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• Attend My Budget Town Hall March 23
• In the Community
• Board of Supervisors Update
• Lake Anne Signage Concepts
• Earth Day Volunteers Needed
• Tour the 9-1-1 Center March 25
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

Join me for me an in-person budget town hall on Monday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at Louise Archer Elementary School, 324 Nutley St NW, Vienna. This is the rescheduled date for my in-person town hall.

I want to hear your thoughts and feedback on the county executive’s proposed FY 2027 budget. I'll be joined by School Board Member Melanie Meren.

Because the schools were closed on March 16 due to the weather, I canceled my town hall originally scheduled for this day. So, I have rescheduled the town hall for this coming Monday, March 23.

If you can't attend, the meeting will be livestreamed on my Facebook page.

For questions, more information, or to provide your budget feedback email my office or call 703-478-0283, TTY 711

Congratulations to the James Madison High School Varsity Ice Hockey Team for Winning the State Championships

In a thrilling, nail-biting 3-2 victory, the Madison Varsity Ice Hockey Team fought hard to clinch the first-ever NVSHL State Championship trophy in school history.

Kudos to the incredible players for their heart on the ice, and a huge thank you to Coach Steve Diamond, Manager Jen Cooper, and our dedicated hockey parents who’ve spent countless hours supporting their student athletes.

And, we’ll have another chance to celebrate them at a future Board of Supervisors meeting. Yesterday, I introduced a motion to present them with a proclamation to recognize their achievements.

Photo: Link Against Hunger Vice President Cori Sanzano (left) and Young Men's Youth Service League Great Falls volunteers.

Stuff the Bus Food Drive at the Giant at North Point

It was truly heartwarming to see the community come together for the annual Stuff the Bus food drive. Thanks to everyone who donated food and gift cards, and your generosity will benefit the nonprofit LINK Against Hunger.

A big thanks too to our partners: the Young Men's Service League Great Falls and our dedicated Department of Neighborhood and Community Services Fastran drivers who transported the donations.

Hot Chocolate Bar for Reston District Police Station Officers

My office provided a little bit of warmth for those who keep us safe! We set up a hot chocolate bar for the hardworking police officers at the Reston District Station.

It was just a small "thank you" for the women and men who look out for us 24/7.

Photo: Presenting a proclamation to Aggie McCormick, founder of the Fairfax Stars basketball program, and former Hunter Mill Supervisor Bob Dix to recognize the group's 30th anniversary.

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday March 17. You can watch the meeting and review the agenda and package.

Advertising the Maximum Real Estate Tax Rate

As a regular part of the budget process, the Board approved advertising the maximum real estate tax rate for FY 2027 at $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value. This is unchanged from the current rate, and the county’s executive’s advertised budget proposes no real estate tax rate increase.

Because the advertised rate sets a maximum, the Board may not impose higher rates without re-advertising them. This doesn’t prevent the Board from ultimately adopting lower rates, however.

While the advertised real estate tax rate remains the same as what’s in place now, homeowners will still see a $357 increase in their bill on average. This is due to higher residential assessments. Assessments increased 3.99% on average countywide based on market-driven changes in home values which is called “equalization.”

The Virginia Constitution and state law require that home assessments represent fair market value, and real estate is assessed annually as of Jan. 1. (Read more to learn about assessments or watch this video.)

New Economic Revitalization Incentive Program to Include Lake Anne

What’s happening: Fairfax County is proposing a updated economic incentive program to help revitalize and redevelop older commercial, mixed-use areas, including Lake Anne.

This updated program would replace the existing Economic Incentives Program created in 2020. Called the Revitalization and Redevelopment Economic Incentive Program, this new initiative also expands eligible areas from the current six to nine. Lake Anne would be included for the first time under the new program.

Financial incentives for developers include a 10% reduction in site plan fees and a partial real estate tax abatement for 10 years.

Yesterday, the Board approved advertising a May 5 public hearing on this new program.

Why it matters: This new program offers the Board and developers more flexibility and a longer timeframe to take advantage of financial incentives to redevelop designated areas consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

Under the new program, the 10-year clock for tax abatements would be specific to individual projects designated as “Economic Revitalization Zones,” not the much larger geographic areas like the current incentives program. This means that projects would be more likely to achieve the full 10-year real estate tax abatement.

