A truck lifts trimmed tree branches in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

N. Va. Sees Rise in Home Sales — “The number of home sales in Northern Virginia rose 2.2% compared to a year earlier, the first year-over-year increase since November 2021. That is in contrast to the national housing market, which saw sales fall 3.3%. Northern Virginia also saw a dramatic increase in home sales from the previous month, up 32%.” [WTOP]

Governor Vetoes Gun Safety Bills — “Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed an assault weapons ban and a slate of other gun-control bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly, but he signed a pair of…measures into law: One bans a device that turns a semiautomatic firearm into a machine gun, and the other allows a parent or guardian to be charged with a felony for allowing a child who has been deemed a threat to have access to a gun.” [Washington Post]

Marshall HS Hires First Varsity Boy’s Volleyball Coach — “Marshall High School has named Chris Denny as its head boys volleyball coach for what is anticipated to be a varsity team for the first time this coming fall season. Previously, boys volleyball was a club team in Fairfax County Schools, but that status is expected to be [change] to full varsity for the 2024 fall campaign.” [Gazette Leader]

Police Warn Against “Rescuing” Baby Wild Animals — “Our Animal Protection Police Officers and Wildlife Management office receive many calls this time of year from residents who are seeking help for young wildlife that appear to be orphaned or abandoned. While these actions are well-intended, it is important to realize intervention may be unnecessary and can be detrimental to wildlife.” [FCPD]

Virginia Among Leaders in Book Bans —  “Nearly 400 book titles were targeted for bans in Virginia libraries last year, among the most in the nation, according to new data from the American Library Association (ALA)…Virginia had the fifth-most challenged titles in the country at 387 — and more than any other state on the East Coast, except Florida where there were 2,672.” [Axios Richmond]

McLean Alum Recognized for Nonprofit Work — “One McLean HS alumna is uplifting pediatric cancer patients and making a major impact while studying at Harvard University. Olivia Zhang, a freshman at Harvard University, was honored with the prestigious Diana Award for founding and operating Cancer Kids First, the world’s largest youth-led pediatric cancer nonprofit.” [Fairfax County Public Schools/Facebook]

Vienna Pizzeria Offers Free Slice to Marshall Students — “Pizza Vienna…celebrates the incredible achievements of our local talent, Ilia Malinin, a proud graduate of Marshall High School in Vienna…All John Marshall High School students are invited to enjoy a FREE Cheese Pizza Slice on us! This offer is valid for any between 10.30 am and 5 pm every day till Mar 31st, 2024.” [Patch]

It’s Thursday — Expect rain mainly before 11am accompanied by patchy fog until 10am. The day will be cloudy with a high near 53 and a 60% chance of precipitation. Night will be initially cloudy but gradually clear, with a low around 38 and 9-14 mph winds gusting as high as 22 mph. [NWS]

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Signs for I-495 in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Maryland’s plans for the American Legion Bridge and its side of the Capital Beltway remain a big question mark, but its drivers at least will get a head’s up before they reach the toll lanes now under construction in McLean.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is working with its Maryland counterpart on an agreement that will enable the I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) builder to install signs related to the project on the northern side of the Potomac River.

Six sign structures and accompanying power and communications utilities need to be built in Maryland so the upcoming I-495 Express Lanes can operate correctly, VDOT officials told the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) at its March 19 meeting.

“We need to have signage in Maryland so people approaching our express lanes understand what to do and how it works,” Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller said. “…It’s about our cooperation with Maryland to get the things that we need in Maryland done so that our lanes will work appropriately and properly when folks get to Virginia.”

Under the agreement, VDOT and its private partner Capital Beltway Express — a joint venture of the engineering firm Fluor and toll lanes operator Transurban — will install and maintain most of the new signs, which will provide directions for using the express lanes and other messages.

Maryland will be responsible for two guide signs for the interstate’s exits that aren’t related to the express lanes, according to VDOT acting megaprojects director Michelle Shropshire.

The CTB will be asked to authorize VDOT staff to sign the agreement at a meeting in April.

Miller noted that the presentation came just a few days after the two-year anniversary of the official start of construction on 495 NEXT, which will widen 2.5 miles of I-495 from the Dulles Toll Road in Tysons to the George Washington Memorial Parkway in McLean with two express lanes in each direction.

