Nearly a third of Metro’s ridership decline in recent years is attributed to decreasing performance, according to information that will be presented to WMATA’s Finance Committee during its meeting this week.

According to its report on ridership between 2013 to 2016, Metro says there are several factors that have contributed to the drop. In addition to the failing reliability, the named factors include the federal benefit drop in 2014 that reduced high-use SmartBenefits customers; an increase in telework that has decreased AM peak ridership on Fridays; and the popularity of ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft.

The report lists four “marketing and communications efforts” that are planned in the effort to promote ridership:

• Focus on 30 percent of riders who left because of service reliability issues
• Encourage off-peak rail ridership through partnerships
• Strengthen SmartBenefits program and regional employer relationships
• Promote pass products, automatic reload and other fare products

In its latest “Back2Good” initiative report, Metro says railcar reliability was up more than 50 percent in the first seven months of 2017 when compared to that same time in 2016. It also says there were 60 percent fewer HVAC issues in July 2017 than in July 2016.

“These efforts will continue in the coming months as we hope to see sustained improvements, such as the reduction in passenger offloads and improvements in customer on-time performance,” reads the report. “However, we realize that it will take some time to regain the trust and confidence of customers needed to return to the system.”

At the end of the report, the Metro board and Metro-served jurisdictions are given examples of ways they can help increase ridership:

• Development: Advocate for development proposals near stations/corridors
• Access to Metrorail and Metrobus: Ensure existing jobs and housing are connected to rail stations and bus stops by investing in sidewalks, curb ramps, bus shelters, etc.
• Congestion Relief: Advocate for on-street improvements to speed up buses, such as traffic signal prioritization and bus lanes

Metro’s next set of board and committee meetings is slated for Thursday.

RA Offices Closed Today — Reston Association offices, including the Nature House and Central Services Facility, are closed today in observance of Columbus Day. [Reston Association]

North Shore Drive Sidewalk Project Planned — The Fairfax County Department of Transportation will host a community meeting about the North Shore Drive sidewalk project Wednesday in the cafeteria of Lake Anne Elementary School (11510 North Shore Drive). Plans are to expand the sidewalk on the south side of North Shore Drive from Sycamore Valley Court to the existing sidewalk east of North Shore Court. [Fairfax County DOT]

Reston’s Tree Canopy Shown Off — Reston has a 49 percent urban tree canopy, RA Environmental Resource Supervisor Patricia Greenberg explains in Reston Association’s latest “Reston Today” video dispatch. In the video, Greenberg explains the benefits of the canopy and how to take care of it. [Reston Association/YouTube]

Why Reston is ‘One Better Than Ashburn’ — A recent Money magazine list named Reston the 29th-best place to live in America … and nearby Ashburn the 30th. A local blogger compared the communities in a tongue-in-cheek fashion and determined just how the magazine came to the conclusion that Reston is “Ashburn plus one.” [Restonian]

As the owners of The Bike Lane prepare to leave Reston Town Center for a new location in the community, they have another issue weighing on their minds as well.

The bike shop has had its feathers ruffled by a new Loudoun County brewery with a similar name. According to its Facebook page, Bike Lane Brewing plans to open Oct. 21 at 101 Loudoun St. SE in Leesburg, about 1/4-mile from where the W&OD Trail crosses King Street in the town.

In a letter emailed to customers Thursday and posted to Facebook today, The Bike Lane owners Anne and Todd Mader say they are in no way affiliated with the brewery and are taking legal measures to clear up the issue.

We learned that this company was planning to open about five months ago. Since that time, we have cordially asked them, numerous times, to change their name. We feel that having a business named so similar and located on the same trail (the W&OD), only a few miles away, will confuse both our current and future customers. This company has refused to change their name, so we are left with no other option than to ask the courts to have them change their name.

When reached by Reston Now for comment, Bike Lane Brewing co-owner Greg Perlberg challenged the assertion in the statement from The Bike Lane that they have “cordially asked” him to change the name of his business.

