News | FFXnow - Part 533

Morning Notes

Published April 13, 2023 at 7:30AM

A car headed out of the Merrifield post office (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Report: County 911 Center Contributed to Confusion on CPR Call — “When firefighters and medics were sent to the wrong Reston, Virginia Metro station last month for a man in cardiac arrest Fairfax County blamed Metro…A recording of Metro’s call along with 911 center documents show Fairfax County provided both misleading and wrong information in its official statements.” [STATer911]

McLean Mac and Cheese Startup Lands New Funding — “McLean frozen food brand 8 Myles Inc. is closing a $1.05 million seed round this week to expand its operations and hire its first-ever full time employee. Co-founded by Myles Powell in 2015, 8 Myles makes frozen homestyle macaroni and cheese dinners that use no preservatives or artificial ingredients.” [DC Inno]

Transformation of former Residence Inn into apartments underway

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 12, 2023 at 3:00PM

Changes to the appearance of the former Residence Inn are proposed (Image via handout/Town of Herndon).

The repurposing of the former Residence Inn at 315 Elden Street in the Town of Herndon is officially underway.

After receiving approval from the Herndon Town Council, the company Blue Ocean is in the midst of transforming the vacated hotel into a multifamily residential unit complex called Trellis.

Dominion Square affordable housing project hopes to start construction by end of year

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 12, 2023 at 2:15PM

A rendering of the proposed Dominion Square affordable housing development in Tysons (courtesy KGD Architecture)

If everything goes according to plan, the all-affordable housing complex planned near the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons could break ground this December.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority will issue up to $99 million in tax-exempt bonds to support construction of half of the Dominion Square project, which will deliver over 500 apartments for households earning 60% or less of the area median income (AMI).

Funds needed to replace ‘unsafe’ Lake Accotink Park playground

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 12, 2023 at 1:30PM

Lake Accotink Park sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Lake Accotink Park’s playground has seen better days, not unlike the lake itself.

The Fairfax County Park Authority closed the playground at the popular Springfield park in November after an inspector determined the rusting equipment was “unsafe for use,” Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw said at a Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

Reston Association board election winners announced

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 12, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated April 12, 2023 at 8:55PM

Reston Association

(Updated at 8:55 p.m.) Reston Association released election results for this year’s Board of Directors’ race at its annual member meeting yesterday (Tuesday) night.

John Farrell edged out Margaret Perry for a three-year term as an at-large director with 3,337 votes — the most in the at-large races.

Risk of wildfires elevated today in D.C. area, National Weather Service warns

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 12, 2023 at 10:30AM

Above-average temperatures for April are forecast for the D.C. today (via NWS/Twitter)

Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area should be on alert for potential outdoor fire hazards today (Wednesday), the National Weather Service says.

A combination of wind gusts and dry weather has created an “elevated threat” of wildfires throughout the region until the early evening, according to a special weather statement issued just after 9 a.m.

Kids can ride Fairfax Connector buses for free, starting in May

By Vernon Miles

Published April 12, 2023 at 9:30AM

All kids under the age of 12 will soon be able to ride the Fairfax Connector for free.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to change the bus system’s policy to allow any child 12 or younger to ride for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 12, 2023 at 7:30AM

Artwork inside the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro Worker Fired After Overrunning Innovation Station — “On March 17, safety commission officials said Tuesday, a train operator put his train into [automatic mode] several times during the day. He was caught when his train shot past the Innovation Center station platform in Virginia, triggering a Metro probe into the platform overrun.” [The Washington Post]

Disciplinary Incidents Rise in FCPS — “The number of disciplinary incidents reported in Fairfax County, Virginia, public schools more than doubled in the first semester of the current school year, compared to the first semester of the 2021-22 academic year, according to preliminary county data.” [WTOP]

Kent Gardens ES to get new trailers, as FCPS continues reviewing possible crowding fixes

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 11, 2023 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County Public Schools is planning to remove seven trailers at Kent Gardens Elementary School and replace them with two new facilities (via FCPS)

Kent Gardens Elementary School is still bursting at the seams, but at least the trailers accommodating the overflow of students will soon get an update.

Seven old, one-classroom trailers behind the McLean school (1717 Melbourne Drive) will be removed and replaced by a four-classroom trailer and one with two classrooms, principal Holly McGuigan and Fabio Zuluaga, an assistant superintendent for Fairfax County Public Schools, recently told families.

Developer proposes ‘missing middle’ housing for Redwood Plaza in Oakton

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 11, 2023 at 11:45AM

A trio of office buildings could be slated for redevelopment (Image courtesy handout/Fairfax County Government).

Network Realty Partners is seeking to redevelop a trio of office buildings in Oakton into a residential development.

In an April 3 application, the Arlington-based company is seeking Fairfax County’s permission to demolish three mostly vacant office buildings in Redwood Plaza (10600 Arrowhead Drive) and turn the property into a 268-unit residential development.