Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Brace for noise and traffic changes from Georgetown Pike bridge demo

Published July 25, 2022 at 1:30PM

Drivers coming onto I-495 South from the GW Parkway will be detoured while the north side of Georgetown Pike bridge is demolished (via VDOT)

Nights are about to get noisier in McLean, as work begins in earnest this week on the demolition of the Georgetown Pike bridge over the Capital Beltway.

As early as Wednesday (July 27), construction crews working on the I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project will start demolishing the northern side of the bridge, which is being replaced and widened to fit six lanes and a new 6-foot-wide sidewalk.

Around Town

Opening this week, Indian restaurant Rasa brings heat to Mosaic District

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 25, 2022 at 10:15AM

The fast-casual Indian eatery Rasa will open its Mosaic District location on July 30 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new fast-casual Indian restaurant has arrived at the Mosaic District, filling a gap left in the Merrifield neighborhood’s dining options by Choolaah’s departure.

Rasa, a small but growing chain started in D.C. by two friends, will fully open its first Fairfax County location to customers this Saturday (July 30). Details about the grand opening will be forthcoming, the business said in an Instagram post on Friday (July 22).

Countywide

Most-read Fairfax County stories of the week: July 18-22

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 3:50PM

Thomas A. Edison High School along Franconia Road (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

The weekend is almost here. Before you search for relief from this weekend’s heat wave or head to bed for some much-needed sleep, let’s revisit the past week of news in Fairfax County.

Here are the 10 most-read stories on FFXnow this week:

News

Possible rebuild and land sale in store for 52-year-old McLean church

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 2:15PM

Garfield Memorial Christian Church on Great Falls Road in McLean (via Google Maps)

Garfield Memorial Christian Church wants to stay in McLean, but in order to do so, it may need to sell part of its land.

The church’s board of trustees is seeking a special permit from Fairfax County that would enable it to construct a new, two-story building on a 0.87-acre portion of its property at 1731 Great Falls Street, according to an application filed on July 11.

Around Town

Free food alert: Insomnia Cookies gets grand opening in Fairfax

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated July 22, 2022 at 4:28PM

Insomnia Cookies is opening a bakery at University Mall in Fairfax City (courtesy Insomnia Cookies)

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) Insomnia Cookies has set up shop in Fairfax County.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the late-night bakery chain will open the doors of its new location at University Mall (10669 Braddock Road, Suite D-7) with a 13-hour grand opening event — and yes, there will be free cookies.

Around Town

Chopathi India Kitchen now open at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2022 at 10:15AM

A rice bowl with fish and malai, a butter-based sauce from Northern India (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A fast-casual Indian restaurant is now dishing out briyani, dosa wraps and more at Tysons Corner Center.

Chopathi India Kitchen quietly opened next to Chipotle on the Nordstrom side of the mall earlier this month after a build-out that took over a year, according to county permits.

Countywide

JUST IN: Former Annandale church youth leader sexually assaulted teen, police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2022 at 4:50PM | Updated July 21, 2022 at 5:40PM

Police leave the Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by David Taube)

(Updated at 5:40 p.m.) A Fairfax man who once served as a youth leader at the Saint Matthews United Methodist Church in Annandale has been arrested for multiple alleged sexual assaults of a teenager, the Fairfax County Police Department said today (Thursday).

Thomas Weaver, 61, was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) and has been charged with five counts of indecent liberties of a minor by a custodian as well as 20 counts of possession of child pornography, the FCPD announced.

Countywide

County heightens scrutiny of Tysons accessibility after issues at The Boro

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2022 at 2:15PM

Community members have criticized the placement of tree planters by curbside parking spaces in The Boro (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The accessibility of Tysons is under a microscope after community members pointed out oversights at The Boro that make the development challenging to navigate for people with disabilities.

In a presentation to the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s Tysons Committee last week, county staff said they’re looking more closely at how developments are designed — from the availability of drop-off zones to the slope of a sidewalk — and flagging potential issues earlier when reviewing new proposals.

News

Return of McLean theater group put on hold due to Covid cases

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2022 at 11:00AM

The McLean Community Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The show will not go on for the McLean Community Players — at least not yet.

After a three-year hiatus, the nonprofit community theater group had been set for a comeback this weekend with “The Show Must Go On!,” a showcase of past musical performances that will also tease highlights yet to come.

News

County offers $2.9M for land to build new Tysons road near Capital One

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 20, 2022 at 2:15PM

A parcel of land currently owned by The Gates of McLean is needed for a road connecting Scotts Crossing Road to the Dulles Toll Road (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County will use eminent domain to obtain land valued at nearly $3 million so it can build a road connecting Capital One Center in Tysons to the Dulles Airport Access Road.

With Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity abstaining, the Board of Supervisors voted 9-0 after a public hearing yesterday (Tuesday) to authorize county staff to acquire the 25,374-square-foot parcel, which is currently part of the Gates of McLean property north of Scotts Crossing Road.