Westbound Route 29 approaching Fairmont Street in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax County wants to come up with a new vision for the Idylwood segment of Route 29, one that’s more inclusive of modes of transportation other than cars.
The Board of Supervisors authorized transportation staff on June 25 to apply for $175,000 in federal grant money to fund the development of an active transportation plan for Route 29 between Hollywood Road and Route 7 (Leesburg Pike).
Storm clouds gather over Vienna’s Red Caboose and Conte’s Bike Shop (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Heat-Related Deaths Reported — “Seven people have died as a result of heat in the Washington region, authorities confirmed Wednesday, as blistering temperatures have forced elected officials to cancel public events, close down athletic fields and encourage residents to stay indoors.” That includes one person in Virginia, though state officials didn’t provide details. [Washington Post]
Domestic Assault in Reston Under Investigation — “Fairfax County Police are investigating an assault that took place early Tuesday morning in Reston.” Officers were called to the 2300 block of Freetown Court for a report of a stabbing, but upon arriving, they found a man with injuries that “weren’t consistent with a stabbing,” police say. No hospital visit was needed. [Patch]
Funding Recommended for Transportation Projects — “The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority will present its ranked recommendations Thursday, for funding nearly $700 million in projects to advance the region’s multimodal transportation network.” Traffic signal improvements on Route 7 by Falls Church came out on top for its congestion relief potential relative to cost. [WTOP]
Middle Eastern Cafe Opens in Barcroft Plaza — “The new MQR Café in Barcroft Plaza serves breakfast, sandwiches, and coffee drinks all day. The café opened on July 6 at 6343-E Columbia Pike. Much of the food features Mediterranean/Middle Eastern flavors.” [Annandale Today]
Hybla Valley Mural Design Up for Vote — “Franconia Supervisor Rodney Lusk and the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services invite community input on a mural design for the exterior wall on the east side of Hybla Valley Community Center.” Voting on designs submitted by artists is open until 5 p.m. on July 26. [NCS]
McLean Group Calls for AmbulanceUpgrades — “The McLean Citizens Association’s board of directors adopted a resolution July 3 urging Fairfax County officials to purchase power-load cots for the county government’s entire fleet of medical-transport vehicles to reduce injuries to patients and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel.” [Gazette Leader]
County Seeks Input on DisabilityServices — “The Fairfax Area Commission on Aging (COA) and the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board (FA-DSB) are seeking community input to identify systemic gaps in service and/or barriers Fairfax County residents with disabilities face.” Registration is open for virtual community forums on July 31 and Aug. 2. [FA-DSB]
Permitting Underway for High School Stadium Bathrooms — “Permanent restroom facilities for Mount Vernon, West Potomac, Edison, Hayfield and 11 other public high school athletic stadiums in Fairfax County are expected to be in place by the 2025-2026 school year.” A modular has arrived at Justice High School, but permits for the other sites are still being reviewed. [On the MoVe]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 91 degrees with a westerly wind at about 6 mph. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with a low near 73, as the northwest wind of around 5 mph becomes calm in the evening. There is a 50% chance of showers during the night. [NWS]
The Capital Bikeshare station at Jones Branch Drive and Blyton Street in Tysons (via Google Maps)
The Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) wants to make the case that two wheels can be just as effective as four for getting around Tysons.
The nonprofit booster group is inviting community members to familiarize themselves with the area’s bicycle and scooter options with two Capital Bikeshare demonstrations this week, followed by a more extensive “Wheel Wise” event with safety tips and swag bags.
The gym Club Studio has opened at Tysons West (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
A new option for those looking to get fit without having to endure the summer heat is now available in Tysons.
Club Studio has completed a $11 million retrofit of the former 24 Hour Fitness at Tysons West (1500 Cornerside Blvd A). The 48,891-square-foot gym opened for workouts just before the Fourth of July and began offering classes last Friday (July 5), the business announced on Instagram.
