Great Falls Citizens Association

Our Mission

To serve as a non-partisan community political advocate to promote all aspects of community interest accruing to a common good and to preserve the historic, low density, semi-rural character of Great Falls and its natural resources.

GFCA in the News

Intersection of Ideas
Board asks VDOT to reconsider Route 7-Georgetown Pike plan, community groups still have work to do. Read more . . .

From left, Rob Jackson, president of the McLean Citizens Association, Joan Barnes, Eric Knudsen, co-chairs of the Great Falls Citizens Association transportation committee and Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) at the July 29 meeting. The GFCA and MCA joined forces to oppose the current VDOT plan for the Route 7-Georgetown Pike intersection.

GFCA Resolution on Rte. 7 and Georgetown Pike Widening Issues

The GFCA Resolution was distributed at the May 11 general membership meeting. A copy may be read and printed by visiting the Transportation Committee page.

Upcoming GFCA Meetings
For meeting details, go to the Community Calendar or
to Coming Events.

Important News
From Fairfax County - alerts for threats from (i) at least five recent incidents of Mailbox Chemical Bombs in Great Falls, and (ii) Copperhead Snakes - See the notice in Current News and Activities.

LANE CLOSURES ON ROUTE 123
UNDER BELTWAY AT TYSONS

The left lane, one in each direction on Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) under the Beltway in Tysons Corner, was closed on June 27 and will not reopen until early 2012.

During peak morning and afternoon hours motorists should expect up to 15 minute delays. Route 123 will have two through traffic lanes and one merge lane in each direction.

According to VDOT, the closures are necessary to provide construction room to build the new I-495 north bridge piers and HOT lanes connections into Tysons Corner as part of the Capital Beltway High Occupancy Toll Lanes Project.

Current News and Activities


MAILBOX CHEMICAL BOMB AWARENESS & SAFETY
Fairfax County Fire Department Hazardous Materials Section is concerned that the Great Falls community is experiencing a rash of chemical bombs placed in mailboxes., at least five recent reported incidents, perhaps more. These chemical bombs include several components, when mixed together and sealed in a plastic bottle, create a reaction that releases gas. The gas causes the bottle to swell until it explodes. The explosions are powerful enough to damage mailboxes and cause potentially serious harm to persons.

Awareness — If you become aware of a plastic bottle inside a mailbox, or any oily residue in or on a mailbox, damage to a mailbox, materials protruding from a mailbox, hissing or other unusual sound or odors emanating from a plastic bottle, DO NOT DISTURB OR HANDLE the bottle or substance as they may explode when handled.

Safety Instructions — Leave the bottle where it was found. Keep persons aware from the mailbox or other area. Do not try to clean up or remove broken bottles. DIAL 911 to request police and/or fire department assistance. Instruct people in the immediate area of the bottle or substance to wash their hand and other exposed skin with soap and water.

Be aware of unusual activity in your neighborhood, such as strange vehicles or persons stopping at mailboxes, especially if late at night. Write down a description of such persons including age, gender, and general description and/or of vehicles, including make/model and license tags.

COPPERHEAD SNAKE ALERT

Fairfax Officials say there have been an unusually high number of copperhead snakes reported in Fairfax County. Copperheads are one of three types of venomous snake found in Virginia. Copperhead bites have been reported across Fairfax County in Riverbend Park, Reston and Clifton. Reports of snake bites and sightings typically don't peak until late summer or fall, when baby copperheads are hatching. Read more . . .

Officials advise people who are bitten to go immediately to the nearest hospital.




 

 

 

Who Are We?
We Are Your Neighbors!


The Association was formed over 32 years ago by homeowners in Great Falls to preserve the low density, semi-rural character of our community, to promote development that is consistent with that character, to be a vehicle for citizen participation in community affairs, and to provide a forum for the discussion of community plans and activities.

Our monthly general membership meetings at the Grange, as well as our Committees and special Task Teams, are open to everyone and we encourage the widest possible expression of views on every issue. Under the overall direction of the GFCA Executive Board, consisting of five elected officers and 12 at-large members, the Association undertakes initiatives in various areas of community interest, responds to planning and development proposals, and works with state and county agencies and officials in areas affecting Great Falls. The members of the GFCA Board, together with many Committee volunteers, give generously of their time and energy to help protect and enhance the unique quality of life in our community.


Focus for 2010-2011 Year


GFCA objectives, traditional and new, will be implemented through six Committees and two special Task Teams.

Transportation, together with other regional entities and bipartisan support from local elected officials, is advocating completion of the unfinished 6.5 miles of Route 7 widening from four to six lanes between Fairfax County Parkway and Dulles Toll Road; simultaneously, they oppose VDOT efforts to instead widen historic Georgetown Pike to six lanes, from its intersection with Route 7, and then narrow it to two lanes, all within about ½ mile. Other priorities are Walker Road improvements, crosswalks, cut-through traffic from Route 7, etc.

Environment, Parks & Trails has many continuing activities including support of growing Park activities, trails, trees, the Potomac riverfront, streams, an award-winning Wildlife Habitat program, and periodic environmental community cleanup projects.

Land Use & Zoning remains key in reviewing many proposals, large and small; currently, two significant new projects under study are Wastewater Odor Control and a 90-Unit Assisted Living complex.

Long Range Planning & Development is continuing a major review of cost-effective alternatives to correct central Great Falls wastewater problems. It also is seeking to reactivate the Old Schoolhouse as a community meeting place, update a Great Falls Master Plan based on 2020 Vision Survey results, develop Senior Citizens programs, and keep abreast of potential future utility and shopping center plans for Great Falls, including shopping center beautification.

Communications & Outreach is updating the Web site, studying more rapid distribution of the GFCA Newsletter and urgent community news, and is improving Public Relations and media contacts. Outreach activities will widen liaisons, meetings, and special event participation with homeowner associations, GF non-profit organizations, the business community, Farmers Market, and Summer Concerts.

Membership, including its records management section, has become a separate new committee. The 2010-2011 goal is to reach 1,000 members!

Lyme Disease & Deer Control Task Team is reviewing potential effective deer control methods and public education about related diseases. In the Great Falls-Leesburg area, an excessive deer population has caused a high incidence of Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, other tick illnesses, vehicle accidents, injuries, one death, destruction of young new trees in private and public parklands, etc.

Cool Community Task Team has successfully commenced a home energy savings program that is being closely followed by County and Commonwealth officials as an example for others to emulate.

Our Great Falls Citizens Association is negotiating with Fairfax County Park Authority for usage of the Old Forestville School House as a meeting place for up to 35 persons by non-profit organizations on Monday thru Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The 2020 Vision project gathered feedback from our members about Great Falls as a community - what should it look like? See our vision of it ...