The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is looking to fund upgrades for its aging public safety facilities and transportation network through bond referenda that may appear on the November ballot.
The supervisors unanimously endorsed a plan yesterday (Tuesday) to seek voter approval for a $306 million investment that would modernize Metro facilities, refurbish old fire stations and build a new police training center.
Uptick in ER Visits During Heat Wave — “Heat-related visits to emergency rooms in the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore region were up during the current heat wave that brought sweltering temperatures to Northern Virginia last week, according to federal health data.” [Patch]
Metro Converting Buses to Vinyl Seats — “Nearly 40 buses have had their cloth seats replaced with modern, easier-to-clean and maintain vinyl, similar to the material used on Metrorail trains. Customers have long asked for more sanitary material that doesn’t absorb spills, stains, and odors.” Metro hopes to finish the seat replacements on all 1,500-plus buses in 2025. [WMATA]
Transit Enthusiast Evaluates Walkability of Tysons — “Walking in Tysons feels like horror without end. Or like central Paris. One of those two. It’s hard to say and it depends on where you are and who you ask. Here’s a look at the state of walkability in Tysons after 34 years of attempted reform, and a couple of suggestions.” [Greater Greater Washington]
Vietnamese Restaurant Closes Hybla Valley Location — “Lotus Pho & Grill, a Vietnamese restaurant that opened in September 2022, is no longer in business at its Hybla Valley location, though its original site at Shoppes of Lorton Valley on Ox Road remains open.” In the same shopping center, Sun Sew Vac will close for good this Saturday (June 29). [On the MoVe]
Local Woman Opens Skin Care Studio in Fairfax City — “Fairfax City business leaders, elected officials, and family members joined Stephanie Dallojacono celebrate the grand opening Friday of Smiley Skin Beauty, a skin care and spray tan studio…Located upstairs at 10373-B Democracy Lane, Smiley Skin offers Glo2Facials and air brush tanning by appointment only.” [Patch]
Excavation Underway on Tysons Housing Project — “At The Exchange, crews…for Bethesda, Maryland-based Clark Construction currently are at work on excavation, which the contractor expects to finish by the end of August, a company spokesperson told Construction Dive. On the broader timeline, the project is eyeing a summer 2027 completion.” [Smart Cities Dive]
Meet Library Poetry Contest Winners — “We are celebrating the winners of the library’s Poetic Musings 2024 Contest! Meet the winners and listen as they share their poems.” The celebration will take place at 7-8:15 p.m. today (Thursday) in the meeting room at Burke Centre Library. [Fairfax County Public Library]
It’s Wednesday — Showers and thunderstorms are expected after 2 pm, with a high of 98 and a heat index of 101. There’s a 50% chance of precipitation. At night, the chance of precipitation increases to 70% with thunderstorms likely before 11 pm and a low temperature around 72. [NWS]
The owner and founder of The Fermented Pig, a beloved mainstay at local farmers’ markets, has died.
Josh Plante died unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 12, the artisanal meat supplier announced a day later on social media. Most of The Fermented Pig’s operations, including the recently opened Merrifield retail store, have closed “until further notice.”
Researchers found that some complex toll roads in Northern Virginia are “less understandable” for people who drive high occupancy vehicles and that inconsistent toll signage in Virginia may also cause driver confusion. The findings come after a months-long study into easing vehicle traffic congestion, specifically on popular Interstates 81 and 95, and possible ways to stop rising toll costs.
Cost concerns
With Route 7 still years away from getting a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, regional transportation planners want to improve Metro’s existing service in the corridor from Tysons to Alexandria.
In response to feedback suggesting the process could be sped up, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is developing a strategic implementation plan that considers short-term enhancements for Metrobus 28A, even as it keeps studying how to eventually convert the route into a higher-capacity, higher-frequency BRT.
As the Fairfax County School Board considers a new boundary adjustment policy, a prominent citizens’ group has raised concerns about its potential impact on local families.
The Great Falls Citizens Association’s (GFCA) executive board took an official stance on the proposed policy changes on June 17, urging Fairfax County Public Schools and elected officials to hit the pause button until they solicit more community input.
Taxi Fare Increase on the Table — “Riding in a taxicab will become about 15 percent more expensive if Fairfax County supervisors approve recommendations that will be discussed at an upcoming public hearing. The Board of Supervisors [today] is expected to set a public hearing for July 30 to address the proposal.” [Gazette Leader]
DNA from Bottle Discarded at Dulles Key to Murder Case — A 44-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the 2001 death of Leslie J. Preer, who was found dead at her home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Investigators say they solved the cold case after analyzing genetic material collected from a water bottle that Eugene T. Gligor threw away at Dulles International Airport. [Washington Post]
Springfield May Be Getting an Aldi — “General contractor L.F. Jennings is seeking subcontractors for a multistage project at the Rappaport-managed West Springfield Shopping Center on Rolling Road, to include… ‘facade demolition and modification for a new Aldi.’ It is unclear if Aldi has signed a lease, but Rappaport and L.F. Jennings are proceeding as if a deal is imminent, if not done.” [Washington Business Journal]
Former NFL Team Owner Seeks Record Price for House — “Dan and Tanya Snyder, former owners of the Washington Commanders who decamped for England roughly a year ago just before selling the franchise for $6.05 billion, are seeking $60 million for River View, a 16.5-acre estate in southeastern Fairfax County near George Washington’s Mount Vernon.” The couple bought the fully automated home in 2021 for $48 million, a record for the D.C. area at the time. [WBJ]
County Launches Paint Recycling Program — “Fairfax County launched a paint-recycling program that will provide job training while reducing waste in landfills. The 12-month pilot program, announced June 13,” will enlist Operation Stream Shield participants to “repurpose and package the paint” that will be shipped to Honduras, where it can be reused. [Annandale Today]
Fort Belvoir Delegate Reflects on First Legislative Session — “Rozia Henson Jr. was newly elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in November 2023…During the 2024 legislative session, eight bills he sponsored made it to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s desk, and six of them became law. We caught up with Henson recently to find out what he’s been up to.” [On the MoVe]
Queen Tribute Band Coming to Tysons — “The Queen tribute band Killer Queen hits Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia on July 2. WTOP caught up with Patrick Myers, who projects the iconic voice of the late frontman,” Freddie Mercury. Killer Queen “has been rocking for 30 years. The band was formed in 1993, just two years after Mercury died in 1991.” [WTOP]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 91 with winds shifting from northwest, at 5 to 8 mph, to southwest as the day progresses. The night will be partly cloudy, with a low of around 75 and a steady south wind at 8 mph. [NWS]
The recent heat wave and a lack of rain could lead to a drought in much of Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says.
The department issued a drought warning advisory today (Monday) for the Northern Virginia and Shenandoah regions, announcing that “a significant drought is imminent.”
A growing Yemeni coffee company is now welcoming visitors to its first brick-and-mortar home in the D.C. area.
Qamaria had a soft opening for its new Vienna cafe on May 21, serving hot and cold drinks as well as freshly baked pastries in a 1,900-square-foot space at 124 Maple Avenue West that was previously occupied by Viva Sol Juice.
La Sandia is no longer dishing out fajitas and margaritas in Tysons.
The Mexican restaurant served its final customers yesterday (Sunday), more than 16 years after it opened at Tysons Corner Center. The permanent closure was announced in emails to supporters and on social media on June 10 — a development that FFXnow missed in last week’s round-up of changes at the mall.
