News | FFXnow - Part 395

Bill to allow marijuana sales in peril after breakdown on Virginia arena deal

Published March 8, 2024 at 11:45AM

Cannabis plant (via Rick Proctor/Unsplash)

Hopes that Gov. Glenn Youngkin might sign a bill legalizing retail sales of marijuana in Virginia faded fast this week as Democrats blocked one of the governor’s top priorities: the plan to bring a professional sports arena to Northern Virginia.

As recently as Wednesday, according to multiple Capitol sources, the cannabis bill was being raised in closed-door budget talks with the governor as one of several Democratic priorities that could conceivably have been part of a package deal with the arena.

Artist behind Reston’s ‘Bronze Bob’ statue to visit for 20th anniversary

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 8, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated March 8, 2024 at 12:47PM

Artist Zachary Oxman unveils his "Bronze Bob" statue at Lake Anne Plaza (courtesy Reston Museum)

It’s been 20 years since an iconic sculpture honoring Reston’s founder Robert E. Simon was unveiled at Lake Anne Plaza.

To celebrate the anniversary of the sculpture’s installation, Reston Museum is hosting an event featuring its creator, artist Zachary Oxman. The event will take place at Reston Community Center Lake Anne (1609-A Washington Plaza North) next Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m.

Fairfax County seeks community feedback on supply of accessible parking

By Acacia James

Published March 8, 2024 at 9:30AM

Spaces reserved for people with disabilities in a Centreville parking lot (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After updating its parking standards last fall, Fairfax County is conducting an online survey seeking feedback from the community on its current supply of accessible/ADA parking spaces.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted new parking standards last September for the first time in 35 years through its Parking Reimagined initiative. Among other changes, the amendment created a tiered system for parking requirements based on a development’s density and proximity to transit.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 8, 2024 at 8:15AM

Girl Scouts sell cookies and a scooter user waits for the light at the corner of University Drive and North Street in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Prospect Iffy for Wiz and Caps Stadium in Alexandria — “A visibly frustrated Gov. Glenn Youngkin made a last-minute appeal to the Virginia legislature to support the Potomac Yard arena ahead of the General Assembly adjourning on Saturday…Senate Finance and Appropriations Chairwoman L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) told the Washington Post [on Wednesday] that the Potomac Yard arena won’t be in the budget compromise.” [ALXnow]

Design of Route 1 BRT Stations Under Revision — Fairfax County’s “Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project team continues to work on art design concepts for five of the nine future BRT stations…The county finalized artwork for windscreens to be located at the Lockheed, Hybla Valley, Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir stations” based on concepts submitted last year by high school students. [On the MoVe]

Herndon Community Center to celebrate 45 years with special deals, swim challenges

By James Jarvis

Published March 7, 2024 at 3:30PM

Herndon Community Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Herndon Community Center is planning a week-long series of events later this month to celebrate its 45th anniversary.

The center, which has been provided health, wellness, and recreational activities for the community since its inception in 1976, is inviting residents to participate in the festivities, starting Monday, March 25 and concluding on March 28.

West Falls developer launches sales for new mixed-use condominium building

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 7, 2024 at 2:30PM

The Oak, a new mixed-use condominium building in Falls Church, will feature rooftop terraces among its residential amenities (courtesy of Hoffman Realty)

A mixed-use condominium building taking shape in the upcoming West Falls neighborhood is now seeking prospective residents.

Developer Hoffman & Associates announced on Monday (March 4) that it has opened sales for the 126 condos in The Oak, a 174,000-square-foot, 11-story building under construction at 255 West Falls Station Blvd in Falls Church.

Chantilly brewery seeks to expand food services to maintain competitiveness

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 7, 2024 at 1:30PM

Mustang Sally Brewing Company in Chantilly (via Google Maps)

Mustang Sally Brewing Company is hoping to serve up something new out of its brewery in Chantilly.

The business, which currently operates as a production brewery with a tasting room, hopes to expand its food service at 14140 Parke Long Court in an effort to become more competitive in the brewing industry.

Virginia House seeks more data for Fairfax senator’s bill to allow more accessory living units

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 7, 2024 at 10:15AM

State Sen. Saddam Salim testifies before the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns on his bill to require accessory living units (via Virginia General Assembly)

Final consideration of state Sen. Saddam Salim’s (D-37) proposal to expand the availability of accessory housing units in Virginia will wait until next year.

A Virginia House of Delegates committee voted on Feb. 23 to table Senate Bill 304, until 2025, suggesting that the delay would give Salim and other legislators more time to refine the bill and collect data on existing local policies allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are known in Fairfax County as accessory living units (ALUs).

Former Trump advisor’s legal group sues FCPS over LGBTQ-inclusive policies

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 7, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated March 7, 2024 at 12:25PM

A community member waves an LGBTQ pride flag at the rally protesting Virginia's model policies on transgender students (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 12:25 a.m.) A right-wing legal group led by Stephen Miller, a former advisor to Donald Trump when he was president, is challenging Fairfax County Public Schools over its policies supporting transgender students.

America First Legal filed a complaint against the Fairfax County School Board on Monday (March 4) arguing that the school system is discriminating on the basis of sex and religion by letting students use the names, pronouns and bathrooms that match their gender identity.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 7, 2024 at 8:15AM

The Vita Apartments behind Macy's in Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Connector to Restart Service Friday — Fairfax Connector workers represented by ATU Local 689 voted yesterday (Wednesday) to ratify a new contract with bus operator Transdev, ending their strike after 15 days, the union announced. The bus system will officially resume service on Friday (March 8). [FFXnow]

Annandale Man Charged in Baby Son’s Death — “Detectives from the Mason Police District arrested Shane Frye, 37, of Annandale, in connection with the overdose death of his 4-month-old son. Officers responded to the 4200 block of Americana Drive in Annandale on June 15, 2023, for an unresponsive baby, who was being cared for by Frye.” [Annandale Today]