F.C. Bulletin: Oct. 26, 2026
1) Broad Street's 'Dark, Unbound' Bookstore Opens Today
2) FCCPS Seeks Community Input on Strategic Plan
3) F.C. City Police Dept. Announces New Location of Red-Light Cameras to Improve Safety; What are the Most Dangerous Intersections in the City?
4) The Latest on Accessory Dwelling Units in F.C. City
5) Real Estate: NoVa Home Sales Inventory Rises Again as Sales Decline, Yet Prices Increase
6) F.C.'s Columbia Church Hosts Art/History Show in New 'Sacred Spaces' Gallery
7) Virginia Dream FC Advances to UPSL Finals
8) Notices & Announcements
Broad Street's 'Dark, Unbound' Bookstore Opens Today
In May, 2025 we reported on the mysterious new bookstore The Dark, Unbound, opening up at 112 W. Broad Street where Dominion Camera had resided for over 50 years. Here's the story we published then:
Christopher Jones
"The Dark, Unbound will .... be Falls Church City's only independent bookstore, since residents often rely on One More Page at 2200 Westmoreland St., just over the border with Arlington," we pointed out.
For over a year, however, residents and visitors have been waiting anxiously to see whether the little shop offering “a uniquely atmospheric retail and gathering space in Falls Church, Virginia, providing a curated book selection and aesthetically related merchandise in a cozy and moody environment that encourages customers to visit, browse, linger, and learn,” would actually open up.
Then, on Oct. 21 – just in time for Halloween! – the store's owners posted this elated message on Facebook: "I don't know if you've heard, but we passed the final inspection," they wrote. "So, guess what? We will unlock the doors and take the paper off the windows on Monday, 10/26/26. Do you understand what that means? Will we see you?"
Here are the owners celebrating passing their final inspection and setting their opening date: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C4DS1CUoc/.
We look forward to visiting you soon, The Dark, Unbound!
FCCPS Seeks Community Input on Strategic Plan
Following is based on an Oct. 23 FCCPS press release:
FALLS CHURCH, VA - Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) is inviting students, staff, families and community members to help shape the division’s next strategic plan, ensuring it continues to build on its tradition of academic excellence while staying responsive to emerging trends and opportunities in education.
The division is seeking a wide range of voices, ideas and perspectives to help establish priorities for the future. Community input will play an important role in developing a plan that reflects the needs, aspirations and values of the FCCPS community while preparing students for success in a changing world.
Community members are encouraged to participate in a virtual town hall on Oct. 29 or share their feedback by completing an online survey. FCCPS believes every voice matters, and community participation is essential to creating a strategic plan that will guide the division’s future.
More information can be found on the FCCPS website.
Here is some of our recent reporting on FCCPS:
Christopher Jones
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Christopher Jones
F.C. City Police Dept. Announces New Location of Red-Light Cameras to Improve Safety; What are the Most Dangerous Intersections in the City?
Wednesday, Oct. 21 was the first day of a 30-day warning period.
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 – The City of Falls Church has relocated two red-light safety cameras as part of the Police Department’s Intersection Safety Program. This transportation safety initiative uses automated photo enforcement technology to improve driver compliance with traffic signals and help make intersections safer for everyone traveling through the City, whether on foot, by bike, or behind the wheel.
Starting on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, the City of Falls Church will activate two red-light safety cameras at the intersections of Washington Street (Route 29) and Broad Street (Route 7) and E. Broad Street and S. Roosevelt Street.
The previous red-light safety camera intersections at W. Broad Street at Cherry Street and W. Broad Street at Annandale Road have proven effective at changing driver behavior since their installation in 2011. Drivers at those intersections have become accustomed to stopping on red, and violations have steadily declined. As regional growth and the I-66 corridor bring more traffic through the City, relocating the red-light cameras allows the Police Department to use this enforcement tool at intersections where increased through-traffic has created greater risk.
