Author: webdev

NEWS
June 23, 2021

Fairfax County Closes One Northbound Lane of Tysons Blvd. for Community Recreation – Scheduled to Begin July 6

For Immediate Release (on behalf of Fairfax County Government)
June 23, 2021

Fairfax County, again this year, will close one northbound lane of Tysons Boulevard for community recreation as the region continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, The closure is scheduled to begin Wed., July 6, 2021 and will give pedestrians and bicyclists access to a .5 mile stretch of road from Westbranch Dr. to the pedestrian entrance of Lillian Ct. at Tysons II (right before International Dr. around the Tysons Galleria area) connecting with bike lanes on both Park Run Drive and Westpark Drive. Residents will also have access to community amenities such as nearby Capital Bikeshare stations and a park at the corner of Westbranch Drive and Tysons Boulevard. The duration of the closure has not been determined.

In the spring of 2020, the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB), the Tysons Partnership and others requested Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) consider this solution to support active transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This temporary closure follows the successful implementation of a closure of the same area in the summer of 2020 and is permitted through VDOT and funded by Fairfax County.

FCDOT and VDOT will closely monitor the traffic conditions and will reassess the closure if traffic patterns change. The data collected as part of this project will also be used to support assessment of future transportation projects.

Important Safety Information for Drivers and Fairfax Connector Passengers

With the new, temporary traffic pattern, vehicular travelers are reminded to:

  • Slow down when driving and be on the lookout for pedestrians and bicyclists.
  • Watch out for cars, pedestrians and bicyclists turning into businesses or residences.

Due to the lane closure, Fairfax Connector Routes 494 and 495 will not serve stops #6364 and #6365 along Tysons Boulevard:

  • For stop #6364 (Tysons Blvd./Westbranch Dr.), passengers should uses stop #6362 (Tysons Blvd./Galleria Dr.) as an alternate.
  • For stop #6365 (Tysons Blvd./Park Run Blvd.), passengers should use stop #2442 (International Dr./Greensboro Dr.) as an alternate.  

If you have questions about Fairfax Connector service:

We Want to Hear From You!

Comments or questions about this project are welcomed and may be provided by emailing bikefairfax@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling the FCDOT Active Transportation Team at 703-877-5600, TTY 711. For more information on this project and to stay informed, connect with us by:

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Contact Name

Robin Geiger

NEWS
June 14, 2021

Funds Available to Help Fairfax Businesses Recover from Covid-19

Fairfax County Creates Second Grant Program To Help Local Businesses And Nonprofits Pivot From The Pandemic

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted today to create a new grant program to support businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant program is called “PIVOT” and it will provide grants to local businesses in the hotel, food service, retail and services, and arts and culture industries. PIVOT will use $25 million provided through the Federal American Rescue Plan Act to provide targeted assistance to the most hard-hit sectors of the Fairfax County economy. The goal of the program is to help those businesses continue their recovery by providing needed capital for ongoing operations and to sustain business sectors. The grant portal will be open from June 23rd through July 9th. 

“Fairfax County is committed to helping businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic. Through the PIVOT grant we will help those businesses who saw the greatest financial impact regain their momentum so they will be able to thrive in the reopening marketplace,” said Board of Supervisor Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “It also directs recovery towards sectors that employ disproportionately higher numbers of low income and minority workers, making it all more important that we target recovery efforts to these communities who have been hardest hit.”

In early 2021, Fairfax County and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority commissioned an Economic Recovery Framework study that illustrated that the county lost an estimated 48,200 jobs (through December 2020) and employment losses were heavily concentrated in food service, hospitality, and retail sectors. The study provided a “road map” that highlighted opportunities to create a just and resilient recovery through specific steps and programming. A small business grant program was one of the recommendations. Using this data, PIVOT will target businesses in the retail, food service, hospitality/lodging and arts sectors. 

