Public Affairs

Fairfax County will invest $1.2 million in economic development money to build a new mixed use project in downtown Herndon that includes a signature arts center.

This is the largest investment to date from the $5 million fund that’s designed to stimulate economic growth in the county.

The Board of Supervisors approved a funding agreement with the Town of Herndon on June 19, 2018. The agreement details how the county’s funds will be spent on this public-private partnership project between the town and Comstock.

The project will create a town center with the 18,000-square foot arts center planned as the centerpiece for downtown Herndon. The three-building development plans include approximately 281 apartments, 17,600 square feet in ground floor retail and a 761-space parking garage.

“I am pleased that funding from the County’s Economic Development Support Fund will help make the Herndon Arts Center a reality,” said Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, who chairs the Fairfax County Economic Advisory Commission. “Activities around the arts create thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity in Fairfax County. The Herndon Arts Center will also contribute to the success of a redevelopment project that will significantly increase the tax base of the town and the county. Projects like the Herndon Arts Center also contribute to the county’s economic success by creating a community that will attract a 21st century workforce.”

County officials anticipate that its investment will be recouped in the first two years after the project is delivered. The new development is expected to generate up to $800,000 a year in new property and sales taxes revenues for the county, according to an independent economic analysis commissioned by the town.

Because the town owns the site for the future development, the 4.67-acre property is currently tax exempt. The new town center, however, would pay real estate taxes, as well as generate sales tax from the retail components.

Located at intersection of Elden Street and Center Streets, south of the W&OD Trail, the site was formerly home to a car dealership, and it currently serves as a municipal parking lot.

“Allocation of this grant funding to the town is a tangible, impactful demonstration of Fairfax County’s commitment to economic development in Herndon,” said Mayor Lisa Merkel. “Redevelopment of Herndon’s downtown creates a new and exciting destination at the county’s western edge, and we greatly appreciate the spirit of partnership symbolized by this grant.”

The county’s investment is leveraged by an additional $3.6 million in funding that the town will contribute towards the project’s construction. Under the agreement with the town, Fairfax County will not invest its money until Herndon first puts in a minimum $1.2 million of its own funding.

The county created its Economic Development Support Fund a year and half ago exactly for projects like this one. This fund is intended to invest one-time, seed money into projects that will create direct economic benefits to Fairfax County. This makes the fund different from traditional economic incentives that some governments offer to companies or developers.

The fund is intended to pay for capital development projects, buy property, or provide programming support for activities identified in the county’s strategic Economic Success Plan.

This plan calls for growing and diversifying the economy in part by encouraging more mixed use development and arts facilities and districts.

For more information on the county’s investment or the economic development fund, contact Scott Sizer, Office of the County Executive, at 703-324-2581.

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The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, at its June 19 meeting, authorized a $182 million public safety bond referendum for this fall’s election.

This action allows the county to petition the Fairfax Circuit Court to order the referendum. If ordered, it will be on the Nov. 6, 2018, general election ballot. Under state law, the county must petition the court to put the referendum on the ballot.

Voters will be asked to vote “yes” or “no” on the public safety bond question. If ultimately approved, the county plans to sell $182 million in general obligation bonds to renovate, expand or replace fire, police, sheriff and court facilities.

Fire and Rescue Department ($73 million)

Renovate, expand or replace four fire stations that are 37 years old or older:

• Mount Vernon ($16 million).
• Fairview ($16 million).
• Gunston ($13 million).
• Seven Corners ($13 million).

Additionally, $15 million will be used to renovate, expand or replace one of the eight remaining volunteer fire stations that are approximately 40 years old or older.

Police Department ($59 million)

Renovate, expand or replace:

• Mason District Station ($23 million): Renovate and build a minor expansion this station, which was built in 1975, to upgrade its building systems and infrastructure.
• Criminal Justice Academy ($18 million): Renovate and upgrade this facility that trains 2,300 police and sheriff’s recruits, officers and deputies per year.
• Police Evidence Storage Building ($18 million): Renovate, expand or replace this building that is used to store critical evidence for court.

