Reston | FFXnow - Part 577

Morning Notes

Published April 19, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:48PM

Sunrise at Reston National Golf Course (photo by Terry Baranski)

Masks Now Optional on Metro — “Effective immediately, Metro will make masks optional on Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess for its customers. Masks also will be optional for Metro employees. This change comes as a result of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suspending enforcement, while the Biden Administration reviews a federal judge’s ruling.” [WMATA]

McLean Community Center Faces Anti-Equity Backlash — Protests of a “Drag Storybook Hour” at Dolley Madison Library last summer by some McLean residents have grown into broader opposition to MCC promoting diversity and inclusion in its programming. The tension has manifested in this year’s governing board race, where nine candidates, including a former Trump administration official, are vying for three open seats. [The Washington Post]

Countywide

Affordable housing supporters push county to back up words with funding

By David Taube

Published April 18, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:09PM

Affordable apartments at Ovation at Arrowbrook in McNair are undergoing construction (staff photo by David Taube)

While Fairfax County’s goal of creating 10,000 affordable housing units by 2034 is laudable, ambition alone will not address all of the county’s existing needs, residents and housing advocates say.

Affordable housing groups, residents, and other community members raised issues at budget hearings last week with how the county is seeking to address gaps in affordable housing. Many called for funding increases, a request that will have to be balanced with potentially competing priorities, such as property tax relief.

Countywide

Fairfax Health District’s COVID-19 death toll reaches 1,500 people

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 18, 2022 at 3:00PM

Fairfax Health District COVID-19 cases over the past 26 weeks, as of April 18, 2022 (via VDH)

On March 12, a resident of Fairfax County, or possibly the cities of Fairfax or Falls Church died from COVID-19.

Reported to the Virginia Department of Health within the past week, the most recent confirmed death brings the Fairfax Health District’s death toll from the pandemic up to 1,500 people.

News

Demolition of warehouse in the Town of Herndon under consideration

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 18, 2022 at 2:15PM

The self-storage facility would replace a warehouse (Photo via handout/Town of Herndon).

A new self-storage facility could take the place of an existing warehouse in the Town of Herndon.

Security Public Storage is hoping to get the town’s blessing to demolish a warehouse at 331 Victory Drive to build a self-storage facility.

Countywide

Fairfax County seeks $572M in funds for electric buses, road projects

By David Taube

Published April 18, 2022 at 11:15AM

Fairfax County Connector in Reston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority wants the public’s input on more than two dozen projects that could drastically change travel in the region.

The projects cover a six-year funding span and involve over $1.2 billion in requests, though the authority acknowledged it’s not immediately clear how much funding will be available.

Countywide

Local environmental advocates stress urgent need to change habits

By David Taube

Published April 18, 2022 at 10:30AM

Electric bus (via Fairfax County Public Schools)

Environmental advocates say Fairfax County’s government, residents, and businesses need to drastically accelerate their efforts to go green.

During budget hearings last week, speakers urged the county to increase its funding for environmental initiatives and recommended adopting electric vehicle rebates — which the state hasn’t been funding — as well as zero energy buildings and other measures.

Countywide

Rise in cut-through traffic becomes dicey issue for Town of Herndon

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 18, 2022 at 9:45AM | Updated October 11, 2022 at 5:03PM

Dulles Toll Road traffic passing the future Herndon Metro station (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

In the morning and afternoon, traffic on Herndon Parkway in the southwestern part of town settles into a sluggish crawl. While some congestion is inevitable in a modern-day commute, some town leaders wonder if another culprit can be to blame: a rise in cut-through traffic in the town.

Councilmember Sean Regan, who is pushing the town to explore the issue, believes a big chunk of Herndon’s traffic problem is caused by out-of-towners who do not live or work in the town. Some are commuters from the west seeking a quick path to avoid the main toll plaza.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 18, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated February 27, 2023 at 1:09PM

Looking up at Tysons Central office building on an overcast day (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Saturday Morning Shooting in Herndon Under Investigation — “Officers are investigating a shooting in the 2100 block of Astoria Circle in Herndon. One person taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Suspect(s) believed to have left the area in a silver sedan.” [FCPD/Twitter]

New Route 123 to I-66 Ramp to Open Tomorrow — “The new permanent ramp from Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) South to I-66 West is planned to open during the early morning hours on or about Tuesday, April 19. The current temporary left turn and connector ramp from Route 123 South to I-66 West will close as part of this work.” [VDOT]

Countywide

Most-read Fairfax County stories of the week: April 11-15

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 15, 2022 at 3:00PM

A shopper looks at produce in Fairfax City's now-open Amazon Fresh (staff photo by David Taube)

The weekend is almost here. Before you get distracted by panda videos or head to bed for some much-needed sleep after avoiding those pranksters, let’s revisit the past week of news in Fairfax County.

Here are the 10 most-read stories on FFXnow this week:

News

Crust Pizzeria Napoletana fires up wood-burning oven in Herndon

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 15, 2022 at 1:30PM

This is the second location of the business (Photo courtesy Crust Pizzeria).

Crust Pizzeria Napoletana has opened in the Town of Herndon at 360 Elden Street, bringing its pizzas — made in a traditional wood-burning oven shipped from Naples — to life.

This is the second location for the business. The first opened in Tysons nearly eight years ago.