Gross outlines highlights of 2016 for Mason District
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| Supervisor Penny Gross (left) hands out door prizes with chief aide Fran Tunick. |
“Overall,
2016 was great year in Mason District,” said Supervisor Penny Gross at the
annual Mason District Holiday Gathering Dec. 12.
2016 was great year in Mason District,” said Supervisor Penny Gross at the
annual Mason District Holiday Gathering Dec. 12.
Gross
presented a review of the past year and a look ahead, while Christmas music by
the Bonnie Piano Quartet, door prizes, and refreshments rounded out the
evening.
presented a review of the past year and a look ahead, while Christmas music by
the Bonnie Piano Quartet, door prizes, and refreshments rounded out the
evening.
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| The Bonnie Piano Quartet entertains guests at the Mason Holiday Gathering. |
Several
projects approved in 2016 should get under way next year, Gross told the
audience:
projects approved in 2016 should get under way next year, Gross told the
audience:
- The
Board of Supervisors approved a retail center by Spectrum Development on Leesburg
Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. - A
proposal to temporarily relocate the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter to
Lincolnia was withdrawn when the BoS purchased property on Seminary Road in
Bailey’s Crossroads for a permanent shelter. - A
mixed-use retail/multifamily housing development at Graham Park Plaza on
Arlington Boulevard was approved by the BoS Dec. 6. - On
the same day, the BoS approved the e-Loft concept, with flexible units for
living or working, in a vacant office building at Columbia Pike and Carlin
Springs Road. “This one is going to be special,” Gross said. It’s a new concept
that’s going to invest $50 million in the community and will be “a real shot in
the arm to revitalization.” - The
old Jefferson Fire Station is going to be replaced with a bigger facility with
drive-through bays better able to handle large apparatus.
Among
other new developments: LongHorn Steakhouse opened in Bailey’s Crossroads, the
Home Depot in Seven Corners was expanded, Glory Days is coming to Barcroft
Plaza, and Pinecrest Plaza is getting a new TD Bank.
other new developments: LongHorn Steakhouse opened in Bailey’s Crossroads, the
Home Depot in Seven Corners was expanded, Glory Days is coming to Barcroft
Plaza, and Pinecrest Plaza is getting a new TD Bank.
And
then there’s the one everybody asks about: An Aldi grocery store is opening in early 2017 in
part of the space formerly occupied by Bloom in the Annandale Shopping Center
on Columbia Pike.
then there’s the one everybody asks about: An Aldi grocery store is opening in early 2017 in
part of the space formerly occupied by Bloom in the Annandale Shopping Center
on Columbia Pike.
When
asked about the proposed apartment project on the site of the bowling alley on Markham
Street in Annandale, Gross said it’s still going to happen. The BoS approved a rezoning application for the project in December 2014, but no building permits
have been issued yet. “They are still trying to work out the financing,” she
said.
asked about the proposed apartment project on the site of the bowling alley on Markham
Street in Annandale, Gross said it’s still going to happen. The BoS approved a rezoning application for the project in December 2014, but no building permits
have been issued yet. “They are still trying to work out the financing,” she
said.
Gross
told another audience member she does not know what will go into the spot
vacated by Staples in Pinecrest Plaza.
told another audience member she does not know what will go into the spot
vacated by Staples in Pinecrest Plaza.
“The
most earthshaking event this fall was the presidential election,” Gross noted.
Hillary Clinton carried Mason District by a wide margin, as large numbers of
voters turned out at the polls. More than 6,400 Mason residents voted absentee,
and turnout in Mason was 81.2 percent. The Mason precincts with the highest
turnout were Barcroft and Belvedere.
most earthshaking event this fall was the presidential election,” Gross noted.
Hillary Clinton carried Mason District by a wide margin, as large numbers of
voters turned out at the polls. More than 6,400 Mason residents voted absentee,
and turnout in Mason was 81.2 percent. The Mason precincts with the highest
turnout were Barcroft and Belvedere.
A
big highlight of the year was the renewal of Fairfax County’s Triple-A bond
rating, which saved the county $770 million in interest, Gross said.
big highlight of the year was the renewal of Fairfax County’s Triple-A bond
rating, which saved the county $770 million in interest, Gross said.
Other
initiatives cited by Gross included the successful Culmore Cleanups, the historic market at Pine Ridge Park commemorating a vanished African-American community known as The Pines, and the Land Use College to educate residents in advance of the next phase of the Lincolnia Planning Study.
initiatives cited by Gross included the successful Culmore Cleanups, the historic market at Pine Ridge Park commemorating a vanished African-American community known as The Pines, and the Land Use College to educate residents in advance of the next phase of the Lincolnia Planning Study.
