Springfield | FFXnow

Funds sought to add more lighting under upcoming Springfield pedestrian bridge

Published August 1, 2023 at 3:00PM

Rendering of the proposed Gateway sign at the Commuter Parking facility on Old Keene Mill Road (image via Fairfax County)

(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) An extra $150,00 is being requested to add a “unique lighting feature” to the colorful “Springfield” welcome sign set to be installed on a pedestrian bridge near Old Keene Mill Road later this year.

At last week’s Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk proposed that the board consider spending $150,000 from the fiscal year 2023 carryover adjustment on a lighting feature to “complement” a welcome sign going up on the pedestrian bridge near the new Springfield Commuter Parking Garage.

Around Town

District Taco will open restaurants in McLean, Springfield soon

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 21, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated July 24, 2023 at 1:58PM

District Taco serves customizable tacos, burritos and bowls (courtesy District Taco)

Updated at 1:55 p.m. on 7/24/2023 — Sadly for local taco lovers, a public relations representative for District Taco says the openings for its Springfield and McLean locations will be delayed. No new dates have been provided, beyond that the restaurants are “coming soon.”

Earlier: Fairfax County’s newest District Taco restaurants are almost ready to serve customers.

News

Plan to redevelop languishing office site in Springfield rejected

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 20, 2023 at 11:45AM

The commission rejected the proposal at a meeting this month (Photo via handout/Fairfax County Government).

A plan to reinvigorate a 15-acre site in Springfield that was the pinnacle of the local market four decades ago has been derailed.

At a July 11 meeting, the Fairfax County Planning Commission rejected a proposal seeking a special exception to redevelop Versar Center — a site with two office buildings that sits on a floodplain between the Virginia Railway Express and the I-95/I-495 interchange.

Countywide

Local lawmakers annoyed by change to criteria for new FBI HQ location

By Matt Blitz

Published July 18, 2023 at 11:45AM

The General Services Administration Warehouse in Springfield, potential site of the FBI's new headquarters (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

There has been another change in criteria for determining where the new FBI headquarters will go, prompting annoyance and even anger from several local officials.

Late last week, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it will now weigh cost and “advancing equity” as factors of higher importance when deciding if the new FBI headquarters will end up in Springfield or one of two sites in Prince George’s County, Maryland, per an updated site selection plan.

Around Town

Trader Joe’s confirms plan to relocate down the road in Springfield

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 17, 2023 at 11:45AM

The grocery store is expected to relocate "within a year or so," according to staff (Photo via Google Maps).

Trader Joe’s is gearing up to relocate from its current site in Springfield.

The grocer plans to relocate from Springfield Plaza on Old Keene Mill Road to another location 3 miles down the street, a company representative told FFXnow.

News

BREAKING: Pedestrian seriously injured in Franconia-Springfield Parkway crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 12, 2023 at 6:45PM | Updated July 12, 2023 at 8:49PM

Westbound Franconia-Springfield Parkway is closed at Spring Village Drive after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle (via FCPD/Twitter)

Updated at 8:50 p.m. — Franconia-Springfield Parkway has reopened after a driver hit a pedestrian earlier this evening.

Earlier: A pedestrian has been hospitalized after a vehicle crash on Franconia-Springfield Parkway in Springfield.

Countywide

FCPD reports decline in shoplifting during June crackdown

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 11, 2023 at 9:30AM

Shoplifting incidents in Fairfax County for 2023 (via FCPD)

Thefts at retail businesses in Fairfax County dropped sharply in June after spiking this spring, local police say.

The Fairfax County Police Department reported on Thursday (July 6) that there were 573 shoplifting offenses last month, down from 642 offenses in May and 603 in April. The department attributes the decline to its increased focus on retail thefts as part of a 2023 summer crime prevention initiative.

News

JUST IN: Lake Accotink closed due to potential sewage contamination

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 30, 2023 at 2:45PM | Updated June 30, 2023 at 4:05PM

Lake Accotink Park paddle boats (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) Lake Accotink is off limits entering the Fourth of July holiday weekend after an upstream sewage spill potentially contaminated the water.

Fairfax County has shut down all activities on the North Springfield lake, including fishing and boating, while the water is tested for bacteria.

News

Shell gas station in Springfield may be demolished, add convenience store

By Vivian Hoang

Published June 27, 2023 at 11:45AM

A Shell gas station in Springfield (5533 Backlick Road) may be demolished to make room for a large new convenience store with more fueling stations.

According to the proposal’s statement of justification written by David Gill, Petroleum Marketing Group is looking to replace the existing 1,820 square foot Shell service station building with “a new 3,982.5 square foot convenience store, new fuel islands and canopy and underground storage tanks spread across a larger site.”

News

JUST IN: Man sentenced to life in prison for 2016 killings of Springfield couple

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 16, 2023 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Life in prison awaits the man responsible for the 2016 killings of 22-year-old Springfield residents Kedest Simeneh and Henok Yohannes.

Alexandria resident Yohannes Nessibu, 29, was sentenced to life in prison today (Friday) after being convicted of first-degree murder and manslaughter for shooting the couple during a drug deal, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced.