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 January 28, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated January 28, 2025 at 6:31PM

The White House (via René DeAnda on Unsplash)

Update: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s order freezing federal grants and loans minutes before it was set to take effect at 5 p.m.

Earlier: Fairfax County officials are scrambling to assess how a new federal directive halting financial aid programs might impact local services and capital projects.

Countywide

FCPS superintendent requests $268M funding increase, mostly for employee pay raises

By James Jarvis

Published January 27, 2025 at 1:15PM

Superintendent Michelle Reid (staff file photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid is requesting an additional $268.3 million from the county for fiscal year 2026, with most of it going toward a 7% across-the-board pay raise for teachers and staff.

The raise, costing $213 million, is part of a newly negotiated collective bargaining agreement between the school board and the recently formed Fairfax Education Unions. Whether the county can afford it, however, is still an open question.

News

More demolitions planned along Richmond Highway as Bus Rapid Transit project ramps up

By James Jarvis

Published January 24, 2025 at 1:15PM

Residents attend an in-person update on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Gerry South Hyland Government Center on Jan. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County is ramping up property demolitions in anticipation of its long-planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along Richmond Highway.

Transportation officials shared during an in-person public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 15 that nine buildings have already been cleared to make way for the project. Another 21 demolitions are scheduled by the end of 2025 as the county works to prepare the corridor for utility relocations in 2026 and eventual construction in 2028.

News

Groundbreaking kicks off HITT HQ construction near West Falls Church Metro

By James Jarvis

Published January 24, 2025 at 9:45AM

Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman (right), Hitt Contracting CEO Kim Roy (center) and Rep. Don Beyer attend HITT headquarters groundbreaking on Jan. 23, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

HITT Contracting broke ground yesterday (Thursday) morning on its new headquarters at Virginia Tech’s Northern Virginia Center in Idylwood.

In development since 2019, the six-story, 270,000-square-foot building will serve as the centerpiece of a $100 million project aimed at transforming the campus into a hub for innovation and sustainable growth. Construction is set to begin this year, with the headquarters slated to open in early 2027.

Countywide

Report: Housing costs force exodus of young families from Northern Virginia

By James Jarvis

Published January 22, 2025 at 1:15PM

The Vienna Market condominium townhomes from across Maple Avenue (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Northern Virginia’s high cost of living is driving more residents to leave for areas where their money stretches further, a new report shows.

The report, published this month by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, found that nearly 158,000 people moved out of the region in 2022, nearing a record set during the pandemic in 2020. At the same time, only 128,000 people moved in — a sharp drop compared to pre-pandemic years.

News

FCPS: Billions needed for school facility projects, even with declining enrollment

By James Jarvis

Published January 17, 2025 at 11:15AM | Updated January 17, 2025 at 11:37AM

The Fairfax County Public Schools administrative center in Merrifield (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools needs $2.6 billion over the next decade to address renovations and construction projects already in its pipeline, school officials say.

While $428 million is available from past bond referendums, it’s far from enough to cover the school system’s current priorities, which were laid out in a draft Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2026-2030 presented to the Fairfax County School Board on Tuesday (Jan. 14).

News

Mount Vernon Rec Center eyes spring reopening as renovation continues

By James Jarvis

Published January 16, 2025 at 3:45PM

Concept rendering of the newly renovated Mount Vernon Rec Center (via Fairfax County Park Authority/Flickr)

After years of anticipation, the Mount Vernon RECenter is skating closer to its grand reopening.

The Fairfax County Park Authority plans to host an information session next Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. in the Belle View Elementary School cafeteria (6701 Fort Hunt Road) to preview the revamped facility.

News

Fairfax County board backs plan to convert vacant hotel into family shelter

By James Jarvis

Published January 16, 2025 at 9:45AM

The Extended Stay America hotel at 3997 Fair Ridge Drive is planned for conversion into an emergency shelter (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County’s plan to transform a shuttered hotel in the Fair Oaks area into an emergency family shelter has cleared a major hurdle, but the county’s planning commission will have the final say later this month.

The Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 on Tuesday (Jan. 14) to allow the former Extended Stay America at 3997 Fair Ridge Drive to be repurposed as a public facility. Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity was the lone dissenting vote.

Countywide

New FCPS traffic safety pilot program sparks mixed reactions from school board

By James Jarvis

Published January 15, 2025 at 3:45PM

A crossing guard watches a crosswalk outside Daniels Run Elementary School in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools is rolling out a new plan to tackle traffic and pedestrian safety concerns at its 200 schools, but not everyone on the school board is sold on the idea.

The School Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment Program, discussed during a school board work session on Tuesday (Jan. 14), aims to streamline how schools identify and address issues like clogged “Kiss and Ride” loops, bus congestion and pedestrian safety.

Countywide

Fairfax school board approves new contract with teachers, but pay raises depend on county budget

By James Jarvis

Published January 14, 2025 at 9:00AM

The Fairfax County Public Schools administrative center in Merrifield (file photo)

Fairfax County Public School teachers have more rights than they did a week ago after the school board unanimously approved the Fairfax Education Unions’ (FEU) first collective bargaining agreement in nearly 50 years on Thursday (Jan. 9).

The agreement promises better wages, hours, benefits and working conditions, but questions still remain about how much funding the Board of Supervisors will provide when it finalizes the county budget in May.

View More Stories