“We have only had legal contact with them regarding this,” he said.

He declined further comment, citing advice from his attorney.

In its letter to customers, The Bike Lane says it plans to stay near the W&OD Trail in Reston when it leaves RTC. As part of the move, the Maders say, they will expand to include their own micro-brewery and coffee house. This further complicates matters with the new Leesburg brewery, they say.

With all of this, we feel it is extremely important that we protect our brand and name. As you can imagine, having a brewery with the same name will not only confuse customers but it will likely distract from both of our businesses. The last thing Todd and I want is to get in the way of another businesses [sic] success. We are very supportive of this company opening a new brewery, and we wish them all the best in their new venture. We are only asking them to change their name before they open for business to protect the investment we have made in The Bike Lane brand and to protect you, our customers, from being confused.

The Bike Lane has been in its current location, at 11943 Democracy Drive, for nearly a decade. It also operates a shop in Springfield.

UPDATE: The Starbucks location opened Monday, Oct. 9.

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Another new Starbucks will soon open in Reston.

Signs inside the future coffee shop at 12130A Sunset Hills Road, within the RTC West development, indicate that the new Starbucks will be ready soon. The storefront is attached to Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, which opened in August.

A spokesperson for RTC West developer JBG Smith said she could not provide an exact opening date for the Starbucks. An “opening soon” sign hangs inside, visible through the front windows. Several “Now Open” sandwich boards are also stacked inside, ready for deployment.

This will be the ninth Starbucks in Reston, joining locations at North Point Village Center, South Lakes Village Center, Hunters Woods Village Center, Reston Town Center, the Spectrum shopping plaza, Plaza America, Reston Station and inside Target.

Six additional restaurants are also planned for the development. Significant work has been done at the sites of the future Nando’s and Mezeh restaurants, which have been in the plans since April 2016. Other coming restaurants, which were announced earlier this year, include BGR The Burger Joint, Punjabi by Nature, The Black Squirrel and Honeygrow.

(This article was edited at 4:30 p.m. to clarify information about the size of the potential store.)

Citing a pair of unnamed sources, the Washington Business Journal reports that grocery chain Wegmans has signed a letter of intent to put an urban-format store near the future Reston Town Center Metro station.

According to WBJ, the store would be built in the future Reston Crescent development, a 36-acre plot of land in the northwest corner of the intersection of Reston Parkway and Sunrise Valley Drive. That’s across from Reston Association headquarters.

In May, the WBJ reported the Western New York-based chain was looking at a 23-acre property assemblage on Association Drive, near the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and Soapstone Drive. Among factors that may have burdened a deal for that site is the proposed Soapstone Connector, which would cut through the property.

The new report states the upscale grocer has committed to Reston Crescent developer Brookfield Properties. The store would be small for a Wegmans, similar in size to the store approved for Tysons at 80,000 square feet. (On its website, Wegmans says its stores range in size from “75,000 to 140,000 square feet.”)

Currently going through the County approval process, the 36-acre property is scheduled to be redeveloped to add up to 2,260 dwelling units, 1.18 million square feet of office space, up to 125,000 square feet of retail, and potentially a 160-room hotel. Six parks are also included in Brookfield’s plan. The WBJ report indicates a deal with Wegmans may mean the site plan will require a redesign to accommodate the grocery store.

There are more than 90 Wegmans stores in six states, ranging from Massachusetts to Virginia. The company has plans to open a store in DC soon, as well as for expansion into North Carolina.

Wegmans’ website shows two confirmed future locations in Fairfax County:

• A Chantilly location, at Route 28 and Westfields Boulevard, is scheduled for a 2018 opening
• The Tysons location, at the future Capital One Center near I-495 at Route 123, is listed as a “future site”

The nearest current locations are in Sterling (Dulles 28 Center) and Fairfax.