Courts and Adult Detention Center ($50 million)

• Adult Detention Center ($45 million): Replace major building systems in all three wings of the detention center, including plumbing, electrical, HVAC and fire protection systems.
• Fairfax Courthouse ($5 million): Make required improvements in courtrooms, including lighting, ductwork realignment, ADA upgrades, wall and ceiling replacements and technology upgrades. 

By law, the money from the bonds may only be used for the purpose stated in the ballot question. For example, the money from the public safety bonds may not be used to pay for park projects.

Fairfax County has the highest credit rating possible for any government: triple-A from Moody’s Investors Service Inc.; from Standard & Poor’s Corporation; and from Fitch Ratings. As of January 2018, Fairfax County is one of only 12 states, 46 counties and 32 cities to hold a triple-A bond rating from all three rating agencies.

For this reason, Fairfax County’s bonds sell at relatively low interest rates compared to other tax-free bonds. The county has saved taxpayers more than $772 million since 1978 as a result of these low rates.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

• As more retailers close their stores nationwide, Fairfax is considering changes to its land use plan to help the approximately 735,000 square feet of empty retail space in the county today be repurposed for other uses.
• Public input sought at Monday, June 25, 2018, meeting at 7 p.m.

Toys “R” Us, Macy’s and Sears are just the latest companies to fall victim to the changing retail market. As retailers downsize or close their brick-and-mortar stores across the country, Fairfax County officials are looking to make it easier to convert empty storefronts into other uses.

The county is considering changes to its land use plan, known as the Comprehensive Plan, to provide guidance on repurposing vacant retail spaces into alternative uses like entertainment venues, professional offices for doctors or lawyers, and cultural or civic uses such as libraries.

To explain its proposal and gather public input, the county is holding a community meeting on Monday, June 25, at 7 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, in conference rooms 9/10.

While Fairfax County’s retail vacancy rates are lower than those nationwide, officials want to take action to address recent market reports predicting that retail markets are poised to either plateau or enter a period of decline.

Overall retail vacancies peaked at 4 percent in Fairfax during the recession years of 2009 and 2010. The rate dropped steadily during the next seven years, but the county has faced a slight uptick in vacancies since late 2017. For the first quarter of this year, the overall retail vacancy rate stood at just over 2 percent, according to data from CoStar. This amounts to about 735,000 square feet of empty retail space.

There is a total of 36 million square feet of retail and related commercial space in the county. Seventy-five percent of this space is located within what the county calls Activity Centers, which are areas planned for the greatest amount of future growth and include mixed-use development. These centers include places like Seven Corners, Merrifield, and Tysons.

Retail buildings range from freestanding commercial structures to many types of shopping centers, including strip and neighborhood shopping centers, big-box “power centers,” and regional malls.

While the county is currently focused on repurposing empty retail space, it also adopted measures to deal with 18 million square feet in vacant office space. The county adopted land use changes in March that ease the way for suburban offices to be repurposed, and last year, similar changes were made for offices in mixed use areas.

For more information on retail repurposing or reasonable ADA accommodations, contact Michael Lynskey with the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-324-1204, TTY 711.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

• Attend the June 18 forum at 6:30 p.m. for a presentation and discussion with a national expert on artisan manufacturing and county staff.
• County is conducting a study to identify the best location for craft manufacturers, along with considering land use and zoning changes to encourage more of these small businesses.

When it comes to manufacturing, what’s old is new again. Small, handmade or craft manufacturing is making a comeback, and Fairfax County wants to encourage more of these businesses to open shop.

The county is looking at how to support the growth of artisan manufacturing, also known as small-scale production. Officials are studying possible locations in Fairfax to allow these small, craft businesses to operate, along with considering supporting land use and zoning changes.

To kick off its efforts, the county is holding a forum, “Made in Fairfax,” on Monday, June 18, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, in conference rooms 9/10.

Residents, artisan manufacturers and real estate professionals are invited to attend. The event will feature a presentation and discussion with the county’s consultant, national expert Ilana Preuss with Recast City.

Furniture, custom jewelry, textiles, baking, coffee roasting and 3D printing — this is the kind of small-scale manufacturing that’s increasingly popular. These small-batch makers can help revitalize neighborhoods, fill empty buildings and create new jobs.

