News | FFXnow - Part 614

Morning Notes

Published October 13, 2022 at 7:30AM

An overcast day at the Tysons Tales pop-up park outside The Boro (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fire Department Unveils Platform for Sharing Emergency Information — “Community Connect is a free, secure, and easy to use platform that allows residents and/or business owners to share critical information about their home or business that will aid FCFRD firefighters and paramedics during an emergency.” [FCFRD]

Last New Route 7 Lane Opens in Reston — “The third westbound lane along Rt 7 between Riva Ridge Dr and Reston Ave is now open! It arrives ahead of schedule just like the third eastbound Rt 7 lane a couple weeks ago as part of the Route 7 Corridor Improvements Project.” [VDOT/Twitter]

JUST IN: No charges against police who shot man in Springfield Town Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 12, 2022 at 3:45PM

The scene at Springfield Town Center's parking lot outside Target, where a police officer reportedly shot a man (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Fairfax County police officers who fatally shot a Reston man at Springfield Town Center in June won’t face any charges, the county’s top prosecutor announced today (Wednesday).

An investigation determined that officers Daniel Houtz and Ryan Sheehan reasonably believed that 37-year-old Christian Parker posed a serious, immediate threat to them and a third officer at the scene, according to a news release from Fairfax County County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano.

Fairfax County firefighters could let union negotiate work conditions for first time in decades

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 12, 2022 at 3:00PM

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (file photo)

The first union election that Fairfax County employees have been allowed to hold in over four decades is now underway.

With an election for representation that launched Monday (Oct. 10), firefighters, medics, fire marshals and other Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department workers will determine whether the union IAFF Local 2068 can represent them in upcoming contract negotiations with the county government.

County fills $3 million funding gap for affordable housing at Arrowbrook

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 12, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated October 13, 2022 at 3:11PM

Construction on affordable housing apartments in Herndon is underway (Photo via Jeff McKay).

(Updated to correct number of affordabke units and clarify nature of funds) The Arrowbrook development near the Innovation Center Metro Station got a funding lift yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

The 274-unit project, an affordable housing development under the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, received $3 million in funding after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the issuance of bonds.

Undeveloped site on Route 50 could become a data center or warehouse

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 12, 2022 at 11:45AM

A data center or warehouse is proposed for Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway, now known as Route 50 (Photo via handout/Fairfax County Government).

One of two options — a data center or a warehouse — is proposed for a nearly 79-acre parcel in Chantilly on what used to be called Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway.

The property owner is seeking Fairfax County’s permission to rezone a nearly 5.4-acre portion of the property for a data center or warehouse, according to an Oct. 3 application. The project is coined Chantilly Premier.

Reston’s Lake Anne fountain repairs delayed by at least two months

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 12, 2022 at 11:00AM

The fountain is temporarily closed due to repairs (via Reston Association)

It may be a while before Lake Anne’s fountain is functional again.

Repairs are expected to take at least two more months to complete due to supply chain issues, according to Reston Association.

An urgent care clinic for pets is on its way to Tysons West

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 12, 2022 at 10:15AM

PetMedic Urgent Care will open a clinic in Tysons in 2023 (via PetMedic)

Tysons’ gradually expanding network of health care services will soon include a new option for pets.

PetMedic Urgent Care, a small but growing franchise based in Massachusetts, will open its first location in the D.C. area at Tysons West (1495 Cornerside Blvd) next year, the company announced yesterday (Tuesday).

Man killed on I-95 in Springfield by driver who tried to flee, police say

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 12, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated October 12, 2022 at 10:03AM

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

(Updated at 10 a.m.) A Springfield resident who was allegedly driving while drunk hit and killed a man whose vehicle became disabled on I-95 yesterday (Tuesday).

Identified as Jose Davi Hernandez-Zelayandia, 35, of Woodbridge, the victim had stopped to assess his 2011 Honda Accord on the shoulder of the interstate’s southbound lanes at the exit to Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield, Virginia State Police said in a news release.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 12, 2022 at 7:30AM

Development emerges near the Innovation Center Metro station (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Centreville Man Charged in Fairfax Hit-and-Run — “City of Fairfax Police arrested a 34-year-old Centreville man for driving away from a multi-car crash on Saturday afternoon, according to the weekly crime report. Responding around 1:03 p.m for the report of a crash, officers found two vehicles that had sustained significant damage at Main Street and Judicial Drive.” [Patch]

Metro Plans Bus Network Redesign — “Metro is going on the road with Better Bus, a new initiative to rethink, redesign, and revitalize bus service. In a bold inaugural effort to redesign the current bus network, Metro is holding events across the region to hear from customers and the community.” [WMATA]

Fairfax County plans to let outdoor dining continue beyond pandemic

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 11, 2022 at 3:00PM

The Burger 7 at Avenir Place has a tent extension and movable tables and chairs for outdoor dining (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The end of Fairfax County’s state of emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic won’t mean the end of expanded outdoor dining.

At a land use policy committee meeting last week, the Board of Supervisors indicated strong support for permanently relaxing the county’s permitting rules to let restaurants and other food and drink service establishments set up temporary outdoor dining areas.