A series of airbag thefts reported recently near Herndon is part of a countywide and national trend, police say.

The past week’s crime recaps from the Fairfax County Police Department included four reports of airbags being stolen in the area, as well as one report of a stolen steering wheel. All of the reports came from the same area off Frying Pan Road, near Fox Mill and Coppermine roads.

Pfc. Emmilie Cherry, of FCPD’s media relations bureau, said there isn’t a lot of information available about the thefts, but they aren’t limited to this area.

“There have been thefts throughout the county of airbags being stolen from vehicles,” Cherry said. “We don’t know the exact reasons they are being stolen, but a guess would be re-selling it to auto-part stores.”

This isn’t the first time this issue has arisen. In the early months of 2014, the Washington Post reported, more than 50 such incidents took place in Fairfax County. It’s is an issue that has been of concern for as long as airbags have been an aspect of car safety, as evidenced by a 1995 New York Times article featuring the headline, “As Automotive Air Bags Become Common, So Does Stealing Them.”

As automobiles are laden with more expensive accessories, thieves have become more specialized and crafty, quickly outwitting both car owners and dealers. And air bags, which can fetch hundreds of dollars on the black market, have become a prized prey. They are easily removed, portable and sought by disreputable repair shops that can profit by installing the stolen part — in some cases in cars whose original bags were stolen.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau says airbags retail at about $1,000, while they can be purchased on the black market for between $50 and $200. The disreputable repair shop pockets the difference, the NICB says.

The NICB offers these tips to avoid becoming a victim of such fraud when an airbag is being replaced:

• Use a reputable automobile collision repair shop that employs ASE-certified mechanics
• Inspect the invoice to ensure the repair shop purchased the airbag from a manufacturer, dealer or recycler
• If possible, inspect the airbag prior to installation. If new, it should be packaged in a sealed container from the manufacturer
• The trim cover over the steering column should be the same color as the remaining trim interior. If not, it is an indication that the original airbag has been replaced
• When you turn on your vehicle’s ignition, a red SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) indicator should light up and flash in the instrument panel display, indicating the airbag system is activated. No SRS light indicates a problem with the airbag system that could result in no airbag activation

Media reports from around the nation indicate the thefts often occur from Honda vehicles.

Image via Wikimedia user Janipewter

South Lakes High School football alumnus Deon King has been added to the active roster of a National Football League team for the third time.

The linebacker was promoted to the 53-man roster of the Cleveland Browns earlier this week. He had spent the first four weeks of the season on the team’s practice squad.

King, who signed with the Browns in June, was a member of the Dallas Cowboys during the 2016 preseason, but was released prior to the start of the regular season. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers and played in two 2016 games with them before they waived him midseason. He was added to the roster of the Indianapolis Colts, and he appeared in four more games with them that season.

In his six NFL regular-season games, King has recorded two tackles. In four preseason games with the Browns this year, King recorded nine tackles (including seven solo) and a fumble recovery.

According to his player profile on ClevelandBrowns.com, the 2011 SLHS graduate tallied more than 100 tackles and 10 sacks as a senior. He was also named All-District in the shotput.

At Norfolk State University, King won the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player at that collegiate level. He was the university’s first consensus First-Team All-America selection.

King and the Browns will seek their first win of the season Sunday against the New York Jets in a 1 p.m. kickoff at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.

Another recent SLHS football alumnus who played professionally is Thomas Mayo, a 2008 graduate who recorded 24 receptions for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League last season. He was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders earlier this year, but was released in June.

Image via ClevelandBrowns.com

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews are at RTC West, where they say an “electrical issue” has knocked out power.

The issue is affecting operations at Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant (12130 Sunset Hills Road), which will be closed until the situation is alleviated. The office buildings at RTC West, 12100-12120 Sunset Hills Road, are also without power.

The power went out at about 1:10 p.m.

Our readers said lights flickered in other nearby areas around that time, but electricity returned immediately.

