Dalia Palchik | FFXnow

Published March 16, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated March 16, 2026 at 3:24PM

Virginia Senate chamber during final vote on SB 756 on March 14, 2025 (via Senate of Virginia/YouTube)

Despite weeks of debate and revisions, the Senate Bill 756 that the Virginia General Assembly sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk before adjourning on Saturday (March 14) wound up being exactly the same as the one introduced when the legislative session began in January.

After requesting a second conference to some groans from his colleagues, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) reverted to his original language for a new substitute bill to allow casino gaming in Fairfax County, limiting potential sites to a 1.5-million-square-foot mixed-use development in Tysons but otherwise treating Fairfax the same as the five cities in Virginia already eligible to host a casino.

News

Fairfax County might consolidate ‘placemaking’ groups to reduce costs

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 9, 2026 at 1:45PM

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.

Countywide

Fairfax board narrowly votes to oppose any casino legislation not requested by supervisors

By Scott McCaffrey and Angela Woolsey

Published December 9, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated December 10, 2025 at 2:47PM

A lobbying flyer shared with state lawmakers in January 2025 includes a rendering of Comstock's envisioned casino development in Tysons (via Access Point Public Affairs)

By the narrowest of majorities, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors went on record today (Tuesday) opposing any state legislation authorizing development of a casino property within the county’s borders.

The 5-4 vote was in support of a proposal from Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn to include a plank in the county’s 2026 legislative package stating opposition to any casino legislation until it is formally requested by a majority of supervisors and meets a number of other criteria.

News

Idylwood neighborhood gets relief from county trash collection after being billed for no service

By Scott McCaffrey

Published November 28, 2025 at 9:15AM

Fairfax County trash collection (photo via Fairfax County)

Residents of a three-year-old, 16-home subdivision in the Idylwood area south of Shreve Road never realized they were part of Fairfax County’s trash and recycling service.

Neither did the county staff responsible for overseeing trash collection, as service to the neighborhood never began.

Around Town

Fast food restaurant, bank circling Gatehouse Plaza in Merrifield

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 12, 2025 at 11:45AM

Gatehouse Plaza sign in August 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Some changes are in the works at Merrifield’s Gatehouse Plaza, though it might take some time for them to come into effect.

Wendy’s, one of the shopping center’s original tenants, is slated to be replaced by Raising Cane’s, and the property owner wants to convert an existing building into a drive-thru bank.

News

Arbor Row senior center opens in Tysons with variety of programs

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 6, 2025 at 10:00AM

Mather and Fairfax County officials cut a ribbon to celebrate Arbor Row Center's opening in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

At Tysons’ new senior center, adults 50 and older will be able to stay fit, express their artistry, learn how to navigate technology and more.

Arbor Row Center is now open on the ground floor of The Mather, an apartment community for seniors, at 7929B Westpark Drive. After a ribbon-cutting celebration yesterday (Monday), the facility will host an open house today (Tuesday) where patrons can meet each other and enjoy refreshments from 10 a.m. to noon.

News

New signs coming to Tysons will point out trails, Metro stops and other amenities

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 2, 2025 at 1:15PM

A sample wayfinding sign at Scott's Run Trail in Tysons (via Tysons Community Alliance/Fairfax County)

The transportation network in Tysons remains a work in progress, especially when it comes to facilities for non-car-based travel.

Recent years have brought some improvements, from the first segments of the Tysons Community Circuit to the addition of publicly accessible park space in central Tysons. The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) hopes to draw more attention to those existing amenities with new signage.

News

Fairfax County board fast-tracks Tysons fire station planning process

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 7, 2025 at 9:00AM

Rendering of planned Fire Station 29 in Tysons (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed on Tuesday (March 4) to expedite the planning and zoning process for construction of a new Fire Station #29 at 8300 Jones Branch Drive in Tysons.

Acting unanimously, supervisors directed county staff to concurrently process a site plan and building plans for the facility while a proffer condition amendment is also being processed.

News

Proposal to redevelop AT&T offices ignites new look at Oakton road conditions

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 25, 2025 at 9:00AM

A rendering of EYA's proposed AT&T office site redevelopment from Chain Bridge Road (via Fairfax County)

Everyone seems to agree that Oakton’s roadways are untenable for drivers as well as pedestrians and cyclists, especially in light of recent fatal crashes.

The dividing line between supporters and skeptics of a proposed overhaul of AT&T’s office campus and other mixed-use developments in the area has become whether they believe the impending projects will alleviate or exacerbate the current congested, hazardous status quo.

Countywide

NEW: Fairfax County casino bill advances to full Senate for first time

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 28, 2025 at 2:30PM

The Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee votes 9-6 to report S.B. 982 to the full bill to the full Senate (via Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn/Bluesky)

The push to allow a casino in Fairfax County has officially entered new territory.

After tabling similar legislation proposed by state Sen. Dave Marsden (D-35) last year, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted 9-6 this morning (Tuesday) to report Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell’s (D-34) bill to add the county to Virginia’s list of eligible casino hosts to the full chamber.