Diners can help support the Herndon High School Marching Band every Tuesday this month at Not Your Average Joe’s in Reston and every Sunday at Stone’s Cove KitBar in Herndon.
The marching band, called the Pride of Herndon, is fundraising for its trip to Normandy, France in June, where the band will represent the U.S. at the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
The band has several fundraising efforts underway to help cover the costs for the trip.
Not Your Average Joe’s at 1845 Fountain Drive will donate 15 percent of sales from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays in December to the band. Customers need to mention or show the flyer for seated and take-out orders.
Diners at Stone’s Cove KitBar (2403 Centreville Road) from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays will be given a card where they can select the band from a list of charities. Then, 10 percent of that guest’s check will get donated.
The Pride will honor WWII servicemen and women, veterans and active duty military and their families.
“As they march, the Pride will also be paying a special tribute to the brave men of the USS Herndon, the destroyer that led the Allied naval armada in the assault on France and the named for Commander William Lewis Herndon, after whom the Town of Herndon, Va. is also named,” the flyer says.
Photo via Herndon High School Band/Twitter
Herndon’s Ice House Cafe set to close soon — The cafe and bar, which has been in Herndon for more than 40 years, will close its doors at 760 Elden Street. Celebrations are planned for Dec. 30 and New Year’s Eve before its Jan. 1 closing date. [Fairfax County Times]
Brookfield Properties eyes neighbors for Wegmans — The Toronto-based developer is considering different retailers for the $1.4 billion mixed-use project, which will include an 80,000-square-foot Wegmans. A bowling alley concept, movie theater, fitness center and restaurants are under consideration. [Washington Business Journal]
Man convicted for sexually assaulting four Reston roommates in 1995 — A jury found Jude Lovchik guilty on all 17 counts, including charges of sodomy, abduction and burglary. The case had gone cold until Lovchik’s ex-wife told Arlington County police that Lovchik had confessed the actions to her and had her recreate the scenes. [The Washington Post]
Clean Virginia says Dominion Energy customers pay too much — The new political action group claims that Virginians pay $254 in excess a year because of poor state oversight. [The Washington Post]
Herndon development is slated to attract larger employers — Fairfax County approved an increase to the density for part of the Center for Innovative Technology site that falls within the county for 3.8 million square feet of office space along with a hotel and retail. The campus, which is just off of the Dulles Toll Road, was once part of the county’s larger bid for Amazon’s second headquarters. [Washington Business Journal]
At its meeting tonight (Dec. 17), the Reston Planning and Zoning Committee will hear presentations on two projects.
1900-1902 Campus Commons LLC’s proposed development, known as Campus Commons, would add an office building and two residential buildings with ground-floor retail space at 1900 and 1902 Campus Commons Drive. The plan retains the two existing buildings at the site on the south side of the Dulles Toll Road and east side of Wiehle Avenue.
“Campus Commons will bolster a pedestrian-focused environment integrated with a system of public urban park spaces to achieve the transit-oriented design goals of the Comprehensive Plan,” the agenda for tonight’s meeting says.
APA Properties No. 6, L.P. and MRP Realty plan to present a redevelopment concept for Isaac Newton Square.
The proposal would convert the office buildings into a mixed-use project, changing the spot into a mostly residential area with a few commercial spaces. The project would include several development blocks and approximately eight acres of publicly-accessible open space, which would include a large neighborhood green that could be used for public events and athletic purposes.
The number of dwelling units and square footage are unknown at the moment, according to the document.
Public hearing dates have not yet been scheduled for the projects.
Tonight’s Reston P&Z Committee meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the North County Government Center.
Images via Google Maps
(Updated at 3:54 p.m.) Former Herndon Mayor Mike O’Reilly announced on Friday (Dec. 14) that he will vie for the Virginia House of Delegates seat representing the 86th District, which includes Herndon.
Del. Jennifer Boysko, who currently holds the seat, plans to run for the State Senate seat to replace Congresswoman-elect Jennifer Wexton in the special election on Jan. 8.
“I am running for the House of Delegates to fight for more affordable healthcare, more funding for education and transportation in Northern Virginia, protection of women’s rights, protection from gun violence and to protect the environment,” O’Reilly said in a press release.
