Falls Church | FFXnow

Route 1 BRT, Elden Street upgrades among transportation projects vying for regional funds

Published April 9, 2026 at 9:15AM

Residents attend an in-person update on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Gerry South Hyland Government Center on Jan. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County is pinning all its hopes for a new round of regional transportation funding on a single major project, but local travelers could also benefit from some of the other contenders.

As authorized last fall by the Board of Supervisors, the county is seeking $463 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for its planned “The One” bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which would serve nine stations along a 7.4-mile stretch of Richmond Highway, also known as Route 1, from Huntington to Fort Belvoir.

News

Falls Church leaders aim to collaborate with Fairfax on Beyer redevelopment

By Scott McCaffrey

Published September 18, 2025 at 9:15AM

Beyer site concept plan (via Fairfax County)

Falls Church city officials are hoping for a collaborative effort with their Fairfax County colleagues as redevelopment takes place in the Gordon Road Triangle straddling the two communities.

“We have demonstrated we can work well with Fairfax County,” Falls Church Vice Mayor Debora Schantz-Hiscott said as city leaders on Sept. 15 began planning for the 20-acre parcel located within the locality’s borders.

Around Town

Victory Comics launching new Springfield location later this month

By Vernon Miles

Published July 10, 2025 at 10:00AM

Victory Comics in Falls Church (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Excelsior, comic fans! Falls Church comic shop Victory Comics is opening a new location in Springfield.

The new location is opening at 6681 H Backlick Road in the Backlick Center shopping center.

News

More funding needed to advance Haycock Road shared-use path project

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 8, 2025 at 3:45PM

The concept design for proposed Haycock Road improvements at Mustang Alley (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Future multi-modal bicyclist and pedestrian improvements along Haycock Road near the Fairfax-Falls Church border may be dependent on obtaining regional grant funding.

At its meeting next Monday (July 14), the Falls Church City Council is expected to formally request up to $15 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) in support of the upgrades, which is jointly sought with Fairfax County officials.

News

Initial design for Shreve Road shared-use path welcomed by Idylwood residents

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 9, 2025 at 10:00AM

Community members review concept designs for a shared-use path and other improvements on Shreve Road and Haycock Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Years after a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Shreve Road, Idylwood residents got their first look at infrastructure changes that local transportation planners hope will make the corridor safer and more accessible.

At a community meeting on May 29, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) unveiled conceptual designs for a shared-use path on Shreve Road and improvements at the Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) intersection, where the roadway turns into Haycock Road after crossing the Falls Church City border.

Countywide

Festivals, parades and more planned around Fairfax for Memorial Day weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published May 21, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated May 22, 2025 at 9:42AM

People stop by carnival rides and food stalls at the 2024 ViVa Vienna festival (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Memorial Day is coming up next Monday (May 26) with several commemorations and festivities planned around the region to mark the long weekend.

One of the biggest local events is ViVa Vienna, an annual celebration organized by the Rotary Club of Vienna.

News

Proposal could allow mixed-use development in ‘triangle’ near Falls Church border

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 20, 2025 at 1:45PM

Beyer site concept plan (via Fairfax County)

Plans to redevelop a key parcel straddling the boundary between Fairfax County and Falls Church City are about to get a boost.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission signaled last week that it plans to recommend that the Board of Supervisors authorize staff to study amending the comprehensive plan to allow mixed-use development on a 2.4-acre parcel fronting Route 7 located on the Fairfax side of the border.

News

Fairfax open to joining Falls Church in ‘Saigon Blvd’ renaming, board chair says

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 24, 2025 at 9:00AM

Elected officials and the local Vietnamese American community unveil a sign for Saigon Blvd, an honorary designation for Wilson Blvd in front of Eden Center in Falls Church (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Fairfax County could be next in bestowing the honorary name “Saigon Blvd” on a stretch of Wilson Blvd near Seven Corners.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay nodded in the affirmative when asked at a Wednesday (Jan. 22) ceremony whether Fairfax would be willing to join Falls Church in renaming the area in front of the Eden Center in honor of the one-time South Vietnamese capital.

Around Town

JUST IN: Whole Foods sets target date for closing Idylwood store

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 8, 2025 at 11:15AM | Updated January 8, 2025 at 4:40PM

Whole Foods Market at Idylwood Plaza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Whole Foods Market has set a grand opening date for its new store in Falls Church, which means its 25-year stay in Idylwood is officially coming to an end.

The grocery store’s last day of business at 7511 Leesburg Pike in Idylwood Plaza is currently scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3. However, the timing could change “depending on the store’s in-stock levels,” a Whole Foods spokesperson told FFXnow.

Around Town

NEW: Whole Foods will relocate Idylwood store to Falls Church

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 27, 2024 at 9:45AM

Whole Foods Market at Idylwood Plaza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The clock is ticking on Whole Foods Market’s time in Idylwood.

The grocery store has rolled out signs at its Idylwood Plaza location (7511 Leesburg Pike) announcing that it will relocate “soon” to Falls Church City, where it will anchor the new Broad and Washington development at 103 E. Broad Street.