Deal Made on Springfield Mall
<bt>Supervisor Dana Kauffman (D-Lee) announced on Monday that Vornado Realty Trust has agreed to purchase Springfield Mall.
Vornado, a Paramus, N.J.-based Real Estate Trust, will pay $36 million for the purchase option, and will pay an additional $80 million to acquire the mall, according to a press release.
The trust is buying in to become the managing partner initially Kauffman said. Vornado will take ownership of the mall upon "the passing of one of the existing principals of the selling entity," but may be delayed until November 2012 at Vornado's request.
The company plans to remodel the mall once it takes ownership and secure new tenants, according to the release.
"Finally, we're on the cusp of seeing some dollars brought to the table," Kauffman said. He hopes that the new tenants will include shops and restaurants and which will improve the existing mall. "Springfield deserves better," he said.
<sh>Fire Causes $100K in Damage
<bt>Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units were called to a house fire at 6909 Floyd Ave. in Springfield on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 12:30 a.m.
According to fire and rescue reports, the fire began in the basement of the two-story, single family house, which was vacant at the time. An investigation into the exact cause of the fire is ongoing. The fire was brought under control in 10 minutes. Damage is estimated at $100,000.
<sh>Metro Robbery Monday Night
<bt>An Arizona man received a less-than-warm welcome at the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station Monday night.
The 54-year-old man, a resident of Monticello, Ariz., was approached on Monday, Oct. 31, at 9:45 p.m., by a man who displayed a handgun and demanded money, according to Fairfax County Police reports. The victim ran away to a home in the 7100 block of Barry Road and called police. He was not injured. The suspect is described as a black man, between 24 and 30 years old, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He was wearing a yellow jacket and yellow boots at the time. Anyone with information is being asked to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477.
<sh>Two Men Robbed in Car
<bt>Two Springfield men were robbed while sitting in a car in the 5500 block of Backlick Road on Wednesday, Oct. 26, around 8 p.m.
The men, both 20, were approached by two suspects, one of whom had a gun, said Fairfax County Police reports. The men were forced to drive a vehicle further down the same block of Backlick Road, where the suspects then took cash and property from the men and fled in a silver Honda Civic.
According to police, one suspect is described as a black male in his 20s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. He was clean shaven and wearing khaki plants and a dark knit hat. The other suspect was a white male, 19 to 20 years old, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He has black hair and was wearing blue jeans at the time. Anyone with information is being asked to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477.
<sh>Lee District Park Meeting
<bt>The Fairfax County Park Authority is conducting a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., at Mark Twain Middle School, 4700 Franconia Road. At the hearing, the Park Authority will present a proposal for master plan revisions at Lee District Park. These proposed revisions include the addition of a family recreation area, the lighting of three existing fields and redesigning the field space at the park. In addition, the proposal includes plans for increased parking and alternative uses for an underused court. Lee District Park is a 138 acre
property located at 6601 Telegraph Road. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/leehearing.htm.
<sh>Workshop for Katrina Responders
<bt>The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, Fairfax County government and Fairfax Families Care are sponsor "After Katrina Workshop: A Toolkit for Responding to Trauma," on Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., in the first floor conference room of Fairfax County's Regional Human Services Office, 6245 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.
Helen Fitzgerald, a grief specialist and author of books and articles on personal loss, grieving and mourning, will be on hand, with other local caregivers, to address common ways people of all ages react to trauma, strategies for coping with grief and loss, symptoms of traumatic stress, approaches to help others cope, how to transition into a new job or school, stress management for caregivers and host families, and much more.
Free child care will be provided on site by Fairfax County. To register, call the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Alcohol and Drug Training Line by Monday, Nov. 7, at 703-934-8753, TTY 711. For more information, contact Dr. Jim Stratoudakis at 703-324-7020, TTY 711, or james.stratoudakis@fairfaxcounty.gov.