Site of proposed Park Center Road power substation (via Dominion Energy)
Despite objections to one of the projects from nearby residents, the Fairfax County Planning Commission at its July 9 meeting approved Dominion Energy’s requests for two new electrical substations to support future data centers in the Dulles area.
A 300-megawatt Towerview substation will be wedged between Sully Road (Route 28) and Park Center Road in the Floris neighborhood, just east of Dulles International Airport. Dominion will lease the site from the owner of the Dulles Gateway data center, which is being constructed immediately to its south.
Flyer for the Fairfax County Park Authority's 2025 Summer Entertainment Series (via Fairfax County Park Authority)
Fairfax County supervisors were all singing from the same songbook yesterday (Tuesday), unanimously declaring the county to be the “Music Capital of Virginia.”
Others across the commonwealth might disagree, but Fairfax leaders said the sheer breadth of musical performances throughout the year, but particularly in summer, made the county deserving of the title.
Federal employment in the D.C. region from 1990 to May 1, 2025 (via Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments)
Fairfax County’s top elected officials at the state and local level united this morning (Wednesday) to urge Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration to provide more support for fired federal workers.
In a joint statement, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34), who represents southeastern Fairfax, pinned the “staggering rise in unemployment” across the county on “the reckless policies of Donald Trump” and the “complicity” of Virginia’s Republican leaders.
James Quinn-Irons bats for the George Mason Patriots against James Madison University (courtesy George Mason Athletics)
Two Fairfax County natives are a step closer to achieving their professional baseball dreams after being chosen in the 2025 MLB draft.
James Quinn-Irons, a Reston resident who currently attends and plays for George Mason University, was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the draft’s fifth round on Monday (July 14). He was the 147th overall pick.
Internal road blocked near Seasons 52 at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Parkway Speed Cameras in Full Effect — “Work zone speed cameras along Fairfax County Parkway between Popes Head Road and Burke Center Parkway are now live. Drivers who speed in the work zone will receive fines up to $100.” The speed limit in that stretch of road has been lowered to 45 mph while construction continues on multiple road widening projects. [Fairfax County Government/X]
Comstock Responds to Lawsuit — In a statement shared yesterday (Tuesday), Comstock Companies CEO Chris Clemente called allegations in the Town of Herndon’s lawsuit over the stalled downtown redevelopment project “inaccurate and without merit.” The developer says it was unable to meet deadlines imposed last year by the town, but remains interested in implementing the project or transferring the land to another developer. [FFXnow]
Lack of Information on Immigration Arrests — “While the governor’s office has described the 2,512 people arrested [in Virginia] as ‘violent criminals who are illegally in the United States,’ neither Youngkin’s office nor state or federal agencies involved in the operation have provided any documentation about those arrested to be able to verify who they are, what they were charged with or whether they’ve been deported.” [Virginian-Pilot]
Virginia Schools Remove Library Books — “Virginia school divisions are removing books from library shelves with minimal state guidance — in some cases, while incorrectly citing state law — according to a report issued by the General Assembly’s research arm Monday. Thirty-two school districts removed 223 books from libraries a combined 344 times between July 2020 and March 2025,” JLARC reported. [VPM]
Men Charged With Assaulting Police Officers — “City of Fairfax Police arrested two Fairfax men for assaulting a law enforcement officer in two separate incidents over the weekend, according to authorities. Around 4:50 p.m. on Saturday, officers were called to the Wawa at 9700 Blvd. for the report of a man harassing customers.” The other incident occurred on Sunday (July 16) during a traffic stop near Fairfax Blvd and Chain Bridge Road. [Patch]
New Pizzeria Coming to Lincolnia — “Pizzato Pizza, an Italian restaurant in Arlington, plans to open a second location on Little River Turnpike in Lincolnia next month. A sign on the storefront promises pasta, wings, Philly steaks, and salads, as well as pizza. The restaurant will be located in Landmark Plaza between Total Wine and Subway.” [Annandale Today]
ArtsFairfax Names New Board Chair — “ArtsFairfax, the local arts agency serving Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church … announces new members and new officers to its Board of Directors, including Michael Liberman as Board Chair.” Liberman worked for Fairfax County for over 33 years, retiring as director of the Department of Cable and Consumer Services and chair of the County Arts Committee in 2022. [ArtsFairfax]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 89. The heat index may reach 100. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation. At night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 8pm, followed by mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 76. [NWS]
Fairfax Arms building (photo via Fairfax County Park Authority)
As Northern Virginia continues to grapple with the limited supply and high cost of housing, a pair of 18th and 19th-century taverns that were later converted into homes could present an unique opportunity for some preservation-minded residents.