Developers would also be granted a grace period before the 10-year countdown began. They would have three years to complete their entitlements and substantially finish their project. At its discretion, the Board could also approve an additional one-year extension.

How Lake Anne benefits: For Lake Anne, these new features could help to catalyze revitalization efforts. Because there are multiple small property owners, these changes may help specific projects just outside the historic core to take advantage of the full 10-year incentive period.

For example, this may help with the redevelopment of the county-owned Crescent Apartments. Following my motion, the Board approved moving forward with redeveloping this site to provide more affordable and market rate housing. In the near future, the county will be soliciting redevelopment proposals from private developers, and the new program could help them leverage the revitalization incentives.

To help revitalize Lake Anne, the county also recently completed an Economic Visioning Study that I initiated. This effort developed a community-driven economic vision that’s both aspirational and grounded in market realities. And, it included an assessment of individual property owners’ interests and willingness to partner on implementing the vision. The new revitalization program may help them to move forward.

Replacing the Tysons Water Tower and

Wayfinding Signs

What’s happening: The Board approved the Tysons Community Alliance’s plan to replace the existing sign on the water tower in Tysons, as well as the current wayfinding signs at the four Tysons Metro stations.

Why it matters: The TCA aims to promote wayfinding and placemaking in Tysons, and these signs help to advance this effort. Residents, businesses and other community partners have expressed the importance of updating both the branding and the public-facing art and graphics that represent Tysons.

Tell me more: TCA will install two signs on the water tower located near the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Route 123. The new vinyl signs reflect the new Tysons brand logo, accent shapes, and color scheme. The signs will be located on the tower’s northeast and southwest sides, and they will be the same size as the existing sign: 8-feet tall by 59-feet long.

The organization also plans to replace the existing wayfinding signs at the four Tysons Metro stations. The new obelisk signs will feature the new Tysons logo, as well as provide locational guidance and a map to nearby destinations. Two signs will be installed at each of the four stations (one on each side of the station platform).

Background: Ten years ago, the Planning Commission granted approval to the Tysons Partnership — the TCA’s predecessor — for the water tower signs. While two signs were approved, only the sign facing one side was actually installed. Built in 1954, Fairfax Water owns this tower that’s located on one of the highest points in Tysons.

Do You Know the Way to Lake Anne?

New Wayfinding Signage Concepts Presented

What’s happening: Two new signs to mark the entrance to Lake Anne may be coming soon to Baron Cameron Drive. County staff and its design firm Streetsense presented two potential sign concepts at a public meeting last month. Now, the team will further refine the design for concept A which is what most meeting participants preferred. 

Sign concepts: Two distinct brand concepts were presented based on input from a community survey on potential logos conducted last fall:

Concept A: "Tectonic & Brutalist" This design draws inspiration from Lake Anne’s brutalist and mid-century architecture. It features clean, modern lines with pops of color that add a modern twist. This design also offers flexibility for use in marketing materials and merchandise.

Concept B: "Playful Mid-Century” This concept is inspired by mid-century design with a more sculptural take. Channeling the “splash” element in the neighborhood's existing logo, this option reimagines the previous playful-yet-historic mark with a modern lens. It uses a curved “L” form to echo Lake Anne’s distinctive architectural lines. The result is a fresh yet familiar symbol that bridges past and present.



At the meeting, most participants expressed their preference for concept A, although most agreed they didn’t like the colors that were proposed.

Next steps: The design team will refine Concept A with a new color pallet to be presented at a future public meeting. Once a design is finalized, the county can begin the process to fabricate and install the signs on Baron Cameron Avenue. It’s envisioned that they will be powder-coated metal with reflective lettering like street signs.

Project Background: The Lake Anne Economic Visioning Study identified the need for better signage to support local businesses and improve the visitor experience. To address this need following the study’s conclusion, the county creating a wayfinding strategy last May. Now the team is refining the "look and feel" of the brand that will appear on any signs. As a final step in this project, the county will install two large “beacon” signs on Baron Cameron Avenue. Because there are multiple property owners at Lake Anne, other wayfinding signs may be installed over time if these land owners approve them.

• View the Wayfinding Concept Design Presentation Report
• Watch the project community meeting video.

Join the Reston District Police Station’s Community Advisory Committee at the Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications Center (9-1-1 Center) on Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. The center is located at 4890 Alliance Drive, Fairfax. This facility is nationally recognized and is the largest of its kind in the Commonwealth of Virginia.