O’Reilly was elected Mayor of Herndon in 2004. As mayor, he helped reduce the tax rate, opened a new police station, opened the Senior Center at Herndon Harbor House and completed a rewrite of Herndon’s zoning ordinance.
He is currently a lawyer and the owner and principal of the O’Reilly Law Firm at 761 Monroe Street in Herndon and a member of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce.
O’Reilly, who has lived in Herndon for more than 35 years, is married and has four children.
O’Reilly served five years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority, where he negotiated the design, financing and construction of the first phase for the Silver Line project and the procurement and contract award for the second phase.
He chaired for ten years the Governing Board of the Fairfax Falls Church Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness and also chaired the Board for Arts Herndon.
He faces three other Democratic candidates — Chad Thompson, Kofi Annan and Ibraheem Samirah — for the spot at the Jan. 12 primary.
Photo via Michael O’Reilly
Bus riders, be advised: the Herndon-Monroe bus loop will be closed Wednesday (Dec. 19) evening and Thursday (Dec. 20) morning.
The temporary closure allows Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project crews to complete the pedestrian bridge span at the southwest corner of the bus loop, according to a post from the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.
Work is expected to start at 10 p.m. on Wednesday and last through 4 a.m. on Thursday. Buses will pick up and drop off from Sunrise Valley Drive.
The post also notes that the closure of Innovation Avenue has been extended to March.
With just more than half of the capital projects completed this year, the Reston Association is already looking ahead to ones for next year.
Senior Capital Projects Operations Manager Chris Schumaker highlighted some of the “key” projects slated for 2019 in a Reston Association video.
Originally developed in 1965, the Hook Road Recreation Area will see architectural and engineering changes. The area, which has remained largely unchanged since tennis and baseball amenities were added in 1973, was identified for major revitalization in 2016 after a review of facility enhancements approved by RA’s Board of Directors.
Bathroom renovations are slated for Lake Newport Pool (11601 Lake Newport Road).
A dredging project will begin for Lake Audubon. Residents were warned in September to avoid the lake after a harmful algae bloom was spotted. The bloom, called Microcystis, can produce toxins that are lethal for livestock, fish, and people. Some toxins have been linked to liver cancer.
Nestled in the woods, the Walker Nature Education Center will receive accessibility improvements.
A little more than half of Reston’s capital projects were finished this year, Schumaker told RA’s board at a meeting last Thursday (Dec. 13).
Finished ones included renovating the Pony Barn, located at the corner of Steeplechase Drive and Triple Crown Road, to include an ADA-accessible parking lot, bathroom and pathway, along with adding concrete flooring to the pavilion and grill station. The project also included a new drainage system and playground.
The Central Services Facility at 12250 Sunset Hills Road had a “major transformation” with new energy efficient windows, a new HVAC and bathroom facilities and improvements for accessibility and security. The building had not been updated since it was built in 1982, Schumaker said.
Dredging was completed for Lake Thoreau this year. “Removing the sediment helps improve the overall health of the lake for many years to come,” Schumaker said.
Some of this year’s projects nearing completion include new flooring, paint, fixtures and lighting in the Glade Room at 11550 Glade Drive and tree removal along the dam at Butler Pond at 1145 Water Pointe Lane.
Photos via Reston Association/YouTube
Nearly nine months after its formation, the Reston Association’s Lakes, Docks and Boats Working Group will move forward with some enforcement actions after stalling them ahead of the group’s final report.
Back in March, RA’s Board of Directors approved the formation of the working group to provide recommendations regarding the association’s policies on lakes, docks and boats on March 22.
The 18-member group examines the number and types of boats and docks currently on the lakes and ponds, identifies any environmental impacts docks and boats have on the lakes and ponds and recommends amendments and enforcement action. It also holds focus groups and public meetings and reviews governing documents.
Will Peterson, the watershed specialist for the Reston Association, updated RA’s Board of Directors last Thursday (Dec. 13) on the group’s progress this year.
