2021: The year in review

Fun with cicadas. [Oxana Ware]

This year has been dominated by Covid ups and downs. In the spring, it seemed like the pandemic was ending; then cases began to increase as the Covid variants took hold.

Here’s a look back at the major stories from the Annandale Blog in 2021, along with lists of some of the restaurants and businesses that opened this year.

January

People age 75 and older can start making COVID vaccination appointments 
The Fairfax County Health Department begins scheduling the first Covid-19 vaccinations, for people age 75+ and frontline essential workers.

Amazon Fresh to open in Bailey’s Crossroads
The former Safeway space at the Crossroads Center in Bailey’s Crossroads is going to be an Amazon Fresh grocery store.

Residents oppose access plan for new houses on Sleepy Hollow Road
Residents of Lake Barcroft and the Malbrook community are concerned that a new housing development under construction on Sleepy Hollow Road would bring more traffic to neighborhood streets.

Land is cleared for a new housing development on Sleepy Hollow Road.

Planning Commission to take up accessory living units
Many residents speak out against proposed zoning changes that would make it easier for homeowners to create accessory living units.

Board of Supervisors rejects huge development for western Annandale
The board eliminated from the Comprehensive Plan work program a proposed mixed-use project on Little River Turnpike.

January openings

Taco Rock, Pinecrest Plaza
Fit Theorem, Seven Corners

February

Fairfax County School Board approves return-to-school plan
All students will return to in-person learning twice a week beginning in mid-March.

Plan to turn park space into parking lot angers residents
Local residents and environmental advocates are concerned about a plan to create a parking lot at  Justice Park as part of the upcoming expansion of Justice High School.

February openings

Grandaddy’s Skillet, Pinecrest Plaza
Gopchang Story, Annandale

Local residents oppose efforts to build a parking lot in Justice Park.

March

Mason police commander to address street racing complaints
Many residents complain about noise and speeding on Little River Turnpike and surrounding streets.

A grassroots effort is launched to create the Annandale Greenway
The Greenway would connect Annandale Community Park to Green Spring Gardens using existing trails and sidewalks.

Community members air concerns about plans to use Justice Park as a parking lot
Residents express frustration about the lack of community engagement at a listening session hosted by school board member Ricardy Anderson.

Board of Supervisors approves zMOD
The updated zoning ordinance no longer requires a public hearing for an accessory living unit inside a home.

March openings

First Watch, Bailey’s Crossroads
Nour Resto, Bailey’s Crossroads
&Pizza, Seven Corners

April

All Virginians eligible for a COVID vaccination
Health officials encourage the public to get vaccinated.

Three options presented for changing school boundaries
Fairfax County Public Schools will adjust the boundaries in the Justice High School pyramid to reduce overcrowding at Glen Forest Elementary School.

The Covid vaccination center at Inova.

Supervisors cut property tax rate
The FY22 budget decreases the real estate tax by 1 cent, although assessments have risen for most properties.

Public engagement, transparency lacking in selection of new police chief
The Fairfax County NAACP complains the appointment of Kevin Davis as the new chief of the Fairfax County Police Department disregards his previous failures.

April openings

Five Below, Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners

May

First cicadas spotted in Annandale
The first cicadas from Brood X emerge after spending 17 years underground.

Virginia Republicans select Youngkin to run for governor
Delegates from the Republican Party of Virginia choose Glenn Youngkin as their nominee for the governor of Virginia, Jason Miyares for lieutenant governor, and Winsome Sears for attorney general.

Life is returning to normal, as COVID restrictions are lifted
Gov. Ralph Northam lifts indoor mask mandates and capacity limits for gatherings.

May openings 

Gom Shabu, Annandale
K Market, Annandale
9292 Korean BBQ, Annandale

June

Terry McAuliffe wins the Democratic Primary
Del. Kaye Kory wins the Democratic Primary, along with candidates Terry McAuliffe for governor, Hala Ayala for lieutenant governor, and Mark Herring for attorney general.

School board approves boundary changes
Parents complain about the lack of community engagement in the plan adjust boundaries in the Justice High School pyramid.

More details emerge on future Annandale Civic Space
The new park in central Annandale will have a civic plaza for activities and a lawn area for recreation.

June openings

Taco Ssam, Annandale
Incheon Restaurant, Annandale
K Market Food Court, Annandale

July

New Virginia laws take effect
New laws legalize marijuana, abolish the death penalty, and protect absentee voting.

Lake Accotink dredging project raises alarm bells
The options under consideration for drying out material dredged from the lake could disrupt the Howrey memorial, youth sports, and wildlife habitats.

The future Annandale Greenway.

Alexandria City Council approves Landmark project
An Inova hospital complex and mixed-use development will be built on the site of the former Landmark Mall.

