Reston Town Center North Development Moves Forward, Eyes 2021 Groundbreaking

Plans are moving forward to redevelop a 47-acre plot of land north of Reston Town Center into a street grid with a park, mixed-use buildings, and a recreation center. The first phase of the project, which covers two of eight blocks in the development, would affect Reston Regional Library and the Embry Rucker Shelter.

Fairfax County, INOVA and Reston Association have drafted a memorandum of understanding to outline the scope of the development, known as Reston Town Center North.

The team behind the public-private partnership is expected to conduct a work session with RA’s Design Review Board on Tuesday (May 15). RA’s covenants and governing documents apply to all eight blocks of development.

Construction is expected to last from late 2021 to 2025. If the plan moves forward, the new library will be 9,000 square feet larger and the homeless shelter will increase capacity from 70 to 90 beds.

Between 360 and 420 market-rate housing units, 50 affordable units and 30 supportive housing units are planned for people to transition out of the shelter. The size of the shelter would more than double from 10,500 square feet to 25,000 square feet. Between 174,000 and 244,000 square feet of private commercial development is also planned, with an additional 28,000 square feet of office space for nonprofit organizations.

Plans for the remaining seven blocks are preliminary. Phase two contemplates the construction of a 90,000 square foot recreation center, built in coordination with the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Overall, the county will own 55 percent of the project and INOVA will own 45 percent. The project is intended to transition from Reston Town Center’s urban core to an area with lower intensity and tapering heights from south to north and east to west.

Maps via Fairfax County Government