RSSCommunity news
New draft of Tysons
downtown plan released
The latest draft of the plan to remake Tysons Corner into an urban, transit-focused downtown is scheduled to be presented to a Fairfax County Planning Commission committee tonight. The Tysons Committee has been working on new language for the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan to govern future development of the area, which will have four new Metrorail stations by 2013.
The committee will accept public comment on the latest draft at its Jan. 27 and Feb. 11 meetings. Final revisions will be made in late February and early March, then a final draft will go to the full Planning Commission for formal public hearings in late March. The commission is slated to send its recommended version of the plan to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors by early May, and the board could complete its public hearings and adopt the new plan as soon as late May.
Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov
/tysons to download the latest draft text, view the timeline for the work and access other information about the efforts to transform Tysons Corner.
County to issue bonds
for Wiehle garage
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved issuing up to $110 million in bonds to help pay for a new 2,300-space underground parking garage and other related facilities at the future Wiehle Avenue Metro station. This supports a public-private partnership with Comstock Partners the board approved in June.
Comstock plans to build apartments, shops and office space in a 980,000-square-foot complex above the garage and will build the parking, kiss-and-ride area and bus bays on the county's behalf. The county expects to recoup the estimated $90 million cost of the parking garage over time through parking fees and Comstock's ground lease of the property.
Leaders to hold
town hall meeting on I-66
U.S. Rep Frank R. Wolf (R-Dist. 10) of Vienna and county supervisors Michael Frey (R-Sully) and Patrick Herrity (R-Springfield) will hold a town hall meeting about congestion relief on Interstate 66 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 6 at Chantilly High School, 4201 Stringfellow Road.
According to Herrity, the officials are working on short- and long-term solutions to congestion on I-66, a widely used commuter road, including increased use of the shoulder lanes, changes to the use of HOV-only ramps, and the interchange at I-66 and the Capital Beltway. Residents will be able to learn about these proposals at the town hall meeting.
Community award
nominations sought
Nominations for the 2010 Carole Wolfand Community Service Award are now being accepted by the Vienna Town/Business Liaison Committee.
The award is given each year to a town business or business owner in recognition of outstanding contributions to the community life and spirit of Vienna.
Anyone may nominate. To qualify, the recipient must be a business or business owner located within the town. No self-nominations will be considered.
Entries must include the business name, address, phone number and a description of contributions/action to be considered and why the business should be nominated (200 words or less). Entries should also include the name, address and phone number of the person making the nomination.
Nominations are due Jan. 29 and should be mailed to Town/Business Liaison Committee, c/o Julia Haskins, Vienna Town Hall, 127 Center St., South Vienna, VA 22180. Alternatively, entries can be submitted by fax at 703-255-5729 or by e-mail at jhaskins@viennava.gov, with the subject line reading "TBLC Award."
Master planning for
Salona property to begin
The Fairfax County Park Authority has started the master planning process for Salona Park in McLean. The 51-acre property is privately owned; however, the Park Authority holds a perpetual easement on 41 acres that permits park uses.
The property is steeped in Virginia history as the home of Henry Lee, a Revolutionary War hero, Virginia governor and congressman. It also served as a refuge for the Madison family during the War of 1812 and as a Union encampment during the Civil War.
A public information meeting on the master planning process will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Franklin Sherman Elementary School, at 6630 Brawner St. in McLean.