Fatimah Waseem | FFXnow

Push for more long flights at Reagan National Airport would undermine Dulles, senators say

Published May 1, 2023 at 3:00PM

Dulles International Airport at night (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A proposal for more long-distance flights at Reagan National Airport (DCA) is catching the ire of some of Virginia’s Congressional representatives, who say it could undermine efforts to grow Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Proponents led by Capital Access Alliance argue that current restrictions at Reagan National — an airport owned by the federal government — are outdated and hurt the economy. They want to increase the number of flights that travel beyond 1,250 miles from the airport, allowing as many as 25 daily round trips.

News

Voting now open to choose an animal mascot for Reston’s ‘icon’

By Fatimah Waseem

Published May 1, 2023 at 11:00AM

Voting for Reston's new animal icon is underway (Photo via Reston Association).

Restonians can officially select Reston’s new animal icon.

A group of organizations — Friends of Reston, Reston Association and Public Art Reston — have partnered on a quest to choose an animal to represent the area. Local artists have created the images.

Around Town

Reston Town Center’s renovated fountain and pavilion to reopen tomorrow

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 28, 2023 at 1:30PM

Reston Town Center has finished renovating its pavilion and fountain square (courtesy Boston Properties)

Reston Town Center will turn on the water for its iconic Mercury Fountain tomorrow (Saturday) for the first time in over a year.

Fountain Square and the neighboring pavilion are set to open with a celebration from 1-4 p.m. after a year-long renovation effort that brought the facility’s first improvements in more than 30 years.

Around Town

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit to host grand opening at Herndon Centre in May

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 28, 2023 at 10:15AM

The Herndon location is open, but a grand opening is slated for next month (Photo courtesy Dickey's Barbeque Pit).

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has opened its latest location in Herndon.

The restaurant will host its grand opening on May 4 at the Herndon Centre (494 Elden Street, Suite 230). It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

News

After losing Barton Hills appeal, Reston Association seeks tweaks to county zoning ordinance

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 27, 2023 at 2:15PM

The Barton Hill Recreation Area in Reston is slated for upgrades (via Google Maps)

Earlier this spring, the Virginia Supreme Court declared Fairfax County’s modernization of its zoning ordinance (zMOD) invalid because it was adopted at virtual meetings.

In light of the pending re-adoption of the new zoning ordinance, Reston Association is pitching a change that would clarify if additions or enhancements require a Planned Residential Community (PRC) plan — a lengthy process that involves the development of detailed plans and public hearings before the county Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.

Countywide

County proposes permanent rules for temporary outdoor dining areas

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 27, 2023 at 11:45AM

Karé Bar in Chantilly has heaters to warm up its outdoor dining area (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Spurred by the pandemic, outdoor dining in Fairfax County is likely here to stay.

The county is considering a proposal to formalize standards and regulations for outdoor dining in parking areas that were first introduced during the pandemic.

News

Boston Properties buys into former Fannie Mae buildings, setting stage for redevelopment

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 27, 2023 at 11:00AM

Boston Properties has purchased a 50 percent stake in the redevelopment of the former Fannie Mae offices (Image via Google Maps).

Boston Properties Inc. has acquired a 50% interest in the former offices of Fannie Mae in Herndon.

The developer, whose properties include Reston Town Center, paid roughly $17.3 million for the acquisition of 12310 and 13150 Worldgate Drive, according to its first quarter earnings report.

News

Fairfax County board lauds updated draft of Reston comprehensive plan

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 26, 2023 at 2:15PM

The most recent update of Reston’s draft comprehensive plan got a kudos from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors earlier this week.

At a land use policy committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday), board members said the latest version of the plan — which has been under the pen for nearly two years — averts the prescriptive policy language put in place by a community task force that created the first draft of the new plan roughly two years ago.

News

Adult day care seeks to relocate and expand in Springfield office building

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 26, 2023 at 11:45AM

An adult day care in a church is hoping to relocate (Photo via Google Maps).

The third floor of an office building in Springfield could become dedicated space for an adult day care.

8003 Forbes Place LLC is seeking Fairfax County’s permission to bring a more than 15,000-square-foot adult day care for up to 200 adults to an office building at 8003 Forbes Place, according to an April 19 application submitted to the county.

Around Town

Escape Room Herndon finds a way to expand in Herndon Centre

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 26, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated April 26, 2023 at 12:24PM

The extension of Escape Room Herndon will open in the fall (staff photo by Fatimah Waseem).

Herndon Centre’s Escape Room Herndon has officially outgrown its space.

The business, which will remain at its current location, is creating a new room called Raven’s Nest Escape Room a few doors down from its current location (406 Elden Street).