July 16, 2020 Dear Neighbor, Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors met for our first in-person meeting in months. Sitting six feet apart and talking through masks, we allocated additional funds to support small businesses and non-profits, outlined our priorities for the upcoming special session of the General Assembly, and began a review to explore ways to reduce the burden on law enforcement by deploying unarmed professionals to calls where mental or behavioral health are the fundamental issue. You can watch video of the full meeting here and review the full Board package here. Many of you have asked about the status of Braddock Nights, our summer concert series held at Lake Accotink Park and Royal Lake Park. Unfortunately, due to continued public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Park Authority has canceled all in-person concerts for 2020. While this is the right decision, I know it will be disappointing for many of our devoted Braddock Nights fans. But there is a silver lining. We will be hosting a series of virtual concerts beginning July 30 through the end of August. You'll be able to enjoy some of your favorite performers live and from the comfort of your air conditioned living room! These performances will be held at 7:30 PM Thursday-Sunday. Stay tuned for a full schedule. And in a first for the Braddock District, we are also launching Arts in the Parks, a Saturday morning children's program featuring kid-friendly musical acts, magic shows, and puppet shows. We had hoped to offer these shows live, in-person at Wakefield Park, but will offer them virtually instead. Stay tuned for a full schedule but they will be held at 10 AM on Saturday mornings. Continue reading for more information on: Bear sighting in Braddock Yield to Pedestrian Signs On the Way Franconia Police District Launches Youth Engagement Council Additional Funds for Fairfax RISE Grant Program George Mason University Master Plan Update Summer Entertainment Series Update Trail Closures Low Cost Road Improvements on Burke Lake Rd. Yours in service,

Supervisor James Walkinshaw P.S. Forward this message to your neighbors in Braddock District! Residents can click here or email braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov to subscribe to the monthly Braddock Beacon newsletter and Advisories like this.

Bear Sighting in Braddock District

We have had several new reports of a black bear in several Braddock District neighborhoods. According to our wildlife professionals, it is likely the same young bear that has been seen previously in residential neighborhoods in the Fairfax and Annandale areas. Based on reported sightings, we believe this bear had been in the Fairfax Station and Clifton areas before moving back along the Braddock Road corridor last weekend. Bear sightings should be reported to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries through the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at (855) 571-9003, TTY 711. Unless the animal is sick or injured, or poses a threat to public safety, the Fairfax County Animal Protection Police do not remove bears from a neighborhood. Bears have a natural fear of humans, and in most cases, would rather flee than encounter people. You can also help manage the bear population by keeping your property clear of food attractants. Follow these tips: Remove bird feeders if a bear is in the area. Bird feeders are a huge attractant for bears on residential property. Secure your garbage. Store garbage indoors, in a shed, garage, or in a bear-proof container. Put garbage out on the morning of pickup, not the night before, or take it to the dump frequently. Pick up pet food. Feed pets only what they will eat in a single feeding or feed them indoors. Remove all uneaten food. Do not leave food out overnight. Cover compost piles and keep compost away from house. Pick up and remove ripe fruit from fruit trees and surrounding grounds. Clean the grill often. Do not dump drippings in your yard. Run the grill an extra 5 minutes to burn off grease. Don’t store food, freezers, refrigerators, or trash on porches, patios or decks.  Talk to your neighbors. Make sure your neighbors and community are aware of the ways to prevent conflicts with bears.

Watch this video for additional helpful tips on how to be bear aware!

New Yield to Pedestrian Signs

On Tuesday, July 14, the Board of Supervisors approved installing Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalk $100–$500 Violation Fine signs at 114 locations. The following Braddock District locations were approved for Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalk signs: Braddock Rd. (Rt. 620) and Campus Dr. Braddock Rd. (Rt. 620) and Capital Beltway (I-495) Braddock Rd. (Rt. 620) and Glen Park Rd. Braddock Rd. (Rt. 620) and Olley Ln. Braddock Rd. (Rt. 620) and Ravensworth Rd. Braddock Rd. (Rt. 620) and Shirley Gate Rd. Braddock Rd. (Rt. 620) and Stone Haven Dr. Burke Lake Rd. (Rt. 645) and Signal Hill Dr. Guinea Rd. and Olley La. / Harford La. Lee Hwy. (Rt. 29) and Federalist Way Lee Hwy. (Rt. 29) and Forum Dr. Lee Hwy. (Rt. 29) and Legato Rd. Lee Hwy. (Rt. 29) and Monument Dr. Lee Hwy. (Rt. 29) and Ridge Top Rd. Lee Hwy. (Rt. 29) and West Ox Rd. / Fairfax County Pkwy Trail Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy. (Rt. 50) and Fairfax County Pkwy. Little River Tpke. and Duncan Dr. Little River Tpke. and Guinea Rd. Little River Tpke. and I-495 Ramps Little River Tpke. and Wakefield Chapel Rd. Little River Tpke. and Woodburn Rd. Olley Ln., 200 ft. north of Shary Dr. Ox Rd. (Rt. 123) and Zion Dr. (Rt. 654) Rolling Rd. (Rt. 638) and Roxbury Ave. Sideburn Rd. and Commonwealth Rd. Sideburn Rd. and Robinson Secondary School Backlick Rd. and Hechinger Dr. Backlick Rd. (Rt. 617) and Leesville Blvd. (Rt. 2459)

Youth Engagement Council Launch

The Fairfax County Police Department's Franconia District Station is launching a Youth Engagement Council for Youth (high school students within the Franconia Police District) and Young Adults (18 to 25). The Engagement Council's purpose is to create opportunities for further dialogue with youth, young adults, community police commanders, and officers of the Franconia District Station.   The Fairfax County Police Department seeks to provide a forum for listening, discussion, education, activities, and identify issues and collaborate on solutions on matters impacting the youth and young adults in Fairfax County.  Click here to register.

