February 22 - 28, 2024
Falls Church, Virginia • w w w . fc n p . c o m • Free
Founded 1991 • Vol. XXXIV No. 2
The City of Falls Church’s Independent, Locally-Owned Newspaper of Record, Serving N. Virginia
F.C. Population STILL DANCING Expected to Rise by 23% Next Decade Demographic Challenges Mulled By City Council by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Benton Seeks to Continue News-Press Legacy
Delivering a stirring call to arms for the preservation of print media, Nicholas F. Benton, founder, owner, and Editor-in-Chief of the Falls Church News-Press, addressed the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Networking Lunch, held at the Italian Cafe. Benton was asked to reflect on the evolving landscape of journalism — and underscore the indispensable role of community newspapers, in particular the News-Press.
Since its inception in 1991, the News-Press has been a steadfast advocate for local businesses and a vital conduit for disseminating information within the Falls Church community. Benton noted the NewsPress “was founded on the basis of being pro-business, and to provide a vehicle for advertising for small businesses in Falls Church,” continuing that there has always been a symbiotic relationship between the paper and the Chamber of Commerce. In an era marked by the precipitous decline of print journalism, Benton said, it is critical to recog-
nize the enduring value of tangible newspapers in an increasingly digital world. With a vinyl record of the
Amadeus Quartett as a symbolic
Continued on Page 4
Falls Church News-Press Suite 310 105 N. Virginia Ave Falls Church, VA 22046
Falls Church News-Press
PRSRT STD U.S POSTAGE PAID MERRIFIELD, VA PERMIT NO. 1465
by Brian Reach
Local Postal Customer
Continued on Page 3
MUSTANGS CRUISE INTO REGION FINALS: Will Davis scorches with 32 points in Semifinal. See story on Page 13. (Photo: Chrissy Henderson)
ECRWSS
According to a study by the Steven S. Fuller Institute at George Mason University, there will be an anticipated increase in housing units in the City of Falls Church of 42 percent in the next decade, resulting in a 23 percent increase in the City’s population above its current 14,600 level. Also up significantly will be the number of jobs and the average income of City residents. This was the latest proposed update on the demographics chapter of the City’s comprehensive plan that will undergo a review by City boards and commissions in the next months prior to expected adoption in June. The population increase is expected to be mostly in the apartments currently under construction in the new Founders Row 2, Broad and Washington and West End projects, with more in the pipeline. A predominance of the City’s population is now living in such units, over the City’s previous domination by single family home dwellers. The upside of all this is that while Fairfax County is contemplating a four cents (per $100 of assessed valuation) or higher tax rate increase, the City of Falls Church will experience nothing like that, although it is not known for sure yet what City Manager Wyatt Shields will recommend to the Council next month when he introduces his