Reston Town Center North, a 47-acre site that serves as a transition from Reston Town Center to surrounding residential areas, now has a new name: Cameron Green.
With a rebranded mixed-use redevelopment proposal, a conceptual approval for a grid-of-streets plan was approved by Reston Association’s Design Review Board earlier this week.
The plan includes nine acres of open space, with a central green — which is intended to act as a “Reston park in a new forest” that rests in the center of the site. The project will also include an athletic field and a county recreation center.
The central green is intended to be more neighborhood-focused and have “a Reston community feel,” according to application materials submitted to the DRB.
At a Tuesday meeting, the DRB unanimously gave conceptual approval for the plan. Members noted that the panel would have an opportunity to follow up on the inclusion of trees and the placemaking nature of planned open space once the development team submits a zoning application.
Richard Newlon, the DRB’s chairman, said plans approved for conceptual approval often differ significantly from the final and completed product — a change that he said raises some concerns.
In some cases, the final product is merely “in the spirit” of the conceptual approval, Newlon added, noting that dots denoting trees may look “cute” on paper.
Future concerns about trees and buffering could be addressed in future discussions, Newlon said.
Photos via handout/Reston Association
Britepaths Seeks Volunteers — The Fairfax-based nonprofit organization is seeking volunteers to sponsor families in need throughout the county. Sponsors are matched with families and may opt to provide a December holiday meal and gifts for children under 18. [Britepaths]
First African American Appointed as State Fire Marshal — “Governor Ralph Northam today announced the selection of Virginia’s new State Fire Marshal, Garrett Dyer. Garrett Dyer will oversee the law and code enforcement branch of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP), and lead more than 28 inspectors and administrative support staff. The Virginia State Fire Marshal’s role is to implement and enforce the fire code.” [Office of the Governor]
Toy Drive in Reston Town Center Kicks Off This Month — RTC’s “Toys for Tots” drive will run from the last week of November through the first week of December. The program is held in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Toys will be collected in building lobbies. [Reston Town Center]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Hunter Mill District Cathy Hudgins is concluding 20 years of service as the supervisor for the area later this year.
As former Planning Commissioner Walter Alcorn takes her vacated seat, Hudgins’ staff are organizing a community farewell for the supervisor.
The party is set for Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road) from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
All are welcome and light refreshments and desserts will be reserved. Attendees must RSVP by calling 703-478-0283 or by emailing [email protected].
Hudgins announced her plan to retire in January, capping off her fifth term on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She was first elected to the board in 1999.
File photo
Once the Lake Anne Fellowship House is redeveloped, bronze canvas-like art will wrap around the garage that rests below the 240-unit building.
Reston Association’s Design Review Board approved the final design at on Tuesday (Nov. 12).
At the meeting, Suzane. Welch, vice president of the Community Preservation and Development Corp. said the company was considering relocation trees planned in front of the screen.
The concept was approved by Public Art Reston‘s public art committee, which suggested relocating the trees to showcase the artwork more effectively.
Overall, DRB members said they were pleased with the design.
Richard Newlon, chairman of the panel, said the company should consider retaining the trees in order to create a buffer between the sidewalk and the building. He added that he liked the aesthetic of the screen, which consists of a perforated metal panel.
“It’s supposed to be background. It’s not supposed to be canvas art,” Newlon said.
Other members noted that the art would require maintenance due to its design.
The county approved the redevelopment of the fellowship house, which offers affordable housing for seniors, in October 2018.
Once the building is redeveloped, the development team will build 36 market-rate townhouses to the west side of property.
Reston Holiday Parade Nominated Again on USA Today’s “10 Best” List — “Reston Holiday Parade, voted one of USA Today’s “10 Best” each year since 2016, is nominated again for the fourth year in a row. The USA Today poll is now open for 2019… The “10 Best” winners will be announced on Friday, December 13.” [Reston Town Center/USA Today]
Registration for 2020 Reston-Herndon Little League Now Open — Registration is now open for next year’s programs. Currently, the organization is offering a $25 off discount for early bird registration. [Reston-Herndon Little League]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci is set to discuss his work at Herndon Middle School next week.
