) that will feature food, art and opinions about what might make the urban center tick.

Hosted by Celebrate Fairfax at The PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the TCA Placemaking Fest is envisioned as both an example of how to distinguish Tysons and an occasion for community members to share their thoughts on future activities that could cement that identity.

News

Construction to begin on workforce housing development in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2024 at 3:30PM

Somos at McLean Metro's first phase will add 231 units of workforce housing at 1750 Old Meadow Road in Tysons (courtesy SCG Development)

An office building in Tysons is being demolished to make way for workforce housing near the McLean Metro station.

SCG Development announced today (Wednesday) that it has closed on the financing needed to build the first phase of the project, which is being called Somos at McLean Metro. Construction can begin immediately on the mid-rise, 231-unit rental apartment building at 1750 Old Meadow Road.

News

Reston air-conditioning service to restart, thanks to community donations

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2024 at 1:30PM

Homes by Lake Anne in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston’s central air-conditioning service is officially returning to keep hundreds of residents and businesses cool this summer.

RELAC Water Cooling announced on Sunday (March 31) that it has received enough community donations to be able to provide chilled water for air-conditioning to roughly 635 residential and commercial properties in the Lake Anne area.

News

Route 7 widening in Pimmit Hills among local transportation projects up for regional funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2024 at 11:00AM

Traffic southbound on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) at Ramada Road in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is seeking public input on several projects vying for inclusion in its six-year funding program.

The biggest request by far comes from Fairfax County, which applied for $587.2 million to fund four major projects — more than the other eight localities participating in the fiscal year 2024-2029 Six-Year Program combined.

Around Town

Fairfax County’s poet laureate reveals free poetry events coming to local parks

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2024 at 9:30AM

Two "Poetry Beneath the Stars" writing workshops are planned at Turner Farm Park for 2024 after a strong turnout for last year's inaugural event (courtesy of ArtsFairfax)

National Poetry Month has arrived, bringing a new slate of free poetry readings and other events at Fairfax County parks.

For the final year of her tenure, Fairfax County Poet Laureate Danielle Badra has organized a second “Poetry in the Parks” initiative, inviting community members to experience linguistic and natural beauty at the same time.

News

Driver charged with traffic violation for fatal Bailey’s Crossroads motorcycle crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 2, 2024 at 3:30PM

Westbound Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) at Glen Carlyn Drive (via Google Maps)

The driver involved in last month’s fatal motorcycle crash on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) has been charged with failing to yield on a left turn.

The Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Monday) that its detectives had arrested the 35-year-old man from Bailey’s Crossroads and charged him with the traffic violation. He was released from custody after being served a summons.