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| Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova |
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| Internships: |
My office is now accepting applications for fall internship opportunities. Application due date is August 20, 2018.
More information.
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| Stay Connected |
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Email
Website
Office
(703) 324-2321
Please contact my office with any comments, questions, concerns or ideas.
I look forward to hearing from you!
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Greetings,
Buried somewhere in my boxes of news clippings, I have an Opinion Page headline from a mid-90's Fairfax Journal newspaper that reads "Commuter Rail Doomed." The fledgling VRE (Virginia Railway Express) system was indeed experiencing some difficult growing pains. I was a member of the VRE Operations Board at the time (I still am) and our little train system was experiencing pretty abysmal on-time performance. We had not yet worked out conflicts inherent in our presence on the Norfolk Southern and CSX (then called the RF&P) freight railroad tracks. Our long suffering commuters were regularly sidelined during unscheduled rush hour track maintenance, or while a long string of pokey cargo trains were waved ahead of our understandably impatient riders. It had taken ten difficult years to establish the VRE and now our demise was predicted on the altar of cynical journalism.
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The cow represents CONRAIL (Consolidated Rail Corporation). VRE Commuter trains were routinely held up by freight traffic, making on-time performance difficult.
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Transportation is hard! The pace for getting big projects accomplished can be glacial. These early issues were eventually worked out and the VRE Commuter Rail System is a success story today. Those early struggles demonstrated for me the value of tenacity.
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Photo taken at Union Station in early 90's celebrating delivery of first VRE locomotive. Then Chairman Audrey Moore and I (holding flowers) are with members of FVRE (Friends of the Virginia Railway Express community advocacy group.)
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Tenacity paid off on a number of major transportation fronts during the past few years:
HB 2313:
After years of frustration over lack of transportation funding, in 2013 the General Assembly passed HB 2313, providing Northern Virginia the means for raising approximately $340 million annually for transportation projects, both transit and highway. The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), working with local jurisdictions, is tasked with evaluating projects and distributing those funds.
NVTA:
On June 14 of this year, NVTA adopted its first Six Year Plan to invest $1.285 billion in 44 regionally significant, multimodal transportation projects.
For Fairfax County, the projects included significant funding for major investments in the Route 1/Richmond Highway corridor. Projects to widen and improve the highway and to begin the process of establishing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will support the years long Embark community planning effort that will revitalize this part of South County. Here are some specific Fairfax County projects that made it into the NVTA Six Year Plan:
- Richmond Highway Widening (Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy to Napper Road) - $127 million (full request)
- Richmond Highway BRT - $250 million (full request)
- Frontier Drive Extension - $25 million (partial funding; should fully fund the Right of Way)
- Route 28 Widening (Route 29 to Prince William County Line) - $16 million (amount would fund widening to six lanes)
- Richmond Highway/CSX Underpass - $12 million (full request)
- Rolling Road (Hunter Village Dr. to Old Keene Mill) - $11.1 million (full request)
- Fairfax County Parkway (Ox Road to Lee Highway, including Popes Head Interchange) - $67 million (full request)
- Rock Hill Road Bridge: $20.6 million (partial funding. Sufficient to move project forward)
- Town of Vienna Mill Street NE Parking Garage - $2.3 million (full request)
METRO:
The majority of the Metrorail system was built during the 1960s and 70s with inadequate provisions for the eventual repair, replacement and updating of its infrastructure. Over the years lack of adequate maintenance, slipshod safety inspections, and parochial interference with management decisions, resulted in a seriously deteriorated system.
Efforts to identify a dedicated regional source of revenue for capital improvements system wide seemed hopeless until this year. Region wide coalitions of private sector partners and elected officials (I chaired COG's Metro Strategy Group) met to quantify, and advocate for, infrastructure improvements and funding needed to restore the Metrorail system "back to good." Full funding for Fairfax County's share for restoring Metrorail to a state of good repair was approved by the General Assembly during this past session. The legislation also provided additional funding for the VRE.
Passage of Virginia's legislation was quickly followed by legislation from the D.C. Government and Maryland. In addition to an infusion of funding, the legislation calls for enhanced oversight of Metro operations and safety practices, along with a slimmed down WMATA Board.
SILVER LINE:
Rail to Dulles Airport began with construction of the airport in the 1960's. The project suffered a multitude of near death experiences over planning and funding debates. BRT or a rail system compatible with WMATA's? Over or Under? We were taken to court over the establishment of special commercial and industrial tax districts in the Dulles corridor to help pay for the Silver Line extension.
Happily, over the years, the Rail to Dulles project was resuscitated by a succession of Virginia Governors, Fairfax County Chairmen and business leaders, many who were present when the ribbon was cut at the completion of Phase 1 of the Silver Line to Wiehle Avenue in Reston.
