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Articles by Vernon Miles
McLean’s downtown redevelopment is moving slowly, but making progress
The idea behind the McLean Community Business Center (CBC) was to create an active and thriving downtown for the community. So far, a planning memo says those plans are moving along slowly. The CBC segments downtown McLean into zones: a center zone — a sort of Times Square for McLean — with development scaling down to a general zone and an edge zone beyond that, where development will remain residential and low-intensity uses.
Falls Church tabletop gaming shop to close this weekend after 45 years
Just off Broad Street in Falls Church, hordes of the verminous Skaven and humans of The Empire fight tooth and nail over a damned city. On other nights, newcomers can be found learning Magic: The Gathering tricks from wizened masters. Since the 1980s, local adventurers have rallied to go on quests in Dungeons and Dragons and more obscure tabletop games.
Planned bus rapid transit route from Alexandria to Tysons rolls ahead
Envision Route 7 BRT concept, photo via NVTC A proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) route that could connect Alexandria to Tysons is moving into a new phase of study that will assess options through the Seven Corners area. The plan is eventually to have the Envision Route 7 BRT line run from the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons down to the Mark Center, where redevelopment could help turn the area into a hub that connects with other BRT lines.
Community organizations rally to create new online hub for McLean
A new website called McLean Today launched last week with the ambitious aim of being a one-stop shop for all things related to events, activities, and shopping around McLean. The website is a Voltron-like collaboration of several local groups: the McLean Citizens Association, the McLean Chamber of Commerce, the McLean Community Center, the McLean Revitalization Corporation, the McLean Planning Committee, and the McLean Project for the Arts.
New primary care practice gets grand opening in Tysons
Heale Medical reception desk rendering (courtesy Heale Medical) A new primary care medical office is having its grand opening in Tysons today (Tuesday). Heale Medical is opening at 8300 Boone Boulevard, an office building just south of the Chain Bridge Road and Leesburg Pike interchange, at 11 a.m. Founder Dr. Amit Newatia told Tysons Reporter that, despite the area’s swelling population, there’s limited access to primary care treatment.
Regional pizza and burger chains coming to new McLean Lidl next year
The new McLean location for grocery chain Lidl will be accompanied by regional favorite pizza and beer chains when it opens sometime next year. Construction on Lidl, which is replacing the Safeway at 1330 Chain Bridge Road, is now underway, with plans to open next spring.
Vienna Crime Report: Intoxicated hit-and-run, cut brake lines, and more
Vienna police car (via Vienna Police Department/Facebook) It was a busy month in Vienna, with police responding to multiple drunken incidents and violent crimes. The Vienna Police Department’s Crime Report details incidents cross the town where Vienna Police have responded or made arrests. The police report for the week of Sept. 10-16 said a man was arrested for an intoxicated hit-and-run on Nutley Street in late August.
Proposed Silver Line Express starting at West Falls Church Metro derailed by poor cost-benefit performance
Silver Line Express proposal, via WMATA Metro has some bad news for fans of a proposed “Silver Line Express” rail service. A recent cost-benefit analysis by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) found the project had the lowest cost-effectiveness of the five options being considered to boost capacity and reliability on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.
Metro board raises concerns about impact of volatile timeline for Silver Line extension project
4/15/20: Silver Line Phase 1 crews place concrete for new ADA ramp along eastbound Route 7 (courtesy Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project) On paper, the Silver Line Phase 2 expansion should be “substantially completed” by November or December this year, but doubts expressed by the construction contractor about that timeline have filtered up to the Metro Board of Directors, where there are worries that construction delays could have a ripple effect.
Tysons pizzeria team shares secret to success after international win
Among a crowd of pizza crafters applying fixtures with eyedroppers or a brush, chef Andy Brown did what he did best: make the same kind of pizza he’d make if he were any given Friday at the shop. That’s how Andy’s Pizza, a small regional chain with a location in Tysons Galleria, took home the first-place prize in the traditional pizza category of the International Pizza Challenge last month.
Falls Church seeks public input on where to plant 30 new trees
Arbor day tree planting in 2017 (via Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society) The City of Falls Church and the Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) are planning to plant 30 new trees this fall and could use some of your input on where to put them.
New 'village' development could be squeezed behind Vienna strip mall
A new little “village” neighborhood could soon be built on three-vacant parcels on Courthouse Road Southwest behind a Maple Avenue strip mall. At a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday), the Town of Vienna Planning Commission is scheduled to review an application to build six two-family buildings with a total of 12 residential units and a clubhouse on what is today a vacant three-parcel lot.
Redevelopment for Vienna library will start design phase this fall
Fairfax County will kick off another design phase for its redevelopment of the Patrick Henry Library (101 Maple Avenue East) in Vienna this fall, about one year after voters approved bond funding for the project. The 2020 library bond included $23 million to replace the existing 13,800 square-foot facility with a 21,000 square-foot library as well as a parking garage that will be jointly funded by the county and the Town of Vienna.
