Scott McCaffrey | FFXnow

New trail along I-495 in McLean to open this week with community fun run

Published June 22, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated June 24, 2026 at 10:11AM

New shared-use path along I-495 in McLean (courtesy VDOT)

A community celebration is set for this coming Saturday, June 27 to mark the opening of a new shared-use bicycle and pedestrian trail adjacent to the Capital Beltway (I-495) in McLean.

A joint effort of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban, the trail is one of the final multimodal features of the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, which extended the interstate’s toll lanes past the GW Parkway in McLean and updated seven bridges.

Countywide

Real estate leaders seek creativity from Fairfax County to reduce excess office building stock

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 18, 2026 at 9:15AM

A vacant office building formerly occupied by Inova Health System at 2990 Telestar Court in Merrifield is being converted to affordable housing (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Further reductions in Fairfax County’s office building inventory are needed, but the commercial office sector is not a dinosaur destined for extinction, industry officials say.

“We’re seeing our existing tenants … beginning to need more space,” Barry Bass, a cofounder of the real estate investment firm Silverline Equities, told the Board of Supervisors’ Council for Economic Opportunity on Tuesday (June 16).

News

As Inova continues expanding, CEO urges Fairfax to streamline development process

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 17, 2026 at 11:45AM

Construction work on Franconia-Springfield campus (via Inova Health System and Fairfax County)

Inova Health System’s CEO used a recent roundtable discussion with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and business leaders to connect his organization’s growth to broader quality of life across the region.

Health care is “the job engine and in many ways economic engine” of Northern Virginia, Dr. J. Stephen Jones said at yesterday’s meeting of the county’s Council for Economic Opportunity.

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Great Falls has Virginia’s priciest ‘starter’ homes, new data reveals

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 16, 2026 at 2:45PM

Houses in Great Falls off Georgetown Pike (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Fairfax County community tops the list as Virginia’s most expensive place to purchase a starter home.

Great Falls is one of 242 communities nationally where the typical entry-level home costs $1 million or more, according to a new analysis from Zillow.

Countywide

Revised charter aims to give more sports a place on Fairfax County Athletic Council

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 15, 2026 at 3:45PM

Players engage in a match at the Pickleball Club of Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Changes to membership on the Fairfax County Athletic Council could give a seat at the table to representatives from a wider array of sports.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on June 9 approved the body’s first significant charter change since 2004, slightly adjusting slots on the 23-member council.

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Sales, prices rose in May as Fairfax’s spring real estate market finds its footing

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 15, 2026 at 8:30AM

A real estate sign announces that a house for sale in Vienna is under contract (file photo)

A combination of more sales and higher average prices pushed Fairfax County’s real estate sales volume up 17% year-over-year in May, according to new data.

A total of 1,427 residential properties went to closing last month, up 11.7% from 1,278 in May 2025, according to figures that MarketStats by ShowingTime reported June 10 based on data from Bright MLS.

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Robotics teams from Marshall, Hayfield honored by county board for international success

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 12, 2026 at 3:45PM

Marshall High School students at FIRST World Robotics Championship (via FCPS)

Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (June 9) honored students from robotics teams at two schools for participation in recent international competition.

The Hayfield Secondary School Night Hawks and Marshall High School Gryphon Robotics each competed in the FIRST Robotics World Championship, held in Houston April 29-May 2.

News

Construction ramps around the clock to prepare Dulles Airport’s Concourse E for fall opening

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 11, 2026 at 10:00AM

Construction work at the concessions area of Dulles International Airport's new Concourse E (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

With just over three months to go, a crew of 600 workers is shifting into round-the-clock mode to ensure Dulles International Airport’s $700 million Concourse E is ready on time.

“These guys are working hard to get this done,” Airport Manager Richard Golinowski said during a Wednesday (June 10) media event spotlighting progress on the 14-gate facility to be used by United Airlines.

Countywide

Fairfax County board OKs pilot program for reduced 20-mph speeds on certain roads

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 10, 2026 at 2:45PM

A 20-mph speed limit sign (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved what amounts to a pilot program that will look at the impacts of reducing some road speeds from 25 to 20 mph.

Board members voted 10-0 yesterday (Tuesday) to take advantage of powers delegated by the General Assembly in 2024, giving localities the power to reduce speed limits on certain roadways under control of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Countywide

Fairfax County salutes Va. Declaration of Rights, as nation’s 250th birthday approaches

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 10, 2026 at 10:00AM

Fairfax County 250th Commission display at ViVa Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County residents still have plenty of opportunities to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday with reflection, celebration and an eye toward the future.

“It’s amazing to look at our plans for June, [and] just wait until you see July and the rest of the year,” Elizabeth Maurer, chair of the Fairfax County 250th Commission, said when briefing the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors yesterday (Tuesday).