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November 19, 2025

Neighbors,

While the recent federal shutdown is now a bad memory, federal workers and employees are still facing hardships.

As we all know, many federal workers and contractors have been fired or took buy-out offers. In our region, the number of federal jobs are down nearly 4.5% (as of September) — a loss of roughly 17,000 jobs — compared to a 2.1% decline nationwide. (This data comes from the Brookings Institution and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments new monitoring effort.)

I met some of these laid-off workers this weekend at a free family dinner sponsored by wellfed at the First Baptist Church in Vienna. I heard many difficult stories about how they and their families are coping.

This new, nonprofit was started by two fired federal workers, and the organization is helping former feds retool for new careers, fight stress and build community.

wellfed’s efforts are making a difference. I previously visited one of their events in Reston in May, and 20% of those attendees have since found new jobs, according to co-founder Rebecca Ferguson-Ondrey.

If you’re looking for help to make a career transition, the group is hosting two upcoming events:

• Nov. 22 “Translate Your Resume, Transform Your Story”: This half-day workshop in Alexandria with free food, childcare and headshots will help federal workers to communicate their skills and experience to employers.
• Dec. 6: This day-long retreat in partnership with American University’s Kogod School of Business will help workers to navigate their next career move. Free breakfast, lunch and headshots will also be offered.

It’s inspiring to see how wellfed is creatively converting the chaos in Washington into constructive help and community building.

I’m also continuing to work with the Board of Supervisors to help our extremely talented current and former federal employees and contractors. You are vital to our community, and I want you to know that you’re valued!

Regards,

Walter

• Attend my Holiday Open House Dec. 1
• Board of Supervisors Update
• Colvin Mill Run Tunnel Trail Approved
• Reston Parkway Toll Road Ramp Closed
• I-495 Express Lanes Open Saturday
• Metro Updates
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

I’ll be holding my holiday open house on Monday, Dec. 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston.❄️

It’s open to all, and we'll celebrate the joys of the winter season, including light refreshments and a fun sing-along with “The Reston Chorale Ambassadors.” Come as you are but festive attire is always welcome!

At the open house, I also invite you to donate children’s coats for our winter coat drive that’s focused on collecting jackets and coats for kids. (Learn more about what kinds of kids coats are needed.)

 I hope you can stop by. For questions, email my office or call 703-478-0283.

Photo: Current and former Planning Commissioners and staff when the Board presented a proclamation recognizing Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan's 50th anniversary.

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday Nov. 18. You can watch the meeting and review the agenda and package.

Comprehensive Plan’s Policy Plan Update

While the board held its public hearing yesterday on the proposed updates to the Comprehensive Plan’s Policy Plan, we deferred decision until our meeting on Dec. 9. This provides the board more time to consider the testimony from yesterday’s meeting and the Planning Commission’s recommendations.

As some may remember, I previously held a community meeting on Nov. 10 with Hunter Mill Planning Commissioner John Carter to hear from you about the proposed changes.

Related but separately yesterday, the board also celebrated the 50^th anniversary of Fairfax County’s Comprehensive Plan. This plan is an important tool for channeling development where it should go, in what amounts, and where it should not go. It calls for us to proactively plan for our future, and it guides us to make long-term decisions on where to live, where to invest and what should be protected. In Reston the Comprehensive Plan was an afterthought until redevelopment became a reality in the early 2000s, but after the initial 2014/2015 version and the 2023 update, it now provides the plan for Reston’s next 60 years.

While the plan evolves — with many big changes occurring during the past 50 years like the plans for Reston and Tysons — when managed appropriately it also offers a sense of continuity for our residents, businesses, and landowners.

Honoring Congressman James Walkinshaw

We honored former Braddock District Supervisor and recently elected Congressman James Walkinshaw for his service to Fairfax County. I thank him for answering the call to public service, and I know he will continue to appreciate and understand the importance that local government plays.

Watch this video tribute to him.

Veterans and Military Families Commission’s Inaugural Report

Following the celebration of Veterans Day last week, the board proclaimed November as Veterans and Military Families Month yesterday.

We also received the Veterans and Military Families Commission’s inaugural report. (You can read it in the board package.)

Established by the board last year, the commission’s mission is to connect the military community with support, find service gaps, and improve access to resources.

It began its work by identifying issues affecting veterans and military families with a core focus on five areas: economics, education, family, health, and housing.

To better understand the needs and gaps in these five areas and focus the commission’s work, it will release a public, online survey in early January. This survey will help the commission to identify service gaps, highlight emerging trends, and guide evidence-based recommendations. (Stay tuned for more information about this survey.)

Reston Performing Arts Center

As approved by the board, the future Reston Arts Center is now planned for a new site within the Reston Next development, moving from the previously approved Block J to Block G2. (Block J is now planned to be developed with an office building instead.)

This change is part of Boston Properties’ overall revised plan for the second phase of its development near the Reston Town Center Metro Station. In these revisions which were approved yesterday, some things moved around but no additional density was added beyond the amount approved in 2018. 

