Supervisor Gross presents the highlights of 2013 in Mason District
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| The Tallwood Trio entertains at the Mason District Holiday Town Hall. |
About 40 people gathered at the Mason District Government
Center Dec. 4 for Supervisor Penny Gross’s annual Holiday Town Hall, featuring
seasonal music, refreshments, door prizes, and a review of the past year.
Center Dec. 4 for Supervisor Penny Gross’s annual Holiday Town Hall, featuring
seasonal music, refreshments, door prizes, and a review of the past year.
Among the highlights of 2013, Gross said, was the ongoing
effort of the Seven Corners Land Use and Transportation Task Force, which is undertaking
the first in-depth look at the area in decades. The group held two charrettes—intense
planning discussions—on transportation and redevelopment possibilities.
effort of the Seven Corners Land Use and Transportation Task Force, which is undertaking
the first in-depth look at the area in decades. The group held two charrettes—intense
planning discussions—on transportation and redevelopment possibilities.
The task force’s subgroups on connectivity and quality of
life have submitted their final reports, Gross said, but their work lives on
through the continuing Bailey’s Business Breakfasts. The next one is Dec. 11,
7:30 a.m., at Public House No. 7.
Among other highlights cited by Gross:
- Last winter, Gross hosted a series of meetings for civic
association leaders with county officials on emergency preparation, air
quality, and storm water issues. The series will continue in 2014 on topics to
be announced later.
- Regarding the county budget, Gross noted that the Board of
Supervisors approved a 1 percent tax increase last spring. When community block grant funding was cut, the board some
of its reserve funding to help people keep their homes. The federal government’s sequestration and shutdown
presented a major challenge to Fairfax County, resulting in “significant loss
of tax revenue,” Gross said.
- During the Celebrate Fairfax festival in June, Mason
District was represented by Frank Sellers, former chair of the Bailey’s Crossroads Revitalization Corporation, as Lord Fairfax, and Jo Hodgin of the Wolf Trap Foundation and Fairfax County Arts Council, as
Lady Fairfax.
- Gross attended the graduation ceremonies for all four high
schools in Mason District. She called the hope embodied in those young people “a
renewal of the spirit.”
- About 7,000 people attended the summer Spotlight by Starlight concerts at Mason District Park and Ossian Hall Park.
- The proposal to reorganize the public library system
elicited a huge amount of opposition from the public and employees, as did the
discovery that thousands of library books were trashed. Gross said the
Library Board will launch a new approach after the first of the year.
- The Planning Commission’s proposal for “residential studio units” (RSUs) led to “a lot of misunderstanding and a good deal of insinuation,”
she said. The proposal was amended and a vote was delayed until spring 2014.
- The Woodrow Wilson Library has been temporarily relocated to an office building on Leesburg Pike while the library will
undergo a two-year renovation. The new quarters are small, but ensure that the
community will continue to have access to all library services, Gross said.
- The Bailey’s Crossroads Fire Department moved into temporary
quarters on Moncure Avenue, while a new fire stations is being built to replace
the one badly damaged in a 2010 snowstorm. Bond funds are available for renovation of the Jefferson
Fire Station in Falls Church, but the project hasn’t been scheduled yet.
- Overcrowding at Bailey’s Elementary School could be resolved
soon by converting a vacant office building on Leesburg Pike to classrooms.
Schools designed for an urban environment are the wave of the future in Fairfax
County, Gross said, as “land for traditional horizontal-type schools is
increasingly scarce, especially inside the beltway.”
- Among business activity in Mason during the past year, a new
Advance Auto Parts store opened on Little River Turnpike, and Collector’s World
on Columbia Pike has new owners.
- The National Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans to
move into the the Skyline Center on Leesburg Pike next year, bringing
hundreds of employees to the area.
- The new Bill Page shopping center on Annandale Road and a new
Walgreens in central Annandale will open in early 2014.
- Gross had no
information on what’s going into the old Bloom spot, noting “that’s the question
I get asked about more than anything.”
- She said continuing challenges facing the Mason District include code
compliance violations and parking and speeding problems.
“We’re so lucky to live in Fairfax County,” Gross concluded.
“We’re the envy of people in other jurisdictions all over the country.”
Compared to other places, “we have it so good here in Fairfax County.”
“We’re the envy of people in other jurisdictions all over the country.”
Compared to other places, “we have it so good here in Fairfax County.”
During the question period, Gross said there’s no buyer yet
for the 117-acre Mobil Exxon property on Gallows Road, which the company is
vacating. The purchase price hasn’t been announced yet. The four office
buildings on the property are in great shape. They won’t be used by the FBI or
other government agency because the county doesn’t want to lose potential tax
revenue.
for the 117-acre Mobil Exxon property on Gallows Road, which the company is
vacating. The purchase price hasn’t been announced yet. The four office
buildings on the property are in great shape. They won’t be used by the FBI or
other government agency because the county doesn’t want to lose potential tax
revenue.
A restoration project for Indian Run stream should start in
early 2014, she said, and the noise ordinance approved by the Board of
Supervisors Dec. 3 is a limited, temporary measure until a more comprehensive
ordinance can be adopted later in 2014.
early 2014, she said, and the noise ordinance approved by the Board of
Supervisors Dec. 3 is a limited, temporary measure until a more comprehensive
ordinance can be adopted later in 2014.
In introducing the evening’s entertainment, the Tallwood
Trio, consisting of three men in their 70s, Gross called the group “a nod to
our changing demographics.” The trio charmed the crowd with lively interpretations of
Christmas classics and jazz standards, including their theme song, “Don’t Get
Around Much Anymore.”
Trio, consisting of three men in their 70s, Gross called the group “a nod to
our changing demographics.” The trio charmed the crowd with lively interpretations of
Christmas classics and jazz standards, including their theme song, “Don’t Get
Around Much Anymore.”
Pianist Alan Wenberg said his son suggested they name their
band “The Hip Replacements,” but they settled on naming the trio for the place where they met: the Tallwood campus of George Mason University in
Fairfax, where they took classes at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a continuing
education program aimed at retirees.
band “The Hip Replacements,” but they settled on naming the trio for the place where they met: the Tallwood campus of George Mason University in
Fairfax, where they took classes at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a continuing
education program aimed at retirees.
Wenberg, of Fairfax Station, worked in information technology at
the Commerce Department. The bass player, Eric Henderson of Reston, retired from the CIA, and the drummer, David Hirsch of Annandale, worked for
Fairfax County Public Schools as a teacher for severely impaired, home-bound
children.
the Commerce Department. The bass player, Eric Henderson of Reston, retired from the CIA, and the drummer, David Hirsch of Annandale, worked for
Fairfax County Public Schools as a teacher for severely impaired, home-bound
children.