Since its inception, the group has:
- decided not to recommend a change to the maximum boat size
- created a Reston lakes environment report
- created a strategic plan for focus groups, which are set to start in January
- voted to increase the motor size limit from 3 horsepower to 5 horsepower
- voted to uphold the 50 percent rule for clusters and condo associations that own lakefront property
The 50 percent rule says that moored boats may take up no more than half of the available lakefront property shoreline. Peterson said that one cluster at Harbor Point by South Lakes Village Shopping Center was found in violation.
Currently, recommendations about boat and dock sealant methods of application are under consideration, along with clarifications surrounding whether or not owners can have two permanently moored boats.
The working group did not meet the November deadline to recommend a plan to the board for possible amendments and is now aiming to have a finalized report with recommendations ready for the board by the spring.
Until the presentation of the final report, the board decided to stay enforcement of boat violations — excluding poor boat conditions and nonpayment of the annual boat fee, which the board approved.
Peterson said that 12 people still have not paid the fee, including one person who has not paid for two years. “Since the implementation, we put a cease to doing any violations, but we still have boats in poor conditions,” he said, adding that poor boat conditions create safety concerns.
Photos via Reston Association/YouTube
Drivers can expect lane closures along the Dulles Toll Road this week as construction continues on the second phase of the Metrorail Silver Line project.
Most of the closures avoid prime rush hour times.
The closures started on Sunday (Dec. 16) and are scheduled to last until Saturday (Dec. 22), according to a post from the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.
The post reminds drivers to use caution; remain attentive to all signage, barricades and speed limits; and obey all police and flagger instructions. Work is subject to weather changes.
The Dulles Toll Road has alternating right and left lane closures of varying lengths from just west of the Route 28 overpass to the Reston Parkway overpass.
The schedule for this is:
- Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Drivers eastbound on the Dulles Toll Road can expect a triple left lane closure with 20-minute stoppages from the east end of Innovation Center Station to Herndon Station. This will take place from 10 p.m. on Tuesday to 5 a.m. on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, westbound on the Dulles Toll Road has a triple left lane closure with 20-minute stoppages from Reston Parkway to Herndon Station from 10 p.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday.
Another triple left lane closure is between the overpass at Van Buren Street to the west end of Innovation Center Station from 10 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Saturday.
Eastbound on Herndon Parkway will have a right lane closed from 1,000 feet east of Van Buren Street to 800 feet west of Exchange Place.
The times for this are:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Friday: 9:30 a.m. to noon
Eastbound on Sunset Hills Road will have alternating right and left lane closures from 400 feet west of the Town Center Parkway to the Bechtel Building Entrance. The civil work will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.
Several spots westbound on Sunrise Valley Drive will have closed right lanes from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, including:
- from Dulles Technology Drive to Dulles Station Blvd
- from Thunder Chase Drive to Millburn Lane
- from Reston Parkway to 200 feet west of Edmund Halley Drive
Additionally, westbound on Sunrise Valley Drive by Thunder Chase Drive will a right lane closed from 10 p.m. on Wednesday to 4 a.m. on Thursday.
Edmund Halley Drive will have a right shoulder closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.
An architect behind Reston’s design died on Nov. 22 — William J. Conklin, who died at the age of 95, helped design the core of Lake Anne Village Center. He also worked on projects in New York, D.C. and Baltimore. [The New York Times]
Nose to toes yoga — Young kids can try out yoga poses movement while enjoying book and songs with a children’s yoga instructor from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Reston Regional Library. The event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Reston Regional Library. [Reston Regional Library]
Town of Herndon employees honored last week — The town’s annual employee luncheon on Thursday (Dec. 13) honored John Johnson and Dave Higgins from the Department of Public Works, Jessica Bynaker from Information Technology and Erika Rodriguez from the Herndon Police Department, along with the Department of Finance. [Town of Herndon]
Reston resident sentenced to 30 years for rape — Joseph Coffinberger, a 33-year-old from Reston, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in prison for raping a 13-year-old boy, according to the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office. [WBFF Fox45]
Before we head off into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.
- Pottery Barn Set to Close in Reston Town Center in January
- Paid Parking Under Consideration for Reston, Tysons
- Reston Then and Now: Lake Anne
- Lotte Plaza Market Opened in Herndon Centre Last Friday
- ‘Elden Street Tea Shop’ Set for Grand Opening This Week in Herndon
If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip.
Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.
A little more than half of Reston’s capital projects were finished this year, with the renovations of the North Hills tennis courts among the uncompleted projects.
Senior Capital Projects Operations Manager Chris Schumaker presented the Capital Projects 2018 Report to the Reston Association’s Board of Directors at the meeting last night (Dec. 13).
Forty-six of the 84 projects slated for 2018 were finished, including the Hook Road community engagement project, Lake Audubon dredging and the 2019 Reserve Study.
Schumaker said that rain and “difficult weather” delayed several projects. The tennis courts faced a “stumbling point” when a tree fell on the courts, he said.
By a 3-2 vote in late October of 2017, the board approved up to $295,000 in improvements for North Hills tennis courts in response to concerns about limited lightning in the evenings and major cracks that run along the court.
Staff, users and industry professionals determined that the current funds wouldn’t cover the renovation’s cost, Schumaker said.
The irrigation system and court grades require a “significant modification” to ensure proper operation and quality of play for the next 30 years, along with lighting design changes.
The project jumped from an originally estimated cost shy of $300,000 to a new estimate just under $400,000. Schumaker said that the current cost estimated happened in the latter half of the third quarter.
The board debated on moving $95,500 of unused money from the Repair & Replacement Reserve Fund in the 2018 capital budget for the tennis courts.
RA At-Large Director Ven Iyer said that not sticking to the budget sends the wrong message and makes the RA look fiscally irresponsible.
Caren Anton, who represents Hunters Woods and Dogwood, said that using the money “is a no-brainer.”
“It’s unfortunate that the extent of the renovation was not identified accurately at the beginning,” Anton said. “The funds are there. I think it’s imperative that we take care of this to make the courts safe and more attractive to the senior tennis players.”
The board authorized the $95,500 and also authorized $52,300 from CAARF capital funds to pay for a small equipment lift, deep tine aerator and “winterization” pool covers for Ridge Heights and Shadowood facilities.
The 2018 projects cost an estimated $3.1 million and the projected carry-forward totals $2.25 million.
Photos via Reston Association/YouTube
Updated at 5:00 p.m. — Corrects the spelling of Laurie Dodd’s name and the time of the Planning Commission meeting on Jan. 23.
Reston Association’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to continue its opposition to a proposed zoning amendment, which would increase Reston’s population density, at last night’s meeting.
The proposal would increase the maximum allowed population per acre in the Planned Residential Community (PRC) district — Reston’s primary zoning district — from 13 persons up to 15.
After an executive session to consult with the land use counsel, Vice President Sridhar Ganesan said that the current density at 12.46 people per acre is a “very inaccurate population estimate.”
“A lot of slack is built into the current density,” Ganesan said. “I believe the director of the Planning and Zoning Commission told us –some of the members on the board — they are trying to recalculate the population estimate in Reston, and they don’t have an accurate estimate just yet.”
Given the wiggle room in the current density and the outrage from many community members, Ganesan said the PRC density level should not increase.
Several community groups, including the Coalition for a Planned Reston and Reston 2020, are fighting the move, arguing that the proposed amendment is rushed through and under-explained.
County planning officials have argued that the change is needed to put into action Reston’s Master Plan, which allows for future growth over the next 40 years.
President Andy Sigle said that the RA is still working through “reams” of data and information in support of the zoning proposal from a series of emails on Dec. 11 from Fairfax County.
“We have a concern that the wrong number on this PRC density will overwhelm the infrastructure prescribed in the Reston Master Plan, so it’s important that we get the right number,” Sigle said at the meeting.
The board also approved setting up a work session for RA’s board prior to the Planning Commission’s Jan. 10 workshop on the amendment.
Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors clashed over community input on the proposed zoning changes at their Dec. 4 meeting, before authorizing public hearings on the proposal.
Hudgins said at the Dec. 4 meeting that locals have had plenty of opportunities to get the desired information. “Yes, there are some questions that people have,” Hudgins said. “Those questions have been answered before or are not relevant to this.”
Meanwhile, Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust and Braddock District Supervisor John Cook argued for more community input.
