May 4, 2022

Neighbors,

At the beginning of this year I shared with you the good news that the Board of Supervisors had approved more than $33 million  – including funds from commercial developers in Tysons, proceeds from the current “half penny” dedicated to new affordable housing, and other sources – to fund 175 affordable housing units as part of the Dominion Square West project in the Tysons section of Hunter Mill District. Yesterday, the county announced that the number of affordable units at Dominion Square will now be more than 500, and will include a co-located community center, with the commitment of $55 million from the Amazon Housing Equity Fund.

The Amazon funding provides for the simultaneous construction of two buildings on the site, and these additional units will make Dominion Square the largest fully committed affordable housing development in Tysons. The two buildings will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with common areas, resident amenities, outdoor landscaped areas and a central courtyard. It is also in short walking distance – less than a quarter mile, and a straight shot – to the Spring Hill Metro Station. 

Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority is purchasing the land parcel and will lease the property to nonprofit partner APAH for the development, construction, ownership, and operation of the affordable housing community. In addition, the community center’s developmental and recreational programs, services, and resources will be provided by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. 

Dominion Square is a prime example of a public-private partnership that empowers our neighbors, especially working families, to thrive rather than just survive. Affordable housing can and should be delivered with visually appealing, transit- and employment-oriented development in close connection with a variety of county services, community amenities and programs. It also brings us closer of my goal of 1,000 additional affordable housing units in Hunter Mill District by the end of 2027 and the Board's goal of 10,000 additional units countywide by 2034. 

Learn more about the Dominion Square project here and if you have any question, contact my office at [email protected]. 

Respectfully,

Walter

• Community Levels By County
• Fairfax County COVID-19 Data Dashboard
• How to Beat Pandemic Fatigue and Build Resiliency During Challenging Times

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is providing free pet services on Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m. to noon at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate, 12125 Pinecrest Road in Reston. Services will include:

• rabies and distemper vaccinations
• microchips
• flea prevention
• an ask-a-trainer table
• food and supplies (your pet must be with you) 

All dogs must be on 6' leashes; cats must be in carriers. The event is first come, first serve, and supplies are limited. For more information, email the animal shelter at [email protected]or call 703-830-1100.

The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is hosting an informational meeting about the Tysons West Wastewater Conveyance Systems Modifications Project on Tuesday May 10 at 7 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. The goal of this project is to increase the size of the sewer system to accommodate the planned growth in northern Fairfax County and to ensure the system continues to provide continuous reliable service to all customers. This project will decrease the risk of wastewater overflows and back-ups during periods of high wastewater flows by diverting flow from existing infrastructure. Learn more.

Bike to Work Day 

Mark your calendar to participate in the 2022 Bike to Work Day Friday, May 20 with pitstops and fun events planned countywide. I'll share more details as they become available. Learn more. 

Tour de Hunter Mill

The Tour de Hunter Mill gets underway on Saturday, May 14 at 8:30 a.m. The event, including a five-mile family route and a 18-mile route, begins in the Town of Vienna at the Town Green at 144 Maple Avenue E. This is a great opportunity for bicyclists at all levels to enjoy a scenic ride with neighbors. The registration fee is $30 per rider, which includes Tour de Hunter Mill socks and and a contribution to the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling, which provides operational support. Please note that the event is rain or shine. More information and to register. If you have questions, email [email protected]

Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Update; Upcoming Meetings

County staff review of the Task Force’s interim recommendations on the 14 areas of the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study is underway. Upcoming Task Force meetings to discuss county staff input are:

• Monday, May 16, 5 to 7 p.m. The meeting is hosted on Webex, Use this link to attend and participate. You may also watch the meeting on YouTube.
• Tuesday, May 17, 7 to 9 p.m. The meeting is hosted on Webex, Use this link to attend and participate. You may also watch the meeting on YouTube.

To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the Task Force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. The archive of meeting details and agendas is here. The video archive of all past task force meetings can be found on my YouTube page. If you have questions or would like to provide input, please email [email protected].

Reston Planning & Zoning Virtual Meeting, Monday, May 16, 7:30 p.m. 

The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use code: 2341 731 4210. For information, contact Lisa Connors, 703-478-0283.

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Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting, Tuesday, May 17, 7:30 p.m.

The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use code: 2339 372 3062. For information, contact Paul Davis, 703-478-0283.

Pickleball for Beginners 

Looking to learn how to play pickleball? Beginners are welcome on Mondays at the Vienna Community Center at 120 Cherry Street SE for drop-in play from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Summer beginner pickleball classes are also open for registration. Learn more.

Viva! Vienna! is Back!

Viva! Vienna! is returning on Memorial Day Weekend May 28-30. It's a fun weekend with family activities, local vendors, food and more. Learn more, including how to volunteer. 

Thank you Hunter Mill District residents and community partners! More than 247 pounds of unused prescription and over- the-counter drugs were collected at Saturday's Drug Take Back Day at Reston Hospital. More than 1,329 pounds were collected countywide during this great event that protects our community and environment!

Missed the event? Fairfax County Police Department's Reston District Station has a 24/7 drug drop-off container in the lobby at 1801 Cameron Glen Dr. in Reston. You can also drop off at other county district stations. Learn more.

Job Fair for Veterans and Military Spouses May 11 and 12

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority is partnering with the Virginia Chamber Foundation and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services to host a Veteran and Military Spouse Career Fair. The free event features two days of opportunities for candidates to connect with companies in-person and virtually. Learn more. 

Read the May Issue of the Golden Gazette

The May issue of the Golden Gazette is available online. If you aren't familiar with this county resource, I encourage you to take a look. Every issue has helpful information for older adults, as well as caregivers. This month's issue includes:

• Nutrition resources for aging in place
• Adult Abuse Prevention Month
• Assisting others to age their way
• New regional virtual senior center 

Read these articles and more here

Learn Tips on How To Grow Your Business Through Marketing, Branding and Social Media With Virtual Workshops Beginning May 16

IGNITE! Small Business Bootcamp will give you the tools to understand your market, maximize your brand, and create an effective social media presence that advances your business success. The program is designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Fairfax County. Learn more.