The Amateur Radio Service has been around for a century. In that time, it’s grown into a worldwide community of licensed operators (“hams”) using the airwaves with every conceivable means of communications technology.

This article requires a paid Locals Only Membership to read. Please Sign In or Upgrade to a paid membership. Thank you.

Federal Realty Investment Trust has acquired Virginia Gateway, a 1.3 million-square-foot regional shopping center in Gainesville.

More in a press release:

Virginia Gateway, an approximately 665,000-square-foot irreplaceable regionally-dominant retail center spanning 110-acres in Gainesville, Virginia, for $215 million. The property is approximately 95% occupied and features strong tenant sales and high traffic counts in an affluent and growing market.

Situated at the intersection of Route 29 and I-66, Virginia Gateway is a prominent retail and entertainment hub with exceptional visibility and access, drawing visitors from a wide regional trade area. In 2023, the property ranked third in Virginia for annual visits, according to Placer.ai, just behind Tysons Corner. The high traffic volumes drive strong tenant sales at the property across categories, but particularly in food and beverage.

Virginia Gateway offers a diverse and unique mix of tenants and experiences across its 110-acres, organized into five distinct components:

• Giant Food grocery-anchored shopping center,
• Promenade featuring national specialty retailers and dining options,
• Atlas Walk town center,
• Plaza I & II featuring major retailers like HomeGoods and Ulta Beauty, and
• Plaza IV anchored by Total Wine & More and Hobby Lobby.

The property also benefits from shadow anchors such as Super Target, Lowe’s, and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Importantly, Virginia Gateway has approximately 300,000 square feet of small shop space which is expected to be a meaningful driver of future growth.

Aerial view of Virginia Gateway Shopping Center in Gainesville, Virginia
Gainesville, Virginia demonstrates robust demographics with the strong population supported by an influx of higher-paying jobs. The average household income within a three-mile radius of the property exceeds $184,000, surpassing the company’s in-place portfolio average. This prime suburban location offers convenient access to the Dulles Technology Corridor, known for its concentration of defense contracting and tech jobs, further enhancing Gainesville’s appeal.

“We are extremely fortunate to have acquired Virginia Gateway, which is a dominant, irreplaceable regional shopping center that aligns perfectly with our acquisition strategy. A retail property of this size and scale, located in an affluent trade area at a heavily trafficked interchange, is not reproducible in today’s market environment. With the addition of this highly productive regional center, Federal Realty’s Northern Virginia portfolio grows to 3.6 million square feet, solidifying our presence in this thriving region,” Jeff Berkes, President & Chief Operating Officer of Federal Realty said.

A homicide investigation is underway after a man was found shot dead in a vehicle on Cadet Court near Gainesville early on Thursday, May 23. Detectives believe the incident is not random and seek information from the public to aid the investigation. We’re working to get more information from the police.

What we know now from Prince William police:

Homicide Investigation – On May 23 at 2:42AM, officers responded to the 12000 block of Cadet Ct in Manassas (20109) to investigate a shooting. The investigation revealed two adult men were sleeping inside a vehicle parked in the above area when one of the men was shot. The injured man was pronounced dead on the scene. The other man was not injured. Detectives are actively investigating the incident to determine what led up to the shooting and are seeking to speak with anyone who has information to aid in the investigation. Preliminarily, the incident does not appear to be random. The identity of the deceased will be disclosed pending notification of a next-of-kin. More information will be released as it becomes available. The investigation continues.

Get ready for an enchanting afternoon of live music at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, featuring the talented Carleigh Jane.

The event, set to take place on Saturday, May 25, 2024, from 3 to 5 p.m., promises to be a delightful experience for all music lovers. Jane, a gifted acoustic musician and emerging songwriter, hails from Virginia and has captivated audiences with her musical prowess from a young age. Her journey began with piano lessons at age five, followed by professional vocal training at eight. By age ten, Jane had already taught herself to play the ukulele and acoustic guitar, and she seamlessly integrated the electric guitar into her performances.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

This summer, New York style bagels and hand-scooped ice cream are coming to Gainesville. Two foodies with bagel and scoop training are opening side-by-side restaurants for the food they couldn't find in their new town.

This article requires a paid Locals Only Membership to read. Please Sign In or Upgrade to a paid membership. Thank you.

Virginia Women and Family Support Center (VAWFSC) has announced expanded services aimed at assisting homeless mothers in the region.

The center, dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for homeless women and their families, unveiled its plans to increase its capacity and offerings to address the growing issue of homelessness among women and children.

