2022: the year in review
JANUARY
Fairfax County taxes plastic bags
A new 5-cent tax on disposable plastic bags from grocery stores, convenience stores, and drugstores takes effect.
Welcome to Annandale Today
The former Annandale Blog is relaunched as Annandale Today, with a new platform and a more user-friendly design.
Annandale/Mason residents affected by redistricting
Under a redistricting plan approved by the Virginia Supreme Court, many residents of the Annandale/Mason area will be shifted to a different congressional, Virginia House of Delegates, and/or Virginia Senate district.
FCPS defies Youngkin’s mask policy
Fairfax County Public Schools is continuing to require students and staff to wear masks in school to prevent the spread of Covid in defiance of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order ending universal mask mandates.
Leesburg Pike unsafe for pedestrians
The death of a pedestrian on Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads has prompted safe street advocates to urge state transportation officials to make improvements to that corridor.
January openings
Yomie’s Rice X Yogurt and Mochinut Annandale
Spice Circle, Barcroft Plaza
Café V, Annandale
Tobacco Vape & More, Seven Corners
Collector’s World opens in a bigger space, Annandale
FEBRUARY
The Annandale Greenway gets a green light
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross agreed to have the Annandale Greenway officially designated as a Fairfax County trail.
Two sites identified for dredging operations at Lake Accotink
Fairfax County public works staff recommend two sites for processing the sediment to be dredged out of Lake Accotink.
Groups launch Safe Streets campaign
The Coalition for Smarter Growth and the immigrant advocacy group CASA launched the Safe Streets for Bailey’s Crossroads campaign to prevent more pedestrian crashes.
Real estate assessments are way up
Due to rising real estate prices, property tax assessments in Mason District are up an average of 10.2 percent for 2022.
February openings
America’s Best Wings, Lincolnia
House of Vape, Annandale
Night Dreams, Annandale
MARCH
Local Ukrainian Americans worried about folks back home
Immigrants from Ukraine express fears about the Russian invasion and the safety of their relatives.
Supervisors set fines for invasive bamboo
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance prohibiting property owners from allowing running bamboo to spread to adjacent yards.
Culmore youths feel unsafe
Young residents of Culmore share their concerns about safety and crime at a youth summit organized by Opportunity Neighborhoods-Bailey’s Crossroads.
March openings
The Joint Chiropractic, Lincolnia
Glam Karaoke, Annandale
APRIL
Police arrest two teens for ATM murder
Fairfax County Police arrested two teens for the murder of a 73-year-old man at an ATM on Annandale Road in October 2021.
Supervisors approve plan amendment for affordable housing
The Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan that clears the way for an affordable housing project for seniors on the grounds of First Christian Church in Seven Corners.
Michelle Reid appointed FCPS superintendent
The school board named Michelle Reid, the superintendent of a smaller school district in Washington state, as the next superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools.
Board cuts tax rate by 3 cents
The Board of Supervisors reduced the property tax rate from $1.14 per $100 of assessed value to $1.11.
April openings
Yeshi Kitfo, Bailey’s Crossroads
Chik-fil-A, Annandale
Parkside Spa & Sauna, Annandale
Taco Bamba, Lincolnia
MAY
Farewell, Landmark Mall
Demolition of Landmark Mall begins, to make way for a new hospital complex and mixed-use development with multifamily housing, retail, and a new street grid.
Eileen Garnett dies from injuries in crash
A car struck a group of pedestrians with the Annandale revitalization committee, killing longtime Annandale advocate Eileen Garnett and seriously injuring Fairfax County planner Laura Baker.
New retail center planned for Annandale
A new commercial development will replace the long-vacant Wendy’s on John Marr Drive in Annandale.
JUNE
Police kill coyote at Lake Accotink
A rabid coyote bit three adults and two dogs at Lake Accotink Park.
Victim of fatal hit-and-run crash was a student at Annandale High School
Tenth-grader Daniela Bonilla Betancourt was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on Little River Turnpike in Lincolnia.
Annandale land sold at auction
The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust was unsuccessful in its attempt to acquire and preserve seven undeveloped, tax-delinquent properties near Accotink Creek.
Beyer wins Democratic Primary
Rep. Don Beyer cruised to an easy victory in the Democratic Primary in the 8th Congressional District.
Bigger, better nature center reopens
The newly expanded and renovated Hidden Oaks Nature Center has a new classroom, new bathrooms, and other improvements.
Squalid conditions at Fairmont Gardens aired in court
A former employee describes apartments in Annandale infested with bugs, mice, and mold.
June openings
Red Crab, Lincolnia
Jollibee, Lincolnia
JULY
County seeks more funding for Seven Corners ring road
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority failed to fully fund the proposed ring road around the Seven Corners intersection.
Supervisors streamline the development review process
The Board of Supervisors approved a revised method for considering site-specific amendments to the Comprehensive Plan which would benefit developers.
Woodburn Village residents suffering for days without AC
During a period of extreme heat and humidity, Woodburn Village residents have no air conditioning.
July openings
Annandale Laundromat, Annandale
AUGUST
Supervisors approve Justice HS addition
The Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning to allow construction of an addition at Justice High School with a parking reduction.
Radley Acura expansion approved
The Board of Supervisors green-lighted a major expansion of the Radley Acura dealership on Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads.
VDOT pursues safety improvements for Route 7 in Culmore
Transportation officials tell a large crowd at a community meeting that they are working on pedestrian safety improvements for Leesburg Pike.
