Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Springfield considers how to support development as study finds need for more housing, amenities

Published November 30, 2022 at 11:45AM

The Franconia-Springfield area is concentrated around I-95 and Old Keene Mill/Franconia Road (via FCEDA)

A decade after Springfield Mall was torn down, reemerging two years later as Springfield Town Center, Fairfax County officials are still trying to figure out how to make the reality of the development match that rebranding.

Progress on transforming downtown Springfield from a commercial hub into the more mixed-use, walkable environment envisioned by county planners has been slow, even nonexistent when it comes to housing, a recently released study found.

Around Town

Tysons area embraces winter with Boro dance party, McLean dog parade this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 30, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated November 30, 2022 at 5:47PM

The Boro in Tysons will kick off its winter holiday festivities this Saturday (courtesy The Boro)

Updated at 5:45 p.m. — With rain in the forecast for this Saturday, “Rudolph’s Rockin’ Reindeer Games” has been postponed to Saturday, Dec. 17, The Boro announced today.

Earlier: Officially, winter won’t come for another three weeks, but as far as the Tysons area is concerned, its spirit is already in the air.

News

Capital Bikeshare could expand to Vienna, Franconia and Huntington

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 30, 2022 at 9:30AM

A Capital Bikeshare station outside Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County might soon expand its Capital Bikeshare network beyond the Silver Line corridor.

The county’s transportation department has proposed adding 28 new stations, including seven in the Franconia District and 21 additional locations in the Providence District.

News

FCPD takes person into custody after shooting in Mount Vernon

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 29, 2022 at 8:00PM | Updated December 1, 2022 at 8:15PM

Fairfax County police car lights (file photo)

(Updated at 8:15 p.m. on 12/1/2022) A man was found shot outside The Landings I apartments in Mount Vernon Tuesday (Nov. 29) afternoon.

Officers were called to the 8500 block of Hyman Way near Richmond Highway for a shooting at 3:27 p.m. and found an adult man in the parking lot with gunshot wounds to his upper body, the Fairfax County Police Department said.

News

Police: FCPS instructional assistant stole over $10K from Chantilly Target

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 29, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated November 29, 2022 at 4:34PM

The Target in the Chantilly Crossing shopping center (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) A Fairfax County Public Schools instructional assistant has been arrested after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of cash and goods from a Target in Chantilly.

Fairfax County police arrested Denise Pitkin-Tilson, 55, of Chantilly yesterday and charged her with felony embezzlement for taking more than $10,000 in cash, gift cards and merchandise, the department announced today.

News

Office building planned for Virginia Tech campus could be powered by solar panels

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 29, 2022 at 3:00PM

A solar panel array has been proposed on the future HITT Contracting headquarters building at Virginia Tech's Idylwood campus (via Fairfax County)

A massive array of solar panels could provide cover for the office building that developer Rushmark Properties and the construction company HITT Contracting are planning to build at Virginia Tech’s campus near the West Falls Church Metro station.

In a final development plan recently submitted to Fairfax County, the two companies — collectively known as Converge West Falls LLC — propose installing a photovoltaic array canopy on top of the building, which will house HITT’s corporate headquarters and laboratory space for Virginia Tech’s planned National Center for Smart Construction.

Around Town

Jason’s Deli to close after 14 years in Idylwood due to rising rent

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 29, 2022 at 11:00AM

Jason's Deli will close its Idylwood Plaza location in December (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Jason’s Deli will close up shop for good next month after more than a decade at Idylwood Plaza.

The last day of business for the sandwich restaurant will be Dec. 12, though a separate location at Fair Lakes Shopping Center will remain open.

News

Pedestrian killed in crash on Route 29 outside Centreville shopping centers

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 29, 2022 at 9:40AM | Updated December 5, 2022 at 10:42AM

Police blocked off southbound Route 29 at Centrewood Drive last night after a fatal pedestrian crash (via VDOT Northern Virginia/Twitter)

(Updated at 10:25 a.m. on 12/5/2022) A pedestrian died last night after a vehicle hit them on Route 29 (Lee Highway) in Centreville.

The crash occurred at 9:03 p.m. in the Trinity Parkway/Centrewood Drive intersection, which is outside the Centrewood Plaza and Centreville Square shopping centers.

Countywide

Virginia still reviewing feedback on policies limiting transgender student rights

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 28, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:54PM

Students at West Potomac High School walked out today in protest over policies that threaten to violate the rights of transgender students (photo courtesy of Mara Surovell)

(Updated at 5:30 p.m.) The Virginia Department of Education has no clear timeline for when its new policies on the treatment of transgender students will take effect, leaving Fairfax County Public Schools and other local school districts waiting to see if the state makes any changes in response to vocal opposition to the proposal.

It has now been over a month since the state closed its public comment period for the draft “model” policies, which would require schools to identify students based on their sex assigned at birth and prohibit discipline for deadnaming or misgendering a student even if they get their official school records changed.

Around Town

McLean holiday crafts festival returns for 40th year this weekend

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 28, 2022 at 1:30PM

A woman holds up a piece of handmade decor at the 2021 McLean Holiday Art and Crafts Festival (courtesy MCC)

The McLean Holiday Art and Crafts Festival will hit the 40-year mark this weekend, just as gift shopping kicks into full gear.

Featuring work by 80 artisans from around the region, the annual handmade crafts fair will be held Friday through Saturday (Dec. 2-4) inside the McLean Community Center. Hours will be 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.