Dear Neighbor,
Today is the first day of Ramadan, a time for reflection and spiritual growth. I want to take a moment to wish all who observe a very Happy Ramadan. I hope that this month brings you and your family peace and joy.
It's officially spring and I hope this finds you excited for all the great family-friendly events happening around our county. There are a number of events to celebrate the cherry blossom season and a couple of those are right here in the Providence district, including Art Blooms at Mosaic and Pedal for Petals Family Bike Ride in Tysons. You can find more information about these events below.
Lastly, I want to thank all who tuned in to the Providence District Budget Town Hall and all who have shared comments and questions with me. If you missed it , you can watch the recording on my Facebook page or on Channel 16 Video on Demand. You can still provide your feedback on the proposed FY 2024 budget. The Board will hold budget public hearings on April 11-13 and you can sign up here to provide your testimony.
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You can read about the following Providence District updates:
- Ways to Give Back
- Board Meeting Highlights
- Transit Fellows Program
- Adventures in Learning
- Green Corner
- Land Use and Transportation Updates
- Upcoming Events
With gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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I presented the following Board matters:
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Additionally, the Board took the following actions:
- Authorized advertisements of public hearings on April 11 at 4PM, April 12 at 3PM, and April 13 at 3PM to amend the current appropriation level in the FY 2023 Revised Budget Plan.
- Authorized advertisement of a public hearing on June 6 at 4PM on a proposed zoning ordinance amendment about parking and loading and related changes.
- Authorized to amend the County's One-Year Action Plan for FY 2022
- Held a public hearing and adopted the Plan Amendment 2021-CW-1CP Affordable Housing Preservation Policy
- Held a public hearing and adopted an ordinance for vacation and order for abandonment of a portion of Blake Lane
- Held a public hearing and adopted the proposal to increase compensation for the members of the next Board of Supervisors sworn in on January 1, 2024.
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The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is looking for its next Transit Fellow with an interest to learn all about NVTC's work on public transit. Deadline to submit application is Friday, March 31.
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The Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia (SCNOVA) continues its Adventures In Learning (AIL) lineup of classes with its Spring 2023 semester schedule that includes 40+ classes with a wide range of subjects - from Health and Wellness to National and World Affairs.
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Applying a layer of mulch in spring will help maintain soil moisture and control weeds. Mulching also insulates soils keeping them warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Fairfax County operates a brush grinding operation which produces double-shredded wood mulch for residents. The mulch is FREE, clean, and good quality. Wood mulch is usually available at the I-95 and I-66 locations.
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Land Use and Transportation Updates |
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Overnight Closures on I-66 |
Overnight lane closures are planned on I-66 East and West between Nutley Street and I-495 on Friday night, March 24, for overhead bridge work. This construction activity on the new Gallows Road Bridge will also require closure of the 66 Express Lanes in both directions in the area.
Drivers should be prepared for intermittent 20-minute traffic stoppages on I-66 East and West between midnight and 4AM. Drivers should expect delays if traveling in this area and are encouraged to use alternate routes. All work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled to the following night should inclement conditions occur.
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The ramp from I-495 North to I-66 East will be closed each night from 11PM to 4AM through Friday, March 24 for overhead bridge work. Traffic will be directed to continue north to Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) East, travel about one mile, then follow signs to I-66 East.
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The ramp from Virginia Center Boulevard to I-66 West will be closed from 11PM to 4AM on Wednesday, March 22 for light pole installation. Drivers will be directed to continue east on Virginia Center Boulevard to Nutley Street. At the traffic signal, turn right onto Nutley Street South, then stay to the right and follow signs to I-66 West.
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The ramp from Route 50 East to I-66 East will be closed each night from Wednesday, March 22 through Friday, March 24 from midnight to 4AM for barrier removal, concrete work, and bridge inspection. Traffic will be directed farther east, stay to the left and use the left-most left turn lane to make a U-turn at the traffic signal at Waples Mill Road, then stay to the right and follow signs to I-66 East.
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The ramp from I-66 East to Route 50 West will be closed Thursday night, March 23 from midnight to 4AM for overhead bridge inspection. Traffic will be detoured farther east to Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road), stay to the left and turn left at the traffic signal onto Route 123 North, stay to the right to I-66 West, and then follow signs to Route 50 West.
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Capital Bikeshare Launches Next Generation Electric Bicylce |
Fairfax County’s Capital Bikeshare program has launched its next generation electric bicycle. Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Washington, D.C. are the first jurisdictions in the country to acquire this next generation model from Lyft, which manufactures and operates bikeshare equipment. Approximately 850 e-bikes will roll out in those jurisdictions through April 2023, of which Fairfax County owns 45. The new model will go into circulation around Merrifield, Reston, and Tysons.
