[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6307695,"mediaKeyId","2429160-3bd4cda651561a4eb693c403913aff74","parentId",2429160,"title","Council names Civic Triangle and Cavalier Trail Plaza for two new Falls Church parklets","audioSeconds",1353,"startMs",3559000,"endMs",4912000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2429160-3bd4cda651561a4eb693c403913aff74&start=3559&end=4912","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2429160-3bd4cda651561a4eb693c403913aff74/thumbnail_3559000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307695/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Council-names-Civic-Triangle-and-Cavalier-Trail-Plaza-for-two-new-Falls-Church-parklets","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307695-f8eed02815846f7b8658b50f5890a3cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207329&Signature=JNJQaeSPuzo3CYc2LTlV8AtjcQWWJ4tf18vHNzKnTHPJ3HKR0dcwXWIUhZvWw~pOm-PlF96ERp-2bDzHoqKxo0DvjwyaiSmJ1bdoO1vTw4ad671vDw~EGj7mKHtV~5J1fUiJQrREKYTt07Gz1xt38l-1KCC-~VDOAGs-RcIDZvZi8uxikg1R2X8Ea-DMqCsVy7FgcieRPALySt2feZtoh~0mFKLaTrEivRByprv9BYpgxEW4CbruPo0qiaWHORQ8II4AQ-SS~BORFaV8Eg-JYcuuluZKHMIFDKx3ijrCYXqSiBRml0oE2GHxuOUlwXzEhpCTfcyvZ75WuH~hOHIF9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Falls Church Government","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","Falls Church City Council voted 6-0 on Feb. 24 to name two recently developed parklets: the corner at 190 South Washington will be called Civic Triangle and the parklet at 430 South Maple will be Cavalier Trail Plaza.

The council considered recommendations from the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Authority and narrowed a larger list to place-based options that emphasize geography and civic service. City planning staff presented the short list and historical background supporting the Cavalier Trail name, and staff said materials in the Mary Riley Styles Local History Collection show the Cavalier Trail name in local documents dating to the 1970s.

Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation representatives urged the council to consider naming options tied to local Black residents, including the Foote family, whose history speakers noted is prominent in Falls Church. The council recorded those requests in the public record but chose geographic and civic-service phrasing for the two parklets; councilors said personal-name recognition can be considered for other public spaces and memorial signage.

Principal Planner Emily Bazemore summarized the naming process and the record of input from boards, commissions and the public. Staff recommended Cavalier Trail Plaza or Cavalier Trail Wayside for 430 South Maple and Triangle Park, Civic Service Park or Public Service Park for 190 South Washington. Several council members favored a hybrid short form; Council later amended the motion to adopt the name “Civic Triangle” (dropping the word “Park” to shorten the placename) and approved Cavalier Trail Plaza for the Maple Avenue parklet.

Council action: TR25-07, “naming the parklet at 190 South Washington Street as Civic Triangle and the parklet at 430 South Maple Avenue as Cavalier Trail Plaza.” An amendment was accepted to use “Civic Triangle” rather than “Civic Triangle Park.” Roll call recorded all six members present voting yes: Miss Connolly; Miss Downs; Vice Mayor Shontes Hiscott; Mister Snyder; Miss Underhill; Mayor Letty Hardy. Motion carries 6 to 0.

Bazemore noted that city staff will share the full list of submitted name suggestions with the city’s “2 50” historical committee and that the historical records and community suggestions — including the Foote family proposals — remain in the public record for future consideration. Staff also said there is an existing plan for a portrait of Frederick Foote Jr. in council chambers and that memorial signage requests (for example, for Christina Goodwin) can be handled as separate signage or recognition items tied to other city facilities.