“I remember cutting the ribbon [on] a very chilly morning in Northern Virginia. It was a great day,” he said.

The toll lanes remain on track to begin operating in December 2025, and the overall project is set to finish in May 2026, Shropshire said.

As construction continues to move along, some Fairfax County officials raised concerns last month about a lack of clarity on VDOT’s efforts to coordinate with Maryland and the impact of the road work on McLean residents, commuters and the environment.

Virginia and Maryland’s then-governors Ralph Northam and Larry Hogan announced a $1 billion agreement in 2019 to rebuild the aging American Legion Bridge and expand their respective sides of the Beltway to address traffic congestion. However, public opposition held back Maryland’s toll lanes project, and Transurban pulled out altogether last March.

Maryland signaled that it may pursue a fully public project when it applied for a federal grant in August, and officials held public open houses last fall to get feedback on a proposal that would replace and widen the bridge, along with a portion of I-270.

Last week, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from environmental, neighborhood and historic preservation groups seeking to block the potential project, but Maryland’s plans going forward remain unclear.

“This is an important step forward to D.C. area residents who are counting on this project to bring needed congestion relief, better transit service, and improved bike and pedestrian connections in this corridor,” said Jason Stanford, president of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, which supports the toll lanes projects. “Now that this obviously frivolous lawsuit has been dismissed, it’s time for Maryland to move forward with this critical, multimodal transportation improvement for our region.”

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit included the Northern Virginia Citizens Association, a group of McLean residents who also sued VDOT last year over 495 NEXT. Residents along Live Oak Drive in particular have vocally opposed the project, lamenting the loss of trees and other environmental and health impacts.

In recent emails to VDOT officials, some reported that construction has, at times, disrupted their phone, cable and water services.

VDOT will provide an update on 495 NEXT at two public meetings next month: a virtual one on April 8 and an in-person one at Langley High School (6520 Georgetown Pike) on April 11. Both meetings will last from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Read more on FFXnow…

A Fairfax County police officer with a radar gun (via FCPD)

Fairfax County police officers issued almost 5,700 citations and warnings during the first phase of their year-long “Road Shark” safety campaign, the department announced this morning (Wednesday).

A collaboration with the Virginia State Police, the initiative aims to crack down on aggressive and unsafe driving by increasing patrols in high-crash areas and promoting education about traffic laws and responsible driving behavior.

“Our dedicated officers and Virginia State Troopers play a pivotal role in the effectiveness of this campaign aimed at curbing the presence of reckless drivers in Fairfax County,” the Fairfax County Police Department said.

The first wave of this year’s campaign took place during the week of March 17-23. Some drivers were caught speeding over 100 mph, including in a 35-mph zone in at least one case, according to the FCPD.

The 5,695 warnings and citations issued exceeded the 3,786 violations recorded in the first wave of last year’s “Road Shark” campaign, which launched around the same time in response to a surge of pedestrian fatalities in 2022.

Like last year’s effort, the 2024 campaign will consist of four week-long waves. The second one will begin on April 22, the FCPD says.

Photo via FCPD

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This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.

Gone are the days when spas were simply places where you would choose from a menu of three or four massage options. Today, trends in day spas and the self-care industry are in step with a broader trend of personalized wellness.

“People today want products and services that are customized to their specific needs, whether related to skin care or body work,” says William Wesley Myers, assistant vice president of wellness strategies for Mather, the organization that recently opened The Mather, a Life Plan Community for those 62 and better in Tysons, Virginia. “This trend is not surprising — it’s similar to what’s happening in other wellness areas, such as boutique fitness centers and exercise studios, the prevalence of personal training, and even individualized dietary supplement plans.”

The spa at The Mather, called Marzenia (the Polish word for hopes or aspirations), offers luxury services that are based on a mix of high-tech and holistic features. For example, residents might begin their spa visit at the Blend Bar, which features a live herb wall, collection of dried herbs and aromatics, and library of global wellness recipes. Working with a spa professional, they can concoct their own unique natural therapies, whether that means mixing a detoxifying mud or making a revitalizing scrub. “We offer a range of solutions that’s as diverse as the needs they meet, each crafted to address specific conditions of the skin and body,” explains William.

