News

Developer Cityline Partners got its plan to swap an office building for condominiums in Tysons’ Arbor Row neighborhood past the Fairfax County Planning Commission last week, but concerns about its affordable housing commitments remain a hurdle.

The commission voted 8-1 last Wednesday (May 15) to recommend approval of a 23-story, 240-unit residential high-rise at 7925 Westpark Drive. The lone “nay” came from Hunter Mill District Commissioner John Carter, while Mount Vernon District Commissioner Walter Clarke abstained after arriving late to the meeting.


News

A road diet is coming to a portion of Sterling Road in Herndon, providing interim safety improvements while the town scours for funding to support a larger-scale overhaul.

Crews are slated to begin restriping the road between Herndon Parkway and Elden Street tomorrow (Tuesday), necessitating detours and lane closures, the town said in a newsletter sent Friday (May 17). The Herndon Police Department advises avoiding the area “until the road work has been completed.”


News

Fairfax County police are investigating the death of a conservative political advisor and CNN commentator who was found in a ditch in the Belle Haven area Saturday (May 18) morning.

CNN announced that evening that Alice Stewart had died at 58 years old after what officers believe was a medical emergency. Her body had been found outdoors in the Belle View neighborhood, but “no foul play is suspected,” the news organization said.


Countywide

UAE Eyes Diplomatic Compound in McLean — “The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government dropped $55 million for 18 acres stretching along the Potomac River in McLean, where it plans to build a diplomatic compound, reports the Washington Business Journal (WBJ).” [Axios DC]

Two Charged in Bailey’s Crossroads Shooting — “Detectives have charged two men in connection with [Friday’s] shooting in Bailey’s Crossroads that left one man dead.” A 20-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Alder Perez Argueta from Bailey’s Crossroads, and a 25-year-old faces charges of robbery resulting in death and gang participation. [FCPD]


Event

StoryWorx: Workhouse's First Ever FREE Book Festival
Sat, Nov 14 | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Lorton, VA

Meet bestselling authors Angie Kim (Happiness Falls), 4× NFL Pro Bowler Ken Harvey (first-ever dramatic reading), and Emmy-winning WUSA9 anchor Wisdom Martin, plus Marcie Atkins, Omar Abed, Ellen R.B. Smith, and more for panels, signings, poetry, and workshops. Kids' Corner features author readings, crafts, and storytime. Browse the artisan market, catch a live Upstart Crow podcast, and explore the Workhouse galleries and artist studios—all part of Second Saturday.


Around Town

Joon has expanded its offerings in Tysons with the addition of a bar and patio.

Named after a poetic Farsi term for “wine,” May Bar began serving customers inside the Persian restaurant at 8045 Leesburg Pike yesterday (Thursday). The launch was timed for late spring to coincide with the opening of an outdoor patio that will host DJs on Friday nights going forward, Joon co-owner Reza Farahani told FFXnow.


Around Town

Owners of six Woofie’s franchises in Northern Virginia are hosting a “Paws in the Park” pet adoption event tomorrow (Saturday) at Wolf Trap National Park.

Participating Woofie’s include Reston/Herndon, Ashburn-Leesburg, McLean, Western Loudoun, South Riding-Aldie and Fairfax. Woofie’s mobile pet services include dog walking, grooming, nail trimming, Bed ‘n Biscuit pet stays, overnight and daytime pet sitting, and other personalized services for area pet owners.


Countywide

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has the green light to apply for a federal grant to replace dozens of buses in its Fairfax Connector fleet.

However, none of the new buses will be all-electric, despite the county’s earlier pledges to electrify its fleet of vehicles.


Around Town

Fresh produce, good dogs and live music are coming to the Plaza at Tysons Corner Center this summer.

The mall has announced an extensive lineup of events for the next few months, highlighted by the introduction of the Giving Garden, a 500-square-foot urban farm that was installed on the Plaza Wednesday night (May 15).