Voter turnout in Fairfax County rests at roughly 18 percent as of this afternoon.
So far, turnout in the Hunter Mill District (18.2 percent) is slightly above the county-wide average.
In previous years, turnout was nearly 70 percent in the 2018 midterms, up from 45.7 percent in the 2014 midterms.
The Springfield District has the highest turnout thus far, with turnout at 20 percent.
The district-by-district breakdown as of 1 p.m. today is below:
- Braddock: 18.2
- Dranesville: 18.4
- Hunter Mill: 18.2
- Lee: 15.6
- Mason: 16.6
- Mount Vernon: 17
- Providence: 15.9
- Springfield: 20
- Sully:18.3
Unofficial election results are expected to trickle in after polls close at 7 p.m. today. Reston Now is following several local races, including two school board candidates for the Hunter Mill District.
The Pizza Hut, which opened at 1821 Wiehle Avenue in 1977, is set to flip into a new pizzeria sometime early next year.
Now, more changes are in store for the fast food block, which is known as McTacoHut in Restonian-lingo.
The McDonald’s, which is located at 11265 Roger Bacon Drive, is set to undergo major renovations by early 2020. While county permits are in process, it’s estimated that renovations could begin early next month.
A spokesperson for the McDonalds Corp. told Reston Now the main lobby and drive-thru is expected to remain open throughout the renovation.
The renovations are part of the company’s efforts to modernize its look and incorporate technology like digital kiosks and mobile ordering.
The Pizza Hut plans to remain open until its lease ends in early 2020. After that, Pupatella, a Neoplitan pizza restaurant, will open in The Pizza Hut’s location.
File photo
A South Lakes High School student was killed in a car crash on Sunday (November 3) in Oakton.
Carter Smith, a junior at the school, was one of five passengers in the car, which was travelling eastbound on Stuart Mill Road around 6:30 p.m. that day when the car ran off the right shoulder and hit a tree, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Five teenagers who were in the car at the time were taken to local hospitals. The driver remains in life-threatening condition. The SLHS student was pronounced dead at the hospital and the three other passengers were treated for injuries that are not life-threatening.
Police believe speed may have been a factor in the accident. Preliminarily, alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors that led to the crash.
With permission of Smith’s parents, SLHS Principal Kimberly Retzer released information about Smith.
On Monday (Nov. 4), Retzer wrote the following in a letter to the SLHS community:
Our sincere condolences are extended to family and friends of all involved, and to all members of our community who may be hearing of this terrible incident. I will maintain contact with the family and share about funeral services as that information becomes available.The unexpected death of a young person is very sad and difficult to process and can have an impact on anyone, whether they knew the person or not. South Lakes will provide counselors and clinical team members tomorrow, Tuesday, from 9:00AM to 12:00PM. Students should gather in the Lecture Hall. We will have additional supports on Wednesday as well when all students return.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact FCPD’s crash reconstruction unit at 703-280-0543.
No other information about the incident has been released.
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Final Showings of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” — There are two showings left for the Reston Community Players’ performance on Nov. 8 and 9 at Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road). Tickets are available online. [Reston Community Players]
County Host Tactical Athlete Wellness Symposium — On November 7 and 8, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is hosting the 2019 Tactical Athlete Wellness Symposium – Mind, Body, and Soul. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Reston Association Markets The Lake House — The association is marketing the venue, which says it is ideal for events, parties and other special occasions. [Reston Today]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A new five-story hotel, which will house two separate hotel business, has been proposed on vacant property on Sunset Park Drive.
Shamin Hotels is proposing to build the hotel on 232 Sunset Park Drive. The 151,00-square-foot building would be home to a Hilton Garden Inn and Home 2.
“The building is a delicate merge between the two hotels, providing an individual identity for each hotel, while creating a cohesive building design,” according to the proposal.
The 250-room hotel complex will include an indoor pool, health fitness room, and meeting spaces, among other features. The concept was first discussed at a Town of Herndon meeting in 2014.
