East Falls Church Vision Impacts a Neighbor
Editor,
I read “Virginia Tech Grads Envision F.C. ‘East End’ in 2050” with considerable interest, not least since the development envisioned would, I suspect, strongly impact my adjacent neighborhood (Tuckahoe St., within walking distance of Seven Corners).
I’d like to know where the “light rail” connecting the East Falls Church Metro station to the projected development would be routed, for example. And it certainly sounds like the traffic will make Seven Corners even more of an intersection to avoid than it is now.
But then, 2050 is a long way off, and a time which I, at my age, am not likely to see. So the possible impact of these ideas remains abstract to me.
But I was bemused to see the area comprising the Eden Center and the abandoned Syms location being called the “East End.” Because, you see, I can well recall when that name belonged to another section of town, a section also known as “East Falls Church.”
I speak as a native who grew up in Falls Church and walked everywhere back in the ’40s, when I was a boy. One place I walked to was the Lee Theater in East Falls Church. It was located about where Lee Highway crosses I-66, on the west side of Lee Highway. This is properly in Arlington County, of course, which is why it was known as East Falls Church, or the East End. A block south of the Lee was Ware’s Pharmacy, and it anchored the corner. Down the side block was, among other shops, Robertson’s 5 & 10. (Robertson had another location on Broad Street.) Across the street on the east side of Lee Highway was a butcher shop where we sometimes bought fresh turkeys. South of the drugstore was the Washington & Old Dominion railroad station (mostly freight), and Snyder’s Hardware, which survived until recently being turned into a used-car dealership.
The East End was a thriving little community of shops in the ’40s and ’50s. I-66 wiped it out. It’s sad to think that now not even its name will survive it.
Ted White
Falls Church
Thanks Falls Church’s Snow Removal Team
Editor,
I would like to take this chance to commend the City of Falls Church’s snow removal team of doing a great job of keeping our streets clean and clear and, most of all, safe, during our recent snow event.
I drive for a living and I saw what happened in Fairfax and Arlington Counties. It was terrible!,
What you all did with so little, my hat is off to your team!
Michael Johnson
Falls Chuch
Edna Frady Thanks All at Reception
Editor,
I want to sincerely thank all those who came to the reception on December 14. To those that put it together-Renee Andrews, Wanda Howard, Gary Real and the City staff-I cannot tell you how much I appreciated everything. The people there came from all walks of my life.
To then receive the Council’s proclamation calling December 14 “Edna Frady Day” was overwhelming. My 62 years in the Town/City of Falls Church will always be remembered with a smile and appreciation. From the many people who helped me along the way to those I met and/or worked with, please know that you have my deepest thanks.
Even though I am no longer a resident of the City, you will still see me at various events and places.
Edna Frady
Via the Internet
The ‘Little City’ Needs to Show Some Resiliency
Editor,
Resiliency is defined as “able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.” I think most would agree that the snowstorm on Saturday could be described as a difficult condition. By not having the schools open by Tuesday, the schools are not being resilient, a trait they claim they like to see in their students. We are only 2.2 square miles. Surely the roads and sidewalks that some would claim to not be safe could be ready 72 hours after the storm. If not, then how are the same kids getting their sleds to area hills and how are their parents getting to the mall?
I drove today and saw very few problems. If the problem is with the buses being able to maneuver the treacherous streets of Falls Church, then demand that The City do its part and get the streets ready. These are the same buses that operate daily without seat belts for our kids and we don’t give it a second thought. We are not a huge county like Fairfax–The Little City needs to set a better example.
John Abbracciamento
Falls Church
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