An interactive map showing draft scenarios for Fairfax County Public Schools' 2024-2026 boundary review (via FCPS)
As Fairfax County Public Schools continues to work through a sweeping redistricting process, the school board decided to revisit its policy on how the upcoming changes will be implemented.
Led by Mason District Representative Ricardy Anderson, the Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously this Thursday (July 17) to revise the phasing policy that guides which students are affected by boundary adjustments.
Isaac Newton Square development plan for blocks N1, N3 and W3 (via LandDesign/Fairfax County)
A developer is finalizing plans for more housing in Isaac Newton Square, though construction on a previously approved residential building has yet to begin.
Tri Pointe Homes, the builder behind the new townhouses under construction at Lake Anne, hopes to construct up to 143 townhomes across three blocks of Isaac Newton Square, an office park in Reston that has been slated for an extensive, mixed-use redevelopment since 2019.
Sunlight peeking through clouds over Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Storm Floods Fairfax County Roadways — “In Fairfax County, Virginia, flash flooding and runoff caused creeks to spill over roadways, such as U.S. Route 50 between Prosperity Avenue and Cedar Lane.” Videos shared on social media showed drivers mired in high water in McLean and the frequently flooded Besley and Old Courthouse Road intersection in Wolf Trap. [WTOP]
More on Herndon v. Comstock Lawsuit — The Town of Herndon alleges in a complaint filed in Fairfax County Circuit Court last Friday (July 11) that Comstock Companies is declining to return the downtown property it was slated to redevelop in an effort to get the town to cover certain costs. The developer hasn’t responded to requests for comment. [FFXnow]
Va. Turns to A.I. to Reduce Regulations — “The new AI pilot, officials say, is a first-of-its-kind effort at the state level. The technology will comb through existing regulations and guidance documents to flag conflicting language, suggest clearer phrasing, and help agencies that haven’t already met” the 25% benchmark set by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. [Virginia Mercury]
N. Va. Economic Challenges Could Ripple Through State — “An office complex in Fairfax County recently changed hands, and taxpayers across rural Virginia ought to be alarmed … If Northern Virginia’s economy stalls, that’s less money to Richmond and less going out to rural localities, which means if those places want better schools, they’d have to raise their local taxes.” [Cardinal News]
Ramp Closures on I-66 — “Weather permitting, the I-66 and Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) interchange will have nighttime ramp closures for paving Tuesday night, July 15, through Thursday night, July 17, and Sunday night, July 20, through Wednesday night, July 23 … Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]
Local Couple Marries in Arlington Library — “Over the weekend, Fairfax couple Katie Lettie and Vincent Bauer exchanged vows inside the library after winning a contest for a free, all-inclusive wedding. And no, this wasn’t a private affair as hundreds of community members showed up to watch love take center stage between the stacks.” [WUSA9]
Costs Rise for Falls Church Road Project — “An 82% increase in estimated costs has led Falls Church officials to rethink plans to improve a key city byway. As a result, it appears likely that transportation and stormwater improvements along Lincoln Avenue will be phased in over time.” [ARLnow]
Area Teen Trains for American Ninja Warrior — “I was at Baron’s ninja gym — Vertex Labs Academy, a low-slung warehouse space in a Lorton industrial park — where he’d set up an obstacle course, a baby version of the ones on the show. There would be jumping and hanging and swinging and leaping. I wasn’t sure I could do any of it at all.” [Washingtonian]
It’s Tuesday — The weather will be mostly cloudy, reaching a high of approximately 87°F. There’s a 70% chance of precipitation. For Tuesday night, temperatures will drop to around 74°F under mostly cloudy skies, with a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Development plan documents (via Pedro Miranda/Unsplash)
Fairfax County planning officials say they have the resources to meet new, stricter turnaround requirements for submissions by property developers.
“We’ve already changed our process. We’re in compliance,” Jerry Stonefield, a Land Development Services staff member, told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a land use policy committee meeting last Tuesday (July 8).