“We’re looking at those types of businesses that are cleaner, quieter and more community friendly, and therefore would be good neighbors in mixed use areas,” said Doug Loescher, program manager with Fairfax County’s Office of Community Revitalization.

The county is turning towards artisan manufacturing as a way to fill vacant commercial space no longer viable for traditional retail, while enlivening older commercial areas with new activities and local enterprise.

“This effort is an outgrowth of the need to repurpose vacant offices and other properties into other uses,” Loescher said. “While Fairfax County has a very low retail vacancy rate, we know that the national trend points to long-term changes.”

Because the county is considering permitting artisan manufacturers to both make and sell their products from the same space, they can also function as retailers. This dual role makes the businesses a good fit for mixed-use areas.

“We recognize the potential for small-scale production businesses to enhance the character and identity of commercial centers and to create a more vibrant atmosphere with more choices for shoppers,” said Loescher.

County leaders also see artisan manufacturing as a way to grow and diversify the economy. While many equate manufacturing with large factories, 42 percent of manufacturers employ four people or less, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In general, small businesses are responsible for two out of three net new jobs created.

In Fairfax County, there are approximately 125 small-scale producers, ranging from 3D printing to precision parts to organic juice making. This finding comes from an initial inventory taken as a first step in the county’s project.

As a follow on to this census, in-depth interviews will be conducted with about 30 of these manufacturers.

“We're interested in learning why these businesses have chosen to be in Fairfax County, what are some of the challenges they face and what are their plans to expand or develop,” said Loescher. “And, finally, what their interest would be in locating in mixed-use commercial areas where they can have a space where they can both make products and sell them to the public.”

As part of the project, the county also will engage real estate developers to create a dialogue with manufacturers.

Fairfax revitalization staff anticipate producing a final report this fall that will outline strategies and recommendations for implementation. They hope to test their findings with a pilot project in one or more locations in the county.

For more information or reasonable ADA accommodations, contact Doug Loescher with the Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization at 703-324-9305, TTY 711.

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Saturday, June 9 is the last day to absentee vote in person for the June 12 primaries and for your convenience, there will be nine satellite in-person absentee voting locations available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There are 20 reasons to qualify to absentee vote, including a long commute or being out of the county on Election Day for business or vacation. Absentee ballots are counted on Election Night and included with the results.

The nine satellite voting locations available on Saturday, June 9:

• Franconia Governmental Center

• Lorton Library

• Mason Governmental Center

• McLean Governmental Center

• Mount Vernon Governmental Center

• North County Governmental Center

• Providence Community Center

• Sully Governmental Center

• West Springfield Governmental Center

In-person absentee voting will also be available at the Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, but voters should anticipate heavy traffic and crowds due to the Celebrate Fairfax! event taking place on the Government Center grounds.

For more information about absentee voting or the June 12 primaries, contact the Fairfax County Office of Elections at 703-222-0776, TTY 711 or email voting@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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Fairfax County has been honored with four National Association of Counties (NACo) 2018 Achievement Awards, recognizing effective and innovative programs that contribute to and enhance county government in the United States. Nationally, awards are given in 18 categories, including children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.

The awards will be presented at NACo’s 2018 Annual Conference and Exposition, July 13-16 in Nashville/Davidson County, Tennessee.

The award recipients and categories are:

• 

  Revitalize, Restore, Replant! (Civic Education and Public Information) — This free-of-charge program transforms existing stormwater facilities on Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) campuses into real-world teaching tools. Stream ecologists from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) introduce students to stormwater and watershed ecosystems management through hands-on native plant installations in existing bioretention or dry pond facilities.
• Silver Shield Anti-Scam Education Program (Civic Education and Public Information) — In 2017, more than 37 percent of all fraud committed in Fairfax County involved victims over the age of 50. Identity fraud, credit card fraud and selling goods and services under false pretenses are just a few of the types of cases seen daily in Fairfax County. The Silver Shield campaign shares critical information to help older adults avoid scams. It builds on the education programs provided by various county agencies, allowing for consistent countywide messaging, efficient use of resources and creative methods of reaching older adult communities.
• Taking a Citizen First Approach to a Website Redesign (Civic Education and Public Information) —The Fairfax County website supports the county's goal of a "government without walls, doors, or clocks," providing essential information about county programs and resources, along with over 100 online services. The site reflects the beauty of Northern Virginia, while also corralling content from more than 50 governmental departments and offices, presenting it in an intuitive way. The newly imagined site demonstrates how cooperation, technology and design can bring the strengths of modern web applications to benefit a wide array of users.
• Customizing Data for Health and Human Services Planning (Human Services) — The Medallion Program enhances capital improvement planning and targets service delivery in county Health and Human Services (HHS). For the first time, consistent, detailed, sub-county level data is available for HHS staff to analyze how environmental conditions impact service demands for specified communities. The program transforms disparate data into actionable information and provides a common dataset to support collaboration and coordination with the Department of Planning and Zoning to foster improvements in the design phase and better define infrastructure needs based on demographic, economic and other social characteristics.

