Fairfax County local news
A group of Katherine Johnson Middle School students has proposed a new design for Fairfax Circle that they hope will be more environmentally friendly.
Several eighth graders presented their ideas to the Fairfax City Council on May 28 for addressing issues such as flooding, runoff, and pollution, which they argue will help to reduce the city’s impact on surrounding ecosystems, such as the Chesapeake Bay.
“Fairfax is really close to the bay, with a nearly direct link from our water to the bay itself,” one student said. “Because of this, we want to increase the amount of pervious surfaces to decrease this runoff that is causing a heat island surrounding the Bay, which is causing pollution, respiratory problems; it is just not good for the ecosystem and us as well.”
The proposal was presented to the city council ahead of its meeting on Tuesday, May 28, just weeks before city staff are slated to submit a small area plan laying out their vision for redeveloping Fairfax Circle, the area between Accotink Creek and Pickett Road.
The plan will build on the city’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan, which provides specific guidance for public investment and private development over 15 to 20 years. Last amended in 2022, the comprehensive plan is now in the midst of a five-year review.
In recent years, the city has adopted neighborhood-level plans for the Old Town, Northfax and Kamp Washington activity centers, while recommendations for Pickett & Main are still being developed by staff.
Since spring 2023, city staff have been gathering data and recommendations from residents and other local stakeholders through a series of community engagement sessions to shape the future development of Fairfax Circle.
In April, staff presented several preliminary concepts for the city council and planning commission to consider, including plans to create more open green spaces, increase the number of accessible trails, and enhance stormwater infrastructure to reduce runoff and flooding.
Additionally, they suggested:
The eighth-graders — who volunteered to do the project for no extra credit from their teacher Faiza Alam — presented similar ideas to the council, including tax incentives for commercial property owners to install rooftop gardens and solar panels, increasing vegetation around impervious surfaces, and creating more pedestrian-friendly transportation options.
One notable exception was their proposal for redesigning the traffic circle.
Instead of the four-way intersection proposed by city staff, the students suggested turning Fairfax Blvd into a tunnel underneath the circle.
The students noted that their design for the traffic circle would help regulate the flow of traffic along Blenheim, while giving the city the opportunity to transform the central section into a park space, complete with sidewalks, greenery and potentially a plaque explaining the history of the circle.
“The ideal new circle, we want it to be more efficient, safer for pedestrians, and just look better than the hamburger that it is today,” another student said.
Following the presentation, city council members and Mayor Catherine Read congratulated the students on a job well done, hinting that they planned to take the suggestions seriously and possibly incorporate them into future plans for the area.
“You’ve all put a lot of thought into this,” Read said. “This is kind of foundational when we start to think about what we want to do with the city, to think about all the things that need to happen in order to make some of your suggestions a reality.”
Councilmember Jon Stehle emphasized the importance of younger people still in school coming to “decision makers” with ideas for how to improve their community.
“Continue doing what you’ve done today,” he said. “You’ve come to the table. You’ve shared information. Don’t ever back away from that table. We need you here, so thank you for making the effort to be here. Thank you for taking your namesake on and making the change and soaring forward. That means a lot. It’s a really good idea.”
Map via City of Fairfax
Join us on June 24 at 12pm for part one of our exclusive and free webinar series about creating an effective business plan to secure financing from lenders.
Read More
Community sharing and fellowship and fun for all ages
Read More
Read More
Read More
Read More
Read More
Read More
Fairfax County, VA
©2024 Copyright © 2021-2024 Local News Now LLC. All Rights Reserved.