This meeting is open to anyone who’s interested, and for more information or questions, contact the CAC Chairman Dave Adams by email.

Book Discussion: George Washington’s Heirs

Commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary with a book talk on Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m. at the Vienna Police Community Room (215 Center St., S). In honor of Women's History Month, author and historian Cassandra Good will discuss her book “First Family: George Washington’s Heirs and the Making of America.” This book talk is the first in a series presented by the Vienna250 Committee and Bards Alley Bookshop.

Nominate Outstanding Volunteers by April 3

Nominate an individual or group that’s provided outstanding volunteer service to the Town of Vienna during the past year. Nominations may be made online through April 3, and these unsung heroes will be recognized at the Mayor’s Volunteer Reception on Tuesday, April 21.

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🪴Ayr Hill Garden Club’s pre-sale for its annual plant sale is open now through April 25.

🏢Attend the Women in Technology’s Spring 2026 Job Fair on March 19 at the Carahsoft Center in Reston.

🍷Attend the St. Patrick's Day Wine & Comedy Night on March 20 at The Winery at Bull Run.

📚Shop the Friends of the Reston Regional Library’s Kids Spring Book Sale on March 20-22.

📖Children's author Jen Fier Jasinski reads her new picture book “Because of You, I'm a Sister” on March 21 at Bards Alley in Vienna.

🎭Watch “TINA − The Tina Turner Musical” from March 20-22 at Capital One Hall.

👩🏽Attend the Women’s Storytelling Festival on March 19 – 22 at Sherwood Community

Center in Fairfax.

🤣Watch Comedy, Etc. on March 21 at 1^st Stage Theater.

💬Attend a Community Conversation on Women’s Well-being and Advocacy on March 21 at George Mason University.

🎼Listen to Reston Chorale perform Stravinsky’s “Symphony of Psalms” on March 21 at Reston Community Center.

🚗Take the CarFit class on March 21 to learn how to enhance your comfort, safety and fit in your vehicle.

⭕Take an All-Level Hula Hoop Dance Workshop on March 21 at Mindshift Gym.

👩Join a conversation with former Board of Supervisors Chairman Kate Hanley on March 22 at Centreville Library as she reflects on her life in public service.

🧘Experience a Spring Equinox Sound Bath on March 22 at Beloved Yoga Reston.

🎪Attend the free Spring Health & Wellness Fair on March 22 at Reston Community Center.

🍵Join the Women’s History Tea on March 22 at the Elden Tea Shop.

🍦Enjoy a treat at The Meadows Creamery on March 23 to support the South Lakes' All Night Grad Party.

🎞️Watch “Downton Abbey: Grand Finale” on Senior Movie Day on March 25 at Reston Town Center.

🙋🏻‍♀️Join Board and Brew Spring to learn about volunteer opportunities on Leadership Fairfax’s board on March 25 at Reston Association.

🍸Join the Tysons Community Gathering on March 26 at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse.

🎭Watch “Guards at the Taj” starting March 26 at NextStop Theatre.

👩Join a Women’s History Month Reception on March 26 at the Tower Club.

🍽️Attend the BreadBreakers community dinner on March 26 at Reston Community Center. 

🎭Reston Community Players present “What the Constitution Means to Me” on March 26-28 at Reston Community Center.

📖Cassandra Good discusses her book “First Family: George Washington’s Heirs And The Making Of America” on March 29 at the Vienna Police Station.

🎵Travel to the “Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey” on March 29 at George Mason University Center for the Arts.

🖼️Check out a “A Really Trashy Art Show” on view from April 1 – 29 at the Reston Gallery. 

🔎Participate in the Green Reston Scavenger Hunt from April 1-30.

🎭Watch the play “All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” on April 5 at Capital One Hall.

🥚Join the Easter Egg Hunt on April 5 at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Reston.

🎞️Watch the Pixar movie “Soul” on April 6 at Reston Community Center.

𖠵Learn about the history of the W&OD Railroad on April 7 at the Vienna Town Hall.

🌎Attend the eco-friendly Green Reston event on April 11 at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods Plaza.

🎞️Watch the award-winning documentary “The Flowers That Bloomed Through Concrete” about Lorton Prison’s “most incorrigible inmate” on April 12 at Vienna Presbyterian 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.