The new site for the arts center will accommodate a 60,000-square foot facility, as originally proffered. The development plan also envisions the center to be a 72-foot tall building oriented towards a new street called Navigator Way, as well as Reston Next’s central park spaces. Details on the final design, and timing, awaits countywide bond funding and/or a partner interested in investing in this landmark community project.

Learn more about the center in my September newsletter.

New Massage Ordinance

The Board approved an updated law for massage establishments that aims to curb illicit activity while not undermining the many legitimate massage therapists who provide important services to so many in our community. The new ordinance also transfers regulatory authority for massage businesses from the Department of Cable and Consumer Services to the Health Department.

My hope is that it strikes a balance that allows massage therapists — many of whom are small businesses — to provide their much-needed services while preventing illicit activity.

In some ways, the new rules make it easier for therapists to do business. For example, they eliminate the duplicative and burdensome requirement for individual therapists to get a county permit. This process was unnecessary since state law already requires practicing massage therapists to be licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing.

The new law also includes prohibitions on sleeping quarters, employee use of alcohol or controlled substances and sexually suggestive advertising.

It also bans locked front doors, buzzers, covered windows and concealed access while a business is open. However, they’re exempt from this requirement if they’re owned and operated by a sole proprietor. They’re also allowed to lock their front door when there’s only a single employee or contractor on site. As I said at the board yesterday — if implementation of this ordinance ends up impeding legitimate business, call your supervisor!

This new law originated from Springfield District Supervisor Herrity’s motion in 2020 that both I and Franconia District Supervisor Lusk co-sponsored. We asked the county executive to review the previous law — which until now had been unchanged for 25 years (and which I worked through the Planning Commission in my role then as an at-large planning commissioner) — due to our concerns about illicit massage businesses.

What’s happening: Last week, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved the construction of a new trail that will help to connect Colvin Run Mill and Lake Fairfax Parks.

Tell me more: The approximately 800-foot natural surface trail will run from the southside of the Colvin Run Mill pedestrian tunnel beneath Route 7 to the nearby Rails to River and Gerry Connolly Cross County trails. The project also includes a 50-foot by 6-foot fiberglass pedestrian bridge over the stream.

Design work will begin this year with construction scheduled to begin in fall 2026. The project is estimated to cost $400,000 with $120,000 spent already.

The Park Authority was finally able to move forward on this long-desired trail because it is reallocating bond funds from its Idylwood Road bridge replacement project (in the Pimmit Run Stream Valley Park in the Dranesville District.) Because other related infrastructure projects must be completed first before the Idylwood Bridge can be installed, the park system was able to shift $280,000 from this project to build the Colvin Run Mill Trail.

Background: As part of the Route 7 widening project, which was completed last summer, a pedestrian tunnel was built beneath the road to offer a connection to Colvin Run Mill park. However, it lacked a connection on the south side to the Rails to River and Connolly Cross County trails. This connector trial was proposed by the Friends of Colvin Run Mill and long-desired by the community and me.

What’s happening: The southbound Reston Parkway ramp onto the eastbound Dulles Toll Road will be closed at night until Friday morning, Nov. 21.

VDOT says these closures are needed to repair Reston Parkway’s northbound bridge over the Toll Road. These repairs are scheduled to be completed in early 2026.

Closure schedule: The ramp will be closed as follows (weather permitting):

• 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, to 5 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20.
• 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, to 5 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21.

What’s happening: The new extension of the I-495 Express Lanes are scheduled to open this Saturday, Nov. 22 by mid-morning, according to VDOT.

The 2.5-mile northern extension includes two new express lanes in each direction of the Beltway (I-495) near the Dulles Toll Road interchange to north of the George Washington Memorial Parkway before the American Legion Bridge into Maryland.

The project includes new dedicated ramps from the east- and westbound Dulles Toll Road to the northbound express Lanes, as well as from the northbound express lanes to the GW Parkway and from the parkway to the southbound express lanes.

However, drivers using the northbound Express Lanes should know that they will no longer be able to merge directly to Georgetown Pike. (This is because the new Express Lanes run almost to Maryland.)

Traffic delays this weekend: To complete final “tie-in” work, there will be lane closures and detours on I-495 and the Toll Road from Friday evening until Saturday morning. Find a complete list of locations and times.

What else to know: While the express lanes will open, the project isn’t complete, and construction will continue into mid-2026. As needed, lane closures will occur during non-peak travel times. Crews are still building the new Beltway bridges at Georgetown Pike, as well as finishing other work throughout the corridor that includes a shared-use path. 

Why it matters: The new extension will bring faster travel to Maryland (and back to Virginia) for those who use the express lanes. Buses will travel on the lanes for free, providing faster and more reliable trips. This includes the Fairfax Connector’s Express Route 798 between Tysons and Bethesda.

This bus service is funded by the state as part of the express lanes extension project, and last July, the Board of Supervisors approved a $2 million state grant to allow this bus route to launch before the express lanes opened. Additionally, the project will provide a new shared-use path parallel to I-495 from Lewinsville Road to near Live Oak Drive (anticipated to open in 2026).