Baldacci will introduce his new novel, “A Minute to Midnight,” which features the story of FBI agent Atlee Pine. The event, which is organized by Bards Alley Book Store and Reston Regional Library, takes place in the auditorium on Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 7-8 p.m.
A giveaway of 100 free signed copies of the book is planned for the event. Copies of the book must be preordered online or by calling 571-459-2653.
Here’s more about the author from his website:
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996. The feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 38 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 130 million worldwide sales. David has also published seven novels for younger readers.
A lifelong Virginian, David received his Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law in Washington, D.C.
Attendees are also encouraged to bring new or gently used books for donation at the event. The book drive is part of the author’s feeding b body and mind initiative, a with distributes books to food banks across the country.
More information about the event is available online.
Photo via Facebook
The $39 million renovation of Langston Hughes Middle School (11401 Ridge Heights Road) could be completed as early as August 2021.
The project, which began earlier this year, is in the first phase of construction. So far, the parking lot and bus loop were partially completed of the summer.
Originally constructed in 1979, the expanded school is set to be 189,000 square feet and serve 1,250 students, according to Hughes Group Architects. Fairfax County Public Schools officials estimate the project will be mostly completed by August 2021.
The first phase of the project, which runs through December 2020, will include a two-story addition with an administration office, library, science and technology classrooms, communications and electrical rooms, as well as parking and other site work.
The second phase, which runs from January 2020 through December 2020, will improve the north entry point, renovation classrooms, and create a lecture hall and collaborative space. Demolition of the existing library and the north entry area is planned.
The final phase of the project, which runs through January 2021 through August 2021, will include upgrades to the performing arts and drama area, the gym, and locker rooms.
The project includes a central court called the “Hall of Nations” — a collaborative and flexible space meant to serve as an auditorium, a classroom or a breakout space.
Photos via FCPS
Local police are looking for a male suspect involved in a robbery at a business on the 1300 block of Worldgate Drive.
Officials from the Herndon Police Department said the business was robbed at around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Police did not disclose the name of the business.
Surveillance video shows that a man entered the business through a back door and took cash from two registers. There were no signs of forced entry.
A description for the suspect has not been issued. The case is under investigation.
File photo
Brookfield Properties is seeking approval for the third phase of Halley Rise, a 4.1 million square foot project on the north side of Sunrise Valley Drive between Edmund Halley Drive and Reston Parkway.
The proposal, which was previously known as the Reston Crescent, received approval from the county in July 2018.
Brookfield plans to remake the 36-acre site into eight urban blocks, including 1.5 million square feet of new office space, 1,721 residential units, a 200-room hotel and 380,000 square feet of retail.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission will consider Brookfield’s plan for the third phase of development at a meeting on Nov. 20.
The developer is seeking to build a 19-story building with 550,00 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail uses.
An eight-level parking garage is located behind the building and a neighborhood park with a fire pit and seating areas is planned in front of the building.
The first building, which will include an urban-format Wegmans, is currently under construction. It will occupy the ground floor of a seven-story building with 380 units and 1,000 parking spaces.
Photos via handout/Fairfax County Government
The annual Monster Drawing Rally returns to Reston next month, but with a new location at the Signature Apartments (11850 Freedom Drive).
Artists from around the region will converge at the apartments for a live drawing event and fundraiser. More than 50 artists will create artwork on-site, which will be hung on a wall and available for purchase at $75.
The event is set for Dec. 7 from 4-8 p.m.
If more than one person wants to purchase the same artwork, a drawing will determine the winner.
All proceeds benefit the exhibition program at the Greater Reston Arts Center.
More information about the event is available online.
Photo via GRACE
New Library Catalog Goes Live Today — The new library catalog will be available today (Wednesday) and will include major upgrades. Access to digital content from OverDrive and RBdigital will continue to be available during the transition. [Fairfax County Government]
Reston Company Among Fastest Growing Company List — Brillient, a Reston-based company, ranked #459 on Deloitte’s 2019 ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology companies in the country. Other Fairfax County companies were also represented on the list. [Deloitte]
Metro Moves to Sell Naming Rights — “Metro could soon sell the naming rights to stations, offices or entire lines as part of an effort to make more money as bus ridership falls and rail ridership only slowly starts to bounce back. General Manager Paul Wiedefeld told reporters last week he supports naming rights deals, as do at least a few members of the Metro Board.” [WTOP]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
This week was a relatively light week on crime, with no major incidents reported by the Fairfax County Police Department.
