A new plan to add a hotel and hospitality venue to a historic home at 10230 Main Street in the City of Fairfax got a mix of cautious interest and firm rejection from city council members last week.
The proposal from developer Ox Hill Companies would keep the home intact while building an extensive resort around the property, raising some concerns from abutting townhouse owners as well as the Fairfax City Council.
The trustees of a Dunn Loring church have pulled back a proposal that some day might see their 4.2-acre site redeveloped for multi-family housing with a child-care center and new worship space.
Trustees of the Vine Church, a United Methodist-affiliated congregation located at 2501 Gallows Road, had nominated the site to be considered for Fairfax County’s site-specific plan amendment (SSPA) process, which allows members of the public to propose land use changes.
A recently established senior living community in the Fairfax area is expanding its capacity with the addition of a new residential building.
A Woodleigh Chase Senior Living spokesperson says construction is “well underway” on Pierson Grove. Slated to open later this year, the building will bring another 122 apartment units to the 42-acre independent living campus (9805 Woodleigh Lane) off of Braddock Road near George Mason University.
Local Shoppers Worry About Tariffs — “With tariffs of 25% now in place on goods from both Canada and Mexico, shoppers at a D.C.-area grocery store are voicing concern that it will affect them at the checkout.” One shopper at Trader Joe’s in Idylwood says she’s worried about the impact of more expensive groceries on “people that are lower class and even the middle class.” [WTOP]
Virginia License Plates Proliferate in Maryland — “All those Virginia license plates on Baltimore’s streets cost Maryland millions of dollars, but the state has little authority to do anything about it, according to a recent Motor Vehicle Administration report sent to Gov. Wes Moore’s office.” [Baltimore Banner]
Ethiopian Market Opens in Annandale — “Annandale has a new shop specializing in products imported from Ethiopia. Lidya Market & Café opened in late February at 4544-A John Marr Drive. The store offers pantry items, such as berbere, a mixture of ground chili peppers and spices; shiro, made from ground chickpeas; lentils; rice flour; coffee; dates; snacks; and incense.” [Annandale Today]
Springfield Sports Complex Acquires Hockey Program — “Washington Little Capitals Inc., a four-decade-old youth hockey development organization, will be acquired by Springfield sports complex The St. James.” The Little Caps needed a new home rink with its current base, the Ion International Training Center in Leesburg, closing its ice rinks in May before converting “to an events and conference center.” [Washington Business Journal]
Competitive Runner in Reston Inspires Community — “Ecris Williams has covered a lot of miles in her 86 years. Whether by racing cars or running races, the spirited senior is no worse for the wear … The longtime Reston resident turns heads and blows minds with her remarkable exercise ethic.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Art Class at Reston School Celebrates Neurodiversity — “On a Wednesday morning at South Lakes High School in Reston, Matt Ravenstahl bounces around from table to table. He offers suggestions to students working on projects that range from making masks to sketching flags from different countries.” In the “Inclusive Fine Arts” class, “students who are neurotypical work alongside those who are neurodivergent.” [WUSA9]
County Summer Camps Start Registration Soon — “Registration for NCS summer camps kicks off Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The Department of Neighborhood and Community Services offers a variety of summer camp options for youth and teens throughout Fairfax County. Register early and secure your spot for a summer of fun activities, new friendships and lasting memories!” [NCS]
McLean Framing Shop to Support Nonprofit — “Please join the McLean Chamber of Commerce, McLean Project for the Arts and Framebridge for a private shopping event to celebrate the recent grand opening of Framebridge. Bring digital photos, art, memorabilia to frame and 10 percent and all sales will benefit McLean Project for the Arts.” The promotion will be in effect from 5-8 p.m. next Thursday, March 13. [Federal Realty]
It’s Thursday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high around 49 degrees. The day will be breezy, as a west wind increases to 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon with gusts up to 46 mph. Night will be mostly clear with a low near 33 degrees. The northwest wind will blow at 11 to 18 mph, gusting as high as 34 mph. [NWS]
Onelife Fitness might morph into the next residential development in Tysons.
