The Greater Reston Arts Center has pushed back the completion of a new 50-foot steel sculpture in Reston Town Center from this fall to spring 2019.
Reston Now previously reported the installation and an opening ceremony were expected in August.
Now, the sculpture’s anticipated unveiling is set for spring after the project faced construction delays, Lily Siegel, executive director and curator of the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), told Reston Now.
“As we embarked on [the project], things have shifted and got a little bit delayed,” she said.
Titled “Buoyant Force,” the sculpture by artist Sue Wrbican is inspired by the work of Kay Sage, an American surrealist who was known for her paintings of scaffolded structure and furled fabric in barren landscapes. GRACE previously featured Wrbican’s work last fall.
Currently, the sculpture is being fabricated by two fabricators. The main 50-foot piece is getting welded together at one fabricator’s shop in Rockville Md.
Siegel said that the GRACE team has dropped in several times on the fabrication, describing the tall piece as reminiscent of scaffolding or the inside of a skyscraper. Even though the 50-foot piece is lying on the ground, “it’s very impressive,” she said. “The impact is pretty powerful.”
A second fabricator is making other steel structures that will get attached to the sculpture. Both sourced preexisting, pre-fabricated materials at Wrbican’s request.
While the main work on the pieces is “pretty much done,” technical details still need finishing before installation. Once the pieces are on site, the installation will require a crane and boom lift, she said.
“Buoyant Force” marks Seigel’s first public sculpture — an undertaking that has taught her quite a bit throughout the process. For starters, the project initially planned to have one fabricator, before she decided the work required two people, she said.
“It’s taking a whole team of professionals to get this done,” Seigel said That team includes architects, inspectors, a concrete team, engineers, movers and — of course — the artist.
Seigel also took a new approach to fund the sculpture. For the first time, GRACE started a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs. Locals can donate online.
So far, the campaign raised about $50,000 — nearly half of the required funds — in roughly five months, she said. The Reston Town Center Association, Reston Community Center, ArtsFairfax and Public Art Reston are some of the places that have donated.
Seigel said the “slow” fundraising efforts are not causing the delay.
Additionally, the architect, engineer, concrete company and transportation company are providing pro bono work — a donation of its own kind, she said.
Siegel said a community celebration to mark the grand opening will happen.
After that, she plans to host programming, including dance, poetry and education, around the sculpture, which is expected to be on view for five years. “We’re looking for different ways to bring the community back around the sculpture” with different perspectives, she said. “We are incredibly excited about this project.”
Images via Greater Reston Arts Center
Warm up with a run — Join the Reston Runners tonight at 6:30 p.m. for a 50-minute run/walk starting at Reston Town Center. [Reston Runners]
Holiday book sale — The Reston Friends Holiday Book Sale starts today at 10 a.m. and continues through the weekend at the Reston Regional Library. [Reston Library Friends]
Reston executive is a winner — Jay Shah, the executive vice president for healthcare and commerce for Octo Consulting Group, was recognized as a 2019 FedHealthIT 100 award winner, marking his second time receiving the award. The FedHealthIT 100 honors individuals recognized for driving change and advancement in the Federal Health Information Technology Market. [Business Wire]
Measles reported in Virginia — As cases of measles increase across the country, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed that Virginia is one of 26 states hit. [Reston Patch]
(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors approved changes to several developments at its Tuesday (Dec. 4) meeting.
The board approved modifications to the Tall Oaks Village Center redevelopment.
Stanley Martin’s redevelopment plans to transform the Tall Oaks Village Center (12022 North Shore Drive) into a mostly residential neighborhood. The redevelopment is set to create 156 residential units, which include 42 two-over-two multi-family units, 44 single units and 70 multi-family units in two residential buildings.
It also plans to add nearly 8,500 square feet of retail and 5,800 square feet of office space.
The board approved the following waivers and changes:
- a 200-square foot privacy yard requirement for single-family units
- tandem parking for the two-over-two dwelling units to count towards the off-street parking requirement for multi-family dwelling units
- a modification for the required number of loading spaces
- a modification for the transitional screening and barrier requirements
At the time of the Board of Supervisors approval in July 2016 of the owner’s plan to redevelop the retail center into a mixed-use project, the county was planning to continue Fairfax Connector bus service through the development. The Fairfax Connector has since decided to no longer provide bus service through the development.
The board greenlighted the Midline, a mixed-use project near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, that would bring 1.8 million square feet of development across 17.5 acres east of Wiehle Avenue and south of Sunset Hills Road.