Public officials failed to inform public on Justice Park land negotiations
Freedom of Information documents show public officials failed to disclose negotiations over a land swap involving another park facility.

Board of Supervisors appoints task force to consider renaming roads
The board appointed a force to examine renaming Lee Highway and Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, which honor Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Park Authority calls parking lot in Justice Park “unacceptable”
The Fairfax County Park Authority backs away from its agreement to allow a parking lot at Justice Park.

Park authority seeks a “resident curator” to restore this house.

Police shoot a resident of a group home
A Fairfax County police officer shot a resident of a home for people with mental disabilities after she charged at him with a knife.

Park Authority seeks “resident curator” for the Margaret White Gardens
The “resident curator” would rehabilitate the house in the park while living in it rent-free.

Fairfax County schools adopt universal mask mandate
Faced with a national increase in Covid variant cases, FCPS is requiring all students and staff to wear face masks indoors and on school buses.

July openings

Bunnyman Brewing, Burke
Akeno Sushi Bar & Thai, Pinecrest Plaza

August 

Residents of Annandale’s “opportunity neighborhoods” work on action plans
Residents’ biggest concerns are security and safety; children’s issues; and apartment issues.

Fairfax County is getting more diverse and multiracial
Data from the 2020 Census show the county is continuing to become more diverse and more multiracial.

August openings

Jake’s Ice Cream, Barcroft Plaza
Ben Gong’s Tea, Annandale
Wow Fresh Meat Market, Annandale
Bloomie’s, Mosaic District

September 

Fairfax County hosts 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony
Government officials and first responders gather at the Bailey’s Crossroads Fire Station to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9-11.

Local churches step up aid for Afghan refugees
As more Afghanis fleeing the Taliban settle in Northern Virginia, church members increase their support.

Man charged with killing his father
A 19-year-old is arrested for killing his 78-year-old father and burying the body in the backyard in Bailey’s Crossroads.

Fairfax County board approves plastic bag tax
The supervisors passed a 5-cent tax on disposable plastic bags.

Tenants speak out against rat and bug-infested apartments
Residents of two garden apartment complexes in Alexandria’s West End are fighting a landlord they say is failing to properly maintain the property.

K Market opens in the former Kmart space in Annandale.

Six people overdose at Bailey’s Crossroads apartment

Police warn the public about a fatal batch of fentanyl-laced cocaine.

FCPS will not use Justice Park for a parking lot
In a huge victory for community members, Fairfax County Public Schools has backed away from creating a parking lot in Justice Park.

Staffing shortages blamed for yard waste pickup delays
Bags of yard waste are piling up all over as Fairfax County grapples with a severe staff shortage.

September openings 

Gold’s Gym, Bailey’s Crossroads
D1 Training, Pinecrest Plaza

October

New historic marker commemorates James Lee Elementary School
James Lee was the first modern school for Blacks in Fairfax County.

Fairfax County Public Schools to seek rezoning for Justice High School
FCPS agrees to go through a rezoning process and seek a parking waiver for the Justice High School addition.

Planning Commission approves Final Development Plan for Bailey’s Crossroads apartment building
The five-story Alta Crossroads apartments will be at the corner of Columbia Pike and Moncure Avenue.

Police seek gunman who killed a 73-year-old man at an ATM
The victim was on the way to work when a would-be robber shot him on Annandale Road.

Fairfax County removes flood-prone Annandale properties from land auction
The county halts plan to auction off seven tax-delinquent properties next to Accotink Creek.

October openings 

Jefferson Fire Station, Falls Church

A new historic marker commemorates James Lee Elementary School.

November 

Fairfax County to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers
The Board of Supervisors approved a measure to phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers on county property.

Community center coming to Annandale
Plans are underway to establish a community resource center in the Heritage Shopping Center.

Audrey Moore Rec Center renovation moves forward
Fairfax County hired a firm to begin planning an upgrade of the aging facility.

November openings

Basil, Annandale

December

Mason District to gain two new areas
The Board of Supervisors approved a redistricting plan that transfers one precinct and part of another from the Providence District to Mason District.

Board of Supervisors expands tax relief program
The board expanded eligibility for the county’s real estate tax relief program for qualified seniors and people with disabilities.

Construction of Skyline live/work project well underway
Renovation is moving along quickly on the three vacant office buildings at the Skyline Center that are being converted to apartments where tenants can live, work, or do both.

“Shopping Cart Killer” murdered four people he met on dating sites
The bodies of two victims of a serial killer were found in Fairfax County.

December openings 

Super Bit, Annandale
Expedia Cruises, Barcroft Plaza
ToBe Nails, Annandale
K’s Hair Town, Annandale