The Arlington-based developer Paradigm Companies recently submitted a rezoning application to Fairfax County proposing to replace the gym’s low-lying building at 8250 Greensboro Drive with a pair of residential high-rises.
Update 3/6 — Wally lives
Wally the Beaver’s days at Kingstowne Lake may be numbered.
Homeowners in Fairfax City could face an average 16.9% increase in real estate taxes under the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget released Feb. 25 by City Manager Bryan Foster.
In order to meet increasing costs — especially for schools — Foster proposes increasing the city’s real-estate tax rate from $1.03 per $100 of assessed value to $1.125.
Court proceedings against one former employee of Fairfax County Public Schools concluded last month, while cases against three others continue.
A teacher accused of selling vape cartridges to numerous students at Falls Church High School entered a guilty plea last month.
A potential legal battle is brewing over the stalled project to revitalize Herndon’s downtown.
The Town of Herndon filed a declaration in Fairfax County Circuit Court last Friday (Feb. 28) terminating Comstock Companies’ rights to the nearly 5-acre block at the northeast corner of Center and Elden streets that the developer had planned to turn into an arts center, apartments, retail space and a parking garage.
Hazardous Weather Possible Today — “A powerful storm system is moving into our area, bringing serious weather risks on Wednesday, March 5, and Thursday, March 6. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook about these dangerous conditions.” Thunderstorms, damaging wind gusts, hail and even “a tornado or two” are possible. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
ICE Raids Reported in N. Va. — “Local communities were already on the alert when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out multiple raids in Northern Virginia yesterday and today (Tuesday) … This morning, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem brought an ABC News crew along for an ICE operation.” [ARLnow]
More Criticism of Commuted Sentence for Former FCPD Officer — Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s decision to commute the prison sentence given to former Sgt. Wesley Shifflett, who was convicted of recklessly handling a gun in the fatal shooting of Timothy McCree Johnson, “denies the Johnson family the justice they were promised,” the Fairfax County NAACP says. The move was also condemned by the Virginia Black Legislative Caucus. [Fairfax County NAACP]
Arrest Made in County Facility Burglary — A 44-year-old Roanoke man has been arrested and charged in connection with a burglary of a Fairfax County facility in the 14000 block of Flint Lee Road in Chantilly that was reported at 4:39 a.m. on Feb. 26. “He is being held at the Western Virginia Regional Jail and is awaiting extradition to Fairfax County.” [FCPD]
Bill Would Address Payments for Wrongful Convictions — “While Virginia law allows people like Merritt — who were wrongfully convicted based on fabricated testimony or intentionally suppressed evidence — to get additional compensation, that compensation isn’t always approved. Del. Rip Sullivan (D–Fairfax) said that’s because the law states that payments from the commonwealth can’t happen until the locality agrees to pay its share.” [Virginia Public Media]
Catholic Schools to Host Teacher Job Fair — “On March 8, school principals from 40 Catholic schools will be scouting for new teachers for pre-school, elementary school, middle school and high school-level positions. Prospective teachers are encouraged to attend the fair,” which will be held from 9-11 a.m. at St. Bernadette School (7602 Old Keene Mill Road) in Springfield. [Catholic Diocese of Arlington]
Students at Vienna School Start Mentoring Program — “Cunningham Park Elementary School sixth grader Ruth Gaffiney told WTOP the plan came to her at the beginning of the year, when she and her classmates were helping first graders log on to computers for the first time.” The experience inspired a “Cardinals Care for Cardinals” program where the students help their younger peers with reading. [WTOP]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 4pm, with a high near 64 and winds at 15-21 mph, gusting up to 37 mph. Precipitation chance is 100%. Showers are likely at night with a possible thunderstorm, a low around 43, and winds at 9-15 mph shifting west after midnight, gusting up to 22 mph. [NWS]