FCPD’s Reston District Station also reported the following minor incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
1800 block of Discovery Street, bag from location
1600 block of Parkcrest Circle, cover from vehicle
2400 block of Wheat Meadow Circle, tools from vehicle
11600 block of Charter Oak Court, furniture from residence
12200 block of Laurel Glade Court, cash from residence
2000 block of Maleady Drive, bicycle from residence
11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, bicycle from residence
11300 block of Dockside Circle, license plate from vehicle
2200 block of Astoria Circle, cell phone from location
11600 block of Brandon Hill Way, property from residence
2200 block of Compass Point Lane, wallet from location
11900 block of Killingsworth Avenue, liquor from business
11400 block of Reston Station Boulevard, bicycle from location
STOLEN VEHICLES:
2200 block of Halter Lane, 1996 Volvo 850
1900 block of Reston Metro Plaza, 2011 Jeep Wrangler
Photo via FCPD
The Herndon Town Council is considering plans to regulate electric scooters.
The proposal, which would require companies to seek licenses and permits to operate scooters in the town, is part of a statewide push to enact licensing requirements throughout the state.
This year, state lawmakers passed legislation requiring jurisdictions to set licensing requirements or ensure the devices were permitted according to state law.
If the town’s legislation is approved, all companies would be required to reach an agreement with the town to operate electric scooters in the town’s rights-of-way before a permit for operation is considered.
The council is expected to discuss the proposal at a meeting today (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. in the Herndon Municipal Center (777 Lynn Street).
Photo via Unsplash
One of the region’s worst bottlenecks is expected to get some relief after state Gov. Ralph Northam announced a plan to expand the American Legion Bridge.
Virginia and Maryland, which will take the lead on the project, which Northam said was a “once-in-a-generation achievement for the capital region.” The interstate compact has been named the “Capital Beltway Accord”
Once completed, existing lanes in each direction across the Potomac River will be replaced and two new Express Lanes will be added in each direction for roughly three miles between George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia to River Road in Maryland. Trails on both sides of the Potomac River are planned to improve bicycle and pedestrian access.
Proud to stand with @GovLarryHogan to announce our new, historic Capital Beltway Accord. Finally, our two states have come together to rebuild the American Legion Bridge—a big win for Northern Virginia, the metro region, and our entire Commonwealth.https://t.co/lamx5p3zqr pic.twitter.com/av4wOhzYjI
— Governor Ralph Northam (@VAGovernor73) November 12, 2019
“This is once-in-a-generation project that will improve accessibility throughout the region,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “This is a milestone in regional cooperation. We in Virginia look forward to working hand-in-hand with Maryland to deliver this transformative transportation solution.”
Officials expect the changes to reduce congestion in regular lanes by 25 percent, providing 40 percent more lane capacity over the old bridge.
While Maryland would rebuild the Legion Bridge, Virginia would pay nearly half of the cost.
No homes or businesses are expected to require relocation as a result of the project, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
Daily traffic on the American Legion Bridge has grown by 390 percent since the bridge opened in 1962.
Lane and Ramp Closures This Week — Several ramp and lane closures are planned this week due to ongoing work on the extension of the Silver Line. Changes are planned along the Dulles Toll Road, Sunrise Valley Drive, Sunset Hills Road and Moran Road. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]
County Plans to Repurpose Unused Parking Spaces at Malls — “A proposed Fairfax County amendment aims to lessen the parking requirements for large retail centers, allowing unused parking lots to be repurposed. It’s an issue the county has been talking about for the past year and a county report said there’s been a decline in shopping malls since the 1990’s.” [WUSA 9]
Reston Witches Rules the Water on Hallow’s Eve — A playful coven of Halloween witches on stand up paddle boards skim the waters of Lake Anne to kick-off an evening play and spooky brews. [The Connection]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