The Town of Herndon’s Architectural Review Board will consider the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday (Nov. 6) at 7:30 p.m. in the Herndon Municipal Center (777 Lynn Street).
Photos via handout/Town of Herndon
Local police arrested a juvenile in connection with a robbery and assault on Halloween and are looking for other suspects.
A victim said several males assaulted him and stole cash from his wallet when he was walking on the 2100 block of Ferguson Place at around 8 p.m.
A juvenile was arrested and charged after the incident.
Police are looking for an unidentified number of suspects involved in the incident. No description was provided by police.
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Developer Norton Scott is considering its options after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected an appeal to build a $50 million condominium building at its Library Square property.
The board rejected the appeal in late October after the developer protested the Planning Commission’s denial of the project due the project’s lack of connectivity with the future extension to Library Street and what county planners said is a lack of available density in the area.
Norton Scott proposed to build a 13-story condominium building with 58 for-sale units at the 0.8-acre site. The developer came forward with the by-right plan after a previous proposal by Norton Scott and MRP Realty to redevelop the site and surrounding properties was rejected by the county due to its high cost.
Mike Scott, a developer with Norton Scott, told Reston Now the company “disappointed” the county rejected the appeal.
“We firmly believe the by-right use to bring 58 luxury condominiums to the Reston Town Center would fulfill an unmet need to provide for-sale housing aimed at professionals as well as baby boomers wishing to downsize and remain in Reston. The building height and density met all the zoning requirements and were in keeping with the adjacent Paramount condominium and the approved project on the Winwood Child Care Center site. Given the Board’s decision, we are exploring our options on moving forward,” Scott said.
At the Oct. 29 meeting, county planners said the project lacks a needed connection with the future extension of Library Street.
Residents, including representatives for the Paramount, an apartment building next to the site, said the project’s scale was overwhelming for the area.
Jean Werner, a member of the Paramount Task Force, said the developer was attempting to “shoe horn” a building in the site, raising concerns about how people would get in and out of the proposed building.
Springfied District Board of Supervisor Pat Herrity abstained from a vote on the project, which he said posed a difficult property rights decision.
“I’m not buried into the details of Reston,” Herrity said.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who has been involved in decision-making for previous proposals in the area, concurred with the concerns of residents and county planners.
Photos via handout/Fairfax County Government
After a months-long crowdfunding effort, construction on a 50-foot steel sculpture has begun in Reston Town Center.
The sculpture, titled Buoyant Force, is designed by artist Sue Wrbican who was inspired by the paintings of American Surrealist Kay Sage.
In a release, the Greater Reston Arts Center called the sculpture an “unprecedented project that will not only bring a monumental sculpture in Reston, but will be an act of creative place-making.” The sculpture will be located in Reston Town Square Park.
Wrbican is an associate professor and director of photographer at George Mason University’s School of Art.
Her work, which is known for depicting scaffolded structures and furled fabric in desolate landscapes, is inspired by Sage, who GRACE says lived in the shadow of her husband, the surrealist Yves Tanguy.
GRACE turned to a crowdfunding to help finance the construction of the project. The installation is expected to be complete by the fall.
Photo via Greater Reston Arts Center
A new burger spot is coming to Reston Town Center soon.
The Capital Burger — which serves up “luxury” burgers, hand-cut fries, milkshakes and wine — plans to open at 1800 Presidents Street soon.
A company representative told Reston Now the restaurant was not ready to share details about the new location yet.
Here’s more about the restaurant from its website:
The Capital Burger’s main fare features a proprietary blend of beef. To create these luxurious burgers, we worked alongside renowned Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors. Pat, a third-generation butcher, only uses beef from small, family-owned farms, and with an artisan’s skill blends different cuts. What did we achieve? A sublime burger worthy of our guests.
County permits for new signs and other construction-related work were processed in late October.
The Capital Burger has another location in the District.
