What the Fairfax County Bond Issues Mean for Reston

When Fairfax County voters go to the polls on Nov. 3, there will be two bond issues: a $310 million school bond and a $151 million public facilities bond.

If passed, both will have significant money put towards projects in Reston.

Both South Lakes and Herndon High Schools are among the schools slated for improvement with the 2015 bond.

South Lakes will get $13,359,385 towards construction of the 40,000-square-foot addition that will add classroom space to the building, which has reached capacity.

The addition will enable South Lakes to get rid of many of its temporary classrooms. The school, which underwent a major overhaul and expansion less than 10 years ago, is designed for 2,100 students. It’s current enrollment is 2,446. The addition will give the school a capacity of 2,500.

However, if enrollment trends hold, the school could be at 2,900 enrollment, FCPS officials said in the most recent Capital Improvement Plan.

Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors last week approved the addition. The planning and other initial costs will be paid for with funds from a $225 million 2013 bond.

Herndon High would get $99 million from the bond for renovations.

Langston Hughes Middle School is set to get $3.7 million to initiate the planning stages for its renovation.

Nine elementary schools, none in the Reston area, would also benefit. See the full list on FCPS website.

Fairfax County’s Fire and Rescue Station 25, location on at Wiehle Avenue and Sunset Hills Road, is slated to be replaced if the public facilities bond passes.

If voters pass the bond, $51 million will be used to replace Station 25, as well as renovate or replace Merrifield, Penn Daw, Woodlawn, and Edsall stations.

Station 25 is one of the busiest stations in the county, Fairfax County says. It was built in 1972 and last renovated in 1986.

Fairfax County’s Capital Improvement Plan says $13,000,000 is needed for replacement as the building systems and infrastructure are well beyond the end of their life cycle. The replacement would include an expansion to a four-bay station.

The fire station lacks women’s accommodations to include bunk rooms, lockers and bathroom facilities to meet 50 percent of minimum shift staffing, Fairfax County officials said. It is also in need of a workout room, an expanded men’s locker room area and laundry facilities.

Other bond money will go to renovate the Franconia District Police station ($100 million); to build a new, joint animal shelter and police station in the South County area; for construction and renovation for the Police heliport, Operations Support Bureau facilities and Emergency Vehicle Operations and K9 Center.