Old Town Redevelopment Process Continues
The Fairfax City Council asked four development firms to submit detailed proposals for Old Town redevelopment, during special meetings that took place on July 14 and 15. Each firm will make proposals for the post office and North Street sites.
The firms are Atlantic Realty Cos. of Vienna; Jaguar Development, LC, of Fairfax; Trammel Crow Cos. of McLean; and Walnut Street Development Co. of Fairfax. These firms were selected from an original pool of nine responses to the city's Request for Qualifications (RFQs).
"We got some really good responses," said Earl Berner, the city's director of economic development.
The firms have until Sept. 15 to submit their detailed proposals to the city. According to a news release, the proposals will not only address development style but include parking provisions, undergrounding of utilities and funding options. Style considerations include architecture, size, density, uses and landscaping.
In the autumn, the City Council will meet to discuss the various proposals submitted.
"This is the most important priority we will deal with in our time," said Fairfax mayor Rob Lederer in a release. "We are very excited about the challenges we have in front of us and the course we set for the future."
Interested citizens can view the firms' initial proposals at two locations in the city. Proposals can be viewed in Room 306 of City Hall and in the Virginia Room at the Fairfax City Regional Library.
New Fire Chief Named
Fairfax City Mayor Rob Lederer announced Tuesday the appointment of acting fire chief Thomas Owens to become chief of the city's Fire and Rescue Department. The last fire chief, Gary Mesaris, left at the end of May to become fire chief for the City of Alexandria.
"I am privileged to be working with the finest career and volunteer firefighters in the county," said Owens, on accepting the appointment.
GMU Board Gets City Representative
Gov. Mark Warner (D) appointed William Page Johnson II, the city's commissioner of the revenue, to George Mason University's Board of Visitors. Fairfax Mayor Lederer applauded the appointment, which he said continues to develop the relationship between the university and the city.
"I'm proud to serve on behalf of the city and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and also as well, as an alumnus," Johnson said.
Clifton Road Section Closing
A one-mile section of Clifton Road, from Maple Branch to Wolf Run Shoals Road, will close to through traffic for 30 days, beginning Monday, July 28, at 7 a.m. The Virginia Department of Transportation said that it's necessary to allow bridge crews to replace the bridge over Swift Run.
Detour signs will direct motorists to use Clifton Road to Wolf Run Shoals Road to Chapel Road to Clifton Road. Although motorists may expect some inconvenience, completely closing the road will enable crews to complete construction in less than half the time it would take if the roadway were to remain partially open during the work. Some 4,900 vehicles a day travel this section of Clifton Road; the safety-improvement project will cost $120,000.