Sign outside vehicle entrance for Springfield Town Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)
After surviving recessions, the dawn of online retail and a sweeping redevelopment, JCPenney’s time at Springfield Town Center is at last coming to an end.
The department store will permanently close on May 24 after 53 years at the shopping center formerly known as Springfield Mall.
Wheelock hopes to construct up to 150 stacked townhomes in place of the remaining office building on the nearly 5-acre site at 11600 American Dream Way, according to a rezoning application submitted to Fairfax County on Feb. 3.
Sponsored by: Comstock and Reston Community Center
Summer starts here, and it’s packed with something for everyone. Join us at Reston Station for a season of free, family-friendly events designed to keep your calendar full and your nights unforgettable. From fitness and live music to movies under the stars, this is where summer comes to life.
BELOVED YOGA
Monday & Wednesday Nights
May 27 – September 2
TRAMPOLINE FITNESS
HOSTED BY VIDA FITNESS
Every Tuesday Night
June 2 – September 1
LIVE MUSIC
Friday Nights
May 29 – September 25
ALL-AMERICAN MOVIE MAGIC & MORE
Saturday Nights
June 6 – August 29
Visit our website for the full schedule and details.
Rendering of affordable housing on Franconia Governmental Center site (via Soto Architecture & Urban Design/Fairfax County)
A proposal to build 120 units of affordable housing on a site now occupied by the Franconia Governmental Center has won the support of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
Commission members voted without opposition on Feb. 4 to approve the plan by Franconia Development Partners, a consortium of several housing groups seeking to redevelop the 3.3 acres of leased county land at 6121 Franconia Road with a four-story apartment building.
This year’s Very Godly VBS, inspired by The Titan’s Curse, invites children into the world of Camp Half-Blood to explore faith, courage, belonging, and community through storytelling, music, crafts, games, science, and reflection in a fun and welcoming environment for all.
Snow pile around a pillar holding up the pedestrian walkway from Tysons Corner Center to the Tysons Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Trump Wanted Dulles Airport Renaming — The Trump administration suggested it would release funding for a rail tunnel project connecting New York and New Jersey if Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to have Dulles International Airport and Penn Station in New York City renamed after President Donald Trump. “Schumer (D-N.Y.) declined the offer, according to two people with knowledge of the request.” [Politico]
Bill to Decriminalize Homelessness Set Aside — “In 2024 the US Supreme Court okayed the use of criminal penalties for homelessness. And Thursday morning, an effort to block Virginia localities from doing so was killed in a House of Delegates subcommittee,” which sent it to a housing commission for review. Patron Del. Joshua Cole said he hopes to bring the bill back in 2027. [WHRO]
One Injured in Ice Bank Crash — “One person sustained minor injuries after an overturn crash in Tysons on Sunday, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). Police responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash shortly after 6:30 p.m. in the 1800 block of Tysons Blvd. There, investigators found that a car had overturned after striking an ice bank.” [DC News Now]
Arrest in Smash-and-Grab Burglaries — “A man was arrested and charged for a series of smash-and-grab burglaries targeting phone stores in Fairfax County. Surveillance video shows the man using a rock and a hammer to break into the store and take items inside.” Most of the targeted stores were along the Richmond Highway corridor, but a Metro by T-Mobile on Arlington Blvd in West Falls Church was also hit, police said. [WUSA9]
Construction to Close Worldgate Drive Lane — “On Tuesday, February 10, a lane closure will be in effect on Worldgate Drive due to crane installation” for contractor Peraton’s new office. “Routes 921 and 952 will be impacted. Bus Stops #3824 and #3825 will be temporarily closed during this work. Passengers may use Bus Stop #6356 as an alternate stop.” [Fairfax Connector/X]
Correction: FFXnow initially suggested the crane installation is for BXP’s planned redevelopment of vacant offices along Worldgate Drive, but a spokesperson for the developer says it’s related to the new office building for Peraton.
Vienna Ice Skater’s Backflip Was Historic — “His moves in Milan aren’t just awe-inspiring, but historic: [Ilia] Malinin is the first person to legally land a backflip at the Olympics in five decades.” The move was banned from 1977 until 2024, partly due to safety concerns, but French skater Surya Bonaly performed a backflip at the 1998 Olympics out of a desire “to make her mark on history,” despite knowing it would cost her points. [NPR]
Braddock Supervisor Highlights Priorities — “Rachna Sizemore Heizer, the newly installed Braddock representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, told residents at an open house on Feb. 4 that her top priority is constituent services … Other priorities include helping small businesses, economic development, and support for education, parks, and trails.” [Annandale Today]
Minneapolis Mayor Grew Up in Oakton — “There’s no denying that Minneapolis is making headlines lately. And come to find out, the city’s 44-year-old mayor, Jacob Frey, grew up in Northern Virginia. We spoke with Frey about his NoVA upbringing and ties to the area.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Tuesday — Expect partly sunny skies today, a high near 48, and a south wind at 3-7 mph. Tuesday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 35. The south wind will increase to 7-9 mph before turning northwest after midnight. [NWS]
The Golf Outing will be at the Chantilly National Country Club. Gather your friends for a fantastic day on the greens, enjoy friendly competition, and help us create a brighter future for our youth. Together, we can swing for a cause that truly matters to support area children receiving mental health counseling. Registration and Practice: 8:00-9:00am Tee Time: 9:00am Shotgun Start Lunch and Awards ceremony: 1:30pm- 2:30pm
Expect partly sunny skies during the day with a high around 47 and a mild south breeze of 3 to 7 mph. Moving into Tuesday night, anticipate mostly cloudy conditions and a low near 35 degrees. The south wind will pick up, reaching 7 to 10 mph before shifting to the northwest after midnight, with potential gusts up to 18 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
State Sen. Adam Ebbin speaks at the No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Some voters in Fairfax County will head to the polls tomorrow (Tuesday) with a state Senate seat on the ballot.
Though the majority of Virginia’s 39th Senate district is in Alexandria and Arlington, approximately 16,000 registered voters reside in the Fairfax County portion that starts at Seven Corners and continues southeast through Bailey’s Crossroads.
Abricott is open at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Abricott, a new business with a heady gamut of nuts and sweets served 100 different ways and counting, has opened in the heart of Reston Town Center.
Located at 11900 Market Street, where it has a direct view of the Mercury Fountain, the small storefront has a prime location, robust smells and bold interior color palette that easily capture the attention of passersby.
The Tysons Community Alliance held its official launch event on Feb. 22, 2023 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed County Executive Bryan Hill last Tuesday (Feb. 3) to consider ways a number of “placemaking” organizations — including Visit Fairfax, Volunteer Fairfax and the Tysons Community Alliance — could be consolidated or restructured to reduce costs and be more operationally strategic.
“While each provides value, fragmentation and duplicative services dilute impact and reduce efficiency,” board members said in the directive to Hill.
Future Franconia Governmental Center and Kingstowne Regional Library site under construction at 6121 Franconia Road in October 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)
The coming weekend will bring Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and, for Kingstowne residents, the closure of their longtime community library.
Fortunately, patrons won’t have to wait too long for a new place to check out books: after the existing Kingstowne Library closes this Sunday (Feb. 15), a regional branch that has been under construction since 2023 will open at 7130 Silver Lake Blvd early this spring.