May 2, 2023
Dear Neighbor,

May is Mental Health Acceptance and Youth Mental Health Acceptance Month. Mental health is an incredibly important part of overall health. Let's promote positive mental health in our community using these resources.

Are you interested in learning more about Fairfax demographics? The 2022 Demographics Reports takes a deep dive into data about our area including population, household, and housing unit estimates.

Lastly, early voting for the June 20 Democratic Primary Election begins this Friday, May 5th! Additional voting locations will be offered beginning June 17th. Find out more about what will be on the ballot, and voting hours and locations here.
You can read about the following Providence District updates:
  • Board Meeting Highlights
  • Ways to Give Back
  • Green Corner
  • What's New in Providence?
  • Land Use and Transportation Updates
  • Upcoming Events

With gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
Board Meeting Highlights
At today's Board of Supervisors meeting, we voted 9-1 to approve the marked up budget that addresses the community's priorities. This is the last step before final budget approval on May 9th. Thank you to all who have taken the time to meet with me and my staff, attend the Providence Budget Town Hall and Budget Public Hearings, and write and call my office to provide your feedback. Your input is crucial in making sure that we have a balanced budget that addresses the issues most important to you. I want to share some budget highlights below.

  • The Real Estate Tax Rate will be lowered from $1.11 to $1.095 per $100 assessed value, partially offsetting the impact of increased assessments on homeowners.
  • Provides over $100 million in tax relief to residents in several ways.
  • The compensation packages for County workforce will be fully funded including:
  • Full funding for the Market Rate Adjustment of 5.44%
  • Full funding for longevity and performance increases
  • FCPD Officers will receive an average increase of 12.8%
  • The Fairfax County Public Schools budget is fully funded, including full pay raises for our educators.
  • Continues our investment towards affordable housing development, programs, and services.
  • Continued funding and support for the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board which provides treatment for mental health issues, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders.
  • Makes key investments in parks, libraries, the arts, environment, domestic violence response, and more.

Ways to Give Back
Donation Drive: Toiletries, Socks, and Sanitizer
In honor of Older Americans Month and Adult Abuse Prevention Month, the Department of Family Services Adult & Aging Division is accepting donations for its Medical Respite Program housed within the Bailey's and Embry Rucker Shelters.

Throughout the month of May, donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, socks, and sanitizing wipes can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the following locations:
  • North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston
  • Pennino Building, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax
  • Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale
  • Gerry Hyland Government Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria
Diaper Drive
Green Corner
Drop-off Hours Changing for Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Waste
Effective May 1st, the hours have changed at the I-66 Transfer Station and the I-95 Landfill Complex for dropping off household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics waste (E-waste). The changes are being made in order to maintain a consistent quality service at both sites given there are staffing shortages.

The new I-66 HHW drop-off hours will be:
Monday and Friday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
The new I-66 electronics waste drop-off hours will be:
Monday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: noon to 5 p.m.
Thursday: noon to 5 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The new I-95 HHW and electronics drop-off hours will be:
Wednesday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What's New in Providence?
Tysons Community Alliance's New Chief Executive Officer
I am thrilled to share that the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) has selected Katie Cristol to lead the organization as its first permanent Chief Executive Officer. Katie will start with TCA in early July, taking the reins from Acting CEO Richard Bradley who has been in the post since November 2021 leading efforts in the establishment and launch of the new community improvement district.

Robot Delivery in Mosaic
You can now get your favorite meals from select Mosaic retail partners delivered to you by a robot! Mosaic has partnered with Cartken and Uber Eats to bring you convenience and deliciousness all in one.

New Art Installation at the Tysons Corner Center
ArtsFairfax, in partnership with Macerich, provides an opportunity for our local artists to showcase their talent at the Tysons Corner Center.

The current exhibition, Static Dynamism, by JP Muller is unique and interactive. You can find the artworks on the upper level, between Lucid and Michael Kors.

Land Use and Transportation Updates
NoVA Families for Safe Streets Near Miss Survey
Have you almost been hit by a driver when walking or cycling? Do you know of a dangerous location that needs a crosswalk, signal, sidewalk, or other safety improvements?
 
Use the Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) Near Miss / Dangerous Location Survey and report what happened, where it happened, and when it happened. These crowdsourced reports are to inform VDOT, FCDOT, and elected officials where there are high-risk locations requiring attention, ideally informing authorities before people are killed or injured. When you submit a report, you are adding to the thousands of incidents that NoVA FSS is recording and sharing to advocate for action.
Zoning Ordinance Update
The readoption of the zMOD Ordinance and its subsequent amendments will be considered at public hearings this May due to the March 23 Virginia Supreme Court declaration that the recently adopted 2021 Zoning Ordinance (known as zMOD) is void ab initio because the public hearings were held electronically.

The new public hearings are scheduled with the Planning Commission on May 3 at 7:30 p.m. and with the Board of Supervisors on May 9 at 4:30 p.m. Find more information on zMOD here.
Public Comment for I-395/95 Commuter Choice
Commuter Choice uses revenues from I-395/95 tolls to fund transit and other transportation projects that can ease congestion in Northern Virginia. Read about the 16 proposed projects.

Submit your comments by:
  • Completing a feedback form online
  • Sending an email with 500 words or less to commuterchoice@novatransit.org. You may also contact this address with any questions you have about the projects under consideration for funding. 
  • Providing public testimony by leaving a voicemail message (up to 3 minutes) at (571) 721-1451.
We want to hear from you!
Upcoming Events
Paw-vidence Pals
Bring your furry friends for a fun-filled evening of socializing, refreshments, giveaways, and pet-friendly activities!

This Yappy Hour event on Friday, May 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. will be held at the Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive.

Perchfest
Perchfest is right around the corner! Enjoy live music, lawn games, craft brews from Starr Hill Tysons, mini golf at Perch Putt, and a whole lot more!

This biannual family-friendly event on May 19-21 is free. Find more information here.
Battle of the Badges (FCPD vs. FCFRD) Charity Hockey Game
Come out and cheer on your favorite team on Saturday, May 20!

First H.E.L.P. reduces mental health stigma for First Responders through education, advocating for benefits for those suffering from post-traumatic stress, acknowledging the service and sacrifice of First Responders lost to suicide, assisting officers in their search for healing, bringing awareness to suicide and mental health issues, and caring for first responder families in the aftermath of a suicide loss. 

Bike to Work Day
Contact Us
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.

Office Phone: (703) 560-6946 | Email: Providence@fairfaxcounty.gov