Background: The $660 million 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension project is a public-private partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Transurban, the private partner and operator of the existing 495 Express Lanes.

Regional Officials endorse plan for $460 million in annual funding to modernize Metro

What’s happening: Regional leaders (including me) endorsed a plan to provide $460 million in new, annual capital funding for Metro, beginning in Fiscal Year 2028. Crucially, it also calls for this funding to be unencumbered and grow by 3 percent annually to keep pace with inflation.

Both the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority boards jointly backed this plan called DMVMoves on Monday. (I’m a member of the WMATA board and an alternate MWCOG board member.)

In addition to new money for Metro, the plan recommends actions to make transit more efficient and easier to use across the regional network of Metro, commuter rail, and local bus. This includes committing $65 to $80 million per year in separate local and state funding to improve local bus service, including Fairfax Connector. This funding also would increase by 3% annually.

Investment priorities: The new annual funding would allow Metro to reinvest in and modernize its bus and rail system, and if secured, the money would ensure Metro’s:

• Ongoing repair, maintenance, and modernization of assets, systems, and technologies
• Deployment of rail modernization —modern signaling, compatible fleet upgrades, and selective platform screen doors — to improve safety, reliability, capacity, and efficiency
• Creation of a sustainable bond program to support long-term investments, maintain the system’s state of good repair, and strengthen overall financial stability.

Metro faces a number of major, upcoming capital projects, including replacing its 50-year-old rail signaling system. This antiquated system can be compared to the technology used in an old rotary telephone. It’s difficult and costly to maintain since there are few vendors or parts available. In fact, this obsolete system is the top cause for infrastructure-related train delays.

Why more funding is needed: Since its founding, Metro has faced a fundamental and structural funding challenge. It lacks a capital funding source that is both guaranteed and grows to keep up with the cost of inflation. And we have to pay for the significant operating subsidy infusion paid jointly by the Commonwealth and localities (including Fairfax County) using extraordinary measures early last year.

You can be sure that I’ll be talking to General Assembly members to advocate for this funding.

Tap. Ride. Go. now available on Metrobus

Metro rolled out contactless payments for its buses yesterday.

Customers may now pay for their ride using a contactless credit or debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Called “Tap. Ride. Go.,” Metro first introduced this new payment option for the rail system in May. Since its launch, there have been more than 1.2 million unique users for “Tap. Ride. Go.” with 19% of unique cards tapped in September. Its usage also continues to increase with an 8% bump on Metrorail in September (7% on weekdays and 13% on weekends).

Of course, you may continue to use your SmarTrip card (physical or mobile) to pay for rail and bus rides and parking. It’s also important to know that you’ll still need to use a SmarTrip card to get a fare discount (such as for seniors) or use your SmartBenefits.

Donate to Santa’s Ride

Help the Town of Vienna Police and other local police departments bring cheer to children in hospitals this holiday season. Drop off new, unwrapped toys and books at the Vienna Police Department, Community Center or Town Hall by 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, as part of this year's Santa's Ride. Questions? Call 703-255-6324.

Vienna’s Comprehensive Plan Update

What does Vienna's future look like? Share your ideas with town staff as the Planning Commission updates the Town's Comprehensive Plan. Everyone is invited to read the draft plan and provide written feedback through Monday, Dec. 1. To learn more, watch this video. Or share your thoughts in writing using the online form on this webpage.

📚Join David Price’s virtual talk on Nov. 20 about his new book “Winning the Ten Crucial Days: The Keys to Victory in George Washington’s Legendary Winter Campaign.”

💎Find a treasure at the 33rd annual Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show on Nov. 22-23 at George Mason University.

👩🏽‍🚀Live puppetry show “Marooned! A Space Comedy” on Nov. 23 at Reston Community Center.

🎉 Attend the Reston Holiday Parade on Nov. 28 at Reston Town Center.

🩰Watch the Ravel Dance Company present “The Nutcracker” on Nov. 29 at Capital One Hall.

🎞️Get into the holiday season with Paul Giamatti in “The Holdovers” on Dec. 1 at Reston Community Center.

❄️ Attend Reston Association's Winterfest from Dec. 4-6 at Brown's Chapel Park.

🚣🏽‍♀️Paddle with Santa during the Jingle on the Lake Holiday Festival on Dec. 6 at Lake Anne Plaza.

🎼Reston Chorale sings holiday favorites at their “The Wonder of the Season Concert” on Dec. 6 at Reston Community Center.

🎼 Listen to Encore Chorale of Reston, Ashburn and Fairfax and Sentimental Journey Singers of Fairfax perform Dec. 7 at Heritage Fellowship Church.

🎺 Take a trip to hear “The U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own” play holiday favorites on Dec. 7 at Constitution Hall. 

☕Enjoy the Shepherd’s Center’s Holiday Tea and Sweets on Dec. 9 at St. Marks Catholic Church in Vienna.

🎼Join the Reston Chorale’s “Messiah” sing-along on Dec. 16 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church.

Find all events for these local organizations: Reston Community Center, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Programs, Tephra ICA and Arts Fairfax. Find other community events in the Reston Letter.