What’s next: staff will prepare signage and wayfinding tied to the chosen names and coordinate installation and interpretive materials where appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Falls Church City Council Meeting February 24th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Falls Church City Council voted 6-0 on Feb. 24 to name two parklets: 190 South Washington is Civic Triangle and 430 South Maple is Cavalier Trail Plaza.","taxTitle","Falls Church City, Fairfax County, Virginia","taxId",59817,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307700,"Falls Church Council endorses VDOT design for Sharrow Avenue culvert replacement over Trips Run",708,1152000,1860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2429160-3bd4cda651561a4eb693c403913aff74&start=1152&end=1860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2429160-3bd4cda651561a4eb693c403913aff74/thumbnail_1152000.jpg","/articles/6307700/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Falls-Church-Council-endorses-VDOT-design-for-Sharrow-Avenue-culvert-replacement-over-Trips-Run","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307700-8be5b3bbd058757d479cca436abc50fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207329&Signature=VMA5x0O0OFmuz1Zmx1X9fhx8W6xd6kvepU8dJyIQ6gUd-awETiHaAfP4AbYlNi8mfT~kwZPvUlFq8u2ChI8zavNpKIp5oXPF~X71LvMEfHsFb~MQDt8wtk5IIWbgVXOmSWlm2AYjW2OSH9rzLYxWEEa683oMMyHZlWZktyItVp~ED1Mc65kjebQu5DHB7jKfTAlrQHwP5XxRoo0JgWfxqWE8OAg0PZJOEUCFQW-DX2Bhn4yhDAmF7EEd6Gcu7H5J4XpxCzdv6j5zvKutsJVkI-Tp0c3aRRj0qtDdo3U1eIkWqvVfEbQEhZNoMy9lNyMtoaAvBLpSXKVebb0ZUm9LHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Falls Church City Council on Monday endorsed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) design for the Sharrow Avenue culvert replacement over Trips Run, voting 6-0 to move the design forward while VDOT advances right-of-way work and utility coordination.

The vote means the city supports replacing the failing corrugated metal pipes with a precast box culvert, lowering a raised junction chamber to allow a full-width ADA sidewalk, and completing the job in a single construction phase that requires a full closure of Sharrow Avenue. VDOT staff said construction is expected to be advertised in spring 2026 and begin in summer 2026, subject to schedule changes.

The design matter carries local safety and access implications. The culvert sits very near Oak Street Elementary School and has been rated poor in biannual inspections because of pipe deterioration and a low load rating (about 13 tons), VDOT presenters told the council. The project’s scope is limited to the public right-of-way between the upstream inlet and the junction chamber; VDOT said work does not include culverts buried under private properties downstream, which residents have linked to flooding.

VDOT and its consultant design team described the technical plan: replace the multiple deteriorated CMP (corrugated metal pipe) sections with a precast box culvert to improve hydraulic efficiency and speed construction, remove or lower the junction chamber so the sidewalk can be widened and made ADA-compliant, and install the city’s selected railing treatment to match nearby projects. VDOT said the project will install a temporary pedestrian route during work, provide signed detours for vehicular traffic, and protect trees by limiting construction to the right-of-way and limited easements.

Cost and schedule details presented to council: preliminary engineering $1,500,000; right-of-way allocation $500,000; construction estimate $3,100,000. VDOT representatives said the project is funded entirely by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) and that these amounts are preliminary and subject to change. The project’s preliminary engineering was authorized in July 2023; right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to begin in July 2025; utility relocations (performed by others) are anticipated to finish in March 2026.

Council members asked about community outreach and student safety; VDOT said the schools have participated in prior town halls and will receive advance messaging before construction begins. Residents had raised concerns at earlier public meetings about maintaining safe pedestrian access during construction and protecting trees on private property where the sidewalk will be widened; VDOT said it will install a temporary sidewalk around the work and has coordinated with property owners on tree protection and limited construction easements. VDOT also confirmed on-site coordination with utility providers: a gas line located under the sidewalk will be relocated and some overhead lines will be adjusted by Verizon and Dominion before major work.

Council endorsed the design plan at the meeting while VDOT staff were present so the partners could proceed through right-of-way and utility phases. The action recorded in the agenda and minutes is: “endorse the design plan for the Sherrow/Sharrow Avenue over Trips Run culvert replacement project as presented at the design public hearing conducted by VDOT on 11/12/2024, and presented to city council on 02/24/2025.” The roll-call recorded: Miss Connolly — yes; Miss Downs — yes; Vice Mayor Shontes Hiscott — yes; Councilmember David Snyder (remote) — yes; Miss Underhill — yes; Mayor Letty Hardy — yes. Motion carries 6 to 0.

