Dalia Palchik | FFXnow

Planned live-work development not moving forward in Merrifield

Published June 12, 2026 at 9:15AM

The entrance to the vacant office building at 8110 Gatehouse Road in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The repurposing of Inova Health System’s former administrative headquarters in Merrifield is seeing mixed success nearly three years after it was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

While construction continues on a conversion of one office building at 2990 Telestar Court into affordable housing, the live/work units planned for an adjacent building at 8110 Gatehouse Road are no longer moving forward, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik shared at the board’s meeting on Tuesday, June 9.

News

Reston space technology company expands to Merrifield

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 10, 2026 at 1:45PM

A rendering of Scout Space's satellite sensors (courtesy Scout Space)

A Reston company that makes technology for satellites has zeroed in on Merrifield for an expansion.

Scout Space will open a 2,650-square-foot manufacturing facility in the still-industrial area south of the Dunn Loring Metro station, while maintaining its existing headquarters in the Summit office buildings at 2002 Edmund Halley Drive.

News

Some Oakton residents object to possible cut-through for Route 123, Hunter Mill Road

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 27, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated May 27, 2026 at 9:07PM

Suli Wang could lose her home if a cut-through between Chain Bridge and Hunter Mill roads is approved (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Residents of an Oakton neighborhood are mobilizing against Fairfax County’s consideration of using one of their community’s streets as a cut-through between two major roadways.

“There are many concerns,” said Suli Wong, a resident of the English Oaks neighborhood, in May 19 remarks to the Board of Supervisors.

Countywide

Fairfax County supervisors urge Spanberger to veto casino bill

By Angela Woolsey

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.