Power surged on Sunrise Valley near Wiehle, but back up after a second.

— Eric Rife (@imericrife) October 4, 2017

No, but it did flicker about then. I'm in the Boston ridge cluster

— matt (@TheMrinella) October 4, 2017

Dominion Energy tells us it is investigating the situation and hopes to restore power soon.

(This article was updated at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 6, to add official information about the cafeteria’s occupancy limit.)

After being postponed last month because of a huge turnout at Lake Anne Elementary School, the next public meeting on a proposed Fairfax County zoning ordinance amendment for Reston’s Planned Residential Community (PRC) district has been rescheduled.

The meeting is slated for Monday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at South Lakes High School (11400 South Lakes Drive).

The Sept. 25 meeting at the LAES elementary school was called off after a large number of people — estimated at more than 400 — showed up to oppose the plan. It was to be the fourth public meeting on the proposal, which would bump the overall limit on people per acre in Reston’s Planned Residential Community (PRC) District from 13 to 16. (The density is currently about 11.9 people per acre.)

The PRC District does not include any of the fast-growing Transit Station Area property surrounding the Wiehle-Reston East and Herndon Metro stations, nor does it include most of the property in the Reston Town Center Metro station TSA south of the Dulles Toll Road.

The ordinance amendment would also allow for the Board of Supervisors to be able to approve individual developments in excess of 50 dwelling units per acre in TSAs within the PRC and when in accordance with Comprehensive Plan recommendations. Those areas that would be marked for possible major residential development include all of Reston’s village centers.

Citizen activists warn that the combined effect of these changes could see the population of Reston tripled by 2050.

The occupancy limit for the SLHS cafeteria is 668 when tables are present, though it can hold up to 1,280 if the several dozen large tables are removed.

The SLHS activities office said Supervisor Cathy Hudgins’ office requested a space that would be able to accommodate around 650 people. The school’s auditorium was unavailable for the meeting, the activities office said, because of scheduled theater rehearsals. That space has fewer than 600 seats anyway, according to SLHS officials.

The school’s gym also was not an available or acceptable option, Hudgins’ office said.

Read More

UPDATE: This information was later made official. (Full article)

—

We have received numerous messages from readers today regarding information they’ve seen about a proposed date, time and location for the rescheduled public meeting on Fairfax County’s proposed zoning ordinance amendment for Reston’s Planned Residential Community (PRC) District.

Representatives from both South Lakes High School and Supervisor Cathy Hudgins’ office tell us that information (Monday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the SLHS cafeteria) was inadvertently released publicly before it was confirmed by all necessary parties. It is subject to change.

We will print a full story on the rescheduled meeting when information deemed official is provided. Thank you for your patience.

Herndon PD Plays Soccer with Students — In what has become an annual tradition, on Monday the Herndon Police Department took on eighth-grade students from Herndon Middle School in a soccer match. HMS led 2-0 at halftime and was able to stave off an HPD comeback effort to win, 3-2. [Herndon Police Department/Facebook]

Changes Possible for Section 8 Program — The Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development will host a listening session tonight from 6:30-8 p.m. at Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) to discuss how current and future federal budget reductions are expected to have a significant impact on the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. [Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority]

‘CarFit’ Helps Seniors in Vehicles — A Fairfax County Police Department program provides a checklist to help older drivers be more comfortable and safe as they drive. In an 8-minute video, the program is explained and demonstrated. [Fairfax County Police Department/Facebook]

RSVP Seeks New Volunteers — The region’s largest volunteer network for people 55 and older will hold an orientation event for prospective volunteers on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 1:30 p.m. at Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive). [RSVP Northern Virginia]

Buses Will Be on Holiday Schedule Monday — If you plan to ride the Fairfax Connector on Columbus Day, make sure you’re aware of any route changes that may be in effect. [Fairfax Connector]

Image courtesy Herndon Police Department on Facebook

Deputies from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office had their hands full Sunday with a pair of chases involving local residents.