Three local businesses win 'shark-tank' style competition for Tysons Corner Center spots
As the summer winds down, three new small, local brands will get to move into Tysons Corner Center rent-free, among other benefits. The mall launched a DreamStart competition in May aimed at offering three local businesses — be that food vendor, maker, product, or just an idea — a shot at getting three months of free rent, promotional resources, visual merchandising, marketing support, and a grand opening event. 20 qualified applicants entered the competition.
Police: Drunken bar fight, a parking lot lumber brawl, and more in a chaotic week for Vienna
Lumber (via Marissa Daeger/Unsplash) The Town of Vienna had a bit of a rough week, according to the Vienna Police Department’s most recent crime report. The weekly round-up of investigated incidents and arrests featured a few cases of police breaking up fights, assaults, and destruction of property. At Bear Branch Tavern (133 Maple Avenue) on Aug. 6, around 2:30 a.m., police responded to a report of a fight in the bar.
McLean Olympian shares behind-the-scenes experience at Tokyo games
After facing some disappointment in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics this year, McLean resident and Olympic rower Claire Collins has her sights set on the Paris games in 2024. Collins, a Princeton University graduate, rowed on the Women’s 4 team. Team USA didn’t medal in the event, but Collins said, overall, the Olympic experience was still “awesome.” What was it like being at the Olympics? It’s such a unique and rare experience, so I’m really curious what day-to-day life between big events was like.
Planning Commission accepts affordable housing for density trade at Falls Church project
Renderings of Little City Commons development in Falls Church (image courtesy EYA) An update to the Falls Church Gateway project is headed to the Falls Church City Council with an uncertain approval from the Planning Commission, following a long discussion over whether the city should be more ambitious with its affordable housing goals.
With new signs at Freedom Hill Park, Fairfax County makes local history personal
New sign at Freedom Hill Park (via Fairfax County) An upcoming dedication ceremony for new signs at Freedom Hill Park (8531 Old Courthouse Road) outside of Tysons represents more than just recognition of the struggles of local families during the Civil War era. For the Fairfax County Park Authority, it’s the beginning of a shift in how local history is presented.
Board of Supervisors approves bus rapid transit through Tysons' core
Route 7 Bus Rapid Transit alternatives map (via Fairfax County Department of Transportation) The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a bus rapid transit (BRT) route through the heart of Tysons, despite some concerns that it might not be as “express” as hoped. Fairfax County started studying options for BRT through Tysons three years ago as part of a regional push to establish a bus line between Tysons and the Mark Center in Alexandria.
Poll: Are you still wearing a face mask in public?
Mask wearing bunny (photo by robinreston) Months after Virginia started lifting its mask restrictions, the once-ubiquitous face masks that were a defining symbol of the COVID-19 pandemic have started becoming more scarce. But with the delta variant starting to cause a COVID-19 resurgence, some are saying masks in public should make a comeback, even for people who have been fully vaccinated.
Mclean Community Center advocates more theater space and pedestrian access in park overhaul
McLean Central Park redesign concept plan (via Fairfax County) A plan to overhaul McLean Central Park has won over the support of the McLean Community Center (MCC), but the organization recommends Fairfax County make a few changes to help alleviate safety concerns raised by some locals. The MCC is a county-run and taxpayer-financed program that offers activities, classes, shows and more for McLean adults and children.
Board of Supervisors approves West Falls Church Metro plan, promises to fix nearby streets later
A map of the West Falls Church Transit Station Area (via Fairfax County) The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved amending the West Falls Church Transit Area Plan on Tuesday (July 13) to clear the road for future development near the Metro station.
Vienna schedules public hearing on how to spend federal COVID-19 relief funds
The Town of Vienna is receiving a huge tranche of money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), but it’s still unclear where that funding is going. The Vienna Town Council formally accepted $8.5 million in ARPA funding this year on Monday (July 12). The town is expected to get an identical amount in funding next year.
Vienna approves funding to complete sidewalks in neighborhoods
Plum Street (via Google Maps) For much of Plum Street, pedestrians can travel on a sidewalk along one side of the road. But once it hits Cottage Street, pedestrians continuing southeast face a difficult choice: walk in the street or trespass on nearby lawns. At a meeting on Monday (July 19), the Vienna Town Council authorized $388,000 in funding to resolve the dilemma once and for all and install sidewalks along Plum Street SW, Holmes Drive SW, and 503 & 505 Park Street SW.
Local chef to bring new Americana restaurant with bar and market to Falls Church
After years of working as a chef in restaurants throughout the region, Thomas Harvey will launch his own restaurant in downtown Falls Church later this year. The eponymous Harvey’s is slated to open in early September at 513 W Broad Street. Harvey is an Alexandrian, but he says in a press release that Falls Church was the ideal spot for his latest venture.
