Some residents are concerned that restrictions on political campaigning at Reston Station Plaza raise free speech issues. But local and state officials versed in state election law say the question of whether or not campaigning is allowed on the plaza is a gray area.

That’s because Comstock Companies, the developer of Reston Station, leases the plaza from Fairfax County through a 99-year ground lease. The county says that state election law still allows campaign activities, including voter registration, on the private property.

Several residents who have unsuccessfully tried to campaign and distribute leaflets on the plaza say they’ve been told to request permits from Comstock before distributing materials.

But Comstock’s CEO Chris Clemente says that Comstock has no such policy for requesting permits.

“I cannot respond to the reports you have received about a days-long permit process since that is simply not true,” Clemente told Reston Now in a statement.

He clarified that Comstock has not revised its policy prohibiting soliciting on its private properties “out of respect for the privacy of residents, visitors, and commuters.” Instead, Clemente said Comstock’s policy revision was restricted to scheduling a candidate meet-and-greet for a few hours at the plaza. Candidates would get the chance to meet with voters and distribute campaign materials with no cost.

“To date, we have not seen any indication of interest from any of the campaigns (except Maggie Parker’s) to participate in such an event. What we have seen from some of the candidates is public criticism of Comstock for not allowing random soliciting of Metro commuters. It makes me think that the candidates, with the exception of Maggie Parker, have no interest in discussing their vision for the Hunter Mill District with members of the public,” Clemente said.

Parker, who is Comstock’s vice president of communications, is a candidate for the Hunter Mill District seat and has campaign signs on the property. 

Other candidates can purchase advertising space for either $2,000 or $3,500 per week on two plaza locations. Parker said she paid for her ads on Comstock’s property. Comstock and Comstock-linked entities have filled up more than half of her campaign coffers — which exceeds all of her challengers’ fundraising for the latest reporting period combined.

Joanne Collins, a representative for Herndon-Reston Indivisible, said Comstock’s security told her to leave the plaza after she tried to hand out leaflets about Tuesday’s primary. Collins said she requested a permit from Comstock, but was told the process would take several days — possibly after the June 11 Democratic primary.

Residents say that the Fairfax County Board of Elections and the Virginia Department of Elections are mum on the issue. Laurie Dodd, a candidate for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisor’s Hunter Mill District seat, lodged a complaint with the state’s elections department, but was told the issue wasn’t within its jurisdiction.

Dodd said she was told the department only addresses issues within 40 feet of voting machines. The Attorney General of Virginia’s office offered the same statement, she said.

Others said they would file complaints with the county’s election board after the election in order to spend more time campaigning in other parts of the Hunter Mill District.

Dodd also noted that the cost of purchasing signage at the plaza was too high, especially since the election is just days away and the process would require Comstock’s approval.

The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney is looking into whether or not free speech rights are at risk of being violated.

File photo

Reston Association’s employees are working to remove a large tree that collapsed into Lake Thoreau during a recent storm.

Unlike previous trees that were removed with a crane, the tree in Lake Thoreau is being removed with saws and the help of boats.

RA also worked in coordination with a homeowner to make the project happen.

“With every project, we make sure it’s done safely and in a safe manner,” said Ali Khatibi, RA’s Central Services Facility manager, in a recent Reston Today video.

The homeowners association only removes trees on its properties. To request tree removal, residents should call 703-437-7658.

Video via Reston Today/YouTube

Lake Anne Elementary School received its third Eco-school Green Flag, an honor given by the National Wildlife Federation to schools that champion environmental stewardship.

Lake Anne first received the award in 2012 and nabbed two additional awards during the first two years in the program.

Since then, the school has made changes to become more environmentally sustainable.

“Being an Eco-School permeates our school through energy conservation, recycling, water conservation, eco education, our bird houses, and our sustainable garden. Our students are eco stewards every day,” said Principal Jill Stewart.

The school has been involved in many environmentally sustainable projects, as told by Fairfax County Public Schools:

Since 2012, Lake Anne added a pollinator garden, a Monarch butterfly garden, a bird garden for all seasons, a mini meadow, a watershed garden for its dry pond, added solar panels to save energy, added raised beds to the courtyards, and started protecting bluebirds by adding a bluebirds nest box trail. The school also started a community edible garden to provide food for its families in the summer, established and grew a recycling program in the classroom and the cafeteria, participates in walk and roll to school once a month, and started a nature trail in the woods to facilitate nature observation. The school also certified its gardens with the National Wildlife Federation and the Monarch Watch program. 