At 3:14 p.m., on Route 50 near Aldie, a deputy saw a vehicle speeding. When the officer turned on his lights, the driver sped off. The pursuit ended in the area of Eagles Landing Place, in the Lenah Mill community. The driver was identified as 43-year-old Rama K. Grandhi, of Herndon. He was arrested and charged with eluding police and reckless driving, 20 mph or more over the posted limit. He was later released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on a secured bond.

That same day, at about 8:04 p.m., a deputy spotted a black SUV going through a stop sign at the intersection of Loudoun County Parkway and Ryan Road in Ashburn “at a high rate of speed and almost [causing] the deputy to crash.” The deputy turned on his lights and pursued the vehicle. According to the report:

The vehicle then ran several stop signs and stop lights before striking a parked unoccupied vehicle on Olympia Drive before turning onto Regal Wood Drive. The driver fled on foot from the vehicle in the area of Regal Wood Drive and Vickery Park Drive. After a period of time, the driver was located in the nearby area and was taken into custody without incident.

The driver was identified as 18-year-old Alexander E. Fisher, of Reston. He was charged with auto theft, felony eluding police, destruction of property, reckless driving and driving without a license. He is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond.

Meanwhile, in Fairfax County, FCPD’s Reston District Station reported the following crimes in the past week:

LARCENIES:

2400 block of Alsop Court, credit cards from vehicle

11000 block of Burywood Lane, phone from person

11200 block of Chestnut Grove Square, laptop computer from residence

2400 block of Clover Field Circle, airbag from vehicle

13400 block of Coppermine Road, beer from business

2500 block of Cornelia Road, airbag from vehicle

2400 block of Fieldcreek Drive, steering wheel from vehicle

1800 block of Fountain Drive, merchandise from business

1800 block of Fountain Drive, merchandise from business

13100 block of Kidwell Field Road, airbag from vehicle

13100 block of Plotner Farm Road, airbags from vehicle

1800 block of Presidents Street, cellphone from business

11800 block of Spectrum Center, liquor from business

1100 block of South Lakes Drive, liquor from business

12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business

STOLEN VEHICLES:

None reported

Elsewhere in the county, police have arrested a man in connection with a series of assaults on women using trails in the Fairfax area in recent weeks. Jeremiah Whitmore Tolley, 21, of Fairfax has been charged with eight counts of sexual assault. In each case, women said a man — who police say is Tolley — grabbed them from behind and groped them. Tolley is at the Adult Detention Center, being held without bond.

As we reported earlier today, a pair of Reston men were also charged in Loudoun County with vehicle tampering and an auto theft. The men, ages 21 and 19, and also suspected to be involved in a series of gunfire complaints in the area in recent weeks.

Anyone with information about any of the crimes reported by FCPD should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).

No major incidents were listed in the Herndon Police Department’s weekly press report.

Mugshot of Tolley courtesy FCPD

Open Houses Scheduled at All Fire Stations — In celebration of Fire Prevention Week, all Fairfax County Fire and Rescue stations will be hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Citizens are invited to meet firefighters, see the fire trucks, join in the activities and learn about fire safety. Local stations include Reston (1820 Wiehle Ave.), North Point (1117 Reston Ave.), Herndon (680 Spring St.) and Fox Mill (2610 Reston Parkway). [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

Farm Harvest Days Coming Up — Watch the cider press in action, milk a goat, shell corn, peel apples, meet the farm animals, see traditional farm demonstrations, take a wagon ride, hop on the carousel and more during the annual Farm Harvest Days, Oct. 14-15 at Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 W. Ox Road, Herndon). [Fairfax County Park Authority]

County Helping Residents Combat Scammers — This week’s Fairfax 50+ Podcast concerns the county’s new Silver Shield Anti-Scam Campaign, which works to protect older adults by sharing critical information to help them avoid being scammed. [Fairfax County/Soundcloud]

Car Tax Is Due Friday, But Why? — Some historical reference for why Virginia residents must pay an annual tax on their vehicles. [WTOP]

Walking Tour of Colvin Run Planned — The first phase of the Colvin Run restoration project, within Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive), was completed in August. A walking tour of the 2,220 restored feet of the stream is slated for 10 a.m. Friday. [Fairfax County Park Authority]

Reston Community Center will present its annual Children’s Fall Flea Market later this month.