Holistic treatments such as this are a powerful spa trend. “People today are more conscious of what they put in — and on — their bodies,” says William. “By offering natural ingredients and therapies, we avoid introducing chemicals and, at the same time, lessen our community’s environmental footprint.” The Mather is working with Comfort Zone, an Italian company that uses natural products with a focus on global sustainability. “We use their line of regenerative, effective, and sustainable face and body products, treatments, and rituals, which are developed in a scientific botanical garden in Parma, Italy,” says William.

Residents of The Mather can also enjoy the all-natural therapeutic benefits of Marzenia’s Breath Lounge, which features a wall of Himalayan sea salt and a halogenerator that releases microscopic salt particles into the air. “Evidence-based research shows that this treatment promotes respiratory health, reduces inflammation, and enhances relaxation,” says William. “Regular sessions can significantly enhance your overall wellness, offering both physical and mental health benefits.”

Another spa trend, which may seem to be the flip side of holistic treatments, is offerings based on technology. “Today’s consumers are not afraid to embrace high-tech options, particularly when we can show them the research backing up the outcomes,” says William.

One example of this is the Gharieni Welnamis spa wave bed, which uses computer-controlled vibrational therapy and audio frequencies to train the brain to relax. Similar to meditation, certain sounds heard through stereo headphones slow mental activity, while the bed’s vibrational frequencies target the body’s energy centers.

“The wave bed can specifically target stress, depression, and poor sleep, as well as headaches and difficulty focusing,” says William. “The technology was developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorders of American veterans — but we offer it to allow residents to select their desired wellness journey.”

Another wellness-tech option available in The Mather: a private sauna, which uses infrared light therapy to boost circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote cellular renewal. “This advanced technology gently heats the body, promoting deep muscle relaxation, enhancing detoxification, and boosting circulation, all within a comfortably warm environment. It’s an ideal start to stimulate your body’s natural healing process,” says William.

Those interested in self-care have so many more options now than in the recent past; it should be easy to build effective, personalized treatments that target personal goals and needs, whether that treatment involves live herbs or audio frequencies. “Everyone’s wellness journey is unique, and there’s no reason you can’t use a spa visit to create your very own transformative experience,” says William.

The Mather in Tysons, VA, for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be. It opened in March 2024.

The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com

One restaurant has closed, but another will soon open in the Shops at Avenir Place near the Dunn Loring Metro station.

Burger 7 is no longer serving up patties and gyro wraps at 2670-A Avenir Place. The doors of the fast-casual eatery were fastened shut with a padlocked chain, and the interior looked partially deserted when FFXnow recently stopped by, though there was no sign announcing or explaining the closure.

A Burger 7 employee in Pimmit Hills (7505 Leesburg Pike) confirmed that the Dunn Loring location is permanently closed, but they didn’t know precisely when or why it shuttered, noting that the franchise has a different owner. Emails to the company weren’t answered by press time.

Burger 7 opened at Avenir Place in 2017, replacing a Smashburger, according to its first Yelp review. In addition to Pimmit Hills, where the business originally started in 2011, Burger 7 can still be found in Alexandria and Arlington.

The 2,094-square-foot space is now listed as available on the Shops at Avenir Place’s retail site plan.

New Japanese restaurant on the way

The transit-oriented development won’t be down a restaurant for too long, though. On the other end of the strip, near Salon Lofts and The Casual Pint, signs advertise the impending arrival of Japomen.

This will be the first standalone location for the sushi and ramen restaurant, which can currently be found in the Pike Kitchen Food Hall in Rockville, EpiQ Food Hall in Woodbridge and Lotte Supermarket’s food court in Sterling, co-owner James Park says.

“Fairfax County has demographics to fit [the] Japomen concept,” Park told FFXnow.

Park joined Japomen, which was started by sushi chef Peter Yoo at Pike Kitchen in 2018, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The partners expanded to Woodbridge in summer 2022 and to Sterling when Lotte opened there last year.

Park and Yoo are also behind Tilly Kitchen, a small food hall in Chantilly that complements Japomen’s menu with Korean and Vietnamese dishes.

Expected to open at 2767-J Avenir Place in May, Japomen will serve food similar to what can be found at the EpiQ Food Hall, including sushi rolls, ramen and udon noodle soups and rice bowls. Park says the team will also “continue to innovate new menu items in catering to Dunn Loring customers.”

“We are very excited and look forward to serving the Dunn Loring community,” he said.