“Running a red light is one of the most dangerous choices a driver can make because occupants have little protection in side impact (T-bone) crashes,” said Police Chief Shahram Fard. “Red-light cameras give us a consistent, around-the-clock way to discourage it. Moving them to riskier intersections supports the City’s Vision Zero goal and reflects what our residents and City Council have asked for: safer streets for everyone.”
A 30-day warning period begins Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, and runs through Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, to give drivers a time to adjust to enforcement at the new intersections. During the warning period, drivers who disregard a red light at either new location will receive a warning notice instead of a citation. Beginning Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, violations will result in a $50 civil fine.
Red-light safety cameras operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a vehicle enters the intersection after the light has turned red, the camera captures digital images and video of the event. The program vendor screens the recorded evidence, and a sworn City of Falls Church police officer reviews it to determine whether a violation occurred. Only confirmed violations result in a citation, which is mailed to the vehicle's registered owner, lessee, or renter.
The new intersections were selected in accordance with Virginia Code § 15.2-968.1, which authorizes localities to use photo-monitoring systems to enforce traffic light signals. Factors considered included crash history, red-light violation rates, and pedestrian and bicycle activity.
The Intersection Safety Program is one part of the Police Department's Photo Enforcement Safety Program, which also includes the School Zone Speed Safety Program and the School Bus Safety Program.
How About Flock Cameras in the City?
Speaking of traffic cameras... In her Oct. 17 constituent newsletter, Mayor Hardi confirmed that the City of Falls Church has zero flock cameras. ".... I’m using this week’s post to share topics I know are of community-interest," she said. "Read on for Flock cameras in the city (TL;DR – we don’t have any)...."
The Most Dangerous Intersections in the Little City
"Almost 1 in 3 crashes in Falls Church took place at one intersection last year," ArlNow's Scott McCaffrey reported on July 27.
Following is from McCaffrey's piece:
Two Falls Church intersections — one a major crossroads, the other somewhat less expected — accounted for a large portion of the city’s collisions in 2025.
Of 134 crashes recorded in the city last year, 42 took place at the intersection of Washington Street and E. Broad Street, according to the Falls Church Police Department’s annual report. That’s almost 1 in 3.
That was no surprise to Council members. That major crossroads always “blows everything else away” in terms of incidents because of traffic volume, Council member Arthur Agin said. “I don’t know what the answer is” to reduce the number of incidents there, he acknowledged.
Agin did express surprise about the second most dangerous intersection: E. Broad Street and Roosevelt Street, which had 18 vehicular accidents in 2025.
Police Chief Shahram Fard, who presented the police report to City Council members on Monday night, pointed to a number of factors: “Impatience, speed, disregarding the red light, the traffic flow in the mornings.”
Rounding out the top five collision hot spots were:
- S. Washington Street and Hillwood Avenue (15)
- N. Washington Street and Columbia Street (14)
- W. Broad Street and S. West Street (11)
The remainder were dotted throughout the city.
At the meeting, Fard said the department is working with Virginia Tech to improve data collection in incidents involving vehicle impacts with pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as near-misses. “We’re working on that — we want that information,” he said.
Most incidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists come at intersections. “Left turns generally are very, very dangerous” due to hidden sight lines and visual distractions, Fard said.
At the July 13 meeting, Council members generally were upbeat on the overall state of public safety in the city. Council member Erin Flynn thanked Fard for the police department’s “continued community engagement efforts and outreach.”
For our recent reporting on flock cameras see below:
Christopher Jones
The Latest on Accessory Dwelling Units in F.C. City
In Nov. 2024, we reported on issues surrounding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the City of Falls Church – both pros and cons. Here's that piece:
Christopher Jones
Since then, the City has legalized ADUs, but policies surrounding them remain "a work in progress," the mayor wrote in her Oct. 24 constituent newsletter.
"We’ve received five applications since we legalized [ADs] 18 months ago, one with a building permit and others moving through the process, with none under construction or even built yet," the mayor said. "That pace was roughly what staff expected, but I’d like to understand more about what happens between someone expressing interest and actually building an AD."