The development plan will add eight buildings across four blocks, including:
- an eight-story, independent living facility with 127 units
- an eight-story, 325-unit apartment building
- a 14-story office building
- an eight-story, 225-unit apartment building
- a seven-story, 218-unit apartment building
- a six-story, 39-unit apartment building
- a six-story, 70-unit apartment building
- 56 townhomes
The project will set aside 14 percent of the residential units for affordable housing.
The entire development also includes ground-floor retail in every building except the office and townhomes.
The county’s approval allows JBG and EYA to pursue two alternative development plans, based on how many retailers want to move into the new spaces.
The county also ok’d rezoning of a property by Sunrise Valley Drive and Reston Pkwy for a residential development of 145 multi-family dwelling units and office space on 4.31 acres of land.
Images and renderings via Fairfax County and Fairfax County Planning Commission
This story has been updated
A man sleeping on his couch was assaulted last week by a person he knows, according to the Herndon Police Department.
The suspect entered the house on the 700 block of Cordell Way last Monday (Nov. 26), woke up the sleeping man and began assaulting him, the report said.
The victim was transported to Reston Hospital.
The Herndon Police Department is currently investigating the case.
Map via Google Maps
Herndon resident Crys Matthews will perform her songs at the 34th annual Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration.
The Reston Community Center recently added the singer-songwriter to its lineup of artists for the three-day event, which takes place from Jan. 19 to Jan. 21.
Matthews has gained national acclaim for her music, which blends Americana, folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass and funk. In 2017, she was the grand-prize winner in the NewSong Music Competition and won the People’s Music Network’s Social Justice Songs contest at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance.
“Crys Matthews is an important voice of her generation and will be an excellent addition to our weekend lineup,” Paul Douglas Michnewicz, the arts and events director for Reston Community Center, said in a statement. “Her perspective reminds us that our similarities are far more important than our differences.”
Matthews is scheduled to perform at 2 p.m. on Jan. 20 at CenterStage. Tickets cost $15 for Reston residents.
She also plans to conduct a workshop for students at Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School as an artist-in-residence in Reston.
Photo via Fairfax County
Opening night for “The Nutcracker” — The Conservatory Ballet begins performances tonight of the holiday classic at 7 p.m. at CenterStage. [Reston Community Center]
Deadline pushed for Silver Line project contractors — The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority extended the deadline yesterday for proposals to accommodate the vendors interested in operating the extension of the Metrorail Silver Line to March 18. [WMATA]
Reston-based technology developer is raking in the money — OpenLegacy has raised $30 million in funding. Silverhorn Investment Advisors led the round. [OpenLegacy]
Snow possible this weekend — Get your snow boots out. Forecasters say a chance of wintery storms could hit Reston over the weekend. [Reston Patch]
Photo via Marjorie Copson
Vienna and Fairfax County Police arrested a 13-year-old Reston resident and a 14-year-old Vienna resident last Wednesday.
The pair was charged Nov. 28 with a series of crimes, including setting fire to a Vienna restaurant in October.
The boys were charged with both felony and misdemeanor crimes, including arson.
The Oct. 14 fire destroyed most of the building for the Marco Polo Restaurant, which had been vacant. There were no injuries. The site is set for redeveloped as a retail and townhouse complex.
The teens were also charged with the vandalism of several buses in the rear parking lot of the restaurant on Sept. 9.
Police said other charges are also being filed in relation to a Nov. 4 vandalism of two historic government-owned buildings near Lahey Lost Valley Park in Vienna, which caused several thousand dollars in damage.
The pair is being held in the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARECENIES:
1700 block of Business Center Drive, watch from location
1100 block of Dranesville Road, ornaments from residence
12800 block of Graypine Place, wallet from location
1700 block of Whitewood Lane, wallet from vehicle
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Photo via FCPD
Cloud computing company Appian Corporation will receive $4 million from Fairfax County for the company’s expansion and new headquarters in Tysons Corner.
The Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors approved the Development Opportunity Fund grant from the Commonwealth at its meeting on Tuesday (Dec. 4).
The funds will pay for the leasing, improvements, equipment and operation of Appian’s Tysons Corner facility (7950 Jones Branch Drive), which is expected to lead to 600 new jobs there.
News of the company’s move from Reston to Tysons first broke in April.
Currently, Appian is headquartered at 11955 Democracy Drive, Suite 1700 in Reston Town Center.
Fairfax County competed with another jurisdiction for the expansion of Appian’s headquarters, according to county documents.
As part of the grant, Fairfax County must provide a local match which will be in the form of the Lincoln Street project, a roadway improvement which is already planned and funded in the county budget. The road improvement was identified by coordinating with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.