Look for new e-bikes at these Fairfax Capital Bikeshare Stations:
- Tysons Metro North
- Dunn Loring Metro
- W&OD Trail/Sunset Hills Road & Isaac Newton Square
- Wiehle-Reston Metro South
- Reston Town Center Metro North
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Metrorail gets a service boost systemwide amid ridership surge |
Metro has begun increasing train service across the rail system just in time for peak cherry blossom season. Weekday service will see an infusion of trains, as well as weekends. Additional trains will also run as needed during the Cherry Blossom Festival as crowding is monitored during peak bloom.
Service will ramp up across the system through March 25, providing customers with more frequent, reliable service that makes transfers easier and wait times shorter.
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Planning Commission Workshops for SSPA Nominations |
The Planning Commission Workshop for Providence district nominations will be on Thursday, March 23 at 7:30PM at the Fairfax County Government Center where staff will share an overview of the SSPA process, the trends seen in the nominations, and staff recommendations for each nomination. The public can join in person or attend by phone.
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The Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development will hold a community meeting for residents to learn more about the Pan Am Shopping Center Project on Thursday, March 30 from 7PM to 9PM at the Pan Am Shopping Center (3069 Nutley Street).
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Recovery Program Solutions of Virginia Undergarment Drive |
Please join Recovery Program Solutions of Virginia (RPSV) in helping provide new, clean underclothing for the homeless adults they serve. This drive is year-round.
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The McLean District Police Station will hold a car seat inspection on Saturday, March 25 from 9AM to 1PM at the McLean Station (1437 Balls Hill Rd).
It is on a first come first serve basis. Please have your car seat installed so that the inspection can be done. If you have any questions, contact the McLean Station at 703-556-7750 ext. 0.
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Preparedness Awareness Weekend |
On Saturday, March 25 from
11AM to 2PM, the Department of Emergency Management and Security, Neighborhood and Community Services, and the Fairfax County Police Department will host a Preparedness Awareness Weekend at the Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive.
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Unpacking Gender Workshops |
Fairfax County Domestic & Sexual Violence Services will be providing multiple Unpacking Gender: How to Talk to Kids and Teens workshops at four libraries around the county.
This workshop is aimed at parents, guardians, family members, and other caregivers interested in learning how to talk about gender with the children, teens, and young adults in their life. This workshop is free, but registration is required.
Thursday, May 25, 7-8pm (doors open at 6:45pm)
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Art Blooms at Mosaic Festival |
As cherry blossoms burst into bloom, Mosaic District welcomes Spring with a two-day festival: Art Blooms at Mosaic. On April 1 and 2 from 11AM to 6PM, visitors and surrounding communities are invited to a weekend of fun-filled activities for the whole family while taking part in the DMV’s favorite springtime celebration.
My office will have a booth with Celebrate Fairfax and Fairfax Dept. of Transportation on Merrifield Town Center Drive, next to Gyu Shige. Hope to see you there!
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Pedal with Petals: Family Bike Ride in Tysons |
Celebrate the cherry blossom season by taking part in the Tysons Community Alliance and the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Inaugural Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride event on Sunday, April 2nd from 8AM to 11AM at The Plaza at Tysons Corner Center. There will also be a bike decorating station, free bike repairs by Trek, face painting, and more.
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Friends of Oakton Library Sale |
The Friends of Oakton Library will hold their Spring Book Sale on April 18, 19, 20, and 22 with a large selection of gently used books, media, puzzles and games, many in “like new” condition. There will be bargains galore! Your purchases support the activities and programs at the Oakton library as well as the collections of Fairfax County Library System.
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You're invited to the Taste of Annandale, a family-friendly festival on Saturday, April 29 from 10AM to 4PM. This event will feature live performances, food trucks and restaurants, a 5K race, best-dressed pet contest, a full schedule of children’s entertainment and activities, vendors, a chili cookoff, beer garden, and the police helicopter.
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Bike to Work Day registration is now open! Providence Community Center will be hosting its first pit stop this year on Friday, May 19 from 7AM to 9AM.
For additional information, reach out to my office at [email protected] or call 703-560-6946. |
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Friday and Saturday Sensations
Registration for Friday and Saturday Sensations at the Providence Community center is now open. For any additional information or questions, email [email protected].
Sign up today:
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We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello. Please feel free to email us with events you would like to be included in my newsletter.
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