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July 26, 2014 - Cutting the Ribbon on Metro Silver Line Phase 1
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Progress on Phase 2 of the Metrorail Silver Line is under construction, with three stations (Reston, Herndon, and Innovation) in Fairfax County. Substantial completion is projected by the end of 2019, with passenger service to Dulles Airport beginning in 2020.
I-66 &
MULTIMODAL
TRAVEL OPTIONS:
Congestion on I-66 is legendary. Resistance to improvements inside the beltway has long stymied efforts to relieve traffic backups. During the  past few years, the state, teaming up with private partners and local government, was able to resolve design and rights-of-way issues for plans to improve I-66. Construction to provide increased capacity and multimodal opportunities on I-66 began in June. Work both inside and outside the Beltway on I-66 will add express lanes. Toll funding will go to local governments via Northern Virginia Transportation Commission to develop a more robust network of transit options in the area. One such project is the new Fairfax Connector 699 Route, which provides express bus service from the Fairfax County Government Center, via I-66, directly to Washington, D.C.
HILLSBORO:
Last weekend I attended a ceremony in Hillsboro, Loudoun County that demonstrated just how personal transportation can be. The event was a groundbreaking for a traffic calming project on Route 9, a commuter route that goes through this historic little town of just over 40 homes.
The town had worked for two decades attempting to design, and then re-design, the project in order to qualify it for funding. They had identified matching funds to improve their chances. Pulling up in a rented bus, half of the town (twenty-six people) arrived at our NVTC public hearing in Merrifield last month to testify to the importance of the project.
Speaking last weekend to an enthusiastic crowd unfazed by the sweltering heat, Mayor Roger Vance said that, "The project aims to 'tame and reclaim' Rt.9." After a two-year construction process, he said Hillsboro would be "among Virginia's best-preserved 19th century towns, with 21st century infrastructure, and innovative congestion mitigating and traffic calming features."
It is occasions like this, Byline readers, that cause me to love local governmen
t!
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Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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| Live Music & Wine Tastings at Evenings on the Ellipse |
On Thursday evenings from July 5 through August 30, the backyard of the Fairfax County Government Center will be alive with fun music and good company. Local residents, county employees and music lovers can stop by after work from 5:30-7pm to relax in Wolf Trap-esque style. Fairfax County's two Wineries (Paradise Springs and Bull Run) will be providing generous tastings and sales of their premium reds and whites. A Farmers Market will be on site selling fresh fruit and snacks to enjoy at the concert. If it rains, the concert will be moved inside to the Government Center Forum. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket and hope to see you there!
PERFORMANCES:
July 5: JunkFood (Rock/Pop)
July 12: The Beat Hotel (Mardi Gras Swamp Funk)
July 19: Memphis Gold (Blues)
July 26: Tartan Terrors (Celtic)
August 2: The Gibson Brothers (Bluegrass)
August 9: Robin and Linda Williams (Folk)
August 16: Doc Scantlin and his Imperial Palms Orchestra (Big Band)
August 23: Russikye Musikanti (Russian Folk Music)
August 30: The United States Air Force 'Celtic Aire' (Celtic)
More Information
Find more concerts through Fairfax County's Summer Entertainment Series
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| Brewfest 2018 | Workhouse Arts Center |
 On August 4, 2018 from 1pm - 8pm, enjoy craft beers, live bands, and local art galleries at the Workhouse Arts Center! This year's Brewfest will include over 30 Virginia craft breweries, artisan distilleries, and Virginia wineries. Some of the region's most popular bands such as Scott Kurt, Practically Einstein, Lovely Rita, Sub-Radio, Shane Gamble, Feel Free, and Omar Teitelbaum will be performing throughout the day.
Exclusive VIP packages are available, which include unlimited tastes of beer and wine and a catered meal. Designated driver tickets are available now for $20 (early bird price) and include free parking, bottomless root beer, and access to live music, food vendors, lawn games, workshops and artist studios.
For tickets and more information, please visit
workhousebrewfest.org.
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| Occoquan Regional Park Grand Re-Opening |
On Saturday, June 23, I attended the Grand Re-Opening of Occoquan Regional Park. The park is gorgeous and I highly recommend stopping by with your friends or family!
A new main attraction of the park is the Jean R. Packard Center, named in honor of the first woman to Chair the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. With it's soaring architecture and LEED Gold certification, the Center includes:
The River View: an elegant event space for groups of over 300 with scenic views of the Occoquan River. Ideal for weddings, anniversary celebrations or any large party!
The 1608 Room: featuring interpretive elements that commemorate the first European/Native American interactions in our region, when Captain John Smith explored the Chesapeake and Potomac and traded with Native Americans on the Occoquan.