Additionally, the county will provide an estimated funding of $288,000 from the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority will monitor Appian’s performance metrics agreed upon for the grant funding, updating the Office of the County Executive annually on the number of jobs and capital investment achieved during that time.
Photo via Appian/Facebook
Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors disagreed about community input on contentious proposed zoning changes, before authorizing public hearings early next year on the changes at their meeting today.
The proposal, which would increase the population density in Reston, has sparked a backlash from community groups, including the Reston Association, Coalition for a Planned Reston and Reston 2020.
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.
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust vented frustration at the Dec. 4 meeting that Reston residents have not heard back from the county regarding the public hearings for the zoning proposal.
In response to Foust’s concerns, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said that locals have had plenty of opportunities to get the desired information.
County officials began small workgroup sessions hosted by the Coalition for a Planned Reston, a grassroots organization, and the Reston Association in July to discuss the controversial plan.
“Yes, there are some questions that people have,” Hudgins said. “Those questions have been answered before or are not relevant to this.”
Hudgins stressed that consideration of the proposed zoning changes is moving forward because of the work, including 13 follow up meetings since May and regular meetings with the Reston Association, already done.
Hudgins praised the “noble” staff for answering community questions.
Braddock District Supervisor John Cook said that verbal responses from staff to locals are not enough, adding that the community would benefit from written questions and answers available online.
“I don’t think it’s enough to have oral questions,” Cook said. “Not everyone can get to public meetings.”
Cook added that community input must have limits. “It’s fair to have a cut off date for questions,” he said.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission has 100 days from the referral — the staff report published Dec. 4 — to take action on the zoning proposal. The Board of Supervisors authorized public hearings on the zoning changes for 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 23 and at 4:30 p.m. on March 5.
“The clock starts today,” Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay said.
https://twitter.com/FairfaxMemes/status/1069993011189288961
Two Hanukkah celebrations are planned for Reston and Herndon this weekend.
This year, the Jewish holiday began at sunset on Sunday (Dec. 2) and ends on Monday, Dec. 10.
NextStop Theatre will host “A Kosher Christmas Cabaret” on Saturday (Dec. 8) at 8 p.m.
The website calls the cabaret a “celebration of Jewish culture and the community’s extraordinary resilience, through humor and heart.”
The show features Jordan Friend, Alani Kravitz and Ben Lurye with Elisa Rosman at the piano. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Tree of Life Synagogue community. NextStop Theatre is located at 269 Sunset Park Drive.
A giant menorah lighting and ice skating will take place on Sunday (Dec. 9) at the Reston Town Center. The free event organized by Chabad of Reston-Herndon will include music, donuts, a raffle, dreidels and latkes, starting at 4:30 p.m. While admission is free, ice skating costs $12.
Photo via Chabad of Reston-Herndon
Music and a coat drive — The Reston Chorale will perform George Frideric Handel’s Messiah tonight at 7:30 p.m. at St. John Neumann Church. Locals are encouraged to bring new or gently used coats or new hats, gloves, scarves or socks, which will fill Cornerstone’s Coat Closet, to receive $5 off of the ticket. [Reston Chorale]
Holiday fire safety PSA — The county’s Fire and Rescue Department has safety tips for open-flame candles for Hanukkah celebrations. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Design Review Board meeting — The Reston Association’s Design Review Board will meet tonight at 7 p.m. to review pending applications. [Reston Association]
(Editor’s note: This story was updated at 1:30 p.m. to include more information about the selection process for “Tech 100.”)
More than a quarter of companies selected for the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s inaugural “Tech 100” call Reston or Herndon home.
The companies span a variety of categories — cyber, software, IT services, artificial intelligence, genomics, health IT — in order to represent growing sectors in the region’s technology corridor.
“The NVTC Tech 100 is composed of companies and individuals who are driving tech innovation, implementing new solutions for their customers and leading growth in the greater Washington region,” Eileen Filler-Corn, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing Fairfax County, tweeted today.
The nomination period ran from Sept. 19 to Oct. 19, with the requirement that nominees must have a location in the Northern Virginia region, according to Allison Gilmore, vice president of NVTC’s Communications and Strategic Initiatives. An independent panel of judges reviewed and selected the nominations.
Out of the 85 companies chosen, 17 have headquarters in Reston and six are based in Herndon.
The Reston-based companies are the following:
- Altum, Inc.