What’s next: VDOT will proceed with right-of-way steps and utility coordination; council and staff said they will continue to coordinate school messaging, tree protections and driveway access for nearby residents. The council heard that downstream concrete pipe replacements and some private-property drainage work are not funded by this project and would require separate action by the city or property owners.","Council voted 6-0 to endorse VDOT’s design to replace a deteriorated culvert on Sharrow Avenue near Oak Street Elementary. The project, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will use precast box culverts, require a full roadway closure during one construction phase and aims to improve pedestrian access and ADA compliance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307690,"Votes at a glance: Falls Church council adopts hunting ban, authorizes retroactive contracts and reschedules accessory dwelling public hearing",593,3903000,4496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2429160-3bd4cda651561a4eb693c403913aff74&start=3903&end=4496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2429160-3bd4cda651561a4eb693c403913aff74/thumbnail_3903000.jpg","/articles/6307690/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-Falls-Church-council-adopts-hunting-ban-authorizes-retroactive-contracts-and-reschedules-accessory-dwelling-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307690-307351e6a9c4cbc1f2c0ed15937705d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207329&Signature=Ta~t82icDFNEFsykXiiQ0J5C6UBJbkZqEnomuO9UxaXQbX-PWWGhHfuEuJHEc8WgYiszi8mzZxBnyKCaMyqtm~CLPbzLW52GYPqj14s4B51OuzLGuGYuFbFX2vSFwzR0JzPQnreHoY1dUrRKAy5S1Hp6xzlMJjkYXrjsXUalFBzIv9RTObQ0MvCTme-AlHczKyVFHgw9Vw~yD5lqvQiknfSfWPkLjQHgZKiIPqAYGBar7SunbQp0~oAgA-j8fUv8RHlmPQQOCAwsEnuprjmb-FRxesQW~eQKEMbkD4xHDqtt7glAJ7mjl5DjJdfB8H6~cznV5KjqSBHW5OK2a9-DaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Falls Church City Council took a series of formal actions on Feb. 24, 2025, approving several items by unanimous recorded vote (6-0). The actions include adoption of a hunting prohibition ordinance, two retroactive contract authorizations, rescheduling a public hearing on accessory dwellings, and standard consent items.

Hunting prohibition (TO25-01)
Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 28 of the Falls Church City Code to prohibit hunting within municipal boundaries. Staff told council the change is intended to reduce the public-safety risk posed by stray bullets or arrows in the city’s dense urban environment. The ordinance removes a now-obsolete code subsection that previously referenced lawful hunting and concealed-carry exceptions. The ordinance was described as relying on the city’s authority under state law and will require signage to mark restricted areas; if adopted it takes effect 10 days after passage and staff said it must be submitted to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources by May 1, 2025 to be included in state regulations. Roll call: Miss Connolly — yes; Miss Downs — yes; Vice Mayor Shontes Hiscott — yes; Mister Snyder — yes; Miss Underhill — yes; Mayor Letty Hardy — yes. Motion carries 6 to 0.

Reschedule accessory dwelling public hearing (TO24-17)
Council voted to reschedule the second reading and public hearing for the proposed accessory-dwelling ordinance to the regular meeting of April 14, 2025 (it had been scheduled for an April 7 work session). Multiple councilmembers made formal conflict-of-interest disclosures on the record saying they own residential property that could be eligible under the proposed ordinance but that they could participate fairly and objectively; Councilmember David Snyder confirmed his disclosure while participating remotely.

Retroactive contract approvals
- Fire-suppression inspection: Council retroactively authorized an expenditure of up to $135,000 for FY2025 under the existing contract with Anne Arundel Fire Inspection Inc. Staff said routine inspections identified deficiencies that required repairs and replacement work; the city’s facilities maintenance budget will cover the item. Vote: unanimous (6-0).
- Meridian High stadium turf: Council retroactively authorized an expenditure of up to $850,000 for FY2025 under an existing contract with FieldTurf USA Inc. Staff said procurement and contract steps were completed and the installation was finished in time for the start of spring sports; council was asked to retroactively approve the contract award. Vote: unanimous (6-0).

Consent agenda
Council adopted the consent agenda, including appointment items listed in the packet. Vote: unanimous (6-0).

Record and next steps
For the items above the council recorded each roll-call vote in the minutes. Where council approved retroactive expenditures staff said the work is complete or under way and funding will be covered in departmental budgets; staff also said it will work to avoid future retroactive approvals by tracking contract thresholds and scheduling council consideration in advance. The accessory-dwelling ordinance will return to council on April 14 for second reading and public hearing.","At its Feb. 24 meeting the council adopted an ordinance prohibiting hunting within city limits, approved two retroactive contract expenditures, rescheduled a second reading on accessory dwellings and approved the consent agenda. All measures passed unanimously (6-0).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council names Civic Triangle and Cavalier Trail Plaza for two new Falls Church parklets

Falls Church Council endorses VDOT design for Sharrow Avenue culvert replacement over Trips Run

Votes at a glance: Falls Church council adopts hunting ban, authorizes retroactive contracts and reschedules accessory dwelling public hearing