RISE Grants Updates

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday, July 14, to add $20 million in funding to the Fairfax Relief Initiative to Support Employers (RISE) program, bringing total program funding to $46 million. Fairfax RISE assists small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19. The additional funding will come from the county’s portion of federal CARES Act funds. The RISE grant program is intended to help address funding gaps that may exist among complementary programs at the state and federal levels and provides relief to small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fairfax RISE grants do not have to be repaid. A minimum of 30% of the program’s funding is allocated for minority-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses. More than two-thirds of the businesses who applied for RISE grants fall within those categories. Over 2,000 of the original 6,100 applicants were offered grants. The additional funding, along with $1 million from the Town of Vienna, will allow the program to serve at least 4,000 total applicants. At this time no new applications will be accepted. All grants will be offered to the initial applicants who applied, but were unable to be funded due to the volume of requests. The Department of Economic Initiatives will oversee and monitor the Fairfax RISE grant program. For more information visit the Fairfax County website or contact the Department of Economic Initiatives at Economicinitiatives@fairfaxcounty.gov or call (703) 324-5171.

George Mason Master Plan Update

George Mason University's Master Plan will provide a framework for decision making regarding the University’s growth and development and offer specific alternatives about the use of Mason’s physical space. It builds on and will integrate on-going priority initiatives, including the launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) at Arlington and the on-going development of the Innovation Park around the SciTech campus. Since the initial Master Plan briefings, the following has occurred:  Mason’s leadership made an intentional decision to proceed with our master planning process, despite the disruption of Covid-19, as the University believes that thoughtful, data-based, long-term planning is even more essential in these uncertain times. Consultants have gathered – and begun to analyze – extensive information to inform the planning process. Highlights include: Over 50 interviews and focus group meetings with University stakeholders, including many community leaders, to understand Mason's priorities, goals, opportunities and challenges—and synthesizing resulting themes; CoMap survey to understand how members of the community move around and use the campuses – we were thrilled to receive over 4700 responses and 9000 comments; Collecting and reviewing data about the physical campus -- the size, capacity, use, and condition of our physical spaces (labs, classrooms, offices, etc.); Examining the topography, open spaces, and mobility patterns of the three primary campuses; Reviewing Mason's sustainability work and priorities; Learning about the interests and concerns of the surrounding communities through interviews and research; Conducting demographic and market analysis to provide Mason guidance about both the future of our student body and the job market those students will enter. Analysis of this information is now underway and focuses on what Mason’s enrollments might look like in 2025 and in 2040, what facilities Mason will likely need to support these enrollments and the corresponding impact on capital priorities, and how programs might be distributed across the Arlington, Fairfax, and SciTech campuses.  Once these studies are completed, the university will consultatively identify preferred scenarios and investigate them in more depth. This second phase of work, which will begin in the fall, will include: more detailed design and land-use studies that respond to strategic priorities and community interests; opportunities to enhance open space, address infrastructure needs, and advance sustainability principles; the development of mobility strategies to, from, and between Mason’s campuses; opportunities for development and partnerships on the areas adjacent to campus; strategies for further developing the identity of each of the three campuses, and decision-making about renovation and construction of specific buildings consistent with those strategies. Another direct outreach Master Plan update will be provided in the fall, however all current information about the Master Plan and an email link where you can provide your thoughts and input can be found at the Mason Master Plan site .

Watch June's Engagement Meeting

Summer Entertainment Series Update

We regret to inform you that due to public safety concerns caused by COVID-19, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) summer entertainment series in-person concerts have been cancelled. In its place, FCPA will be providing live virtual concerts for each magisterial district beginning July 30 through the end of August. These live virtual concerts will be held Thursday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and children’s shows will be held on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. A schedule of virtual events will be released later this month. For more information, contact the Park Authority at (703) 324-8700 or send an email to  parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov .

Trails to be Closed

Long Branch Stream Valley Park and Rutherford Park Trails will be closed for maintenance from July 29 - November 19, 2020. Below is a project map of the construction zone. We anticipate that this project will take approximately 5 months. Signs have been placed in areas that can be easily seen to alert residents of the temporary trail closures. "Pardon Our Dust" letters will also be sent out to residents adjacent to construction.

Burke Lake Park Loop Trail Repair Update The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on the Burke Lake Park Loop Trail Repair Project. The work will involve replacing culverts, milling existing asphalt trail, overlaying existing asphalt trail with new asphalt, and shoulder restoration along the trail section from the marina to the ADA fishing piers. For more information, please contact Construction Maintenance Project Manager Karen Kressin at (571) 789-6697 or e-mail  Karen.Kressin@fairfaxcounty.gov .

Low Cost Road Improvements

Low-cost enhancements aimed at relieving congestion and improving safety and operations are complete at two intersections in Fairfax County, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. New Separated Right-Turn Lane at Burke Lake Road and Braddock Road in Springfield Drivers on northbound Burke Lake Road now have a smoother, safer merge onto eastbound Braddock Road. One of the two right-turn lanes on northbound Burke Lake Road was recently separated by new pavement markings and flexible delineator posts, allowing for a continuous turn. The improvements cost $4,900 to implement. More than 96,000 vehicles travel through the intersection each day.

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