Read more on FFXnow…

Inova Fairfax Medical Campus patient drop-off (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Inova Health Systems is working to boost the capacity of its emergency room in Merrifield with the help of a $10 million gift from the co-founder of an international IT consulting firm.

The nonprofit announced last Thursday (March 21) that it received the planned gift commitment from Apex Systems co-founder Win Sheridan. The money will go to Inova’s Greatest Needs fund, which is administered by its CEO to support “critical projects and initiatives.”

Right now, those critical projects include a $161 million expansion of Inova Fairfax Hospital’s emergency department, the Washington Business Journal reported.

“Every gift to our Greatest Needs fund is a vote of confidence in our team, our shared vision and our enduring ability to care for our community,” Inova CEO and President Dr. J. Stephen Jones said in a press release. “Win’s commitment takes this a step further, with the conviction that Inova is the right partner to entrust with this most important task — the health of our community, now and into the future.”

Inova Health Foundation President and Chief Philanthropy Officer Sage Bolte told the WBJ that the expansion will help ease “surges in patient volumes” at the 923-bed hospital (3300 Gallows Road), which currently has limited space for patients to get care in private bays.

According to the WBJ, the expansion will include renovations, and the first phase is expected to be completed this year.

A venture capitalist who currently works as a partner in Alexandria Restaurant Partners, Sheridan co-founded Apex Systems in 1995 and later started his own investment firm, BDW Investments LLC. Apex is headquartered in Glen Allen, Virginia, but it has an office in Fairview Park, just on the other side of I-495 from Inova’s Fairfax campus.

According to Inova, Sheridan also donated $1 million in 2021 to create the Sheridan Director, Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute. The board helps match people with rare or recurring advanced cancers with personalized treatment.

“When you’re battling a serious disease, having world-class care that you don’t have to travel for makes all the difference,” Sheridan, an Alexandria native, said. “At the end of the day, I want Inova to continue providing the best possible care, if and when it’s needed by me, by my family, my friends, my community.”

Recently rebranded with a new logo, Inova is expanding its Franconia-Springfield HealthPlex campus with a planned hospital and developing a new campus in Alexandria, replacing the former Landmark Mall. The health care system has said it hopes to begin construction on both projects this year.

In addition to building up its campuses, Inova has been working to add services in the community, opening additional urgent care centers around Fairfax County and a pediatric sick clinic near Seven Corners earlier this year.

Read more on FFXnow…

Morning Notes

A stream in Reston at dawn (photo by Terry Baranski)

Arrests Made After Annandale Barricade — “Fairfax County Police arrested 13 people March 25 following a dispute at the Parliaments Apartments in Annandale. Police responded to a report of a brandishing incident in the 7300 block of Englewood Place at about 8:30 p.m.” A 19-year-old “displayed a firearm, then threatened to shoot” one of the occupants. [Annandale Today]

Trial Underway in Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against FCPS — “A 24-year-old woman told jurors Tuesday that she was repeatedly raped and sexually harassed a decade ago as a seventh-grade student in Virginia, and that school officials reacted to her pleas for help with indifference…The case involving B.R. stretches back to allegations she was raped and harassed as a 12-year-old student at Rachel Carson Middle School in Reston.” [Associated Press]

Virginia Reports Rise in Mpox Cases — “The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is closely monitoring a recent increase in mpox cases in Virginia. Since January 1, 2024, 12 mpox cases have been reported to VDH…Four patients required hospitalization, six were co-infected with HIV, and none had been previously vaccinated.” [VDH]

Herndon Consulting Firm Patents Software — “Herndon fintech and consulting firm Skience has received patent approval for part of its software that makes work more efficient for wealth management professionals and financial advisers.” The technology reduces the “number of programs and portals where advisers need to enter client information,” so it takes less time to open accounts, CEO and co-founder Sanjeev Kumar says. [Washington Business Journal]

Justice HS Teacher Wins National Award — “Congratulations to Justice HS teacher Kirsten Salonga, who has been awarded the 2023 Robert E. Yager Exemplary Teaching Award by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). Kristen is one of six winners who has received a cash award of $1,000.” [Fairfax County Public Schools/Facebook]