Research shows customer-facing businesses – such as retailers, hotels, and restaurants – are the most vulnerable to closures and losses in revenues because of the pandemic. In the Washington D.C. Metro area, 45% of small businesses have closed either temporarily or permanently, and for those that remain open, small business revenue is down nearly 55%. Restaurants and retailers are particularly at-risk; over half of closures across the country in these categories at the end of August were permanent. Notably, the accommodation and food services; retail and other services; and arts and entertainment sectors accounted for approximately 50 percent of total job losses in Fairfax County in 2020. According to an Americans for the Arts COVID-19 impact survey, arts organizations and artists in Fairfax had cancelled 98% of their events and 43% reported that an inability to make payroll is a major financial obstacle.

“Through PIVOT, Fairfax County will strategically invest to support businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to help them make the turn towards prosperity,” said Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust. 

The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) has been identified as the grant administrator of the program and is experienced in supporting small businesses and non-profits across many economic sectors. They are also experienced in administering large-scale grant programs and providing technical assistance and capital financing to businesses and non-profits. 

Funds will be disbursed via four programs: 

  • Lodging; 
  • Food service and food trucks;
  • Retail, services, and amusements; 
  • Arts organizations, museums and historical sites

Businesses must be located in Fairfax County, including the Cities of Clifton, Herndon and Vienna and have a have a commercial storefront (no online only or home- based businesses will be eligible for awards). Businesses must be open or temporarily closed, planning to reopen by August 31, 2021 and have a valid Business and Professional License (BPOL). Grant award amounts, eligibility criteria and other requirements will be available on the Fairfax County website.

Two webinars will be offered on the PIVOT program. The webinars will be recorded for those who cannot join the event live and copies will be posted on the PIVOT web page.

June 15 at 1:00pm  (In English)
Link to Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89159301360

June 17 at 2:00pm (In Spanish)
Link to Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83255834092
 

Since March 2020, Fairfax County has developed a number of programs designed to support various members of the business community, the non-profit community, and its workforce. These include the COVID-19 Recovery Microloan Fund; the RISE Grant Program; the Social Safety Net Nonprofit Sustainability Grant Program, Emergency Rental Assistance Program; and the administration of vaccines. 

More information on the PIVOT program can be found at FairfaxCounty.gov/Economic-Initiatives/Pivot 

NEWS
June 8, 2021

2021 Inaugural Tour de Hunter Mill Bike Ride Recap

In May, an enthusiastic group of bikers gathered to take part in the 2021 Inaugural Tour de Hunter Mill bike ride. Cyclists of varying levels chose from a variety of routes. The longer routes included Tysons’ beautiful Vesper trail and the option of taking a bike on Metrorail.

Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay, Supervisor Walter L. Alcorn, and Supervisor Dan Storck participated in the race!

NEWS
May 18, 2021

Spring Fashion Trends in Tysons

The possibility of finally leaving our homes for the first time in a year means it’s time to dress up again—and if you open your closet to find that your blazers and heels have been overtaken by sweatpants and house slippers, you’re not alone. As we think about returning to offices and socializing and winter turns to spring, it is time to update your wardrobe. And what better place to shop for Spring fashions then Tysons Corner Center.

If you are a bit behind on the latest in fashion, here are five fashion trends for the season (and where to locate them at Tysons Corner Center).

Show Some Leg: The weather heats up and the hemlines rise. Plenty of other designers agree that a long leg is the silhouette of the season, from A-line minis, to cut-off jean shorts or a mixed clash of prints and patterns on a flirtatious pleated skirt. Scout these fashions now at Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Hollister, and Altar’d State.

Statement Making Trousers: It’s past time to break the cycle of dependence on sweatpants and leggings and go with pants with panache. Wide-leg, roomy trousers are everywhere and making strides this season in sorbet pastel tones or chic neutrals. Find the hippest styles today at LOFT, Express, J.Jill, H&M, Uniqlo, and others.

