Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Former Wolf Trap Hotel developer hopeful construction could begin this year

Published February 19, 2025 at 9:45AM

A portion of the fence around the future 444 Maple Avenue development site is sagging (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The corner of Maple Avenue and Nutley Street where the Vienna Wolf Trap Hotel and Tequila Grande continues to lie fallow, but the developer hoping to revitalize the site is at least working to make it more presentable.

Hekemian & Company and its civil engineering firm Walter L. Phillips got the Vienna Board of Architectural Review’s (BAR) approval on Jan. 16 to maintain a chain-link fence around the 2.8-acre property at 444 Maple Avenue West through the end of this year.

Countywide

Fairfax County board urges Gov. Youngkin to support federal workers amid ‘reckless’ cuts

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 19, 2025 at 9:00AM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin discusses concerns about sweeping federal workforce cuts at a Feb. 18, 2025 press conference (via Governor of Virginia/Facebook)

A majority of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors criticized Gov. Glenn Youngkin yesterday (Tuesday) for backing the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce, warning that the sweeping cuts could undermine the economy of Fairfax County and, by extension, Virginia.

Led by Chairman Jeff McKay, the mostly Democratic board suggested that Youngkin, a Republican, could support President Donald Trump’s goals or the people in Virginia he was elected to represent, including thousands of federal workers and contractors, but not both.

Around Town

Ramen shop eyes summer opening at Arrowbrook Centre in Herndon

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 18, 2025 at 1:15PM

Kyuramen is introducing a new interior design to its restaurants, including the one under construction at Arrowbrook Centre in Herndon (courtesy Kyuramen)

A restaurant that showcases different varieties of ramen is heading to the Herndon area.

Kyuramen has begun construction at Arrowbrook Centre and anticipates opening in August of this year, a spokesperson told FFXnow.

Around Town

Chinese tea shop draws lines after opening at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 18, 2025 at 11:30AM

Hey Tea is now at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new tea shop has arrived in Tysons.

Hey Tea, a chain based in China, is hosting a week-long grand opening celebration after serving its first customers at Tysons Corner Center last Friday (Feb. 14).

Countywide

Developers nominate dozens of Fairfax County sites for potential land use changes

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 18, 2025 at 9:45AM

Reston National Golf Course sign in fall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The window has closed for developers, property owners and other community members to nominate sites in Fairfax County for future redevelopment.

The county received about 50 nominations during its Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process, which lets members of the public propose changes to the comprehensive plan that guides future land use and development. The submission period lasted from Jan. 13 through last Thursday, Feb. 13.

Around Town

First Watch to open Idylwood cafe next week, offers free coffee

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 14, 2025 at 1:15PM

First Watch nears opening at Idylwood Plaza (staff photo by Jared Serre)

First Watch is ready to make its Idylwood introduction.

The daytime cafe chain, which has been expanding its Northern Virginia presence in recent years, will officially open to the general public at Idylwood Plaza (7501 Leesburg Pike) next Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Countywide

Comstock still ‘committed’ to potential Tysons development despite casino bill stalling

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 14, 2025 at 9:45AM

A lobbying flyer shared with state lawmakers in January 2025 includes a rendering of Comstock's envisioned casino development in Tysons (via Access Point Public Affairs)

The legislation to make Fairfax County eligible for a casino isn’t officially dead, but it appears to be in active need of resuscitation.

A House of Delegates appropriations subcommittee’s decision to pass by Senate Bill 982 after a 30-minute hearing on Wednesday (Feb. 12) brought celebratory statements from the community groups and local elected officials who had vocally opposed the proposal to allow a casino in Tysons.

News

Another MS-13 member sentenced to prison for Reston murders

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 14, 2025 at 8:15AM

The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Another member of the gang MS-13 will serve decades in prison for participating in multiple murders, including ones in Reston.

Henry Leonel Barrera Ayala, 26, was sentenced by a federal judge to 50 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced yesterday (Thursday).

News

Saudi private school in Herndon to shut down, surprising families

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 13, 2025 at 1:15PM

King Abdullah Academy in Herndon, soon to become a Fairfax County public high school (via Google Maps)

The current school year will be the last official one for King Abdullah Academy.

After close to a decade in the Herndon area, the Islamic private school announced in late January that it will close for good after the 2024-2025 academic year, citing challenges with identifying a “viable financial path to self-sustainability.”

News

Scott’s Run Nature Preserve to close indefinitely for wastewater pipe repairs

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 13, 2025 at 8:15AM

The wastewater siphon blowoff chamber in Scott's Run Nature Preserve (courtesy DPWES)

Clogged wastewater pipes will once again require a temporary shutdown of Scott’s Run Nature Preserve.

The park at 7400 Georgetown Pike is scheduled to close next Monday, Feb. 17 so a contractor’s crews can address a “critical blockage” stopping up the siphon system that carries wastewater from McLean, under the Potomac River and into Maryland, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services announced yesterday (Wednesday).