Jeff Wu

Tysons Corner is built for people, not cars. Prime proof of this is the Comprehensive Plan for Tysons Corner . In the decades to come, Tysons will become a livable and vibrant urban center where people live, work, play, shop, worship, and even retire. Tysons is transforming itself from a textbook case of suburban sprawl into a true 21st century urban center that addresses the challenges of sustainable growth, energy conservation, environmental protection, affordable housing, and safe communities. If adhered to and implemented as planned, the transportation portion of the Comprehensive Plan will become the backbone of that plan. On June 22, 2010, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Comprehensive Plan for Tysons Corner that will turn the area into the county’s “downtown”. The plan focuses future growth within an easy walking distance of transit. In fact, 75 percent of future growth will be within a half mile of the four Metro stations. Many offices and homes will be a three to six minute walk from these stations, allowing people to get around on foot, bicycle, bus, or subway.

In 2005 the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed the Tysons Land Use Task Force to make recommendations to update the 1994 Tysons Corner Comprehensive Plan. Two of the new Plan objectives were: 1) “Preserve and enhance Tysons Corner as a vital economic center”, and 2) “Develop multi-modal integrated transportation systems that complement each other and mitigate traffic impacts in Tysons Corner and in adjacent residential neighborhoods and also to maximize the use of Metrorail and other forms of mass transit and develop cohesive pedestrian and bicycle circulation systems to facilitate walking, cycling and transit use and to reduce reliance on automobiles.”

The area is home to Tysons Corner Center, the largest shopping mall in the state and in the Baltimore-Washington area, as well as two upscale shopping centers, Tysons Galleria and Fairfax Square, which neighbor it to the north and south. Every weekday, Tysons Corner draws 55,000 shoppers from around the region. With these kinds of statistics, it may seem almost impossible to avoid traffic and vehicular congestion.

Tysons Corner has 46 million square feet (4.3 million m²) of office and retail space, making it an important business district in its own right and the classic example of an edge city.

Tysons Corner was one of the inspirations for, and figures prominently in, Joel Garreau's pioneering study of the edge city phenomenon. Among the reasons for calling Tysons Corner an edge city is that, in contrast to typical "bedroom" suburbs, people commute into it in the morning and away from it at night, with a daytime population greater than 100,000 and a nighttime population of less than 20,000.^[9] That has created a lot of traffic congestion, which local urban planners hope to mitigate by enticing more people to live there, and thus not have to get in their automobiles to get to work if they also can work there. The planned extension of the Washington Metro via the new Silver Line into Tysons Corner will ease access for residents as well. Planners envision up to 200,000 jobs and 100,000 residents in coming decades.

For more information on the vision of the Tysons of the future, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/tysons/.

Fairfax County has selected the Georgelas Group to partner with them to form a plan, the Tysons Demonstration Project, to illustrate the future development of Tysons Corner.

The Tysons Demonstration Project will consist of hundreds of community planning meetings, and will reflect five years of planning.

First and foremost to turning this vision into a reality is good urban planning. All factors must be considered, such as the effect the project will have on the immediate community and the surrounding environment. How a design functions within the community must be considered. The Corporate Office Centre at Tysons II and the 1861 International Drive buildings are perfect examples of good urban planning.

The plan hopes to accomplish a Tysons Corner community that is connected to the Washington D.C. metropolitan district starting with a public transit system that will be the best in the nation.

The Silver Line subway is expected to be open in 2013 and will provide four stations in Tysons Corner. Once completed, traveling to, from, and around Tysons Corner will be a breeze! There will also be a convenient "Kiss and Ride" which will provide convenient metro access for neighbors.

In addition to the metro stations, over twenty-eight acres surrounding Tysons West Metro station have been designated to create a grid of streets to transform Tysons Corner.

In addition to transportation, the Demonstration Project will focus on a mixed-use community. A proper blend of restaurants, hotels, office space, residences, shopping, and entertainment will abound in Tysons Corner.

The future Tysons corner will be a place to work, play, shop, and live...not just a place to work. Many steps are already underway to bring this vision to reality.

There are currently many multi-use projects that are being planned to ensure the Tysons Demonstration Project's vision will indeed be a reality. "A Look into the Future of Tysons Corner" delineates some of these projects.

I amJeff Wuand I can assist you with all of your real estate needs. Whether you are relocating to the futuristic city and growing business district of Tysons Corner, or if you already live here and are selling your house or purchasing your new dream home inTysons Corner,McLean, orVienna, please contact me atAgent Knows Homes.

If you are over the age of 65 or permanently disabled, Fairfax County has a Real Estate Tax program that will reduce the amount of taxes that you are required to pay on your residence.

Annually, this program helps approximately 8,000 residents save around $24 Million in property taxes!

If you are a first time applicant, the deadline for filing your application is December 31 of the year you are requesting relief. If you are a returning applicant, your filing time is from January 1 through April 1.

There are exceptions for extending your filing time. If you are a first time filer or suffered a hardship and did not file for 2010, you will have until December 31, 2011 to file.

Here are the requirements that must be met to file for the real estate tax relief.

· The home must be your permanent residence...vacation homes do not qualify.

· For age relief, your minimum age must be 65. If you are married, and you and your spouse own the home jointly, either you or your spouse must be at least 65.

· For disability relief, you must be totally and permanently disabled. If you are married and own the home jointly, either you or your spouse must be totally and permanently disabled.