The mayor then poses a series of questions she'd like to see answered. "Are construction costs, utility work, financing, or the 1,000-square-foot limit keeping people from moving forward? Are people building them for family members, rental income, or to accommodate changing needs as they age?"
"ADs can create flexibility for homeowners and additional housing options for renters," the mayor writes. "But they typically cost at least $350K to build, so we need to understand whether our rules and processes are helping or getting in the way."
As a self-professed "statistics nerd" and economics major, the mayor sees boosting housing supply as critical to lowering housing costs and making the city more affordable, especially for its middle class workforce. "Housing supply matters at different price points," she writes. "When someone moves into a cottage or townhouse or condo, they free up another home for someone else. Those moving chains are one reason adding supply can help ease pressure throughout the housing market, even when every new home isn’t affordable to everyone."
Speaking of housing supply....
Real Estate: NoVa Home Sales Inventory Rises Again as Sales Decline, Yet Prices Increase
Active listings climb 30.7 percent year-over-year, driven by continued growth in condo and townhome inventory, while the median sold price rises 4.2 percent.
Following is based on an Oct. 16 PRNewswire press release from NVAR:
FAIRFAX, Va., Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – Northern Virginia's housing market continued to see a substantial increase in available homes in September, extending a trend of growing condo and townhome inventory that's persisted for the past two months. Active listings rose 30.7 percent compared to Sept. 2025, driven by a 49.7 percent year-over-year increase in condo and townhome inventory. Meanwhile, closed sales declined 7.5 percent, while the median sold price increased 4.2 percent, according to the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® (NVAR).
The growing inventory is giving buyers more properties to consider, particularly in the condo and townhome segments. However, the increase in available homes has not translated into more closed sales or lower median prices.
September's results point to a market in which buyers have more options, but high housing costs and limited overall supply continue to shape the path to homeownership.
"Northern Virginia has seen condo and townhome inventory grow over the past two months, and September's numbers confirm that this is an ongoing shift in the market," said NVAR CEO Ryan McLaughlin. "More available properties can give buyers greater choice and more opportunities to find a home that fits their needs. But the decline in closed sales, alongside continued price growth, shows that additional inventory does not automatically make homeownership more attainable. Affordability remains a significant consideration, particularly for first-time buyers, and expanding the supply of housing across a range of prices and types will be essential to meeting the needs of our region."
A total of 1,250 homes closed in September, 2026, a 7.5 percent decrease from September, 2025. Despite the growth in available listings, fewer transactions were completed than a year earlier. The contrast suggests that adding homes to the market is not, in and of itself, enough to generate more sales. Affordability, financing costs and whether available properties meet buyers' needs all continue to influence purchasing decisions.
The total volume of homes sold reached $1,105,117,806 in September, down 8.7 percent compared to the same month last year. The steeper decline in sales volume compared to the 7.5 percent drop in closed sales reflects a decrease in the overall dollar value of completed transactions. This points to a less active market than a year ago, despite the increase in available listings.
Median Price Remains Significant Hurdle
The median sold price was $744,950 in September 2026, an increase of 4.2 percent from September, 2025. Prices continued to rise even as sales activity declined, indicating that the market's increased inventory has not eased upward pressure on home values. While buyers have more listings to consider, the median price remains a significant financial hurdle for many households seeking to purchase a home in Northern Virginia.
Average days on market remained unchanged at 28 days compared to September 2025. Even with substantially more homes available, properties took about the same amount of time to sell as they did a year earlier. This suggests that the additional inventory has expanded buyer choice without producing a broad slowdown in the pace of sales.
Condos and Townhomes vs. Detached Homes
The composition of the growing inventory varies significantly by property type. Condo and townhome inventory continued their upward trend for the third consecutive month, while inventory for detached homes increased just 5.7 percent year-over-year. Months of supply reached 2.5 in September, an increase of 29.5 percent compared to September, 2025. Although supply has expanded, 2.5 months remains below the roughly five-to-six months commonly associated with a balanced housing market, indicating that overall inventory remains relatively tight.