More information about the award is available online.

Photo via FCPS

Local Venture Firm Perfects Fundraising Methodology — Reston-based venture firm Proof.VC, which raised $34.5 million in the first round of funding could exceed that total in the second round. The company aims to perfect its fundraising strategy to invest in businesses like Beyond Meat Inc. and Bird Rides, Inc. [Washington Business Journal]

Reminder: Absentee Voting Deadline is Tomorrow — The last day to cast an absentee ballot is tomorrow at the county’s government center. Satellite absentee voting locations will also be open tomorrow only, including the North County Governmental Center. [Fairfax County Government]

South Lakes High School PTSA Nominated for Family Engagement Award — The group was nominated for the 2019 VA PTA Family Engagement Award. Members are thankful for families who volunteer throughout the year. “The recognition of the Virginia PTA is for you,” the group wrote in a statement. [South Lakes High School PTSA]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

The redevelopment of Lake Anne Fellowship House, which has provided affordable housing for seniors in Reston fore more than 40 years, received a funding boost on Tuesday (June 5) .

Gov. Ralph Northam announced that the project will receive $700,000 in state gap funding, one of 17 projects in the state to tap into $11.1 million in affordable and special needs housing loans.

In a release, the loans will create or maintain 1,283 affordable housing units in the state. Northam made the announcement at American Legion Post in Arlington.

Loans were awarded through a competitive process by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding streams for loans include a combination of state and federal sources.

The state selected proposals from 29 applications requesting a total of more than $21 million. Proposals were scored based on funding availability.

“Through this program, we are providing the necessary financing to preserve and create safe and sustainable housing for many low-to-moderate-income Virginians,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball in a statement.

Four other Northern Virginia projects received funding:

• $1.3 Million for the Residences at North Hill Bond 94
• $1 million for the Residences at North Hill Bond 47
• $700,000 for The Arden
• $700,000 for Virginia Square

The redevelopment of Lake Anne Fellowship House, which was approved in October last year, will preserve 240 apartments as affordable units for seniors for the next 30 years.

Approved plans call for replacing the existing apartments at Lake Anne Fellowship House with a modern building along North Shore Drive near the intersection with Village Road.  The plan also include 36 market rate townhouses to help pay for the cost of senior housing.

The project is part of a partnership between Fellowship Square Foundation, which owns and operates Lake Anne House, and real estate developer Community Preservation and Development Corp.

Rendering via Fairfax County Government

White HART Massage, a business that offers pain management and injury rehabilitation, is moving to a larger location in Herndon.

A ribbon cutting with Town of Herndon officials is set for Tuesday, June 11 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the new location (491 Carlisle Drive).

The business will host a grand opening on Saturday, June 15 from 5-8 p.m.

Casey White, the owner and a licensed massage therapist, said her business is entering its fifth year of work. She called the new location a “tranquil oasis in the middle of bustling Northern Virginia.”

The office community where we are located is a tranquil oasis in the middle of bustling Northern Virginia. It is a calming space. But more importantly, as we focus on massage for pain management and injury rehabilitation we choose a location with direct access to our first floor suite. The ability for our clients to reach us is of utmost importance. That also determined our location, which is close to the Fairfax County Parkway and the Toll Road, which allows easy access for our clients who travel from all over to see us. Our clients come from Bristow, Fredricksburg, Arlington, West Virginia, and of course Herndon/Reston. So proximity to major roads was important to us. 

White HART offers massage therapy, corporate massages and a pre-natal massage.

Photos via Casey White

Health officials are warning people in Northern Virginia that they may have been exposed to an individual with measles.

The individual visited several locations in the area, according to the the Virginia Department of Health.