· Combined income for anyone, including you, your spouse, and any relatives that resides in the house must not exceed $72,000. With the exception of your spouse, any relative who resides with you may deduct $6,500 from reported gross income. However, if you are disabled, any relative who resides with you, with the exception of your spouse, may deduct $7,500 from reported gross income.

· Combined net assets of residents of the home including any homeowner and any homeowner's spouse (not including the home value, one acre of land and all furnishings) must not exceed $340,000.

· If the property was jointly owned, and the co-owner is deceased, you must provide a copy of the death certificate.

If you meet these qualifications, here is the amount of your tax relief:

If you need an application to apply for the Tax Relief program, please call 703-222-8234; if you have impaired hearing please call 703-222-7594.

I am Jeff Wu and I can assist you with all of your real estate needs in Tysons Corner, McLean, Vienna, or anywhere in Fairfax County. If you are planning on selling your house or purchasing a home, please contact me at Agent Knows Homes.

Rick Green, the manager of the new Microsoft store in Tysons Corner, stated that Tysons Corner was selected for its first East Coast store, "because this is where the growth is." Microsoft opened its fourteenth store in Tysons Corner Center on November 17, 2011.

Since the first 200 people in line received wrist bands for a meet and greet with Joe Jonas along with two complimentary, premier-viewing tickets to a Joe Jonas concert to be held on November 19th; lines started forming on Wednesday to attend the Thursday grand opening! The meet and greet with Joe Jonas was held at a roped-off section of the new store following his concert.

Don't confuse the newest Microsoft store with the first Apple Store that opened in Tysons Corner in 2001. Yes, Apple opened its first two stores on the same day .. .and Tysons Corner was the site of one of the stores.

Microsoft offers its customers a wide range of PC's, software, Windows phone, Xbox 360, and games. Their customer service representatives will even provide training on how to use these products.

If you are into gaming, Microsoft offers Xbox and Kinect games; but the best part is you can actually try them out before you decide to make a purchase. Imagine viewing or playing games on the panoramic wall that wraps around the entire store. What an experience!

Make sure you visit the Microsoft store link for valuable coupons. With Christmas right around the corner, you won't want to miss out on the savings.

I applaud Microsoft, Apple, the American Girl Store and Seasons 52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar for selecting Tysons Corner for their first store locations.

As a lifelong resident and top Realtor^R in the Tysons Corner area, I have always known that Tysons Corner is a wonderful location! Tysons Corner is a thriving business center. We continue to attract new businesses and residents.

I am Jeff Wu and I can assist you with all of your real estate needs. Whether you are relocating to this thriving business center, or if you already live here and are selling your house or purchasing your new dream home in Tysons Corner, Vienna or McLean, please contact me at Agent Knows Homes.

Well, it's that time of year ... the beginning of the holiday season. Thanksgiving is right around the corner on November 24. Right here in Tysons Corner, there are may ways to celebrate.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that is encased in family tradition. It is a time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving is also a lot of work! First, there is all of the cooking ... sometimes a couple days worth of cooking.

Even for those who really enjoy cooking, does anyone really enjoy cleaning up that kitchen?

So, this year why not give the cooks and cleaner-uppers a real treat...go out for dinner. Say thank you to all of those who have made past Thanksgivings such a special holiday, by treating them to a Thanksgiving feast at one of Virginia's local restaurants.

Clyde's Restaurant in Tysons Corner is offering a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all of the trimmings. This dinner has all of your favorites: turkey with sausage-sage stuffing and gravy, sweet potatoes and whipped potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and your choice of pumpkin, apple or pecan pie. It's $25.95 for adults and $15.95 for a child's portion.

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Tysons Corner offers a special three course Thanksgiving dinner. You have a choice of salad or seafood gumbo for your first course. The entree is a roasted turkey breast with sausage and herb stuffing and homemade gravy with cranberry relish. You have your choice of sides and dessert is pumpkin cheesecake with vanilla ice cream. Although price may vary by location, the adult dinner is $34.95 and children can eat for $12.

McCormick & Schmick's locations in McLean, Arlington and Reston is offering a very family-friendly priced Thanksgiving dinner at $23.95 for adults and only $7.95 for children. The first course is soup or salad. The second course includes turkey with cornbread dressing and pan gravy, mashed potatoes, apple-butternut squash casserole, cranberry sauce and seasonal chef's vegetables. For dessert, it's your choice of pumpkin or apple pie.

These are just a few of the many fine restaurants that offer Thanksgiving dinner. For a list of other restaurants that are also serving Thanksgiving dinner, check out, I AM Modern's recommendations for Northern Virginia and the Washington DC Metropolitan District. The article is from 2010, but the links will bring you to the 2011 menus.

Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without a parade. Although it is actually a holiday parade held on Friday November 25, Reston will be hosting its 21st annual Holiday parade at the Reston Town Center. The parade starts at 11:00 a.m. rain or shine and will be an hour long. This year's theme is Storybook Magic. There will be floats, Macy's-style balloons, musicians, dancers, and characters from your favorite stories from classical to modern.

After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Clause will be available for pictures until 4:30 p.m. and back at 6:00 to light the Christmas tree. The tree lighting is accompanied by a sing-a-long of traditional Christmas songs.

I am Jeff Wu and I can assist you with all of your real estate needs. Whether you are relocating to this wonderful holiday-spirited area, or if you already live here and are selling your house or purchasing your new dream home in Tysons Corner, McLean, Arlington or Reston, please contact me at Agent Knows Homes.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND REMEMBER TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!