July 31, 2024

Neighbors,

Robin McDougal has her head in the clouds — and even beyond.

This is intended as the highest compliment. It’s a testament to her vision and accomplishments as founder of the Interstellar Dreams Space Center at Reston Town Center.

This program inspires and prepares middle and high school students for STEM careers in aerospace. Its summer programs engage students in exploring and designing solutions for space debris, satellites and space tourism. While the center serves everyone, it also intentionally focuses on attracting girls and minority community members to the aerospace industry.

I recently participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for this innovative program that offers “hands-on” fun and “minds-on” tech. Interstellar is helping lead the way to Fairfax County’s economic future.

As I talk to people about the future of economic development in Fairfax County, I hear about two things: artificial intelligence and space. Fairfax County is already emerging as a hub for this industry of the future, and it’s predicted that the global space economy will reach $1 trillion by 2040.

It may sound far-fetched, but astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson predicted that earth’s first trillionaire will be someone who mines the metals, chemicals and water from asteroids.



So as we think about the future, there’s artificial intelligence and the cloud — and then there’s beyond the clouds. Space may well be the final frontier for human discovery and a key element of our local economy.

Please note that there will be no newsletter next week as we take a short break for summer.

Regards,

Walter

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, July 30. You can watch the meeting and review the Board agenda and package.

At the meeting, I presented the following Board matter:

• Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the W&OD Trail

The Board also authorized a September 24 public hearing for the FY 2024 Carryover Review. Carryover is the process by which unspent or unencumbered funds for commitments from the previous fiscal year (i.e. FY 2024) are reappropriated to the current fiscal year (i.e. FY 2025).

There is a $186 million balance (including federal stimulus funds) available for carryover — or about 3.4% of the county’s total General Fund budget. This balance resulted from higher than expected revenues, and county agencies also spent about 3% less than projected, thanks to careful management of expenses.

Among other priorities, the county executive has proposed that carryover funds be used for the following:

• $66 million for the county’s reserve and infrastructure funds, including $9 million for public school construction and $25 million for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
• $11 million for the Fire and Rescue Department that includes money to replace ambulances and fire trucks
• $8 million for environmental projects, including making county buildings more energy efficient
• $1.4 million additional shelter and related services for unhoused in Reston
• $1 million for public safety radios
• $500,000 for traffic calming projects

There are two bond referendums on the Nov. 5 general election ballot:

• Public Safety: $126 million
• Transportation: $180 million

Why it Matters: This money is needed to renovate or replace three fire stations, replace the Police Department’s Criminal Justice Academy and pay for the county’s required contribution to Metro.

Public Safety Bond: This bond includes money for two fire stations that serve Hunter Mill District.

• Fox Mill Fire Station 31 - $25 million. This station (2610 Reston Parkway, Herndon) needs to be renovated or replaced. The station requires upgrades to major building systems, gender-neutral bunkrooms and an additional apparatus bay. The station’s response area includes Reston and the Route 28 corridor that are expected to have increased demand for fire and medical services resulting from future development due to the Silver Line.
• Tysons Fire Station 29 - $25 million. While located in Providence District, this fire station (1560 Spring Hill Road, McLean) serves Hunter Mill District too. Until a new replacement station is built on Jones Branch Drive in 2028, the existing station requires upgrades to major building systems, additional apparatus bays and gender-neutral living facilities.

Transportation Bond: This bond will pay for the county’s share of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority's Capital Improvement Program or CIP. Metro’s CIP includes safety and system maintenance projects needed to reach a state of good repair, new rail cars and power upgrades for running eight-car trains, replacement of bus and paratransit vehicles, and rail station improvements to increase the capacity of the Metrorail system infrastructure.