Effective March 1, 2024, VAWFSC expanded its operations with the opening of three new houses located in Haymarket, Gainesville, and Manassas. Additionally, the organization has relocated to a larger office space in Gainesville to accommodate its growing initiatives. These developments mark a significant step forward in the center’s mission to provide shelter and support to homeless pregnant mothers and their families.

With the expansion, VAWFSC now has the capacity to house over 18 pregnant mothers and their families at any given time. The organization is currently in the process of renovating and updating these facilities to ensure they meet the needs of their residents.

In addition to providing housing, VAWFSC is also focusing on offering comprehensive programs aimed at addressing various issues faced by homeless women and families. These programs include mental health support, trauma counseling, maternal wellness services, and workforce development initiatives.

The expansion of services comes at a critical time as homelessness among families continues to be a pressing issue in the region. Recent statistics show a 12.1% increase in homelessness among families in nearby areas, highlighting the urgent need for support and resources for vulnerable populations.

Over the past year, VAWFSC has made significant strides in supporting homeless pregnant women, with 78 individuals benefiting from the organization’s programs and services. These efforts have resulted in tangible outcomes, including increased education completion rates, improved financial management skills, access to trauma care, and enhanced job-related skills.

The impact report released by VAWFSC showcases the organization’s commitment to providing holistic support and empowering women on their journey toward self-sufficiency. Through its expanded services and ongoing initiatives, VAWFSC aims to break the cycle of homelessness and create brighter futures for homeless women and their families.

Individuals interested in supporting VAWFSC’s mission and learning more about its programs can visit their website at vawfsc.org.

Insidenova.com: “Microsoft Corp. recently acquired vacant property zoned for data centers in Gainesville for more than $465 million, according to a Washington Business Journal report.”

“The publication reports the property comprises about 124 acres across two parcels at 13490 University Blvd. and 5941 Wellington Road, directly south of Conway Robinson State Forest and Manassas National Battlefield Park, near where the contentious PW Digital Gateway data center corridor is primed for development.”

A Gainesville man was recently selected as one of 100 volunteer umpires in the nationally-telecast 2024 Little League World Series. The honor, he says, makes him feel great to be recognized and respected for doing what he enjoys.

Jim Bailey, 54, a resident of Gainesville since 1997, has been umpiring Little League softball and baseball for 12 years and was selected among thousands of umpire candidates nationwide to serve in the 2024 Little League World Series. According to the league, appointment as a volunteer umpire for a World Series event is the highest honor the organization can bestow on an umpire.

“Being named an umpire at one of our seven World Series events is an honor that thousands of Little League umpires strive for each year and has long been known as an opportunity to showcase their hard work and give back by helping to provide a fun and memorable experience for the hundreds of participants from around the world,” said Stu Hartenstein, Little League Director of Umpire Development and Operations, in a press release announcing the umpires’ selections.

Even for Bailey, a veteran official with over a decade of experience on the field, the Little League World Series opportunity still gives him mixed emotions.

“I am nervous and excited,” Bailey said. “…I want to make sure I do my best.”

He said the selection started with a lengthy process that began with Little League training classes and then umpiring at state tournaments. After umpiring there, selected umpires move up to regional tournaments, which are evaluated by Little League regional training staff.

“At the end of the region tournament, you sit down with the training staff to review your strengths and weaknesses, and are scored based on the review form developed by Little League International,” Bailey said.

Umpires must score well to be recommended for the World Series events. The process can take years for an umpire to be appointed for a Little League World Series. In the 2024 Little League World Series, Bailey will serve as an umpire for the Senior League Softball World Series in Lower Sussex, Del., from July 29 – Aug. 4. The Senior League Division is for boys and girls aged 13-16 years old.

“I appreciate what Little League offers to the children in our community and look forward to being involved for many years to come,” Bailey said. He added that his son and daughter also played baseball and softball, and he often saw the “love of the game” from players and their families and enjoyed the camaraderie with other umpires.

He is one of 13 volunteer umpires officiating the Senior League Division games, and other umpires in the division hail from locations like British Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Philippines, and several U.S. states. The games are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN starting July 27.

Kevin Sandell is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.

If you rely on us for local news and haven’t already, please support us by becoming a member!

• Join our Locals Only Membership Today! In a world filled with everyday heroes and extraordinary tales, Potomac Local is your trusted source for news and stories that matter in our community.
• Our Local Spotlight Membership is perfect for businesses and non-profits to increase sales, donations, and branding awareness in the community.