State Police Launch New Recruitment Program — “The Virginia State Police is offering a first-of-its-kind employment opportunity for those interested in becoming state troopers, but are too young to apply…The agency’s new ‘Pathway to Trooper’ program aims to help people 18 to 20 years old who need to find employment while waiting to apply to the Trooper Basic Session Academy.” [Gazette Leader]

It’s Wednesday — Expect rain in the morning, transitioning to potential thunderstorms from noon to 3pm, followed by possible rain and storms later in the afternoon. The high will be near 53, and there’s an 80% chance of precipitation. Cloudy skies will persist at night, along with a 50% chance of rain and lows around 47. [NWS]

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Fairfax County has 18 permanent supportive housing units at its emergency shelter in Bailey’s Crossroads (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County is taking steps to make affordable housing more accessible to people dealing with serious mental illness.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) will implement a major increase in rental assistance for people with serious mental illness, thanks to a $20 million agreement approved earlier this month with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

“The additional funding is expected to help prevent homelessness among individuals with serious mental illness, as well as reduce census at state psychiatric hospitals,” the FCRHA announced on March 15 reads.

Starting in May, the approved agreement will fund 300 new supportive rental assistance vouchers for Fairfax County residents over three years and three new staff positions to manage the program.

“The new Fairfax County program supports an identified need for permanent supportive housing as noted in the Fairfax County Countywide Strategic Plan,” FCRHA spokesperson Allyson Pearce told FFXnow, adding that funding needs will be evaluated over time.

Details on how the 300 recipients will be chosen are still coming together, Pearce said, but the program will prioritize:

  • Individuals experiencing long-term or repeated episodes of homelessness
  • Individuals and those whose housing instability frequently leads to crisis, hospital visits, or contact with criminal justice systems
  • Individuals leaving state psychiatric hospitals
  • People residing in congregate care settings with a high concentration of individuals with serious mental illness

The Fairfax County Community Services Board (CSB) will coordinate referrals from “various stakeholders,” such as state hospitals and the federal Continuum of Care program, according to the FCRHA release.

A separate partnership with the nonprofit Pathways Homes will allow the 300 participants to receive additional supportive services. Fifty of the participants will also have access to services like psychiatry and case management as well as funds for the expenses needed to lease a housing unit.

“The remaining 250 participants will be coupled with two Supportive Housing Teams under a separate contract,” the release states.

Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development Director Tom Fleetwood said in the release that increasing access to affordable housing reduces homelessness, and is essential in getting a person back on their feet.

“That is why this funding is so important,” Fleetwood said. “It provides critical support services along with rental assistance needed for people to be successful in their new home.”

Photo via Fairfax County

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Elected officials and Mitre leaders cut a ribbon to celebrate the opening of Mitre’s AI Discovery and Assurance Lab in Tysons (courtesy Office of Senator Mark Warner)

When you have concerns about an artificial intelligence-based technology, who are you going to call? For many federal government agencies, the answer is now the Mitre Corporation.

The not-for-profit research organization launched a new AI Assurance and Discovery Lab at its Tysons headquarters yesterday (Monday) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended Virginia Sen. Mark Warner and Reps. Gerry Connolly and Don Beyer.

Staffed by Mitre’s scientists and engineers, the lab will help federal agencies and, in the future, private companies assess the risks, security and effectiveness of AI systems that could be used in health care, national security, transportation and other fields, according to a press release.

“Government use of AI will have consequential impacts on the nation and world,” Mitre Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Charles Clancy said. “…However, in adopting these systems, we also need to mitigate risks. Providing an independent assessment of the security, safety, and efficacy of AI systems will play a critical role toward helping government and business realize the transformational power of AI in benefits processing, intelligence analysis, autonomous vehicles, and more.”

Clancy added that the lab is envisioned as “a blueprint for a national network of AI assurance facilities.”

Founded in 1958 in Bedford, Massachusetts, where it still maintains a headquarters, Mitre was started by MIT to develop and manage an air defense system designed to detect potential Soviet missiles. Now bringing in a reported $2.2 billion in revenue, the contractor has helped build everything from facial recognition tools for the FBI to a contact-tracing system used during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Forbes profile.

The new lab inside the Mitre 4 high-rise at 7525 Colshire Drive will provide a space for testing AI technology, which is already being used by federal agencies to analyze drone photos, study volcanoes and match job seekers with openings, among other reported examples.