FCPS leaders reflect on progress and setbacks for transgender student equity
Transgender Pride flag (via Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash) A contentious meeting over acceptance of transgender students in Loudoun County Public Schools has Fairfax County officials eyeing their own policy and pushing for more equitable regulations to support transgender and gender non-conforming students.
Falls Church shopping center to undergo makeover starting next month
Graham Park shopping center (courtesy Federal Realty Investment Trust) The sweeping overhaul of Falls Church shopping center Graham Park Plaza (7263 Arlington Blvd.) should be starting next month, with the aging strip-mall undergoing a substantial facelift to keep up with nearby development plans. According to a spokesperson for the project, the renovation will include updates to the shopping center’s facade, new signage, better landscaping, decorative lighting, and new outdoor amenities.
Poll: Are you planning to travel for 4th of July weekend?
Dulles International Airport (via Der Berzerker/Flickr) This coming weekend is the Fourth of July, and unlike last summer when — well, you know — travel is on-the-table for many in Reston and Herndon Nationally, 47 million Americans are expected to travel this weekend, many of them by car, according to Travel and Leisure. It’s an estimate in line with pre-pandemic figures. Are you planning to head out-of-town this weekend? How are you planning on traveling?
After last-minute struggle, Board of Supervisors approves McLean revitalization plan
At the end of a long public process — which started with one of the very first Tysons Reporter stories and ended Tuesday night — the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan that aims to revitalize McLean’s stagnant downtown. The plan breaks McLean into certain areas where greater density will be allowed in exchange for certain public amenities, with rings of gradually decreasing density out from that new epicenter out towards the existing neighborhoods.
Tex-Mex restaurant Taco Rock wraps up deal for new Falls Church site
Interior rendering for new Taco Rock in Falls Church, courtesy Taco Rock Rosslyn-based Taco Rock is planning to open its third location — and its largest to date — in Falls Church this fall. In a press release, Chef Mike Cordero announced yesterday (Tuesday) that the new Taco Rock will open at 1116 West Broad Street in October.
Salon Daniel cuts McLean and debuts new Merrifield location
Daniel Bechara knows better than most that sometimes to save a look, you need to make some cuts. It’s why Bechara decided to pull his hair salon, Salon Daniel, out of McLean after 30 years to move to a more visible location in Merrifield (2750 Gallows Rd.). Bechara says the new location brings the salon into a more publicly accessible place than their previous locale. “It feels great,” Bechara said. “It’s a new generation, a younger generation, and it’s a better location.
Planning commission defers decision on West Falls Church development
Map of the West Falls Church Metro development sites (photo courtesy EYA) Concerns raised by both local citizens and Fairfax County Planning Commission members over the impact of a new West Falls Church Metro station development plan prompted the commission to defer a vote on the project on Wednesday (June 16).
A guide to free outdoor concerts around Tysons this summer
A summer concert on the Vienna Town Green from 2019 (photo via Town of Vienna/Facebook) With COVID-19 vaccines now widespread, some outdoor summer concerts and music festivals put on hold last year have sprung back to life. Across the Tysons area, there are several options for locals looking for free outdoor music.
As developer plans to fix West Falls Church Metro area, pressure builds on county to fix nearby traffic issues
Map of the West Falls Church Metro development sites (photo courtesy EYA) A plan to overhaul one of the Metro system’s least-used stations is headed to the Fairfax County Planning Commission next week, but surrounding the new project is a complex network of advocates, issues, and jurisdictional questions that’s built Katamari Damacy-style over the last two years of public engagement.
Falls Church considers making some relaxed business restrictions permanent
The City of Falls Church government is grappling with whether to let restrictions eased on businesses over the last year stay permanent, be reverted entirely, or somewhere in between. At a work session yesterday (Monday), Planning Director Paul Stoddard walked the city council through the options that are currently being considered.
Fairfax County police propose hitting the breaks on vehicle pursuits
Fairfax County is cutting back on what’s allowed to start a police vehicle pursuit, including eliminating the leading cause of pursuits. At a meeting late last month with the Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee, Police Chief Kevin Davis outlined some of the changes he said will help bring Fairfax County in line with other regional jurisdictions. “It gets to the basic question: is it worth it to pursue this person,” Davis said.
Poll: Do you support the McLean revitalization plan?
One of the longest-running stories on Tysons Reporter has been plans to overhaul McLean’s downtown. The aim is to make it more vibrant and active, but critics of the plan say it still misses the mark on parking and stormwater management.
McLean Central Park redesign could include a dog park, amphitheater, and more
By 2023, McLean Central Park (1468 Dolley Madison Boulevard) could be completely overhauled with a suite of new recreational amenities, though there’s some back and forth in the community over what exactly those should be.