Water fountains are activated at Capital One Center in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Idylwood Apartment Residents Struggle With Lack of AC — “Amid a severe summer heat wave, residents of the eaves Fairfax Towers apartments in Falls Church, Virginia, report enduring indoor temperatures as high as 93 degrees for more than two weeks…Residents say management provided temporary air-conditioning units, but they have not been effective.” [NBC4]
New Graves Found at Bull Run Park — “A few hundred yards from the popular Atlantis Waterpark at Bull Run Regional Park, in Centreville, Virginia, researchers identified nine graves Monday, using ground penetrating radar in a recently discovered cemetery of African Americans who were likely freed or enslaved.” [WTOP]
Fairfax City Police Investigate Bullet Hole — A resident reported hearing two gunshots at 9:49 p.m. on Monday (July 8), and police later found a bullet hole at the back of their home on Cardinal Road. Other residents later told detectives they had also heard shots but thought the sounds were fireworks. Fairfax City police officers have increased patrols in the area amid an active investigation. [Fairfax City Police/Twitter]
Arlington Chef Opens Restaurant in McLean — “Chef David Guas, a 24-year culinary vet by way of New Orleans, finally has a full-service restaurant to call his own. Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen quietly opened for dinner service last month in the downtown McLean space that formerly housed Assaggi Osteria & Pizzeria.” [Eater DC]
Springfield Man Found Guilty for Liquor Thefts — “A Springfield man was found guilty of stealing thousands of dollars of liquor from ABC stores in [Alexandria City], and is scheduled to appear again for other suspected incidents in Arlington and Fairfax Counties.” A Sept. 11 court hearing in Fairfax County involves charges of larceny, shoplifting, assaulting a law enforcement officer and more. [ALXnow]
Ramen and Taco Restaurants Heading for Richmond Highway Corridor — Yido Ramen and Sushi in Tysons is expanding to the Belle View Shopping Center, where it’s expected to open in January or February 2025. In Groveton, a tenant list for the South Alex apartments shows Big Papi’s Tacos coming to “the end unit directly across from the Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care clinic.” [On the MoVe]
Manager Chosen for Reston Marriott — “Crescent Hotels & Resorts has entered into a management agreement with an affiliate of Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHCI) (“Comstock”) covering the JW Marriott at Reston Station.” The 28-story high-rise will include a 12-floor, 243-room hotel expected to open in mid-2025 and 94 condominiums that recently opened for sale. [Crescent Hotels and Resorts]
It’s Wednesday — Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 5pm, with mostly sunny conditions and a high near 95, and a heat index reaching up to 105. Wednesday night, storms may occur mainly before 2am, while partly cloudy skies bring a low of 77. The chance of precipitation rises from 30% to 50%. [NWS]
Sun shining among trees in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The heat and humidity that have baked the D.C. area through much of July so far are reaching dangerous levels.
The National Weather Service issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the region, including Fairfax County, shortly after 2 p.m. today (Tuesday). Scheduled to stay in effect until 8 p.m., the notice warns that heat index values — which measures air temperatures combined with humidity — could reach up to 110.
One of the commissioned pieces is a mural planned for the rear wall of the Old Firehouse Center at 1440 Chain Bridge Road. The second installation is a sculpture targeted for the rear plaza of the community center, located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.
Walk to explore Tysons and claim your reward by July 31. Summer is here, and the clock is ticking!
Don’t miss the chance to discover all that Tysons has to offer. From bustling urban streets totranquil parks, each Tysons Get Around Guide route promises to uncover hidden gems and local favorites. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a newcomer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Simply download the Tysons Get Around Guide or access the digital routes on Google Maps and embark on your walk. Track your walk using your smartphone and send us a screenshot of your route via our online form to claim your reward.
Choose your path and complete any designated route before July 31 and earn a $15 gift card*. Feeling adventurous? Challenge yourself to walk all four routes. The first 10 trailblazers to complete all routes will win a $100 gift card*.
Bicycle lockers outside the McLean Metro station in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Metro is preparing to kick a multi-phase update of its bicycle parking facilities into gear later this year.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will install hundreds of new bicycle lockers and racks at 74 different stations, replacing amenities that, in some cases, date back to when the stations were first constructed 30 to 40 years ago.
The Virginia ABC store at Plaza at Landmark in Lincolnia (via Google Maps)
Fairfax County police have made headway on a months-long investigation into over a dozen thefts targeting local liquor stores.
Detectives believe the crimes were all committed by the same “crew,” identifying a man arrested in Alexandria and three juvenile individuals as suspects, though others may also be involved, the Fairfax County Police Department said yesterday (Monday) in a news release.