Scott McCaffrey | FFXnow

Fairfax County to reconfigure homeless shelters with Fair Ridge facility opening next month

Published March 26, 2025 at 11:15AM | Updated March 26, 2025 at 3:54PM

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

April will bring a major restructuring of facilities serving those experiencing homelessness across Fairfax County.

The county is on track to open its Fair Ridge Family Shelter, located in a converted hotel in Sully District, on Tuesday, April 1, staff told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a housing committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

Countywide

Despite recent headwinds, MWAA CEO says future is bright at Dulles

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 20, 2025 at 2:30PM

Washington Dulles International Airport development plan (via MWAA)

Economic and geopolitical headwinds are not derailing ongoing development efforts at Dulles International Airport.

Acknowledging 2025 has opened as “a turbulent year,” the president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) told that body’s board of directors that the long-term forecast remains positive.

News

New fire station and transit facility for Tysons area wins final approval

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 20, 2025 at 1:15PM

Rendering of planned Fire Station 29 in Tysons (via Fairfax County)

A modern fire station to serve the growing Tysons area won the approval of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday (March 18).

“This is really an incredible facility. It’s beautiful,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said after the 9-0 vote that ended a lengthy process getting to the approval stage.

News

County to study Chain Bridge Road after making way for Oakton AT&T site redevelopment

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 20, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated March 20, 2025 at 2:42PM

Rendering of a retail-lined main street in the proposed AT&T campus redevelopment in Oakton (courtesy EYA)

Some say it will breathe new life into the Flint Hill area of Oakton. Others fear it will add to an existing traffic nightmare.

After hearing from both sides, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (March 18) unanimously approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment to allow mixed-use development on the 33-acre former AT&T site at the intersection of Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) and Jermantown Road.

News

Fires at Annandale house, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve under investigation

By Angela Woolsey and Scott McCaffrey

Published March 19, 2025 at 2:15PM | Updated March 19, 2025 at 2:47PM

Firefighters work to extinguish a building fire in the 5600 block of Leesburg Pike in Bailey's Crossroads on March 13, 2025 (photo by Gerald Martineau)

The past week has been busy for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD), which is investigating the causes of incidents in Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads and McLean.

Most recently, firefighters were dispatched at 12:13 a.m. today (Wednesday) to the 6600 block of Locust Way in Annandale for a house fire. Upon arriving, crews found “heavy fire” throughout the single-family home.

Countywide

Fairfax supervisors ask state to increase unemployment benefits as federal layoffs intensify

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 19, 2025 at 1:15PM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaking at the Capital One headquarters in Tysons on Feb. 24, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Democrats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to send a letter to state leaders, asking for expanded unemployment coverage for federal workers having lost their jobs due to downsizing.

The maximum weekly Virginia unemployment-compensation rate of $378 is “one of the lowest in the country,” according to Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw.

Countywide

FCPS might add girls’ flag football to high school sports offerings

By Scott McCaffrey and Dave Facinoli

Published March 19, 2025 at 9:00AM

Football on field (photo by Dave Adamson/Unsplash)

Having successfully integrated boys volleyball and girls wrestling into its offerings, Fairfax County Public Schools appears to be eyeing girls’ flag football next.

There has been conversation among the division’s directors of student activities about potentially moving forward with the sport for the 2025-2026 school year, Superintendent Michelle Reid told the Fairfax County School Board at its March 13 meeting.

Countywide

Fairfax board advertises meals tax, higher real estate tax rate for public comment

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 18, 2025 at 2:30PM

Sign points to the Department of Tax Administration in the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is officially seeking public input on a potential meals tax.

The Board of Supervisors voted today (March 18) to advertise a public hearing on amending the county code to impose a meals tax of up to 4%, starting as soon as next January. The board will also advertise a base real estate tax rate of $1.14 per $100, up from the current $1.125, as recommended by County Executive Bryan Hill.

News

Fairfax school board split on when to address overcrowded elementary schools

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 18, 2025 at 9:00AM

Parklawn Elementary School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Nobody disputes that Parklawn Elementary School in Lincolnia and Coates Elementary School in the McNair area south of Herndon are severely overcrowded.

But whether to address the issue through individual boundary adjustments at the two schools this year — as proposed in a capital improvement program (CIP) approved last year — or wait for a countywide redistricting effort in 2026 is causing a fissure among Fairfax County School Board members.

Countywide

No consensus from Fairfax board on restricting tobacco sales near schools

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 14, 2025 at 1:15PM

Vape accessories at AJ Tobacco & Mini Mart at 1037 W. Glebe Road in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum/ALXnow)

A staff proposal to restrict future sales of cigarettes and vapes near Fairfax County schools and child-care facilities has drawn a mixed reaction from county supervisors.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff in December to study options for regulating tobacco, nicotine and hemp products after the Virginia General Assembly adopted a law last year allowing localities to restrict sales from new businesses within 1,000 feet of a school or child care facility.