In 2018, the Commonwealth of Virginia, State of Maryland and the District of Columbia committed to provide $500 million a year in dedicated funding to Metro for its capital improvements. As part of this historic agreement, Virginia contributes $154.5 million annually, and local governments in Northern Virginia help to pay for this yearly commitment. If approved by voters, Fairfax County’s bond will fund our required contribution for the next four years. Note that discussions are underway for how to fund WMATA and other transit capital and operating needs beyond the funding horizons agreed to regionally in 2018, and those discussions continue.

Resident curator applications for the historic Ash Grove house will be accepted until Saturday, August 24.

Why it Matters: You can live rent-free in one of the few standing 18th-century Virginia houses in exchange for restoring and maintaining this historic property.

What to Know: The house is a 2.5 story Federal-style, center hall home with 4,200 square feet of finished space, including a brick kitchen and clapboard meat house.

•  Any person, group of people or nonprofit or for-profit organization can apply to become a curator.
• The program allows for the preservation of underutilized publicly owned historic properties at no cost to the county.
• The house is located at 8881 Ashgrove House Lane approximately two thirds of a mile from the Spring Hill Metro Station. It sits on an acre of land between the Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley and the Westwood Village townhomes.
• Thomas Fairfax built the original portion of the house in 1790 and he inherited the property from his father Reverand Bryan Fairfax, 8th Lord Fairfax, who was appointed deputy clerk of Fairfax County and rector for Christ Church in Alexandria.

As it takes a summer hiatus, the Fairfax Circuit Court will NOT offer satellite services at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center on Tuesday, August 10. Satellite services resume on Tuesday, September 10, following its regular schedule every second Tuesday of the month. Services include marriage licenses, certified copies of court documents and free notary service.

Local governments and water utilities across our region ask residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water, following their declaration of a drought watch this week.

Why it Matters: Voluntary conservation will reduce demand on the region's water supply, especially if dry conditions continue into the fall and winter.

What to Know: Officials emphasize there is currently an adequate supply of water in the Potomac River and back-up reservoirs.

·       Water flow in the Potomac River is low, but officials are monitoring it daily.

·       Three back-up reservoirs provide water to the region during droughts, and they are currently full.

·       Late summer and fall are historically the times of year when drought is most likely in our region.

Water Saving Tips: Follow these tips to save water, including:

• Avoid excessive watering of lawns, plants and shrubs
• Sweep sidewalks and driveways instead of using a hose
• Avoid washing your car, or instead use a commercial car wash that recycles water
• Reduce shower length to under 5 minutes
• Turn off water while brushing your teeth
• Wash full loads of dishes and clothes.

Offer your input on EYA's redevelopment proposal for Lake Fairfax Business Center on Tuesday, August 6 at 7:30 p.m. Developer EYA is leading a series of focus group and large-format community meetings in August and September. Sign up for the August 6th virtual meeting.

Vienna's Summer on the Green concert series continues this Friday, August 2 at 6:30 p.m. with Fat Chance, a rock and dance band with an eclectic mix of songs. Performances last about 90 minutes. Alcohol and pets are not permitted. To check if the concert is canceled due to weather, call 703-255-7842.

Virginia Sales Tax Holiday August 2-4

The three-day state sales tax holiday is back. It’s not just for school supplies and clothes, however. Did you know that certain hurricane preparedness items qualify for the tax holiday, including batteries, bottled water and generators? You’ll also save when you buy qualifying EnergyStar and WaterSense appliances and products that cost up to $2,500, including light bulbs, air conditioners and showerheads.

National Night Out on August 6

Participate in National Night Out at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center on Tuesday, August 6 at 6:30 p.m. Free school supplies and backpacks will be given away to children who attend. The event also features food, music, airbrush tattoos, and an opportunity to meet officers from the Reston District Police Station. For more information, call the community center at 703-860-0676.

Cardboard Boat Regatta: Register Your Boat by August 3

This unique annual event at Lake Anne will be held on Saturday, August 10 starting at noon. If you plan to participate in the race, you must register your boat by this Saturday, August 3, however.