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Hello!
A busy May is coming to a close, with FCPS' summer break right around the corner. Much of the last month was spent working on topics ranging from the future of Lake Accotink to continuing our push for state funding for critical Lee District transportation projects. More information on all of that and more is below.
I've also included information on what I'm working on in Lee District and across the County, including updates from agencies and information about local events.
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The Future of Lake Accotink
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Two of Lee District's and Fairfax County's most prominent parks - Huntley Meadows and Lake Accotink - play major roles here in our community.
While much work has recently been completed at Huntley Meadows, including an award-winning stream restoration and the installation of the boardwalk, our focus is now on planning the future of Lake Accotink.
First, a quick history lesson. The existing dam that formed the lake was constructed by the Corps of
Engineers in 1943. In the years that followed, especially during the 1950s and 1960s, Fairfax County experienced years of rapid growth during the post-WWII housing boom. Unfortunately, this early development occurred prior to the establishment of significant stormwater management regulations. As development grew, so did the amount of runoff - which has negatively impacted the health of our streams.
This brings us to where we are today.
When Lake Accotink was first created, it was 23 feet deep.
Currently, the lake is 4 feet deep, having continued to fill with silt washing down from upstream. This condition doesn't allow for a healthy balance of species and limits the recreational value of the lake.
The Park Authority has been working with an engineering firm over the past year to develop a variety of approaches to
enhance the sustainability of the lake - both from an ecological and financial standpoint. The options they've presented us range from letting the lake fill in, which is expected to occur by 2025, to doing a full-lake dredge and constructing a forebay (basically a mini-lake) to capture the sediment before it reaches the main lake.
As our Board's Budget Committee Chairman, I included language in our Budget Guidance to direct staff to begin identifying potential funding methods for each option on the table. Personally, I support keeping the lake in existence and healthy - its recreational and ecological benefits are too great to lose. I have visited the lake throughout my life and know it's an important local amenity.
For more information, visit the Lake Accotink website. Your input is always appreciated.
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As we discussed last month,
three Lee District transportation projects - two on Richmond Highway and one in Springfield - are in contention for state funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA).
Well we have preliminary good news!
NVTA staff has recommended the group fully fund both of our requests for Richmond Highway. That's $250 million for our bus rapid transit project and $127 million for the next phase of road widening, from Mount Vernon Memorial Highway to Napper Road.
The staff also recommended the group fund a portion of our request for funds to extend Frontier Drive. Currently, that project is slated to receive $25 million to advance our work there.
Although nothing is final until NVTA votes on the funding in mid-June, I wanted to share the good news with you. In fact, if the staff recommendation is approved as-is, our Lee District projects make up approximately 76 percent of the dollars the entire county will receive from NVTA. Keep up the pressure and let's make sure our much-needed transportation projects receive the funding they deserve.
To see all of the projects under consideration, click here.
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When I was chairman of our Board's Transportation Committee, I worked with our Department of Transportation staff to create a free bus pass program for students. We did this to acquaint students with transit while also improving the environment and alleviating gridlock. It also aides our children who want to participate in after-school activities or work after-school jobs, among other things.
The program is now available at all Fairfax County High Schools and Middle Schools and, of every school in the county, 58 percent of students at Edison HS use the free student bus passes. This is the most of any high school in the County!
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Attend the "Made in Fairfax" Forum
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Furniture, custom jewelry, textiles, baking, coffee roasting and 3D printing - these are all examples of the kinds of artisanal manufacturing and craft production that are on the rise. Fairfax County is considering how to facilitate this kind of small-scale manufacturing that is becoming increasingly popular in today's "maker" culture.
The County is studying the most appropriate locations for this kind of community-friendly, small-scale production. Based on findings and public input, the County anticipates that it might update its land use and zoning rules to accommodate these kinds of craft businesses.
You are invited to attend a forum on Monday, June 18, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Conference rooms 9/10.
More information is available
here.
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Lee District Spotlight:
Bob Kohm and Annetta Sheriff
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I'm proud to introduce you to the 2018 Lee District Lord and Lady Fairfax: Bob Kohm and Annetta Sheriff.
Bob is a lifelong pillar of our community who has mentored countless young people. He coached and led Pioneer Baseball for over a decade, while also working with our own Park Authority to build recreational facilities in Lee District. He also served on various committees and boards, and has been a longtime member of the Rose Hill Civic Association, one of our most active community associations. Bob has made an indelible impact on Lee's youths, and continues to be a great mentor to hundreds of children and teenagers.
Annetta shows the power of youth leadership. She has become a major figure in Lee District by her incredible volunteerism and selflessness and a role model for other youth in her community and school. She spends her time helping the less fortunate residents in our area by way of the Walt Whitman Middle School Food Bank and local community donation drives. She is also a Gold Level Presidential Volunteer Service Award recipient, and was recently appointed to be a youth ambassador for In A Perfect World, a nonprofit that works with young people to enrich their communities.
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Did You Know?
Nine Fairfax County-based companies, in industries ranging from financial services and hospitality to defense and technology consulting, hold spots on the latest Fortune 500, Fortune magazine's list of the largest publicly traded companies in the U.S.
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6121 Franconia Road
Alexandria, Virginia
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