Brickmakers Café: a casual dining venue with a patio overlooking the river. (The Brickmakers name comes from the historic brick kilns on the site that were part of the prison complex in the early 20th century.)
Other elements of the park include a 5K paved loop trail, a new bridge, a new large group shelter, a new playground, a new seawall and plaza area, kayaks for rent, and much more. Stay tuned for the installation of a suffragist memorial, coming in 2020.
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| MWAA to Host Public Hearings on Dulles Toll Road Rates |
 The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is hosting three public hearings to inform and solicit comments from the community about proposed toll rate increases along the Dulles Toll Road. These rate increases, which will be voted on by the Airports Authority Board of Directors later in 2018, would take effect in 2019 and support the construction of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Silver Line Extension Project and improvements along the Dulles Toll Road.
The public information hearings will be conducted from 5pm to 8pm as follows:
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Spring Hill Elementary School Cafeteria
8201 Lewinsville Road,
McLean, VA 22102
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
South Lakes High School Cafeteria
11400 South Lakes Drive,
Reston, VA 20191
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Stone Bridge High School Cafeteria
43100 Hay Road,
Ashburn, VA 20147
For more information or to submit comments online, please visit
dullestollroad.com/toll/toll-setting-process.
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| Silver Line Phase 2 Construction: Over 78% Complete |
Construction continues for Phase 2 of Metro's Silver Line, which is scheduled to open in 2020. As of June 2018, construction hit 78% completion. New stations will include Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Dulles Airport, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn.
Visit
dullesmetro.com and follow @DullesMetrorail on Twitter for continual updates on Phase 2!
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New Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) in South County
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6/8/18 - Ribbon Cutting ceremony, Financial Empowerment Center at South County
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Fairfax County has partnered with the United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) and Britepaths to open the
Financial Empowerment Center
(FEC) at the county's
South County Center
. The new center offers county residents facing economic challenges and poverty free access to financial services designed to help them grow income, build assets, manage debt and improve credit
to achieve financial stability.
Approximately 260,000 residents in the region belong to a household that is "unbanked," which means these residents are not connected with mainstream banking services and may be using predatory services like check cashing and payday loans to make ends meet. Financial Empowerment Center clients have the opportunity to work with a financial coach, who helps them create a step-by-step plan to set and achieve personal financial goals, along with the opportunity to attend workshops on a variety of topics.
The FEC is made possible through a public-private partnership between the Fairfax County
Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (facilitates referrals for center services and helps coordinate the involvement of other county and community human services providers as partners in FEC programs), the United Way NCA (the primary funder) and Britepaths (a local non-profit organization that was selected to manage the day-to-day operations and the recruitment of partners to fulfill the goals of the FEC).
Volunteers and community partners - including BB&T Bank, South County Development Group, Computer CORE, United Bank, First Home Alliance, Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch, Empowered Women International - are also instrumental in providing coaching at workshops at the FEC.
For more information about the Financial Empowerment Center at South County, visit
soco.financialempowermentcenters.org, call
703-704-6101, or follow @FECSoCo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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| Hunger Doesn't Take a Summer Vacation |
Approximately 29 percent of Fairfax County students receive free and reduced price meals during the school year. When the school year ends, so does the opportunity for consistent, nutritious meals for many of these students. The free Summer Meals for Kids Program fills that need by providing nutritious meals to children ages 5 to 18 during the summer -
because hunger doesn't take a summer vacation
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This need is ever-increasing, and Fairfax County is in search of more community partners to enhance our capacity to reach children in need.
You can make a real difference in the lives of kids in your community b
y signing on as a meal location. Learn more about how to become a meal site!
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| Lifelong Learning Opportunities for Older Adults |
 It is never too late to stop learning. If you are interested in taking a class or exploring a new subject area, our local colleges and universities provide quality lifelong learning opportunities for older adults:
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) through George Mason University has locations in Fairfax, Reston, and Sterling and is a
premier destination for intellectual stimulation and finding a new peer group in retirement. One annual fee pays for a full-year membership, including unlimited enrollment in all offerings, subject only to class size limitations.
Encore Learning through George Mason University o
ffers high quality academic courses, special events, clubs and social activities for anyone over fifty in the metropolitan area. The daytime non-credit college-level courses require no testing or papers. Courses are held during the day in Arlington. The annual membership fee is $65 per person.
Northern Virginia Community College
also offers lifelong learning opportunities for older adults in our area. Earn a degree or learn something new! Learn more at
nvcc.edu/admissions/apply/seniors.html
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Senior Tuition Waiver - Under the terms of the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, eligible Virginia residents (60 years or older with a taxable income not exceeding $23,850 for Virginia income tax purposes) may enroll for credit in university courses through the Non-degree Studies Program without paying tuition. Senior citizens at least 60 years of age may register to audit courses for free regardless of income level.
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