Vernon Miles | FFXnow

Report suggests improvements for Fairfax City parking, but tepid on new garage

Published June 18, 2025 at 9:15AM

A map of free public parking areas in Old Town Fairfax (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A consultant’s report on parking in Fairfax City identified several possible improvements, but it was ambivalent on whether or not the city needs another parking garage.

Shared during a Fairfax City Council work session on June 3, the new report was commissioned by the city as part of its attempts to “address its future economic development and growth,” as higher-density developments start reducing the existing parking supply.

News

Conversion of Lorton landfill into Fairfax County’s largest solar array underway

By Vernon Miles

Published June 17, 2025 at 2:45PM

Fairfax County I-95 Landfill Complex (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County and an energy developer have begun the process of converting part of a closed landfill site in Lorton into a solar array.

The county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) and Madison Energy Infrastructure will officially break ground at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday), on the 5-Megawatt Solar Array Project — though officials connected to the project told FFXnow work on the site actually started weeks ago.

Around Town

Culinary festival ‘Taste of FFX’ coming to Fair Oaks Mall tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published June 13, 2025 at 3:45PM

Empanadas De Mendoza is among the food vendors scheduled for Fair Oaks Mall's Taste of FFX festival (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fair Oaks Mall is hosting a Taste of FFX event tomorrow (Saturday), featuring a mix of local dining and regional chains.

The event is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.

News

Neighborhood outcry prompts Herndon cemetery to expand barrier between graves and homes

By Vernon Miles

Published June 12, 2025 at 11:45AM

Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Herndon officials had a grave discussion earlier this week about plans to build out the remainder of Chestnut Grove Cemetery (831 Dranesville Road).

With people evidently dying to get in, the cemetery is running out of space for graves, but in response to public feedback, town staff have proposed nixing some of the planned new burial spots.

News

Apartments pitched to replace developer’s former office building in Tysons

By Vernon Miles

Published June 11, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated June 11, 2025 at 3:07PM

Developers Southern Management and Insight Property Group have proposed redeveloping the office building at 1950 Old Gallows Road in Tysons with a residential apartment building (via Torti Gallas and Partners/Fairfax County)

After years of overseeing projects around the D.C. region, Southern Management’s old Tysons office could be the scene of a new redevelopment.

Southern Management, which relocated its offices to Valo Park (7950 Jones Branch Drive) a couple of years ago, has enlisted Insight Property Group for a proposal to raze the building at 1950 Old Gallows Road near the Leesburg Pike/I-495 interchange and replace it with a new, 304-unit apartment building.

Around Town

New exhibit at Army Museum in Fort Belvoir highlights daily life of Revolutionary War soldiers

By Vernon Miles

Published June 10, 2025 at 8:30AM

Model of William Seymour at the National Museum of the United States Army)

At the center of a new exhibit in the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir is a wax replica of Revolutionary War soldier William Seymour.

Around Seymour are soldiers charging into battle, including formerly enslaved man Cato Varnum who won a Badge of Military Merit for his actions at Yorktown. Just behind Seymour are Anna and John Lane, a couple who fought together at Germantown.

News

Fairfax County seeks input on update to vision for Fair Lakes area

By Vernon Miles

Published June 9, 2025 at 11:45AM

Fair Lakes map (image via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County is planning to make significant changes to the Fair Lakes area and is looking for some public input on those plans.

Fairfax County has launched a community survey to inform the next phase of a study to “re-evaluate the mix of land uses” and reconsider the “future of the Fair Lakes office market.” In simple terms: Fair Lakes could be downsizing its offices and is trying to determine what should replace that?

News

Mount Vernon Rec Center reopens next week with ice rink, climbing wall and more

By Vernon Miles

Published June 5, 2025 at 3:45PM

Renovated Mount Vernon Rec Center (courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority)

The Fairfax County Park Authority did the work, and with a complete overhaul, the Mount Vernon Rec Center is ready to debut its new look.

After closing at the end of 2022 for facility renovations, the rec center at 2017 Belle View Blvd is scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. on Monday, June 9.

Countywide

NEW: Fairfax leaders bullish on AI industry growth but see need to prepare for job impacts

By Vernon Miles

Published June 5, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated June 6, 2025 at 10:50AM

Supervisor Dan Storck at meeting discussing AI Coalition development (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Fairfax County doesn’t want to be left behind in what’s looking like an artificial intelligence arms race.

At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors Council for Economic Opportunity on Tuesday (June 3), regional government and private sector leaders discussed plans to assemble an AI Coalition.

Around Town

LGBTQ Pride events planned around Fairfax, from trivia to parades

By Vernon Miles

Published June 3, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated June 3, 2025 at 5:11PM

An LGBTQ Pride flag at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Pride Month has arrived. Though this year’s Reston Pride festival has come and gone, there are still plenty of events around Fairfax County for those looking to celebrate or do some good for their community.

Pride-themed blood drive