News | FFXnow - Part 333

Morning Notes

Published May 17, 2024 at 8:15AM

The splash pad at the Mosaic District in Merrifield has been turned on (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Man Killed in Bailey’s Crossroads Shooting — “Officers are on scene of a shooting in the 6000 blk of Argyle Dr in Bailey’s Crossroads. An adult man was taken to the hospital and pronounced deceased. Preliminary, involved parties appear to be known to each other. Detectives are on scene investigating.” [FCPD]

Congress Approves More National Airport Flights — “More long-haul flights are coming to Reagan National Airport. And people annoyed by helicopter noise will continue to have their voice heard. Those are two of the main local impacts from the FAA reauthorization bill just approved by Congress. The bill now awaits President Biden’s signature.” [ARLnow]

County board allows fewer parking spots at Reston Town Center expansion

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 16, 2024 at 2:30PM

The Reston Town Center expansion seen from the Dulles Access Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fewer parking spaces will be required in the expansion of Reston Town Center than previously anticipated.

During its May 7 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to vacate the parking reduction that it granted developer Boston Properties (BXP) when the project known as RTC Next was originally approved in 2018.

Fairfax County teachers voice frustration over reduced pay raises in new budget

By James Jarvis

Published May 16, 2024 at 1:30PM

The Fairfax County School Board holds a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget (via FCPS/Youtube)

With just days to go before Fairfax County Public Schools finalizes its fiscal year 2025 budget, teachers voiced frustration this week with the news that school employees will get lower-than-expected pay raises.

As it stands, the Fairfax County School Board is on track to adopt a revised budget that includes a 3% pay increase for all school employees, down from the initially proposed 6%, starting July 1.

Replacement project for ‘unsound’ Herndon pedestrian bridge advances

By James Jarvis

Published May 16, 2024 at 11:30AM

A pedestrian bridge on Hunters Creek Trail in Herndon is due for replacement (via Town of Herndon)

The Town of Herndon has taken a crucial step towards constructing a new pedestrian bridge along Hunters Creek Trail, which could be ready as soon as the end of August.

The Herndon Town Council approved a special exception on Tuesday (May 14) that clears the way for a replacement of the worn-out 1970s-era bridge in Runnymede Park. The bridge was shut down last year due to safety concerns after being deemed “structurally unsound.”

Fairfax Connector proposes bus service changes, fare hike

By Jamie Rogers

Published May 16, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated July 10, 2024 at 4:45PM

The side of a Fairfax Connector bus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Connector is gathering public input on a plan to adjust bus service while increasing fares by 12.5%.

The Connector is increasing its base fare from $2 to $2.25 and express fares from $4.25 to $4.80 to match Metrobus fares, which will increase in an effort by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to address a budget shortfall.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 16, 2024 at 8:15AM

Cornerside Blvd streetscape in Tysons West (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Northern Lights Seen Over National Mall — “Rare, possibly one-of-a-kind video has emerged of the northern lights dancing over the National Mall and Washington Monument. Even though clouds in the D.C. area mostly obscured the epic display of auroras…a short window opened up just before dawn Saturday when the clouds parted. [Washington Post]

Tysons Auto Dealerships Up for Sale — The Koons dealership site at 2000 and 2050 Chain Bridge Road, which was considered for redevelopment by Comstock, “is now being marketed for sale as a Home Depot-anchored mixed-use district.” Marketing materials say the property is available “for three different opportunities: a ground lease, a sale and a joint venture.” [Bisnow]

Annandale residents question county’s plan to remove Kendale Woods pickleball courts

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 15, 2024 at 3:30PM

Kendale Woods Park's racquetball courts are currently striped so they can be used by both tennis and pickleball players (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

News that the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will eliminate the Kendale Woods Park pickleball courts came as a complete surprise to Sarah Wysocki.

An Annandale resident whose house backs up to the park, Wysocki says she and other neighbors first learned about the plan to renovate the courts in June from Annandale Today, which shared the FCPA’s announcement on May 3.

Senior living developer proposes additional housing option for planned Reston facility

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 15, 2024 at 2:30PM

Developer Silverstone Senior Living is seeking to revise its plan for The Canopy in Reston (via Fairfax County)

The Canopy, a planned assisted living community that was once supposed to open in Reston last year, has resurfaced with hopes of attracting a broader range of future residents.

Developer Silverstone Senior Living submitted a rezoning application to Fairfax County on May 6 that would allow it to provide independent living units in the facility at 10819 Leesburg Pike, along with the previously approved assisted living and memory care services.

JW Marriott hotel makes progress toward 2025 opening at Reston Station

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 15, 2024 at 11:30AM

Developer Comstock celebrated the topping out of JW Marriott Hotel and Residences, a new hotel and condominium building under construction in The Row at Reston Station (courtesy Comstock)

The developer behind Reston Station celebrated a milestone last week in its construction of a new Marriott hotel.

Comstock held a “topping out” ceremony last Wednesday (May 8) at 1800 Reston Row Plaza for the 26-story JW Marriott Hotel and Residences, the hospitality brand’s first location in Virginia and an anchor for the future Row at Reston Station neighborhood.

UPDATED: Two men shot in Centreville during apparent drug deal, police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 15, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated May 15, 2024 at 8:50PM

Fairfax County Police Capt. Kent Bailey briefs media on a shooting in Centreville on May 15, 2024 (via FCPD/Facebook)

(Updated at 8:50 p.m.) One man was killed and another seriously injured in a shooting in Centreville this morning, police said.

Officers were dispatched around 9:30 a.m. to in the 14600 block of Route 29 after getting a call that shots had been fired in a commercial parking lot, Fairfax County Police Department Capt. Kent Bailey said in a media briefing shortly after 11:30 a.m.