A constrained supply of housing has sent prices soaring in Fairfax County, according to new data from a budding real estate startup.
The county’s median home sales price for May exceeded $1 million — $1,033,550, to be precise — which means that half of the homes sold cost more than that, Tomo reports. That’s a roughly 18% increase from the preceding six months of sales, which averaged $870,000, and it surpasses the median price of $882,000 from May 2023.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved alterations on May 22 to a mixed-use residential building already planned for Tysons West.
The building at 8740 Yard Street is proposed to be a five- to eight-story multi-family building with up to 265 dwelling units and 5,000 square feet of retail space. Owned by JBG Smith, the property is situated near Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and is currently undeveloped.
Fairfax County Public Schools is considering a pilot program this fall that would require students to hand over their cell phones during class.
Earlier this month, the Fairfax County School Board directed Superintendent Michelle Reid to develop a plan for students to secure their phones in lockers, magnetic pouches or similar central storage areas — as opposed to their pocket or backpack — with the goal of reducing distractions and improving student focus.
A new option for pickleball has opened in Tysons, drawing players from across Northern Virginia.
The Pickleball Club of Tysons celebrated its launch at 8528 Tyco Road on Mother’s Day weekend (May 11-12) by allowing about 500 people to play on its six indoor courts for free. While no grand opening is expected, members enjoyed food and some friendly competition during a Memorial Day mixer this past Monday (May 27).
Giant Pandas Coming Back to D.C. — “Attention, DC panda lovers: we are so back. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo announced Wednesday that two giant pandas — Bao Li, a male, and Qing Bao, a female, both two years old — will be arriving in Washington by the end of the year.” [Washingtonian]
Parking Survey for Justice HS Launches — “A working group formed to consider parking solutions for Justice High School urges community members to take a survey on their preferences…The survey can be completed by both parents and guardians of Justice students and community members who live near Justice but have no connection with Fairfax County Public Schools.” [Annandale Today]
Penn Daw Housing Development Under Review — “The developer of the future Alexandria Crossing residential housing community in Penn Daw is working to address several comments on its latest site plan, so it can eventually move into the construction phase.” Approved in 2022, the project will have “385 multifamily apartments, 23 stacked townhomes (46 units) and 35 traditional townhomes, as well as a pool, fitness center and co-working space.” [On the MoVe]
Monks Walking for World Peace Stop in Vienna — Six Buddhist monks stopped at the Vienna Community Center on Tuesday (May 28) “to rest, and community members welcomed them with open arms, food, water, and gifts.” The group is walking nearly 1,500 miles from Key West, Florida, to Niagara Falls in New York “in the name of world peace.” [Town of Vienna/Facebook]
Performers Wanted for Reston Multicultural Festival — “Reston Community Center is inviting artists and performing groups of all ages and cultures to submit an application to perform at the 2024 Reston Multicultural Festival…This year’s festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Reston Town Center.” [Patch]
Shades Under Construction at Burke Dog Park — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon install two sun shades with seating at Monticello Dog Park. These shades, funded by Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw’s office, will offer residents and their furry companions reprieve from the summer sun as they enjoy the park.” [FCPA]
Chantilly Students Build Medical Bed — Chantilly Academy students “are putting the last touches on a medical bed that’s been two years in the making. With help from physical and occupational therapy students, the engineering group is creating the bed” to help Liam Bruen, an eighth-grader with muscular dystrophy, attend classes in-person at Chantilly High School in the fall. [WTOP]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 74 with a north wind around 10 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 53 and a northwest wind at approximately 7 mph. [NWS]
Vida Fitness in Reston is now open.
According to a spokesperson, the new 50,000-square-foot facility, which spans three levels of an office tower at 1845 Reston Row Plaza, held its soft opening this past Saturday (May 25).
Three Tony Award honorees are coming to the Alden Theatre (1234 Ingleside Avenue) in McLean next Saturday (June 8).
At the 7 p.m. event, three members of the original cast of the musical “Hairspray” will mark more than 20 years since the musical debuted on Broadway in the summer of 2002.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors gave developers the go-ahead last Tuesday (May 21) to build a condominium high-rise in Tysons’ Arbor Row neighborhood in place of a previously approved office building.
Even as they gave their approval on an 8-1-1 vote, some supervisors conceded county staff were “right” to recommend denial of the application based mostly on prospective condo developer Renaissance Centro’s plan to provide cash or off-site workforce housing in lieu of on-site affordable units.
Despite calls for targeted raises for teachers and support staff, the Fairfax County School Board has approved 4% pay raises for all school employees as part of its adopted fiscal year 2025 budget.
The decision, voted on last Thursday (May 23), came after the Virginia General Assembly allocated an additional $35.5 million to Fairfax County Public Schools, allowing Superintendent Michelle Reid to increase employee pay raises from 3% to 4%.
Alleged Harassment by Justice’s Wife Reported to FCPD — “The police in Fairfax County, Va., received an unusual phone call on Feb. 15, 2021. A young couple claimed they were being harassed by the wife of a Supreme Court justice…The clash between the wife of a conservative Supreme Court justice and the couple, who were in their 30s, liberal and proud of it, played out over months on a bucolic block” in Fort Hunt. [New York Times]
FCPS to Give Workers Parental Leave — “Fairfax County Public Schools teachers and staff will be eligible to get maternity or paternity leave starting July 1. School Board Member Melanie Meren said Virginia’s largest school district is expected to learn more details about the county’s program this summer.” [WTOP]
Fire Department Makes Notable Promotion — “Fire Chief Butler is pleased to announce the promotion of Captain Felicia Barnes to Battalion Chief with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Battalion Chief Barnes is the first African American female battalion chief” in the department’s history. [FCFRD]
ArtsFairfax Launches County’s First Artist Survey — “The Fairfax Regional Artist Survey is the first study of its kind and is designed to identify the needs and obstacles for artists across all art forms living and working in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church.” The online survey will remain open through Dec. 31, 2024. [ArtsFairfax]
Casino Supporters and Opponents Make Cases at Vienna Fest — “Fairfax County residents may have been surprised to see two booths at last weekend’s ViVa! Vienna Festival operated by groups opposing and supporting the casino that Reston developer Comstock Holding Companies wants to build in Tysons.” [Patch]
New Annandale Coffee Shop in the Works — “A coffee shop is in the works for the ground floor of an office building at 7601 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. The owner, Fady Jouda, hopes to open the café, called Petra, in two or three months. He plans to focus on coffee and pastries.” [Annandale Today]
Gum Springs Considers Historic District Designation — “In the past few years, the Mount Vernon District has had two sites designated by Fairfax County as historic overlay districts (HODs) — Wellington at River Farm and Hollin Hills. Soon, community members will find out whether an HOD designation could be in the cards for Gum Springs, the county’s oldest African American community, as well.” [On the MoVe]
Park Authority Awarded for Preservation — “We’re proud to announce that The Fairfax County Park Authority has been honored with the 2023 Michael Hoffman Award from the Council of Virginia Archaeologists! This prestigious award recognizes our Archaeology and Collections Branch’s (ACB) commitment to preserving and investigating archaeological sites throughout the county.” [FCPA]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm, with increasing clouds and a high of 78°F. There’s a 70% chance of precipitation. For Wednesday night, skies will be partly cloudy with a low of 57°F. [NWS]
