Lee District Monthly Newsletter

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Edition 19
October 2015
 
The McKay Messenger
  
 
A Classic Building on Richmond Highway
What's the Next Chapter for 8333 Richmond Highway?
 
Fairfax County is looking at future uses for the original Mount Vernon High School property (located at 8333 Richmond Highway) and the adjacent George Washington RECenter land. This county-owned school property is leased to the Islamic Saudi Academy. (While it's in the Mount Vernon District, it's very important to Lee District revitalization and citizen services.) From 1939 to 1961 the classical architecture brick building housed Mount Vernon High School. A new high school at 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road was built in 1961 and by the late 1980s the school system decided that the original Mount Vernon High School building was no longer needed. In 1989, the building was leased to the Saudi Islamic Academy.

The Islamic Saudi Academy's lease is up and Fairfax County is exploring options on how to reuse the school campus and surrounding property. The reuse examination includes 17 acres of county-owned land that surrounds the old school, along with the Park Authority's George Washington RECenter's 16-acre grounds. In total, the land area for a potential campus redevelopment is approximately 40.26 acres.

The county is working in coordination with a community task force to explore options and will consider: 
  • Task force recommendations
  • Building surveys
  • Historic information
  • Community engagement
The County is seeking community input and will accept comments until November 5. You can email your comments to  [email protected]

You can read the task force report here. 
Conservation Assistance Programs 
Rain Gardens Help Slow Runoff
 
Conservation Assistance Program
Does heavy runoff cause problems on your HOA or civic association property? Are utility bills for your association through the roof? A new Conservation Assistance Program (CAP) for Fairfax County community associations can help.  CAP provides incentives - matching funds and technical assistance - to create more sustainable landscapes and energy efficient buildings.  These energy and watershed conservation practices include installing rain gardens, beefing up insulation and more.  CAP is funded by the Fairfax County Environmental Improvement Program. You can request a site visit with your community's support by November 9, 2015. There's more information here. 

Here are a few of the projects supported by the Watershed Conservation program that could help your community:

BayScaping.  Incorporate native trees and shrubs, meadow or wetland plants into your landscape. Typical cost: $5-15 per square foot. Minimum size: 150 square feet. 50% match up to $1500.

Rain Gardens. Bowl-shaped garden area that collects and absorbs runoff. Typical cost: $10-25 per square foot. Minimum size: 150 square feet. 50% match up to $3000.

Vegetated Swales. A wide, shallow ditch with amended soil and dense vegetation or grass designed to slow and absorb rainwater runoff and/or filter pollutants. Typical cost: $5-25 per square foot. Minimum size: 150 square feet. 50% match up to $1500.

Infiltration Trench/Dry Well. A gravel-filled area that collects and absorbs runoff. Typical cost: $5-15 per square foot. Minimum size: 100 square feet surface area or 300 cubic feet volume. 50% match up to $3000.
Porous Pavement/Pavers. Replace impervious hard surfaces to allow water to pass through and absorbs into the ground below. Must be installed by certified professional. Typical cost: $10-35 per square foot. Minimum size: 300 square feet. 50% match up to $4000.

Other Conservation Programs
There are several other programs that can help Fairfax County residents and neighborhood associations conserve energy and water resources at home. Here are just a few:

Rain Barrels. Rain barrels can be placed under the downspout to collect water for reuse. They are available through the r ain barrel workshops and sales sponsored by the Conservation District and other regional partners.

Energy Action Fairfax - Energy Efficiency Presentation. Experienced energy auditors can answer questions about typical energy efficiency challenges and how to solve them for homes in your community. Free, no application required. 

Energy Action Fairfax - Neighbor-to-Neighbor Energy Audit. Homes built at the same time often face similar energy challenges and pitfalls. Neighbors can get customized advice and practical solutions for your homes. Free, no application required.
 
For more information about these programs, contact the Soil and Water Conservation District.
Volunteer Opportunities 
Help clean Jeff Todd Way on Saturday, November 7 from 9-11 am.
 
Come alone or bring a group and meet at Roy Rogers restaurant at the intersection of Jeff Todd Way and Richmond Highway. You'll be provided with garbage bags, safety vests, and a work assignment. Roy Rogers will provide free coffee and hot chocolate.
 
This clean up is sponsored by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce.
 
Donate Blankets and Coats to Syrian Refugees from November 9 through December 4
 
Fairfax County is participating in the regional effort to collect clean, gently used blankets and coats for Syrian refugee families affected by civil war and ISIL. Between November 9 and December 4 you can drop off blankets and coats at a number of locations, including the Franconia Governmental Center at 6121 Franconia Road. For other drop-off locations, click here.
Thank you for subscribing to my monthly e-newsletter. I hope these updates will keep you in the loop with some of the major events in our District.

If you'd like to learn more about something in the newsletter or have an idea for a future edition, please don't hesitate to contact me or my staff.
  
Sincerely,

Jeffrey C. McKay

Lee District Supervisor

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

703-971-6262

 
Jeffrey C. McKay
 
Supervisor McKay has served on the Board of Supervisors since 2007.  
Did You Know?
Question: Why do I always hear that the Virginia Department of Transportation is responsible for roads in Fairfax County?

Answer: In 1932 during the Depression, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Byrd Road Act through which counties could give road responsibility to the state Highway Commission. Most counties took advantage of this as they struggled with the costs of improving and maintaining their local roads. Most of these roads were in very poor condition and few counties had the staff or the necessary equipment for road maintenance.
Arlington and Henrico Counties are the only two Virginia counties that maintain their own roads.
  
Why don't we take back responsibility for our Fairfax County roads?  Could we fix potholes and pavement and all the myriad things that VDOT does faster?  Well, we could probably do those things faster but certainly not cheaper.  On numerous occasions, Fairfax County has looked at what it would cost us to take on responsibility for our roads.  Between the increased staffing and the cost of equipment, we'd come out on the losing end of the equation.
  
The story of roads and the development of the secondary road system in Virginia is an interesting one. If you like to know more, check out VDOT's informative article, A History of Roads in Virginia.
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