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 March 6, 2024 at 9:30AM

Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has advanced a proposal for a 4-cent real estate tax increase, which would mark the first hike in six years, if approved.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the board gave County Executive Bryan Hill the green light to advertise the fiscal year 2025 proposed budget and schedule a public hearing starting Tuesday, April 16, at 3 p.m.

Around Town

Nashville hot chicken chain set to open in Bailey’s Crossroads

By James Jarvis

Published March 4, 2024 at 11:45AM

Crossroads Place in Falls Church (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A Los Angeles fast-food chain that specializes in Nashville-style fried chicken is planning to spice up Bailey’s Crossroads.

Dave’s Hot Chicken is coming to the Crossroads Place shopping center, situated at the intersection of Leesburg Pike and South Jefferson Street, property manager Levin Management, a New Jersey-based realty management company, announced last week.

Countywide

Fairfax County sees rising eviction rates as pandemic-era funding dwindles

By James Jarvis

Published February 29, 2024 at 11:45AM

A notice of eviction (via Allan Vega on Unsplash)

Eviction cases continue to rise in Fairfax County as the millions of dollars in financial and legal support allocated during the pandemic run out, county staff say.

Without the nationwide eviction moratorium that ended in August 2021 and federal relief funds, the county’s eviction numbers could have been much higher during the pandemic, staff told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a housing committee meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 27).

News

County seeks to restrict mowing at Lorton landfill during bird nesting season

By James Jarvis

Published February 28, 2024 at 11:45AM | Updated February 29, 2024 at 5:06PM

Fairfax County's I-95 Landfill Complex (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 5:05 p.m. on 2/29/2024) Fairfax County’s supervisors believe that grassland birds deserve a safe nesting ground, even if it’s atop a former landfill.

The Board of Supervisors directed county staff on Feb. 20 to work with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia to identify areas within the I-95 Landfill Complex (9850 Furnace Road) in Lorton where mowing can be minimized to protect grassland birds during their nesting season.

Countywide

FCPS to explore options for managing ballooning student ‘meal debt’

By James Jarvis

Published February 23, 2024 at 9:45AM

FCPS Central Office in Falls Church (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County Public Schools is seeking a solution to its ballooning student meal debt, which soared over the past year.

On Tuesday (Feb. 20), Fairfax County School Board members directed Superintendent Michelle Reid to get them more information on what options are available to prevent FCPS students from accumulating more debt due to their inability to pay for meals.

News

Former Top Golf redevelopment advanced by planning commission

By James Jarvis

Published February 22, 2024 at 1:30PM

EYA is seeking to build 174 single-family homes on the former Topgolf site in Kingstowne (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission has teed up an approval of a residential development that could replace Rudy’s Golf and Sports Bar in Kingstowne with nearly 200 single-family homes.

Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 14 to recommend approval of the development proposal for 6626 South Van Dorn Street, which once hosted a Topgolf before Rudy’s opened in 2022.

News

Fairfax County seeks commuter input on Route 29 corridor improvements

By James Jarvis

Published February 20, 2024 at 11:45AM

Aerial view of Route 29 corridor study area (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is asking commuters for feedback on changes they would like to see along the Route 29 corridor.

The department recently launched a survey asking commuters how often they travel Route 29, the duration of their travel, and the mode of transportation they use.

Countywide

FCPS to prioritize Coates, Parklawn schools for boundary changes in approved capital projects plan

By James Jarvis

Published February 15, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated October 18, 2024 at 2:05PM

Coates Elementary School in Herndon has been prioritized for a boundary adjustment (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County Public Schools is attempting to streamline its approach to managing capital projects to reduce costs and overcrowding in schools.

The school board approved a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) last Thursday, Feb. 8 for fiscal years 2025-2029 with multiple amendments intended to help lower costs, speed up select school renovations, meet green energy goals and enhance the process for tracking infrastructure projects.

News

Local experts propose strategies for turning Richmond Highway into vibrant community hub

By James Jarvis

Published February 9, 2024 at 11:45AM

Cars head south on Richmond Highway (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

Public art and social spaces will be key to transforming southern Richmond Highway into a community, a panel of local land use experts says.

Last week, the consulting nonprofit Urban Land Institute (ULI) presented recommendations at the Hybla Valley Community Center for how to foster economic growth in the corridor, while preserving its cultural identity through “placemaking.”

News

Construction begins on new sidewalk along east side of Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax City

By James Jarvis

Published February 6, 2024 at 11:45AM

Intersection of Cedar Avenue, Chain Bridge Road and Jenny Lynne Lane (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 11:55 a.m.) This week, Fairfax City kicked off a project to build a new 530-foot sidewalk on Chain Bridge Road’s east side, connecting Old Town Fairfax with the Northfax areas.

On Monday (Feb. 5), construction crews began work on the new eastern sidewalk from Jenny Lynne Lane to Kenmore Drive, with plans also to relocate a pedestrian crossing at Cedar Avenue from the south to the north side to make pedestrians more visible to motorists..

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