State Supreme Court strikes down redistricting amendment
In a major victory for Republicans, the Virginia Supreme Court on May 8 struck down a constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting narrowly passed by voters on April 21. The measure would have allowed the Democrats to flip four seats in the House of Representatives – with the ultimate goal of giving Democrats control over the … Continued
Board approves vehicle sales for Versar site
The Board of Supervisors on May 5 authorized a new use for a property in a hidden corner of Mason District with two vacant office buildings. The board passed a motion to rezone the property from I-5 to the C-8 to allow the sale of passenger vehicles. The two four-story office buildings on the site … Continued
Residents oppose multifamily housing on Little River Turnpike
Residents of Willow Run and nearby neighborhoods filled a conference room at the Mason Government Center on May 6 to confront the developer of a proposed 120-unit multifamily building at 6675 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. The residents complained that such a large building is inappropriate for the property, which is currently the site of … Continued
New apartments will spur revitalization of Annandale
Annandale is gearing up for transformational change, as the Eastgate apartment project under construction is expected to bring vibrant new life to the community and spark additional revitalization. Fairfax County and private sector leaders celebrated the project at a groundbreaking ceremony on May 6. “It’s the first big development in Annandale since the 1970s,” said … Continued
Supervisors approve Cavalier Club expansion
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on May 5 greenlighted a major expansion of the Cavalier Club apartments in Seven Corners. The supervisors approved an amendment to the county’s Comprehensive Plan to allow an additional 300 residential units on the property for a total of 520, plus 20,000 square feet of retail. The property owner, … Continued
Free seedlings available
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is giving away free vegetable seedlings at several locations on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9. /Seedlings will be available at these places: The seedlings include tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, basil, and bunching onions. “Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this is a great … Continued
Come to an arts event in Mason District
By James Albright, chair of the Mason District Arts Council If you are looking for a chance to see new artwork or meet some local creators, there are several opportunities in Mason District. The May arts calendar features two ongoing art shows, two music performances, and some much-needed social time with the greater arts community. … Continued
Hispanic students awarded college scholarships
Some of the students honored at the Hispanic Leadership Alliance awards ceremony on May 4 are the first in their families to go to college, others came to the U.S. alone, and some just learned English a couple of years ago. Their families are from Honduras, El Salvador, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. But they … Continued
Sheetz convenience store planned for Lincolnia
The Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development is considering applications for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and zoning special exception for the development of a Sheetz convenience store and gas station in Lincolnia. The project would be developed by Basim Mansour, a partner in the Flavor Hive restaurant in Annandale and the owner of the … Continued
Capital Bikeshare coming to Annandale and Mason District
Capital Bikeshare is expanding in Fairfax County with 27 new docking stations, starting in early May. The expansion includes the following locations in the Annandale/Mason District area. Annandale Bailey’s Crossroads Seven Corners Work at each site is expected to be completed in a single day, weather permitting. Once a station is installed and powered, it … Continued
Annandale Rotary Club presents awards to AHS students
Annandale High School senior Lily Rumpf won first place in the Annandale Rotary Club’s speech contest and also made it to the Northern Virginia finals. Violinist Nattha Poolchuay won first prize in the music contest. Jennifer Cruz Cardona was the second-place winner, Ian Fuller came in third, and Madeleine Arias got honorable mention. The Annandale Rotary … Continued
Porsche dealer to relocate to Lincolnia
A Porsche dealer in Arlington plans to relocate and build a new dealership in Lincolnia. The 67,000-square-foot property at 6500 Little River Turnpike is the former site of Rosenthal Chevrolet of Alexandria. The new facility would be developed by the New Country Motor Car Group, the owner of Porsche Arlington, located at Route 1 and … Continued
Regency Furniture opens in Bailey’s Crossroads
Regency Furniture opened April 25 in the space formerly occupied by Value City Furniture in Bailey’s Crossroads. The new store, at 5516 Leesburg Pike, sells the same kind of furnishings, “but at a higher level of quality and at reasonable prices,” says Sammy Ayyad, regional manager at the Regency corporate office in Brandywine, Md. Regency … Continued
Supervisors pass a budget for FY 2027
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 28 marked up a Fiscal Year 2027 budget that includes a slight reduction in the property tax rate and restores some of the funding cuts that had been proposed in the advertised budget. The board set the tax rate at $1.12 per $100 of assessed value, which … Continued
Write a brief play for a Mason Arts 250 performance
A new call for one-act plays or recitations joins a busy cultural summer season in Annandale. The Mason District Arts Council is looking for community members to pen original short-form scripts or perform recitations of historical narratives. This project is part of the larger Mason Arts 250 initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration … Continued