Residents expressed frustration and disapproval to RA’s board last night (Dec. 13), pointing to a lack of community input to the county’s board and insufficient infrastructure to support increased density in Reston.
Laurie Dodd, a resident for the last 23 years, criticized Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins for asking to schedule hearings on the zoning proposal without following through on promised community engagement.
“It is disturbing to me to see other supervisors in Fairfax County speak up about the right of residents to be heard more than our own supervisors had done,” Dodd said.
The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing about the zoning proposal at 7 p.m. on Jan. 23, followed by the Board of Supervisors’ public hearing at 4:30 p.m. on March 5.
The Planning Commission must say “yea” or “nay” to the proposal by March 15, according to county rules.
Secretary John Mooney urged Restonians to stay informed and engaged. “Please attend the county meetings,” he said.
Photo via Reston Association/YouTube
This story has been updated
Candle making workshop for kids — Bring your kids to the Walker Nature Center to learn where wax comes from and how to dip a pair of candles. Kids can decorate their candles while parents enjoy music and food. The event goes from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.and costs $12 for Reston Association members/$16 for non-members [Reston Association]
Free Reston and Fairfax Encore Chorales concert — The two chorales will perform holiday classics and seasonal favorites at United Christian Parish (11508 North Shore Drive) tonight at 7:30 p.m. [Encore Creativity for Older Adults]
Looking to donate to some local organizations? — This roundup has more than three dozen suggestions for Northern Virginia nonprofits to donate to, including Cornerstones in Reston and Touching Heart in Herndon. [Connection Newspapers]
Nigerian American sues Dulles Internal Airport, Reston Hospital Center — Ikechukwu “Ike” Owunna alleges he was subjected to more than 12 hours of alleged racial profiling, false imprisonment and other violations at the airport and battery and medical neglect en route to Reston Hospital Center. The hospital was dismissed in November, but the hospital employees could remain defendants in the battery allegations. [The Washington Post]
Photo via Marjorie Copson
(Updated at 8:58 a.m.) Police are searching for a man who robbed the Sunoco in Herndon yesterday night.
A man wearing a mask entered the gas station at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 12) and displayed a handgun to the cashier, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The man then took an unspecified amount of cash and fled the gas station at 13470 Coppermine Road.
Police said there were no injuries.
“The suspect was described as a black man, about 6 feet tall, and 200 pounds,” according to the report.
Image via Google Maps
This story has been updated
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch today (Dec. 13) from Friday evening to Saturday afternoon for Fairfax and much of the D.C. region.
NWS anticipates 1 to 2 inches of rainfall — possibly up to 3 inches.
NWS encourages locals to monitor later forecasts and to stay alert for possible Flood Warnings.
Residents should prepare to take action if they live in areas prone to flooding.
More from the National Weather Service:
The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a
* Flood Watch for portions of Maryland, The District of
Columbia, and Virginia, including the following areas, in
Maryland, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Carroll, Central and
Southeast Howard, Central and Southeast Montgomery, Charles,
Frederick MD, Northern Baltimore, Northwest Harford, Northwest
Howard, Northwest Montgomery, Prince Georges, Southeast
Harford, Southern Baltimore, and St. Marys. The District of
Columbia. In Virginia, Albemarle, Arlington/Falls
Church/Alexandria, Culpeper, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax, Greene,
King George, Madison, Nelson, Northern Fauquier, Orange,
Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park, Rappahannock, Southern
Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Western Loudoun.* From Friday evening through Saturday afternoon
* Moderate rainfall is expected with locally heavy rain possible.
Rainfall amounts around 1 to 2 inches are most likely with
locally higher amounts around 3 inches possible. Runoff from the
rainfall may cause creeks and streams to rise out of their
banks as well as the potential for flooding in urban areas.
Heads up! With all of the rain in the forecast the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the entire area from 6PM Friday until 6PM Saturday. We will have rain arriving later tomorrow and continuing at times through the weekend w/1-2" total pic.twitter.com/BMwXGIOwS3
— Amelia Draper (@amelia_draper) December 13, 2018
Photo via Bahmad Farzad/Flickr
