Author: James Jarvis

James Jarvis covers county government, local politics, schools business openings, and development for both FFXnow and ARLnow. Originally from Fauquier County, he earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Franklin & Marshall College and his master’s degree in journalism from Georgetown University. Previously, he reported on Fairfax, Prince William, and Fauquier counties for Rappahannock Media/InsideNoVa. He joined the ARLnow news team as an assistant editor in August 2023.

Published June 25, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated October 18, 2024 at 2:05PM

Fairfax County Public Schools school bus (staff photo by James Jarvis)

As the Fairfax County School Board considers a new boundary adjustment policy, a prominent citizens’ group has raised concerns about its potential impact on local families.

The Great Falls Citizens Association’s (GFCA) executive board took an official stance on the proposed policy changes on June 17, urging Fairfax County Public Schools and elected officials to hit the pause button until they solicit more community input.

News

Traffic and parking top concerns about Old Town Fairfax arts center plans

By James Jarvis

Published June 24, 2024 at 1:30PM

A new performing arts center is proposed in Old Town Fairfax (via DMS Architects/City of Fairfax)

Community members recently got a closer look at the proposed performing arts center in Old Town Fairfax, including plans to mitigate traffic and increase parking.

Fairfax-based developer Ox Hill Companies held a virtual town hall on June 12 where it unveiled initial designs for a 2,410-seat concert hall that could accommodate up to 4,127 standing guests, along with a 170-room hotel, a 100-seat black box theater and a 26,000-square-foot convention center.

Around Town

Reston’s Burgers Grilled Right closes amid challenging business ‘climate’

By James Jarvis

Published June 21, 2024 at 2:30PM

Workers remove the Burgers Grilled Right (BRG) sign from Reston location (courtesy of Ralph Alexander Brower)

Nearly six years after opening, Burgers Grilled Right (BGR) has closed its Reston storefront.

Franchise owner Ralph Alexander Brower told FFXnow that the last burger was served at the RTC West location (12120 Sunset Hills Road) on Saturday, June 15.

Countywide

Fairfax supervisors redirect ‘green bank’ funds to home energy efficiency program

By James Jarvis

Published June 21, 2024 at 1:30PM

Worker installing solar panels on a roof (via Bill Mead/Unsplash)

Fairfax County has shelved plans to create a “green bank,” instead redirecting those funds to a new initiative that offers residents educational and technical support to make their homes more energy efficient.

The Board of Supervisors voted on June 11 to reallocate $638,955 initially designated for the green bank — a publicly financed institution that facilitates funding for residential and commercial clean energy projects — to a new pilot program called Electrify Fairfax.

Around Town

New pet hospital Bond Vet to open this month in Fairfax City

By James Jarvis

Published June 20, 2024 at 9:30AM

Bond Vet in Hell's Kitchen in New York City (courtesy of Bond Vet)

A new pet hospital is opening up in Fairfax City.

Bond Vet, a full-service veterinary clinic for dogs and cats, is opening later this month at 9428 Fairfax Blvd, across from the Giant supermarket under the Scout on the Circle apartments. There is no definitive opening date yet, but a spokesperson told FFXnow it plans to open “within the month.”

Around Town

Fairfax City brews up fun with annual summer beer crawl this weekend

By James Jarvis

Published June 18, 2024 at 1:30PM

Pouring a beer (courtesy Fairfax City Economic Development)

Fairfax City is gearing up for its annual summer beer crawl this weekend.

The event, hosted by Fairfax City Economic Development, the Old Town Fairfax Business Association, and the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, will take place this Saturday, June 22, from noon to 6 p.m.

News

Springfield Town Center seeks to reimagine retail with community spaces and experiences

By James Jarvis

Published June 18, 2024 at 11:45AM

Main entrance to the Springfield Town Center in Springfield (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Across the U.S., malls are trying to make a comeback in a post-pandemic world, pulling consumers back to spaces once considered to be on the decline amid the rise of e-commerce.

Yet, representatives for Springfield Town Center argue that the actual risk to malls comes not from e-commerce, but from a failure to evolve with shifting consumer preferences.

News

Top data center construction firm opens new office in Herndon

By James Jarvis

Published June 17, 2024 at 9:30AM

Location of new Suffolk offices in Herndon (via Google Maps)

One of the top data center construction firms in the nation recently opened a new office in Fairfax County.

Last week, Suffolk Construction announced the relocation of its data center construction management team, Mission Critical, to 2303 Dulles Station Blvd in Herndon, positioning them near the Innovation Center Metro station and the heart of the world’s largest data center market.

Around Town

Springfield Container Store debuts with prizes for first 100 customers

By James Jarvis

Published June 14, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated June 18, 2024 at 10:19AM

The Container Store is opening a new location in Springfield modeled after the building featured above (courtesy of The Container Store)

The Container Store is set to open its new Springfield location this weekend at Springfield Plaza and plans to give out free prizes to the first 100 customers.

The Texas-based company, known for its home and office organization products, announced earlier this week that the new store will open on Saturday, June 15, at 6412 Springfield Plaza. The release also noted plans to open another location in Ashburn on July 27.

News

Reston-based StarKist and local nonprofits fight hunger with 100K pounds of food

By James Jarvis

Published June 12, 2024 at 2:30PM

StarKist employees unload boxes of food for 2024 Summer Food Rally (photo by Chip McCrea)

A Reston-based national food brand and multiple nonprofits are distributing thousands of pounds of food to combat food insecurity in Fairfax County and the broader Northern Virginia region.

Last week, the American canned seafood company StarKist, the D.C.-based nonprofit Feed the Children and Reston nonprofit Cornerstones announced they collected over 100,000 pounds of food during their third annual Summer Food Rally on June 6 in Sterling.

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