“The opening of MITRE’s AI Assurance and Discovery Lab is an exciting development in the most fertile frontier of technological progress — extracting maximum value from AI while mitigating some of its risks,” Warner said in a statement. “We need to have an all-hands-on-deck approach to studying and unleashing the potential of AI, and I look forward to seeing the discoveries and progress the lab will be able to make in this critical field.”

According to the press release, the lab’s physical space can be customized “for specific mission scenarios and workflows.”

The facility will be supported by more than 200 staff members from Mitre’s AI and Autonomy Innovation Center, according to AI Assurance Solutions Lead Miles Thompson, who oversees the lab. The space can accommodate 50 people at a time and “thousands of remote connections.”

“Federal agencies, and soon private companies, can bring AI-enabled systems to the lab to explore potential risks including whether they perform effectively, consistently, and safely in real-world contexts,” the release said. “MITRE will also use the lab to evaluate factors such as whether systems are secure and free from harmful bias, and allow users to control how their information is used.”

Connolly said Mitre’s lab will be “invaluable” for helping the government adopt AI “with the proper guardrails in place,” while Beyer noted that it suggests Northern Virginia will “continue to lead the way on tech innovation.”

Read more on FFXnow…

If you’re asking, “how can I spice things up in the bedroom?,” then you’re asking the wrong question. The real solution, according to Espinoza Therapy, is understanding what’s holding you back.

It’s not about trying new tricks to spark romance. It’s about figuring out the obstacles that block intimacy every day.

These obstacles might be:

  • Mental health issues, like stress or anxiety
  • General tiredness or exhaustion with your life
  • Tension in your relationship caused by ongoing arguments

All of these can seriously affect how you feel about connection, romance and pleasure.

So what should you be asking instead?

Start by identifying the blocks to intimacy in your life, and working together with your partner to overcome them. This will create a stronger bond and a more intimate atmosphere. The key is knowing that relationships – and the people in them – are complicated. Real intimacy needs honest communication, understanding, and empathy.

If you want to dig deeper with the guidance of a qualified therapist, contact Espinoza Therapy for a free 15 minute video consultation.

Let us help you communicate better with your partner, for a more intimate and satisfying relationship!

The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com

A rendering of Monumental’s proposed sports arena in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard (courtesy JBG Smith)

State lawmakers punted consideration of a casino in Fairfax County to next year, but that hasn’t stopped some proponents from seeking to assist in the divisive plan to bring the Washington Wizards and Capitals to Northern Virginia, whose odds of a comeback win are looking slim.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, who represents Fairfax County’s Richmond Highway corridor, recently pitched the idea of bringing both a casino and the sports arena to Tysons to a representative of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the basketball and hockey teams, the Washington Post reported on Sunday (March 24).

According to the Post, Surovell dropped the idea after Monumental President of External Affairs Monica Dixon “immediately” rejected it, but Christopher Clemente, CEO of the aspiring casino developer Comstock, and Ben Tribbett, a prominent consultant whose clients include Comstock and Surovell, “continued shopping the idea last week.”

The suggestion of combined arena/casino site in Tysons emerged as Monumental’s much-hyped plan to move the teams from D.C. to Alexandria’s Potomac Yard flailed for support. The Virginia General Assembly adjourned on March 9 without including funding for a state authority to finance the $2 billion entertainment district in their budget proposal, and at least one Alexandria City elected official withdrew her endorsement of the project.

Clemente told the Post that a joint development could “enhance financing options for the arena” by using tax revenue generated by the casino to guarantee bonds that would pay for the stadium, but Potomac Yard developer JBG Smith’s CEO, Matt Kelly, noted the deal could be used to evade Virginia’s requirement that casinos get approved by voter referendum.

Like the arena, Fairfax County’s potential casino is envisioned as part of an entertainment district, according to State Sen. Dave Marsden, who sponsored legislation to make the county eligible for a gambling establishment this past session and in 2023.

After vocal opposition from local residents and some officials, though the county board stopped short of taking an official position, a Senate committee voted on Feb. 6 to continue this year’s bill to 2025 to allow for more study and public engagement.

The combined facility proposal appears to be dead on arrival, with Monumental owner Ted Leonsis and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin reportedly expressing “disgust” and “no interest,” respectively. But hypothetically, would you support the Wizards and Capitals calling Fairfax County home? Would it alter your stance on a casino?

Read more on FFXnow…

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