Countywide

The number of days on the market for homes that sold across Fairfax County in August was up 50% from a year before, according to new data.

The average of 24 days between listing and ratified sales contract — up from 16 in August 2024 — is a more modest jump than what D.C.’s closer-in suburbs have seen, but it still suggests prospective buyers are taking their time.


News

Updated 9/16 — City of Fairfax officials said the project was not slowed by leadership changes. According to a spokesperson for the City:

The land use application for the City Center West project has been deemed inactive, as your article states, but the same status exists for the “Block A” proposal.  Attached is the July 4, 2025, letter notifying Ox Hill that the City Center West site plan application was void and closed due to inactivity. 


Countywide

Ikea Considering Full-Service Restaurant in Chantilly— “The Swedish home goods retailer recently filed an application to open a full-service facility in Northern Virginia, reports say.” [Patch]

Traffic Shift for Route 29 Widening — “On Tue 9/16, 9:30a-7p, NB Rt 29 from Clifton Rd/Stringfellow Rd to Hampton Forest Way/Meadow Estates Dr will have lane closures to implement a traffic shift as part of the Route 29 Widening Project. #VaTraffic” [VDOT]


Around Town

Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 12, 2025.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • Fairfax lets archers loose on local deer population (23715 views)
  • JUST IN: Smithsonian to expand Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly (12675 views)
  • What to know about tomorrow’s special election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District (8535 views)
  • Defense contractor’s plan for major expansion in Fairfax unites Youngkin and McKay (7321 views)
  • BREAKING: Physical therapist charged with sexually assaulting patient at Inova campus (7019 views)
  • After winning election to Congress, Walkinshaw resigns from Fairfax County board (5610 views)
  • Parking restrictions considered to stop overflow of boats on Hunter Mill District streets (5598 views)
  • More eateries coming to former Whole Foods spot in Idylwood (5222 views)
  • Fairfax City’s new Shake Shack will open next week (4646 views)
  • West Falls Church man charged with strangling girlfriend, who died (4428 views)
  • BREAKING: James Walkinshaw projected to win special election for Congress (4207 views)
  • Army Ten-Miler Expo moving to Springfield due to National Guard (3978 views)
  • 📅 Upcoming events

    Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

    Here are the events planned for Sunday:

    ☀️ Saturday’s forecast

    Expect sunny skies with a high near 83 and a calm wind shifting to the south at 6 mph during the afternoon. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 62 and a steady south wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

    🌅 Tonight’s sunset

    The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

    We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋


    Event

    The Reston Museum’s next program, held on June 3rd at 7:00PM, will feature the talented students of the South Lakes High School STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Team/National Art Honor Society, who will discuss the creative and technical process behind their upcoming public art installation at the Lake Thoreau spillway. This fascinating program will provide attendees with a behind-the-scenes-look at how students developed the concept for the installation and worked through the planning, engineering, environmental and artistic considerations involved in creating public art for a community space. Program takes place at South Lakes High School and admission is free. For more information visit: restonmuseum.org.


    Countywide

    The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Sept. 9) adopted a package of new guidelines for relocating tenants when affordable apartments are slated for redevelopment, acquisition or condominium conversion.

    “The overarching goal is to assist displaced tenants in moving to safe and affordable replacement housing convenient to their employment or school, while facilitating tenants’ return to preserved affordable units to the greatest extent possible,” county staff said in the report’s overview.


    Around Town

    For two days next month, Capital One Center in Tysons will give the arts precedence over traffic.

    The mixed-use development will close its streets on Oct. 4-5 for the first-ever Celebration of the Arts, a free outdoor festival that will offer exhibits, workshops, live music, food vendors and more.


    Around Town

    Reston Town Center is extending its free summer concerts into the fall this year with a Shrek-themed ogre-haul.

    The inaugural Rocktoberfest will kick off a week before the concert with a special 25th anniversary screening of “Shrek” in the Pavilion at 11900 Market Street on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.


    Opinion

    In need of pants hemming, alterations for evening wear or a quick fix on a ripped garment? Tailors across Fairfax are ready to help.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Tailor in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite place below? If not, write them in!

    Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26.

    Voting for the Best Hiking Spot in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.

    Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Ramen Restaurant in Fairfax. The results are now official:

    1. JINYA Ramen Bar
    2. Umai Ramen & Rice Bowl
    3. Marumen

    News

    Some Fairfax County School Board members hope closer collaboration with their Board of Supervisors’ counterparts will make for smoother future budget processes than was experienced earlier this year.

    Fairfax County Public Schools needs to convince local elected officials and the broader community that “we are being as strategic as possible with every dollar,” Mason District School Board member Ricardy Anderson said during a school board work session on Tuesday (Sept. 9) about budget planning and communications strategies.