"The composition of the new inventory is an important part of this story," McLaughlin said. "The significant growth in condo and townhome listings gives buyers more options in those segments, while the much smaller increase in detached homes shows that the change is not uniform across the market. More listings are a welcome development, but we need to continue expanding housing choices across property types and price points. That is especially important in a region where home prices remain high, and many prospective buyers are still working to find a home they can afford."
In neighboring Loudoun County, closed sales fell 17.8 percent year-over-year to 338 in September, 2026, while total sales volume declined 18.6 percent to $288,344,660. The median sold price edged up 0.8 percent to $758,500, indicating that home values continued to rise despite weaker sales activity. Average days on market increased 6.9 percent to 31 days, while active listings climbed 34.1 perent to 1,031. Months of supply reached 2.41, up 37.7 percent compared to September, 2025. As in the broader Northern Virginia market, Loudoun County saw more homes available for sale alongside fewer completed transactions, although the decline in sales was steeper.
September's results illustrate the challenges and opportunities in a changing housing market. The continued growth in condo and townhome inventory is expanding buyer choice, but declining sales, rising prices and relatively limited overall supply show that more housing options are still needed. NVAR's NOVA Housing Supply Framework addresses this need by advancing locally adaptable strategies to increase housing opportunities and support a broader range of housing choices across Northern Virginia.
Background
The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® reports on home sales activity for Fairfax and Arlington counties, the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church and the towns of Vienna, Herndon, and Clifton. Below are September, 2026 regional home sales compared to September, 2025 for Northern Virginia, with data derived from Bright MLS as of October 12, 2026 (total sales and listings may not include garage/parking spaces):
- The number of closed sales in September, 2026 was 1,250 units. This was a 7.5 percent decrease compared to September, 2025.
- The volume sold in September 2026 was 1,105,117,806. This was an 8.7 percent decrease compared to September, 2025.
- The median sold price in September 2026 was $744,950. This was up 4.2 percent compared to September, 2025.
- The average days on market was 28 days in September, 2026. This was unchanged compared to September, 2025.
- The number of new pending sales in September, 2026 was 1,204 units. This was down 16.2 percent compared to September, 2026.
- The number of active listings in September, 2026 was 3,477 units. This number was up 30.7 percent compared to September, 2025.
- The months of supply of inventory in September, 2026 was 2.5. This was up 29.5 percent compared to September, 2025
The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® (NVAR) serves as the voice of real estate in the Greater Northern Virginia Region. NVAR is dedicated to enhancing Realtor® success by delivering exceptional value, driving innovation, and impacting the industry. Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., with a new Member Experience Center located in Loudoun County, NVAR supports its 13,000 members with essential resources, including industry education, advocacy, networking, and professional development opportunities. The Association is committed to promoting ethical practices and excellence in real estate. It advocates on behalf of homebuyers, sellers, renters, and commercial tenants who are directly affected by local, state, and federal policy decisions impacting affordability, property rights, and quality of life. NVAR strives to elevate the standards of the real estate industry and to contribute to the overall growth and prosperity of the Washington D.C. Metro Area and beyond. nvar.com.
F.C.'s Columbia Church Hosts Art/History Show in New 'Sacred Spaces' Gallery
Following is based on an Oct. 21 Columbia Church press release:
Columbia Church at 103 W. Columbia St.— a well-known participant in the life of the Little City — has recently begun to host art exhibits in its newly created art gallery. The Sacred Spaces Gallery is conveniently located adjacent to the Columbia Café and is open to the public. It has hosted four multi-artist shows since the gallery's inception in December, 2025.
About the current show, Gallery Director Deanna Harvey, says: “This exhibit, All New, All In, All Out: Columbia’s Story, captures a vital piece of Columbia's history, which is also a key piece of Falls Church history.