Amid regional progress on reducing homelessness, Fairfax County's count increases
A new report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) highlights some remarkable regional success in reducing homelessness. In Fairfax County, the numbers seemed to tell a different story, but county leadership says some of that is a result of the way the survey is conducted.
New agreement with Dominion clears up confusion with new Tysons street and electric grids
Inch by inch, memo by memo, plans for Tysons’ street grid are coming together. A new memorandum of understanding (MOU) approved at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (May 18) could help clear one hurdle that’s been a thorn in the side of infrastructure plans. As a follow-up to the June 2010 Tysons Corner Comprehensive Plan, Dominion Energy is entering an MOU with Fairfax County that will streamline a complicated part of the development process for new projects.
Falls Church starts financial groundwork for ambitious West Falls Church mixed-use project
Falls Church is readying to set up a new governing authority to handle some of the finances for its ambitious West Falls Church Economic Development Project — a new mixed-use development the city hopes can rival the nearby Mosaic District in Merrifield. The new Community Development Authority (CDA) will be financially-focused, aimed at administering the bonds and debt service for local projects, as well as imposing special taxes on businesses within its zone.
Report recommends Vienna relax some of its strict business restrictions
A new report confirms what anyone who has driven to a business in Vienna might have suspected: getting there by car can be a nightmare, strict zoning rules can make storefronts hard to find, and much of the retail space is going to need some heavy maintenance if it hopes to survive. An economic development report from consultant Streetsense and real estate consulting firm RCLCO examined the economic health of Vienna and made recommendations for where it can be improved.
Falls Church relaxes noise ordinance, but some fear it's not far enough for local businesses
The City of Falls Church is keeping some of the relaxed restrictions on noise levels for businesses put into effect during the pandemic, but it isn’t going as far as some on the city council have wanted.
Fairfax County pushes McLean school to document history before it's demolished
The Madeira School in McLean could undergo an extensive overhaul if its application goes through, but down the road, Fairfax County staff say the school might consider being designated as a historic district, among other long-term changes. The all-girls private school is seeking to tear down several buildings on its Georgetown Pike site so they can be replaced with new educational facilities, like a science and technology hall and new stables.
Vienna Police: Political gathering interrupted by chicken-man
It’s unclear what he was protesting, it’s unclear why he was protesting, but Vienna has an angry chicken-man. According to last week’s Vienna Police Highlights, on May 2 around noon, there was a trespassing call for a man harassing customers at Clarity, an American-dining restaurant at 442 Maple Ave E. Officers responded to the report of a man dressed in a chicken costume harassing customers at the restaurant. Members of a political party were having a private gathering at the restaurant.
Proposed senior living facility in McLean approved by county board with neighbor support
McLean has had its fair share of contentious development debates, but to the relief of everyone involved, a planned senior living facility at 1638 and 1642 Chain Bridge Road didn’t go that way, instead getting a unanimous vote of support from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Tension over the future of development in McLean has been brewing in recent weeks with the much-debated downtown revitalization plan headed for a delayed planning commission public hearing on May 26.
A divided task force endorses West Falls Church Metro area overhaul after two years of study
After two years, the West Falls Church TSA Task Force pushed through a tense nearly-three hour meeting to finally approve an updated plan that will guide the overhaul of one of the Metro system’s most underused stations. In recent meetings, some lingering divides on the task force sometimes escalated into heated moments between those with concerns about pedestrian safety and those pushing for approval of the plan to usher in new growth to the area.
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ festival returns to Tysons
A festival celebrating southern cuisine — from beer to bacon and biscuits — is returning to Tysons for a fifth year. “This 5th Annual affair offers up all those pleasures that true Southerners live by — Beer, Bourbon, Barbecue, Boots, Bacon, Biscuits, Bluegrass, and Smoked Beasts,” the festival’s website advertises. “It’s a great day of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’, and barbecue eatin’.” Admission to the festival is $49 for a three-hour window on Saturday, May 22.
Vienna Town Council candidates discuss COVID recovery, stormwater improvements, and... mulch?
One of the fun aspects of local elections is the interesting intersection of national issues — like helping businesses recover from the pandemic — with hyperlocal problems — like the too-loud mulch machine. In a candidate forum earlier this month, the four candidates running for Town Council met virtually to discuss top issues of importance. The first being the industrial mulching operation on Beulah Road. Candidates were asked whether they support removing the facility over the next two years.
Falls Church City Council approves tax rate reduction of more than three cents
The Falls Church City Council approved a real estate tax rate reduction on Monday (April 26) in what councilmembers called a testament to the hard work and planning of the city staff — especially amid a pandemic that devastated the national economy. Overall, the three-and-a-half-cent tax rate decrease comes despite a 2.3% growth in the city’s operating budget, which totals $41.3 million.
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