Fairfax County seeks proposals to turn a vacant store into an arts or entrepreneurial space
The Container Store on Leesburg Pike, before it closed. For the first project in Fairfax County’s new program “to transform vacant commercial spaces into economic development destinations,” the county is seeking proposals for repurposing the former Container Store building in Tysons. The project, “Activate Fairfax: 8508 Uncontained,” is the pilot for the county’s Department of Economic … Continued
Bernie Sanders lays out plan to transform the nation
Bernie Sanders speaks at the St. James. Democratic candidate for president Sen. Bernie Sanders told the audience at a campaign rally in Springfield Feb. 26 he has a message for Trump: “We’re going to throw you out of office in November.” Sanders spoke at the St. James sports complex in Mason District three days before … Continued
Water main project will affect traffic on Route 7
This section of Leesburg Pike will be affected by a water main project. Get ready for some disruption on Leesburg Pike, as Fairfax Water begins replacing water mains in Bailey’s Crossroads between Columbia Pike and Dawes Avenue on the Alexandria border. During construction, traffic will be maintained in both directions on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) … Continued
Grant-funded project will clean up Turkeycock Run Stream Valley
The entrance to the Overlook community on Edsall Road. The Fairfax County Park Board approved an $18,500 Mastenbrook Grant to the Overlook Foundation for a project to replace invasive plants with native species in the Turkeycock Run Stream Valley Park. The Overlook Foundation is the management association for the residential communities adjacent to Bren Mar … Continued
Proposed budget would raise real estate taxes and impose a new admissions tax
The Fairfax County Government Center Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill presented an FY 2021 advertised budget to the Board of Supervisors Feb. 25 that calls for a 3-cent increase in the real estate tax rate and a new 4 percent admissions tax. The 3-cent increase would bring the real estate tax rate to $1.18 per … Continued
Real estate assessments rise 2.65 percent
Fairfax County residential real estate assessments for 2020 are up an average of 2.65 percent countywide over the 2019 rate. In Mason District the average assessment rose 3.57 percent. The average assessment for all homes countywide is $580,272, compared to $565,292 last year. The average assessed value for single-family detached homes countywide is $692,409, a … Continued
FCPS responds to coronavirus concerns
Fairfax County Public Schools has suspended all international field trips and short-term visits to and from counties identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as at risk for coronavirus, FCPS announced Feb. 26. Currently there are no cases of COVID-19 infection (the official name of coronavirus) in Fairfax County, in Virginia, or in … Continued
EYA describes plan for townhouse development at Graham Park Plaza
An illustration of the townhouses proposed by EYA for the Graham Park Plaza property. The EYA real estate development company is planning a 180-unit townhouse community on the western part of the Graham Park Plaza shopping center on Arlington Boulevard. The stores in that area have already closed. This project replaces a mixed-use apartment and retail … Continued
Keep the 3A and 29W Metrobus routes, residents tell WMATA
A sign at the WMATA hearing. Eliminating the 3A and 29W bus routes would create hardships for many commuters, local residents told the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority Board at a budget hearing Feb. 23. One resident of Westlawn said she organizes her life around the 3A bus. She bought her house because it is close … Continued
School news roundup
Second graders at Bailey’s Elementary School harvested lettuce, spinach, and radishes grown all winter in the school’s hoop tunnel garden. The news items and photos here about schools in the Annandale/Mason District are from Fairfax County Public Schools or individual schools. Teaching acceptance – February is “Acceptance Month” at Camelot Elementary School. Administrators, teachers, counselors, … Continued
Volunteer sought for Annandale Farmers Market
The Farmers Market at Mason District Park. Britepaths seeks a “highly motivated” volunteer to coordinate the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program at the Annandale Farmers Market. The market, at Mason District Park, operates on Thursday mornings, beginning May 7. The volunteer coordinator would need to be there 7 … Continued
Girl Scouts help families at Ronald McDonald House
Members of Girl Scout Troop 5655 helped brighten the lives of families undergoing difficult times by cooking dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House at Inova Fairfax Hospital on Presidents’ Day. The girls, Mireille, Sydney, Eleanor, and Eva, are students at Annandale and Justice high schools. They made pasta with goat cheese and … Continued
Principal Johnson leaving Sleepy Hollow Elementary School
Johnson [FCPS] Eric Johnson is leaving Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, where he has been principal since 2016, to take on a similar role at Cameron Elementary School in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County. Johnson’s last day at Sleepy Hollow is Feb. 28. The FCPS Region 2 office will schedule a community meeting soon on … Continued
Buttigieg tells crowd he is the best bet to defeat Trump
Pete Buttigieg speaks to a large crowd at the Washington-Liberty High School football stadium in Arlington. Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg told the crowd at a rally in Arlington Feb. 23 he is the only candidate who can bring the country together and attract enough independent voters to defeat Trump. The former South Bend, Ind., mayor … Continued
Springdale community celebrates Black History Month
A few of the family photos on display at the Black History Program at Bailey’s Community Center. Residents of the historically black community of Springdale in Bailey’s Crossroads celebrated their heritage at a Black History Month program at Bailey’s Community Center Feb. 22. The program honored the history and life of the community with music, … Continued