Tysons Showcase and Open House Set for Oct. 19

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Tysons Showcase and Open House will take place Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., offering the public a chance to experience what it's like to live, work, shop and play in the hub of Virginia's economic activity, according to the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA).

The free community event will be held at Basis Independent, 8000 Jones Branch Drive. The celebration will include free tastings from selected restaurants, live music, coupons for one-day bikeshare rentals and presentations from county staff about upcoming plans and projects.

"Amazing how far we've come in the six years since our board passed the Plan to Transform Tysons," Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova told FCEDA. "This open house is a festive and informative showcase of the vibrant, urban lifestyle being created in Fairfax County's new downtown. The new Tysons will offer two premier grocery stores, a luxury movie theater, a biergarten, restaurants, food trucks, new luxury and affordable apartments and condos, and new ways to get around, including bikeshare."

Tysons has grown by 7 percent as measured by the total square footage of new development since 2011, according to the county. New development includes 10-plus apartment and condo towers, two athletic fields, new bus service and 7.7 miles of new on-road bike lanes.

“Nearly 3 million square feet of new mixed-use development hit the Tysons market last year, with an additional 7.5 million square feet set to deliver over the next 30 months,” said Michael Caplin, president of Tysons Partnership, according to Fairfax County. “The pace of change in Tysons is astounding. With new apartments, restaurants, shops and parks opening each day, the Tysons experience is constantly evolving.”

Bikeshare will be the newest amenity to the Tysons lifestyle. Expected to launch this fall, there will be 14 stations in Tysons, and the 1.7 million investment will give residents and employees a new way to get around.
Free parking is available at Basis. Or take Fairfax Connector Route 424, one of two, new circulator routes that serve the Tysons Silver Line stations. Basis is located about 1.5 miles from the Tysons Corner Metro station.
The Tysons Partnership is the association of business and community leaders working with county government to redevelop Tysons as a walkable, mixed-use, transit-oriented modern city.

PHOTO courtesy of Fairfax County