(Updated at 5 p.m.) The final phase of the economic visioning of the Lake Anne area is nearing.
At a meeting today (Tuesday), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors opened up a request for an additional $200,000 for the third phase of the project.
Handling 911 calls has never been a regular 9-to-5 job, but a national staffing shortage has increased the hours and pressure felt by call takers and dispatchers across the country.
Fairfax County’s Department of Public Safety Communications wasn’t spared from the workforce challenges that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping from close to 180 staffers before 2020 to about 160 people right now.
(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) A German food truck is officially opening its doors in Herndon.
What The Schnitzel — described as the first and only food truck in the Northern Virginia area that sells German fusion cuisine — is celebrating its soft opening on Saturday (July 29) at Arts Herndon. It will be on site from noon to 5 p.m. at the building (750 Center Street).
(Updated at 9:05 a.m. on 7/26/2023) Fairfax County is currently the second largest suburban office market in the nation, with an inventory of 120 million square feet.
However, the current office vacancy rate sits at 16.7% — topping the county’s previous 10-year high, according to Stephen Tarditi, director of market intelligence at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
County on the Lookout for Spotted Lanternfly — “Fairfax County Forest Pest Management unit…is asking County residents to help slow the spread of this invasive pest by being vigilant about not moving spotted lanternfly life stages when traveling through known infested areas and to vacuum nymphs and adults with a shop vac and scrape egg masses into a container of soapy water, as well as report sightings.” [DPWES]
Longtime Seven Corners Clothing Store to Move — “After outfitting local healthcare workers for 20 years, Gallo Clothing in the Seven Corners Shopping Center is closing for good. The store’s last day is Thursday, July 27. Meanwhile, just about everything in the store is marked down 25 to 75 percent…The landlord is raising the rent, so Gallo Clothing is relocating, says manager Doris Zelaya.” [Annandale Today]
A staple of Reston’s sports scene is embarking on a post-pandemic return.
The Reston Triathlon returns for its 37th year on Sept. 10 after a three-year pause.
(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) The overhaul of the Reston Comprehensive Plan is barreling towards approval this fall.
At a July 19 meeting, the Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously approved a new version of the plan, which sets a comprehensive vision for the planned community and culminates more than two years of work by residents, officials and county staff.
Tysons Contractor Will Settle Fraud Lawsuit — “Defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton has agreed to pay $377 million to settle a long-standing Justice Department lawsuit alleging that the Northern Virginia-based company overcharged the U.S. government to help cover losses in other areas of its business, federal authorities announced Friday.” [The Washington Post]
Burke Residents Call for Traffic Light After Fatal Crash — “A petition garners over 1,100 signatures for Fairfax County to install a stoplight at the site of Tuesday’s fatal crash along Burke Centre Parkway. Police said that speeding was likely a factor, as man driving a car, collided with four teens. The driver, Rebekah Zarco, 17, was killed immediately.” [DC News Now]
A proposal to add long-distance flights at Reagan National Airport has officially failed, to the relief of area representatives who feared it would undermine Dulles International Airport.
The House of Representatives rejected the proposal — which was included in a package of changes to the Federal Aviation Administration’s policies that passed overall — by a 229-205 vote on Wednesday (July 19).
Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
Get ready for a delightful summer fruit-picking experience near Fairfax County!
