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.

News

Fairfax Planning Commission delays Arbor Row high-rise hearing, citing affordable housing concerns

By James Jarvis

Published April 10, 2024 at 10:50AM | Updated May 2, 2024 at 5:28PM

Developer Cityline Partners proposes turning Arbor Row's "C2" building into a residential high-rise (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County Planning Commissioners and Tysons-based developer Cityline Partners are at a stalemate over the inclusion of workforce housing in the newly proposed Arbor Row high-rise.

Last week, commissioners opted to postpone their vote on a proposed 23-story, 270-foot residential tower at Arbor Row, set to house up to 240 units and 8,500 square feet of retail space, after county staff voiced objections about the developer’s refusal to include workforce dwelling units in the new building.

Around Town

PHOTOS: Hundreds gather at Turner Farm Park for partial solar eclipse event

By James Jarvis

Published April 9, 2024 at 9:30AM

Children watch their first solar eclipse through solar viewers at Turner Farm in Great Falls (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Hundreds turned out across Fairfax on Monday to see the partial solar eclipse which reached nearly 90% totality in the D.C. area.

The Fairfax County Park Authority held four separate eclipse viewings at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Burke Lake, Historic Huntley and Turner Farm Park.

News

Fairfax City Council endorses first phase of Fair Woods Parkway bicycle enhancements

By James Jarvis

Published April 4, 2024 at 11:45AM

Crosswalks and a shared-use path are proposed on Fair Woods Parkway at Fairfax Blvd (via Fairfax City)

The Fairfax City Council recently approved several bicycle network enhancements along Fair Woods Parkway, its first project since adopting a bicycle master plan in 2021.

The unanimous adoption of the resolution gave city staff the go-ahead to engage engineering consultants to design the bike routes.

News

FCPD: Two men arrested, others identified in Springfield ‘street takeover’ incident

By James Jarvis

Published April 3, 2024 at 2:45PM

A man allegedly brandishes a weapon during a car meet in Springfield on Easter Sunday (via FCPD)

Several people have been identified and charged in connection to a “street takeover” in Springfield on Sunday (March 31).

The Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Wednesday) that detectives arrested and charged an 18-year-old man from Woodbridge and a 17-year-old Arlington man who allegedly took part in a rowdy “mob” in a parking lot in the 6600 block of Electronic Drive around 3 a.m.

News

Murder case against Reston au pair tied to fatal shooting moves closer to trial

By James Jarvis

Published April 2, 2024 at 11:15AM | Updated April 3, 2024 at 11:29AM

Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by James Jarvis)

(Updated at 4/3/24) A Fairfax County judge has ruled there’s enough evidence to proceed with charges against a Reston au pair linked to a fatal shooting over a year ago.

Circuit Court Judge Michael Lindner found probable cause yesterday (Monday) to charge Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 23, in the Feb. 24, 2023, deadly shooting of Joseph Ryan, 39, at her employer’s Herndon-area home in the 13200 block of Stable Brook Way.

Countywide

Fairfax County questions Dominion over cost of connecting renewable energy to grid

By James Jarvis

Published April 1, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated July 16, 2024 at 7:58PM

Workers install solar panels on Reston Fire Station 25 (courtesy Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination)

Fearing that new interconnection rules from Dominion Energy could derail its carbon reduction targets, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has asked Virginia’s utility regulator to step in.

In a near-unanimous vote, supervisors authorized Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw on March 19 to send a letter asking the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to evaluate whether the new regulations create unnecessary hurdles for small renewable energy projects attempting to join the power grid.

Around Town

Springfield mall hints at possible Build-A-Bear with permit application

By James Jarvis

Published March 29, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated April 2, 2024 at 12:44PM

Springfield Town Center mall (staff photo by James Jarvis)

(Updated at 4/2/24) Build-A-Bear Workshop is seeking a permit from Fairfax County to renovate a space at Springfield Town Center.

Earlier this month, the Missouri-based toy retailer submitted a permit application for “interior alterations” at an undisclosed space inside the mall. The cost of the renovations total more than $50,000, according to county records.

News

Fairfax County School Board puts Glasgow Middle School boundary changes on hold

By James Jarvis

Published March 27, 2024 at 11:45AM | Updated October 18, 2024 at 2:05PM

Glasgow Middle School in Lincolnia (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Though it’s near full capacity, the Fairfax County School Board has chosen not to proceed with boundary adjustments for Lincolnia’s Glasgow Middle School.

Instead, they’re betting on a broader, “holistic” approach to boundary changes that could reduce overcrowding across all schools.

Around Town

New Taco Bamba set to open in Fair Lakes shopping center next month

By James Jarvis

Published March 26, 2024 at 9:30AM

'Moby's Hog' from Taco Bamba at Fair Lakes (courtesy of Greg Powers)

Nashville-based Taco Bamba is set to open a new location in the Fair Lakes Promenade shopping center next week, with prizes for the first 100 guests.

The grand opening is slated for Friday, April 5, Taco Bamba chef and founder Victor Albisu announced in a press release.

News

Senior housing now complete near GMU, helping county’s affordable housing goal

By James Jarvis

Published March 25, 2024 at 11:45AM

Rendering of Ilda's Overlook in Fairfax (courtesy of Jeffrey Sauers of CPI Productions)

Eighty new affordable homes for seniors have become available just east of George Mason University.

Located at 10055 Braddock Road, Ilda’s Overlook Senior Residences serves individuals aged 62 and over with incomes at or below 60% of the area median, developer Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) said in a press release.

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