June 29, 2022

Neighbors,

It has has been a very long time coming, but last week Metro announced that Silver Line Phase 2 was in operational readiness. This means that control of Phase 2, including six new Silver Line stations, 11.4 miles of new track and a new rail yard has been transferred from the Metropolitan Airports Authority (MWAA) to WMATA. With this announcement, I expect that Phase 2 should be (emphasis on should, although no guarantee) open for passengers in three to four months. After years of investment in infrastructure, development and economic opportunities, Reston, the Dulles Corridor and our region will soon reap the benefits of a robust rail system that connects with our neighborhood international airport. We can now look forward to the day – soon – when we can hop on Metrorail at Reston Town Center and go to Tysons, D.C., or Dulles airport. Watch Metro's video of the Phase 2 extension here. 

A few facts related to Phase 2:

• The first phase of the Silver Line opened in July 2014.
• The six new rail stations are: Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway, and Ashburn.
• Phase 2 includes a new, 90-acre rail yard with storage capacity for 168 railcars and new maintenance facilities. 

Learn more about the Silver Line Phase 2 here. 

Regards,

Walter

Children Under Age 5 Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccinations

• Community Levels By County
• Fairfax County COVID-19 Data Dashboard

It's almost time to celebrate the 4th of July in Hunter Mill District! Fireworks displays and celebrations begin this Friday, July 1 and continue through the weekend. Here are some highlights:

Friday, July 1: Vienna's Independence Day celebration is at Yeonas Park. The U.S. Navy Concert Band will perform beginning at 8 p.m., and a 20-minute fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. Learn more. 

Saturday, July 2: Lake Fairfax hosts a daylong celebration and fireworks. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Learn more. 

July 3 and 4: Reston Now has compiled a list of other fireworks events scheduled countywide. 

If you are planning to take Metro to D.C. to watch fireworks, please review these important travel tips. 

Fireworks Safety:

• If you are planning to have fireworks in your neighborhood, please follow safety guidelines provided by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
• Do not bring your pet to a fireworks display, even if it's a small one in the neighborhood. 
• If you would like to dispose of any illegal (without penalty) or unwanted consumer fireworks, contact the county's fire marshal at 703-246-4849.
• A list of legal and illegal fireworks for Virginia can be found here. 

The county's Department of Economic Initiatives announced the upcoming rollout of the Fairfax Founders Fund, which will provide early capital to startup companies in the county. The fund targets early-stage technology companies with technical assistance grants of up to $50,000 to help them prepare for later stage investments.

The fund is expected to bolster economic development by growing local innovation-based businesses. It will also foster the startup ecosystem by connecting young businesses with funding, local programs, and partners. Recipients will be able to use the resources for commercialization and market entry, including but not limited to prototype development, market intelligence, or technology validation. The county will allocate $1million from its Economic Opportunity Reserve Fund to capitalize the pilot program.

Potential funding recipients include companies located in the county who market an early stage, high growth product or service that has potential for future institutional investment. Applicants must provide a 50% match, which can be in capital or ‘sweat equity’, and provide progress reports over a five-year timeframe.

Targeted outreach will focus on recruiting women, people of color, veterans, and other underrepresented groups in the technology-based business community. Studies by the Kaufman Foundation have shown that although diverse teams create more profitable companies, women, Latinx, and Black populations are underrepresented as start-up executives. As part of its commitment to One Fairfax the county is focused on promoting this program to diverse groups.

Rollout is expected later this year and more information, including how to apply, will be on the Fairfax County website .

Parking in Reston 

All of Reston is part of a Community Parking District (CPD), which means there are restrictions on parking certain types of vehicles within Reston. Community Parking Districts (CPD) prohibit the parking of watercraft, motor homes, campers, trailers, vehicles greater than or equal to 3 axles, vehicles with a GVWR greater than or equal to 12,000 lbs., and vehicles transporting greater than or equal to 16 passengers (except school buses) on public streets in residentially zoned areas. Vehicles parked in violation are subject to a $75 fine for each violation and may be towed at the owner’s expense. If you see a violation, you can call the Fairfax County Police Department’s non-emergency line at 703-691-2131/TTY 703-877-3715.

Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Update; Upcoming Meeting is July 6 

County staff review of the Task Force’s interim recommendations on the 14 areas of the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study is underway. The next Task Force meetings to discuss county staff input and endorse final drafts of various comprehensive plan sections:

• Tonight's Wednesday, June 29 Meeting is cancelled.
• Wednesday, July 6, 5 p.m. (tentative)The meeting is hosted on Webex, Use this link to attend and participate. Call in and listen to the meeting: dial 1-844-621-3956, and use access code: 2337 128 2725.

The meetings can also be viewed on YouTube.

Important Note: Meeting dates are subject to change, non-Task Force members can receive notifications about changes to scheduled meetings. To sign up for email updates, visit the Email Subscription page, enter your email address and select Reston Study & Plan Amendment News.

To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the Task Force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. The archive of meeting details and agendas is here. The video archive of all past task force meetings can be found on my YouTube page. If you have questions or would like to provide input, please email restonplantaskforce@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Naturalization Ceremony is July 2

Vienna is proud to announce its first-ever naturalization ceremony in conjunction with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Join neighbors and town officials in celebrating 15 naturalization candidates as they take the Oath of Allegiance at the Town Green this Saturday, July 2, at 5 p.m  Learn more.

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, June 28. You can review the Board package here  and watch the meeting here. Several highlights include:

Recognition of the Herndon-Reston FISH Bargain Loft on 40th anniversary: I joined Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust (photo) to recognize Herndon-Reston FISH and the outstanding contribution of its volunteers to our community. 

Muffler Noise: In accordance with a change in the Code of Virginia effective July 1, the Board approved the prohibition of mufflers that use an excessive or unusual level of noise. Mufflers must be identical to their factory setting or comparable to factory equipment and meets certain standards.

Lee District is Now Franconia District: The Board approved a motion by Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk to initiate the process of formally changing the name of the Lee District to the Franconia District. Related to that, I expect to be making a motion later this year as chair of the Transportation Committee to rename Lee Highway and Lee Jackson Highway (neither is located in Hunter Mill). This is great progress forward in making Fairfax County more inclusive as we remove Confederate names.

Free Student Passes on Metrobus: The Board approved a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to continue and expand the free student bus pass program on Metrobus. 

Register Complaints about Helicopter Noise.

There is a new system to register complaints about helicopter noise in the D.C. Metropolitan Area. My office receives complaints and questions frequently regarding helicopters in the area and related noise. Learn more. 

Free Screening of Documentary and Discussion on Race July 6

Learn the History of Indentured Servants with a Free Screening of the Documentary “Race: The Power of an Illusion” and Stay for a Discussion of the Film with Fairfax County’s Chief Equity Officer Karla Bruce July 6 at Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. Learn more. 

The Friend of Trees Awards Open for Nominations; Deadline July 31

Individuals, not for profit and for-profit organizations, and the development community may be nominated for tree-related projects or programs. Individuals or organizations must have demonstrated outstanding conservation-based actions in preserving, protecting or planting trees. Learn more.