Columbia began in 1856 because seven abolitionists were bold enough to stand against the cultural norms and laws of the day to create a place in Falls Church where all races could worship as equals. This exhibit explores that courageous story through visual art, poetry, and history, and asks the question, “What does this inherited legacy of compassion and Biblical justice mean for us in our current context?”
The show runs through Nov. 15 at Columbia Church, 103 West Columbia Street in Falls Church. Gallery and Café hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sundays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. if you'd like to grab a beverage and experience the show!
Deanna Harvey is the volunteer curator and director of the Sacred Spaces art ministry at Columbia Church. In addition to facilitating and curating the shows in this space, she is an ever-evolving artist who believes that creating is a reflection of God's character, and that art and beauty have a unique way of creating space for encounters with each other and with the divine.
Harvey will begin accepting applications for single-artist shows for the Sacred Spaces gallery in 2027.
Virginia Dream FC Advances to UPSL Finals Following Regular Season Championship
Following is based on an Oct. 26 Virginia Dream FC press release:
Falls Church, VA – Virginia Dream FC defeated Doradus 1-0 in a highly competitive match and earned a spot in the UPSL Post Season Tournament Final. The Dream will host DC Hyper FC (DC) at “The Cloud” aka Meridian High School Stadium to decide the 2026 UPSL DMV North Conference Champion. The finals will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8.
While the home team dominated possession and chances created, the score remained 0-0 until Jacob Campbell, the Dream’s left back, broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute when he scored on a header from a corner kick. “Although this victory feels great, we have bigger things to accomplish,” said Campbell, “we want to be champions.”
Before the November 8th match, however, Virginia Dream will host the same DC Hyper FC (DC) on Sunday, Nov. 1 in the 3rd round of U.S. Open Cup qualifying. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. A victory will advance The Dream to the fourth and final qualifying round of the Cup.
Having qualified for the US Open Cup the previous two years, Virginia Dream FC then went on to defeat two fully professional teams; Richmond Kickers in 2025 and Carolina Core in 2026!
For updates and more information, visit: https://www.instagram.com/virginiadreamfc
Virginia Dream FC is a Falls Church-based semi-professional soccer club founded in 2022 with a mission to remove financial barriers by covering all player costs. Competing at a high level across national leagues, the club blends elite competition with community impact, creativity, and culture. Virginia Dream FC has gained national recognition through its U.S. Open Cup performances and growing digital audience.
Notices & Announcements
Friday Night Live Music at West Falls
On Friday, Oct. 30, from 6–9:00 p.m., West Falls in Falls Church closes out its Friday Night Live Music series with James Stevens at Commons Park!!
The DC native and former frontman of the internationally touring rock band Rome In A Day brings an impressive vocal range to his original songs and covers spanning Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Maroon 5 and Metallica.
Bring friends and family for a fall evening of live music, and grab a bite from a nearby restaurant to round out the night.
Welcoming Falls Church: Food Distribution, Nov. 2026; Community Thanksgiving
We will be delivering groceries to eight families in Culmore on Saturday, Nov. 7. Please drop off groceries any time by Friday evening, Nov. 6, at 813 Ridge Place, Falls Church.
Community Thanksgiving, Nov. 23
Democracy Rocks! Civics Scavenger Hunt, through Nov. 3
The League of Women Voters of Falls Church presents the Democracy Rocks, Civics Scavenger Hunt, as part of the 250th anniversary of the country! The scavenger hunt is designed to teach children facts about history and civics – and encourage adults to vote in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The event launched on Saturday, Oct. 17 and will run through Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Children receive a copy of a map and log sheet, then use the map to find Civics Stands with "Democracy Rocks!" Tags at key locations of historic and/or civic importance around Falls Church. On the back of each tag is a message about civics or history. The children record the missing word from the back of the tag at each stand on their log sheet, then turn the completed sheet in for a chance to win a prize.
Prizes will be awarded to ten lucky winners on Wednesday, Nov. 4!
Win prizes! Join the fun!
For Map and Log Sheet go here.
By Christopher Jones
Member discussion