To find out more about the programs search “Fairfax County awards” at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County is launching its planning study for downtown McLean with three community workshops in June.

The first meeting will take place on Monday, June 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the cafeteria of McLean High School, 1633 Davidson Road, McLean. Residents who plan to attend are encouraged to RSVP. Childcare will be available for children age five and older; make a reservation by Friday, June 1, by contacting Amy Ordonez at 703-787-4962, TTY 711, or by email.

The study focuses on the 230-acre area that’s called the McLean Community Business Center in the county’s Comprehensive Plan. More commonly called downtown McLean, this is the area centered around the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and Old Dominion Drive.

This undertaking will give residents the opportunity to update the vision for downtown McLean. The process will consider changes to land uses, development intensities, transportation, public facilities and possible urban design.

The county has hired a consultant, Streetsense, to assist in the visioning process. Streetsense will facilitate three community workshops in June. After the workshops are completed and the consultant has compiled and analyzed community input, the county will sponsor two community meetings in the fall to help finalize the vision plan. Afterwards, a task force made up of residents will work with county staff to translate the community’s vision into recommendations for changes to the Comprehensive Plan. The task force meetings will be open to the public.

The workshops are designed to build on each other and will cover different topics. But it is not necessary to attend all three:

• Monday, June 4, 7 to 9 p.m.: This first workshop will focus on market influences and development decision making.
• Wednesday, June 13, 7 to 9 p.m.: This second workshop will focus on planning, design and placemaking.
• Saturday, June 23, 9:00 a.m. to noon: This third workshop will focus on community immersion and understanding.

Each workshop will be held in the cafeteria at McLean High School, located at 1633 Davidson Road in McLean. Childcare is available for children five and older. Residents who plan to attend are encouraged to RSVP. Childcare will be available for children age five and older; reservation can be made by contacting Amy Ordonez at 703-787-4962, TTY 711, or by email.

Additional information can be found on the McLean Community Business Center Study webpage.

For more information about the study, future meetings or reasonable ADA accommodations, contact Katrina Newtson with Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-324-1380 or by email.

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What do New York City, Los Angeles and Fairfax County have in common?

They’re on the cutting edge of a national movement to reclaim underused urban spaces, like parking lots, as parks.

Fairfax County will test the concept in Annandale on Sunday, June 3, from noon to 4 p.m., in the parking lot of the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department at 7128 Columbia Pike.

“Communities all across the country have spaces where parks are not just grass and trees, and there's a real value in trying out new types of park spaces,” said Laura Baker, program manager with the Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization.

The “demonstration park” will offer moveable chairs, tables, plants and programming activities for children. County staff also will be on site to provide translations in Korean and Spanish. Fairfax is conducting the demonstration so residents can share their ideas on how to design and program a dedicated, urban park in downtown Annandale.

“It’s an interactive experience for people to actually come see, touch and feel what a flexible, park or civic space can be like, rather than going to a meeting room to try to conceptualize it,” Baker said.

Ultimately, the county proposes to create a dedicated park or community gathering spot in the parking lot at 7200 Columbia Pike. Eight parking spaces would be repurposed at this county-owned property that is currently leased to the ACCA Child Development Center.

In the evenings and weekends when ACCA is closed, the space could be expanded further into the parking lot. The extra space could be used for planned activities like markets, outdoor fitness classes and other events and activities.