The event will allow parents the opportunity to browse tables full of gently-used kids’ clothing, toys, books, games, movies and other items. “Junior merchants” will be selling the variety of child-friendly items.

Vendor space for the event remains available. According to Reston Community Center’s WebTrac, individual 3-by-6-foot tables are available for $10 for Reston residents and $15 for non-residents. Shared 3-by-9-foot tables can be registered for $15 for Reston residents and $23 for non-residents.

Edible items or live animals cannot be brought to or sold at the flea market. After the event, unwanted items will be donated to a local charity.

The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 14 at RCC Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road). The price of admission is donation of one non-perishable food item, which will go to the RCC Thanksgiving Food Drive.

For more information, contact Debbie Heron, RCC’s youth program director, at [email protected] or by calling 703-390-6163.

Photo courtesy Reston Community Center

In an effort to generate more revenue, the Reston Association Board of Directors voted at its meeting last week (video) to consider the end of child care at The Lake House when tabulating the 2018 budget and assessment rates.

Summer camps at The Lake House will continue under the new direction. The Board’s decision also allows for the possibility of using the facility for spring and winter break camps, and for “general ad hoc community programming if that did not interfere with being able to rent out the facility.”

The topic was earlier discussed during a special Board session Sept. 18.

Eliminating the afterschool care at the facility will allow for more hours to be designated for rentals, the Board decided at its Sept. 28 meeting. According to the Reston Association website, The Lake House’s rental rates range from $100 to $275 an hour.

While an estimated 647 families participate in camps at The Lake House, only about two dozen children go to The Lake House after school for the “Fit Kids” program.

“In order to benefit, 12, 14, 16 families, we are asking 21,075 [households] to pay $6-$7 in additional assessments,” said Sridhar Ganesan, treasurer and At-Large director, referring to the difference in assessment rate the projected income from additional rentals would bring. “This facility has cost us between $4.25 and $4.5 million. … As a fiscally responsible Board, I would say we need to recover that money, at a minimum, even ignoring the time value of recovering that money, before we think of opening it up and giving it away free.”

The Board voted earlier this month to move forward with using reserve funds to pay off the loan on the facility, which has struggled to make money and continues to operate at a loss since being purchased and renovated by RA.

One affected parent, Erin Gable, addressed the Board to express her displeasure with their conversation.

“The Lake House is for members, not for corporations,” she said. “I get that a lot of money is still trying to be recovered from The Lake House situation, but this is a service to RA members that can be vitally important.”

CEO Cate Fulkerson also said that several affected parents had sent in letters. In the end, though, the Board determined that Reston Association should not be in the child-care business.

“It’s not that I want to take away your child care, it’s that I fundamentally recognize that we have a ton of members whose $6 is a big deal to them … to service a very small number of kids,” said Victoria White, Hunters Woods/Dogwood District representative. “Quite frankly, we’re a homeowners’ association. We’re not a child-care provider.”

Also at its meeting last week, the Board directed staff (video) to include a new position — a post-project approval inspector for the Design Review Board — in the second draft of the 2018 budget. This position, designed to help ensure that repairs and other work done on properties is completed on time and done in compliance with RA covenants, is estimated to add $55,885 (salary and benefits) to the budget. It will have a $2.65 impact on the assessment rate.

Decisions about budget items have not been finalized, as the full 2018-2019 budget is slated to be approved by the board in November.