Spark Joy Through Technicolor: From swirling, psychedelic prints, to textural stripes, to vintage-inspired graphics all make for a vibrant and happy spring wardrobe. Make the look work for you by balancing large and small prints within the same outfit while paring down the accessories. Let your dress do the talking, and visit Psycho Bunny, Bloomingdale’s, Zara, and more for some multicolor inspiration.

Heels Are Calling: Our heels have missed us and it is time to show them some love. Think: easy-to-wear, yet sky-high “flatforms” that’ll elevate all the ribbed bottoms you stocked up on, chunky sandals that compliment any outfit already in your closet, and work-from-home shoe, a new category we’re fairly certain was designed to ease us all back into the real world. Other styles to step out into the world include baby heels, and strappy flat sandals as some of this season’s hottest footwear trends. Shop these elevated looks at Guess, Ann Taylor, Free People, Nordstrom, and Forever 21.

Little Miss Sunshine: Channel sunshine vibes by wearing the hottest color of the year – yellow! Through accessories ranging from handbags to jewelry, celebrate the hottest Pantone color of the season and bring a little sunshine style into people’s lives. Find the brightest accessories at Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Coach, Michael Kors, and more!While you are out and about this season, stop by Tysons Corner Center and enjoy some of their upcoming seasonal events on Tysons Plaza that will surely brighten your day

NEWS
May 12, 2021

TAKE OUR SURVEY: Recovery After Pandemic

Rassi G. Borneo – TimeLine Media

Tysons Partnership has put together a survey to help us understand peoples’ intentions and plans as the region begins to return to pre-pandemic daily activities like office, shopping, dining, and riding transit.
 
Please take a quick moment – under 5 minutes – to answer a few questions. Your participation is very important and will help community leaders plan to reopen in ways that best serve our Tysons community.
 
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your response.

TAKE THE SURVEY
NEWS
May 11, 2021

Homelessness in our Community – FACETS’ presentation to the Tysons Partnership Community Responsibility Council

On Wednesday, April 21, Joe Fay, FACETS Executive Director, and Allison Coles, FACETS Director of Development and Communications, led our Community Responsibility Council in a discussion about homelessness / housing instability in Tysons and neighboring communities. (FACETS operated the temporary hypothermia shelter in Tysons, at the former Container Store location on Rte. 7,  from Dec. 2020 – March 2021.)

In the webinar (below), Joe and Allison shared some information that might surprise you—for example, some of the people who work in Tysons have neither adequate housing nor reliable access to basic survival needs.

Since 1988, FACETS has served children, families and individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty and hunger in Fairfax County. During the COVID-19 crisis, FACETS has remained on the frontlines and expanded its emergency services and basic needs programming to meet the greatest needs of our community’s most vulnerable. Response efforts are focused on: Shelter, Food, Emergency Financial Assistance, Eviction Prevention, Medical Outreach and Support for Virtual Learning.

About Joe Fay: Joe Fay is the Executive Director of FACETS. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Joe came to FACETS after a career leading information technology and services businesses serving government clients for TASC and Northrop Grumman.  Prior to that he founded a small business focusing on the design and development of human services systems for federal and state government agencies.  Joe’s nonprofit work began during his technology career, serving on the Board of Directors of Northern Virginia Family Service from 2002 through 2011. He rejoined the NVFS Board in 2013 and served as Board Chair from 2015 through 2017 when he joined FACETS.

About Allison Coles: A native of Atlanta and graduate of Emory University, Allison Coles is a non-profit and fundraising executive with more than 20 years’ experience serving the Northern Virginia community.  As a professional and as a volunteer, Allison has dedicated her time and talents to working with underserved and at-risk populations with a specific focus on homeless services and food insecurity. Currently, Allison is the Director of Development and Communications at FACETS, an organization founded in 1988 that works to break the cycle of homelessness, poverty and hunger in Fairfax County.

Tysons Partnership Members: Please email info@tysonspartnership.org if you’d like to join the Tysons Partnership Community Responsibility Council.