Following the demonstration in June, the county plans to create a conceptual design for the future urban park later this summer. Then, a second public demonstration will be held this fall in conjunction with the Taste of Annandale to get the community’s feedback on the design concept. The design is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, with the completed urban park or civic space anticipated to open in summer 2019.

Why was Annandale chosen as the location to pilot this new kind of urban park?

"What we're trying to do is help contribute to the local vibrancy of Annandale and help further revitalization,” Baker said. “We think having a space like this can really help bring about some near-term change which is tangible for people and can hopefully help propel future change."

Annandale’s central business district, which is centered around Little River Turnpike and Columbia Pike, lacks public spaces. It is dominated by auto-oriented, shopping centers that don’t offer people a reason to linger.

However, the future vision for this area calls for more walkable, mixed use development with a network of public gathering spaces and smaller, urban parks. The plan envisions an urban destination park in the downtown area to support revitalization efforts.

The county believes the new park or civic space will be a small, immediate step toward this vision.

“It's about thinking about places differently,” said Baker. “This is an opportunity to do something now that gets us closer to that long-term vision. We think there is an opportunity to creatively offer a community space now that otherwise wouldn't be there.”

For more information or reasonable ADA accommodations, contact the Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization at 703-324-9300, TTY 711.

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The Board of Supervisors today appointed Daryl Washington as executive director of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), the public agency for Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church that provides services for people with concerns related to mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disabilities. He begins his position immediately.

“I am honored and humbled to accept the CSB executive director position,” says Washington. “I look forward to continue building on the great work that is being done with Diversion First, the Opioid Task Force and the implementation of community-based developmental disability services. It is especially meaningful to be able to serve the community where I grew up and still live.”

Washington is a seasoned behavioral health and developmental disability leader, administrator and clinician with 25 years of experience. He served as deputy director of clinical operations for the CSB for five years before being named acting executive director of the agency in January 2018. In this capacity, he was responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the community behavioral healthcare agency’s $170 million budget, serving 23,000 individuals annually.

Washington has been with the county since 1996, when he signed on as a mental health supervisor for Mental Health Adult Residential Services. Since that time he has continued to expand his expertise within the CSB, serving with homeless services for four years before being named service director for residential services in 2008. He spent 13 years working in private settings in Manassas, Woodbridge and Oakton refining his skills as a clinical social worker while continuing his work at the CSB.

Washington earned a bachelor’s in social work from North Carolina State University and a master’s in social work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been a licensed clinical social worker in Virginia since 1995 and has pursued post graduate study in education with the University of Virginia. Washington will earn an annual salary of $182,000.

Small businesses now have a one-stop shop to get help understanding Fairfax County’s permit, review, inspection and license processes.

The new Business Experience program—or BizEx for short—can assist prospective small businesses or current ones that want to grow, expand or evolve. BizEx can advise and guide businesses on:

• Things to consider when selecting a location
• What permits/processes are required
• What licenses are needed
• Connections to other county and state resources

The program offers guidance on regulatory process and procedures that include:

• Zoning
• Site plan and inspections
• Building plans, permits and inspections
• Parking requirements
• Sign permits
• Licenses and taxes

“I like to tell people to talk to us first before you sign a lease,” says Meaghan Kiefer, BizEx program manager. “We want to help you start or grow your business, and like a concierge, we can offer you valuable tips and guidance.”

The service isn’t designed to take the place of professional consultants like brokers, architects or engineers, offer legal advice or answer specific technical questions. However, BizEx can chart the path forward.

“Small business owners don’t necessarily know the regulatory path to follow to make their vision a reality—nor should they be expected to know,” Kiefer says. “We have a lot of distinctions in our processes that first-time business owner may not understand. BizEx can help them ask for the right thing or connect them with the right county staff who can assist them.”

Not only is the program important to help small businesses, it also is critical to the county’s economic success, say officials. While Fairfax is the headquarters for 10 Fortune 500 companies, the vast majority of companies in the county are small ones. Of the more than 37,500 businesses in the county, 94 percent have fewer than 50 employees.

To get help today, contact BizEx by email, or call 703-324-2694, TTY 711.