- Confident Governance
- Fractal Industries
- GoCanvas
- LookingGlass Cyber Solutions
- Octo
- Patrocinium Systems
- Qlarion
- Resonate
- SAIC
- ScienceLogic
- ScientiaMobile
- Simulyze
- SOC Telemed
- ThreatQuotient
- Transaction Network Services (TNS)
- Virid
Companies headquartered in Herndon include:
The roundup included companies that have locations in Reston, including ArdentMC, Decisiv and Digital Realty. Forcepoint, which has an office in Herndon, also made the list.
“Tech 100” also featured more than a dozen executives. Judy Bjornaas from Herndon-based ManTech, Matthew Calkins from Appian in Reston and Stu Shea from Peraton made the cut.
A party at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner at 6 p.m. tonight will celebrate the Tech 100.
Images via the Northern Virginia Technology Council
This story has been updated
Construction work on the second phase of the Metrorail Silver Line project brings lane and ramp closures from Monday (Dec. 3) until Saturday (Dec. 8).
Most of the closures avoid prime rush hour times.
In a post about the closures, the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project 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.
Eastbound on the Dulles Toll Road has alternating right and left lane closures from just west of the Route 28 overpass to the Reston Parkway overpass on the following days:
- Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Alternating right and left lane closures are also westbound on the Dulles Toll Road between the Route 28 and Reston Parkway overpass. These will be in effect:
- Monday to Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Also heading westbound is a ramp closure at mile marker 3.3 to Access Road. The ramp will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday until Friday for striping.
Eastbound on Sunset Hills Road will have alternating right and left lane closures from 400 feet west of Town Center Pkwy to 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.
Eastbound on Herndon Parkway from 1,000 feet east of Van Buren Street to 800 feet west of Exchange Place will have a right lane closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.
Several different spots westbound on Sunrise Valley Drive will have closed right lanes from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on 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 Pkwy to 200 feet west of Edmund Halley Drive
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.
Locals have one week left to vote Reston’s holiday parade to the top of USA Today’s nationwide ranking.
The contest has Reston competing against other parades in towns and cities across the country, including Sparks, Nev.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; San Antonio; and Detroit.
USA Today’s 10Best Editors and Local Experts nominated 20 places that “bring holiday cheer in the form of festive floats, dancing elves, Santa and his sleigh and millions of twinkling lights,” according to the website.
The annual event in Reston Town Center is known for its Macy’s-style parade of balloons, musicians, dancers and more. This year’s parade took place on Nov. 23.
Last year, Reston landed in sixth place on USA Today’s list. Philadelphia claimed the top spot, followed by Detroit; Baltimore; Annapolis, Md.; and Charlotte, N.C.
In 2016, Reston held the fourth-place slot, putting it one spot ahead of the nationally-televised Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.
Voters can cast one ballot per day until voting ends on Monday (Dec. 10) at noon.
USA Today will announce the top 10 winning events, determined by the votes, on Dec. 21.
Photo via Reston Town Center
Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors is expected to authorize public hearings on two controversial proposals and consider several developments at its Tuesday (Dec. 4) meeting.
The board is anticipated to authorize public hearings on proposed zoning changes that would increase the population density. The hearings would take place at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 23 and at 4:30 p.m. on March 5.
The zoning amendment would increase the maximum population per acre in the Planned Residential Community (PRC) district from 13 persons to 15. Dwelling units per acre would increase from 50 units to 70 near Metro stations.
The Coalition for a Planned Reston, Reston 2020 and the Reston Association have raised concerns with the proposal, expressing worries about the exemptions given to developers with proposals that do not conform to the Reston Master Plan and a lack of infrastructure to support an increased density.
The board is also expected to authorize a public hearing at 4 p.m. on Jan. 22 to consider adding chinchillas, hedgehogs and hermit crabs to the county’s list of commonly accepted pets.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission scrutinized health and safety concerns for the three animals at its public hearing last Thursday (Nov. 29).
For developments, the following are expected:
- a decision on Woodfield Acquisitions’ redevelopment of Roland Clarke Place that would add a 308-unit residential complex just south of the Dulles Toll Road
- a public hearing on changes to previously approved development conditions for the Tall Oaks Village Center townhome project by Stanley Martin
- a public hearing on the Midline, a mixed-use project near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station
The board will also consider endorsing non-regulatory guidelines for developments in Reston Transit Station Areas and will receive a presentation on the annual financial report for the 2018 fiscal year, along with an update on the Economic Success Strategic Plan.
Reston-based Appian Corp. may receive approval from the board for a $4 million grant from the Commonwealth for an expansion.
The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Photo via Fairfax County Government/Facebook
