News | FFXnow - Part 544

Morning Notes

Published March 21, 2023 at 7:30AM

A new Springfield commuter parking garage is under construction (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro Adds Trains to Speed Up Service — “Metro is ramping up service across much of the rail system starting [Monday], promising ‘an infusion of trains.’ This comes as ridership has been on the upswing, hitting new post-pandemic records, and as the transit system has been allowed to bring back more 7000-series railcars.” [DCist]

County Launches Fund for Tech Startups — “The Fairfax Founders Fund (FFF), a grant and technical assistance program providing funds to early-stage Fairfax County-based startups, will begin accepting applications on April 10. FFF will provide up to $50,000 in capital to help start-ups develop their business and prepare for later-stage investment.” [Department of Economic Initiatives]

Reston entrepreneur to ski to North Pole to raise funds for kids with cancer

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 20, 2023 at 3:30PM

Len Forkas plans to ski to the North Pole to raise money for his nonprofit organization (Photo courtesy Hopecam).

Len Forkas, a Reston-based businessman, is skiing to the North Pole in a few weeks to break the ice on support for kids with cancer.

The 63-year-old — who is described as an “ultra-endurance athlete” — plans to ski 60 miles to the North Pole in order to raise money for Hopecam, a nonprofit organization he founded that connects children undergoing cancer treatment with their friends.

Plan to redevelop West Falls Church Metro wins planning commission’s support

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 20, 2023 at 2:30PM

A proposed multi-family residential building in the West Falls Church Metro station redevelopment (via Fairfax County)

The redevelopment of the West Falls Church Metro station secured the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s endorsement last week, a critical step forward for a project that could serve as a guide for other transit-oriented developments in the D.C. region.

The commission voted unanimously on Wednesday (March 15) to recommend that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approve a rezoning of the 24-acre property to allow over 1 million square feet of development, including 810 multifamily residential units, 85 townhouses, a 110,000-square-foot office building and up to 10,000 square feet of retail.

County master arts plan identifies gaps in facilities and support for the arts

By Vernon Miles

Published March 20, 2023 at 1:15PM | Updated March 24, 2023 at 2:33PM

Outside 1st Stage in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors got a first look last week at a new plan that it hopes can help turn the county into a hub for the arts.

At an economic initiatives committee meeting on March 14, Fairfax County Arts Committee Chair Leila Gordon said the new Master Arts Plan shows that some of the county’s revitalization zones — like the one in the works for downtown McLean — need to do more to prioritize the arts and add more supporting facilities.

McLean residents sue to stop I-495 widening over environmental impacts

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 20, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated March 20, 2023 at 11:57AM

Construction on the 495 NEXT project has cleared land by the GW Parkway for a stormwater pond, seen on March 15, 2023 (photo by Stephen Jasak)

(Updated at 11:55 a.m.) A group of McLean residents opposed to the extension of the I-495 toll lanes past their neighborhoods have turned to the courts in a bid to halt the project, now in its second year of construction.

The Northern Virginia (NOVA) Citizens Association filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court in Alexandria on Thursday (March 16) alleging that major revisions to the project design violated federal law, resulting in “significant on-going environmental harms” to residents.

Police investigate gunshots fired from sedan on Beltway in Annandale

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 20, 2023 at 9:30AM

A Virginia State Police vehicle (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A person in a sedan reportedly fired multiple gunshots at other vehicles on the Capital Beltway (I-495) in the Annandale area yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

The Virginia State Police received a report at 5:10 p.m. of “an individual in a sedan firing several shots at vehicles while traveling north” on the Beltway near the exit to Little River Turnpike, according to a news release.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published March 20, 2023 at 7:30AM

A cardinal perched on a power line in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Developers Seek to Add More Housing in Fair Lakes — “Proposed updates to Fairfax County’s land use regulations, preliminarily earmarked for the county staff’s highest priority, signal that the sea-changing real estate market wants to see Fair Lakes, like elsewhere in the county, shift away from suburban office and toward new residential development.” [Washington Business Journal]

Reston Fire Station Introduces New Engine — “Thursday, Station 25. Reston, A-Shift placed new Engine 425 in service. A ‘push In’ ceremony was conducted by the shift. This tradition dates back to the days of horse-drawn equipment when firefighters had to push the equipment back into the station. E425 responded on its first call, an outside fire, a short time later.” [FCFRD/Facebook]

A guide to candidates for Reston Association’s board election, now underway

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 17, 2023 at 2:30PM

Reston Association (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Voting for Reston Association’s Board of Directors’ election closes on March 31.

This year, 10 candidates are vying for five seats on the nine-member board. The results of the election will be announced at the annual members’ meeting in April.

Capital One set to open new baseball stadium in Tysons this month

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 17, 2023 at 1:15PM

Capital One Park, a new baseball stadium, will open in Tysons this March (courtesy Capital One Center)

Just one day after Major League Baseball’s Opening Day, Capital One will kick off the inaugural season of its newly built baseball stadium in Tysons.

Capital One Park, located at 1600 Scotts Crossing Road, will host its first-ever games on March 31, introducing itself to the neighborhood with a double-header between Arlington’s Marymount University and Centenary University from New Jersey.

Fairfax County workers seek better pay in light of proposed raises for leaders

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 17, 2023 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County Government Center (file photo)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors isn’t holding a public hearing on its proposed salary increases until Tuesday (March 21), but some county workers have already made their opposition known.

A union representing over 2,000 county government employees criticized the proposal as a blow to workers, whose projected pay raises aren’t expected to be fully funded in the county’s next budget.