Board approves Patrick Henry Place
The Board of Supervisors signed off on a project to replace the Patrick Henry Family Shelter in Seven Corners with a permanent supportive housing facility.
Man arrested for murdering a woman and setting her on fire
Fairfax County police arrested a man for killing a woman in Seven Corners by stabbing her and setting her on fire.
County to reduce parking requirements
The Parking Reimagined initiative would reduce the number of parking spaces required for new multifamily housing and commercial development projects.
FCPS to investigate how a convicted sex offender was hired at Glasgow
School officials were unaware that a convicted sex offender was working as a counselor at Glasgow Middle School.
August openings
92 Chicken, Annandale
Metal Supermarkets, Alexandria
Smoke & Vapor Planet, Annandale
Apple Federal Credit Union, Bailey’s Crossroads
Tous les Jours, Annandale
SEPTEMBER
Road name changes move forward
The Board of Supervisors asked the Commonwealth Transportation Board to change the name of Lee Highway to “Route 29” and to change the name Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway to “Route 50.”
Supervisors to address problems with American Disposal Services
The Board of Supervisors agreed to address problems with a private trash hauler, including missed pickups and poor customer service.
LGBTQ advocates blast Youngkin’s policy to roll back protections for trans students
The governor’s “model policy” would “out” trans students to their parents without their consent.
Scouts are restoring the Annandale sign
Boy Scouts fixed up the welcome-to-Annandale sign on Gallows Road as an Eagle Scout project.
Edsall Road Fire Station reopens
The Edsall Road Fire Station has been totally redone and expanded.
Resident curator program for the White Gardens is on hold
The selection of a resident curator for the John and Margaret White Gardens has stalled in the face of community opposition and problems with the applicant’s proposal.
September openings
Dollar Tree, Bradlick Shopping Center, reopens
Kitchen & Bath Solutions, Annandale
OCTOBER
New details emerge on West End project
A representative of Foulger-Pratt outlined the massive mixed-use project planned for the former Landmark Mall site.
GMU project engages with residents of Culmore and Bailey’s Crossroads
A new initiative calls for an action plan for improving community engagement and driving change in Bailey’s Crossroads.
Major development proposed for Food Star site in Bailey’s Crossroads
The owner of a property on Leesburg Pike proposes the development of four apartment buildings.
Police arrest active shooter in Falls Church
Police arrested a man at Arlington Boulevard and Graham Road who was shooting at police after a daylong crime spree.
Historic Overlay District fails to gain sufficient community support
A proposal to create a Historic Overlay District in Holmes Run Acres will not go forward following a poll that found a majority of residents oppose it.
New details emerge on future hospital
The new Inova Alexandria Hospital campus to be developed at the Landmark Mall site will consist of a patient hospital with a heliport, a cancer center, and a specialty center.
Wedgewood tenants complain about mice, mold, and water outages
Residents of the Wedgewood Apartments in Annandale say the property manager is failing to properly maintain the community.
Supervisors approve convenience store at Ravensworth Shell station
The Board of Supervisors approved a zoning special exception to allow the owner of Ravenwood Shell to convert the vehicle repair shop to a convenience store.
Residents oppose industrial rezoning
A proposal to expand the industrial zoning designation of Plaza 500 on Edsall Road has been deferred indefinitely.
October openings
Balian Springs, Alexandria
Forni, Bailey’s Crossroads
Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken, Bailey’s Crossroads.
Vista Medical Center, Annandale
NOVEMBER
Teen fatally struck by car on Columbia Pike
Lesly Diaz-Bonilla was walking to Justice High School when she was fatally struck by a car on Columbia Pike.
Eight redevelopment projects proposed for Mason District
Developers have submitted nominations to amend the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan to allow new multifamily housing, infill housing, and retail projects in Annandale, Seven Corners, and Bailey’s Crossroads.
Grand jury indicts suspects in ATM murder
A grand jury has indicted the two individuals arrested in connection with the murder of Nelson Alexander at an ATM on Annandale Road in October 2021.
DECEMBER
School board claims ownership of land in Justice Park
Neighbors of Justice High School are concerned about the motives behind the school board’s action to claim ownership of a strip of land along Peace Valley Lane in Justice Park.
Newly upgraded skate park reopens
The Wakefield Skate Park has been redesigned and rebuilt.
Supervisor Gross will not seek re-election
Penny Gross, who has represented Mason District on the Board of Supervisors since 1996, will step down at the end of 2023.
Two throw hats in the ring to succeed Gross as Mason Supervisor
Two local businessmen, Steve Lee and Reid Voss, announced plans to run for Mason Supervisor in the Democratic Primary in June.
Supervisors approve McDonald’s upgrade
The Board of Supervisors approved a drive-through and a major upgrade of the McDonald’s on Arlington Boulevard.
Supervisors approve speed cameras
The Board of Supervisors agreed to launch a pilot program for speed cameras near schools.
Andres Jimenez announces run for Mason District supervisor
Climate lobbyist and Planning Commission member Andres Jimenez announced plans to run for Mason District supervisor.
New Annandale community center will host an after-school program
A new Annandale Boys & Girls Club will operate an afterschool program at the community center under construction at the rear of the Heritage Mall shopping center.
December openings
9292 Shabu, Annandale
O’My Chiq & Bar, Annandale
Sari Filipino Kusina. Annandale
Tobacco Lux, Annandale