Among
the challenges of 2016 was winter storm Jonas, which dumped more than 30 inches
of snow on the area, Gross recalled. Rescue squads had to get through heavy
drifts on foot to save some residents.
the challenges of 2016 was winter storm Jonas, which dumped more than 30 inches
of snow on the area, Gross recalled. Rescue squads had to get through heavy
drifts on foot to save some residents.
The
failure of voters to pass a meals tax – which would have generated as much as
$100 million annually – means the county will not diversify revenue sources and
will still be dependent on the real estate tax, she said.
failure of voters to pass a meals tax – which would have generated as much as
$100 million annually – means the county will not diversify revenue sources and
will still be dependent on the real estate tax, she said.
The
county recycling center at the ABC store on Little River Turnpike was shut down
despite efforts by Gross to keep it open. Recycling at the center had dropped
by double digits over the past few years, while illegal dumping of items like
furniture and mattresses had gotten out of hand.
county recycling center at the ABC store on Little River Turnpike was shut down
despite efforts by Gross to keep it open. Recycling at the center had dropped
by double digits over the past few years, while illegal dumping of items like
furniture and mattresses had gotten out of hand.
Traffic
and transportation continue to be major issues for the supervisor, even though projects
are mostly overseen by VDOT. In 2016, 12 traffic-calming projects were approved
in Mason District, and 10 more have been proposed. Pedestrian connectivity
projects have been completed or are under construction in nine areas, and
bicycle lanes have been installed on several roads.
and transportation continue to be major issues for the supervisor, even though projects
are mostly overseen by VDOT. In 2016, 12 traffic-calming projects were approved
in Mason District, and 10 more have been proposed. Pedestrian connectivity
projects have been completed or are under construction in nine areas, and
bicycle lanes have been installed on several roads.
The
county is in the process of implementing some of the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, Gross said. Since the Diversion First
program was adopted, more than 200 people with mental health issues have been diverted to treatment
instead of being jailed. The creation of a Police Civilian Review Panel was approved
by the Board of Supervisors last week.
county is in the process of implementing some of the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, Gross said. Since the Diversion First
program was adopted, more than 200 people with mental health issues have been diverted to treatment
instead of being jailed. The creation of a Police Civilian Review Panel was approved
by the Board of Supervisors last week.
She
said the BoS is considering the commission’s recommendations for equipping
police officers with body cameras but first needs to resolve issues around
cost, privacy, and how the data will be stored.
said the BoS is considering the commission’s recommendations for equipping
police officers with body cameras but first needs to resolve issues around
cost, privacy, and how the data will be stored.
Gross’s
2017 leadership series will begin June 14. These sessions offer an opportunity
for civic association and HOA board members to speak with representatives from
the police, fire department, code compliance, public works, and other county
agencies.
2017 leadership series will begin June 14. These sessions offer an opportunity
for civic association and HOA board members to speak with representatives from
the police, fire department, code compliance, public works, and other county
agencies.
Despite
the challenges and the “everyday aggravations of life, we are so lucky to live
here in Fairfax County,” said Gross, citing such assets as the great schools
and parks. “It’s an honor and privilege to serve as your Mason District
Supervisor.”
the challenges and the “everyday aggravations of life, we are so lucky to live
here in Fairfax County,” said Gross, citing such assets as the great schools
and parks. “It’s an honor and privilege to serve as your Mason District
Supervisor.”
8 responses to “Gross outlines highlights of 2016 for Mason District”
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“Overall, 2016 was great year in Mason District,” said Supervisor Penny Gross"
No comment needed
Mason is Great again, Mission Accomplished!
I think she has said it so many times that she now believes it.
Well… I'm not exactly sure why the voters decision to not impose a tax on themselves would go down as a "failure"… the tax payers overwhelming decided they could spend their hard earned money better and more efficiently than the county government… the 2016 real estate tax hike wasn't voluntary… and wasn't the county still going to be dependent on real estate taxes… the fact is the taxpayers paid $2,400,000,000 in real estate taxes (in 2016), is the $100,000,000 really going to qualify as a diversification, 5%… the fact that Fairfax County voted overwhelming for Hillary Clinton, and then rejected the tax hike really speaks volumes. I'd posit that Penny may be quite out of touch with the residents of the County… instead she says they failed. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/fy2016/advertised/overview/15_general_fund_revenue_overview.pdf
Well she has got to put a positive spin on the Mason Mess that she and the BoS have created.
I'm not defending Penny, 10:56, but if you show me a politician who doesn't try to put a positive spin on their work, I'll show you a "politician" who's no longer working in politics.
Oh yea they are all good spinners, but you need to spin at 1000 RPMs to defend this mess not 100.
For the Annandale Blog, the highlight of the year was the Taste of Annandale.
Thank goodness for citizens like you and the TOA team for making Annandale just a bit special.