Photo via The Capital Burger/Facebook
Community Meeting on Lake Thoreau Project Today — Reston Association staff will meet with members to discuss future plans for the pool, which will be closed for the 2020 season. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. tonight (Monday) at RA headquarters. [Reston Association]
Metro’s Budget Proposal to Increase Fares, Restore Night Service — “Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year would increase peak fares, offer a flat weekend fare and expand late-night service for the first time since a 2016 moratorium.” [The Washington Post]
Season Extended for Local Farmers Markets — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will extend the season at three farmers market locations; Burke, Reston, and McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Markets.” [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by Ray Copson
Before we head off into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.
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Report: Reston-based Company with Trump Ties Awarded Federal Contract
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Reston Association Board Scales Back Proposed Assessment Increase by $10
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Local Schools Recognized for Bridging Achievement Gaps in English and Math
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Planning Funds Sought for New ‘Silver Line’ Elementary School
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.
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November is kicking off with a chilly start. A freeze warning has been issued for Fairfax County for tomorrow (Nov. 2).
Temperatures as low as 30 degrees are expected between 2 and 9 a.m.
Here’s more from the alert:
* IMPACTS…FROST AND FREEZE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS, OTHER
SENSITIVE VEGETATION AND POSSIBLY DAMAGE UNPROTECTED OUTDOOR PLUMBING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
TAKE STEPS NOW TO PROTECT TENDER PLANTS FROM THE COLD. TO PREVENT FREEZING AND POSSIBLE BURSTING OF OUTDOOR WATER PIPES THEY SHOULD BE WRAPPED, DRAINED, OR ALLOWED TO DRIP SLOWLY. THOSE THAT HAVE IN-GROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS SHOULD DRAIN THEM AND COVER ABOVE GROUND PIPES TO PROTECT THEM FROM FREEZING
NWS recommends that people prevent pipe bursts by wrapping, draining or slowly letting water drip from them. Above-ground pipes should also be covered.
Freeze Warning has been issued for portions of our forecast area where the growing season remains active. Most areas outside the urban centers and away from the tidal waters will see a freeze. pic.twitter.com/KWEC79sJNI
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) November 1, 2019
Photo via Shaun Holloway/Unsplash
The Town of Herndon will no longer collect glass during curbside pickup, joining the county in an effort to shift glass recycling to purple dumpsters throughout the county.
While Restonians can drop off glass recyclables at the Reston South Park and Ride lot, Town of Herndon residents can head over to a purple dumpster at town’s public works complex (1479 Sterling Road).
Fairfax County officials shifted to the purple bins as part of a regional glass recycling program called the “Purple Can Club.”
Officials note that recycled glass often ends up in landfills because it breaks doing the transportation process and mixes with other recyclable materials.
Residents can drop off all types of emptied glass containers — including bottles and jars. Residue should be removed from the materials before recycling.
Photo via Town of Herndon
Residents can learn more about the future of Lake Thoreau pool at a special community meeting on Monday, Nov. 4 at Reston Association headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive).
RA staff will update the community on safety concerns highlighted by a recent engineering report, as well as how the association plans to address structural problems of the nearly 40-year-old facility.
The 2019 report found a number of structural cracks in the facility’s retaining wall. A representative from Kimley Horn, an engineering firm that conducted a 2017 study on the pool, will also attend the meeting.
Members will also have an opportunity to ask questions after the presentation by RA staff.
At a recent meeting, RA’s Board of Directors and staff indicated the pool will likely be closed for the 2020 season. The association expects to engage with the community to determine future plans for the facility.
Photo via Flickr/vantagehill
Facebook has inked a lease for roughly 75,000 square feet in Reston Town Center.
During a quarterly earnings call this week, Boston Properties President Doug Linde disclosed that the company reached a deal with the social media giant.
County permits indicate Facebook will take up space at 1818 Library Street, a 250,000-square-foot building in the town center.
No other information about the deal was immediately available.
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