In a release, the department detailed possible exposure locations and times:

• Dulles International Airport in Terminal A and Baggage Claim level on Sunday, June 2, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center, 15225 Heathcote Boulevard, Haymarket, VA in the emergency department on Sunday, June 2 at 11 p.m. through early Monday, June 3 at 4:30 a.m.
• Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, 3600 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax, VA in the emergency department, including the waiting area, on Tuesday, June 4 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

State officials offered the following advice if individuals believe they were at the above locations during the specified times:

If you have received two doses of a measles containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles only vaccine which is available in other countries) you are protected and do not need to take any action.

If you have received only one dose of a measles containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low.  However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your health care provider about getting a second vaccine dose.

If you have never received a measles containing vaccine nor had a documented case of measles, you may be at risk of getting measles from this exposure.  Contact your local health department or health care provider for advice on possible intervention to decrease your risk of becoming infected or other precautions you need to take.  If you notice the symptoms of measles, stay home and away from others and immediately call your primary health care provider or health department to discuss further care. Call ahead before going to the office or the emergency room and tell them that you were exposed to measles.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through coughing in sneezing. Its bacteria thrive in the air for two hours.

Over the last decade, the incidence of measles has spiked. In the first five months of this year alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited 971 cases — the largest number of cases in the United States since 1994.

Photo via Michael Schiffer/Unsplash

The commute for users of Metro, which has been wrought with systemwide shutdowns, just got a little more complicated this weekend.

The Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will be closed this weekend due to construction on the Silver Line expansion.

Free shuttle buses will replace trains between the Wiehle-Reston East and Spring Hill stations due to signal installation for phase two of the extension project.

Regular weekend service will still run between the Spring Hill and Largo Town Center stations.

Service is expected to return to normal on Monday.

🚨 Due to Silver Line Phase II signal installation, Wiehle Reston East Metrorail Station will be closed June 8-9. Shuttle buses replacing trains will pick-up and drop-off at the Reston Station Blvd connecting travelers to rail service. Read more here: https://t.co/6flZHdEvrD. pic.twitter.com/oUDsbS5fhg

— Fairfax Connector (@ffxconnector) June 4, 2019

Photo by Fairfax Connector

Take a Break Concert Tonight — It’s officially dance night with Radio King Orchestra at Lake Anne Plaza from 7-9 p.m. The concert is free and open for all ages. Attendees will also get the change to learn some dance moves. [Reston Community Center]

Local Students Earn College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships — Joshua Nielson of Herndon High School won a National Merit Brigham Young University Scholarship and Arabella Jariel of South Lakes High School won a National Merit Harvey Mudd Scholarship. [Fairfax County Public Schools]

New Look for Fairfax Alerts Traffic Notifications — The new format for traffic alerts allows users to look through a map to pinpoint the exact geolocation of traffic incidents. The update also standardizes how information about the location address, incident type and impact appear to users. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Organizers of the Reston Pride Festival, which was held on Saturday (June 1), have already set the date for the next festival after this year’s successful event.

A tentative date for next year’s festival is June 6, 2020.

More than 5,000 people took part in the festival, which featured choral groups, dancers, speakers and dozens of exhibitors and vendors.

Since its inaugural event at a local church two years ago, the festival has rapidly expanded. The event was cosponsored by three Reston churches: the Universalist Unitarian Church in Reston, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, and United Christian Paris.

During the event, state Del. Ken Plum (D-36th) said the festival was an example of Reston’s reputation as an “open community.” State Del. Danica Roem (D-13th) also delivered remarks at the event.

Organizers recapped the event, which was staffed by more than 60 volunteers:

In addition to community choirs and speakers, attendees at Reston Pride were treated a variety of musical performances. Delta B Knyght, a DC-based drag performer, and Ken Williamson, minister of music for Washington Plaza Baptist Church, were the emcees for the event. Rev. Michelle Nickens, minister of Washington Plaza Baptist Church, penned and performed Reston Pride Blues, a catchy song designed to capture the spirit of Reston Pride Monika Chaturvedi and friends provided a bit of international flair with a Bollywood Dance performance.

Musician Laura Tsaggaris closed out the festival with her unique sound of modern folk music. Lake Anne Merchants and Professionals provided a moon bounce, bubbles and chalk, an interactive snow cone maker and transformed the Lake Anne horse sculpture into a unicorn, making the event truly family-oriented.

A location for next year’s festival has not been announced.

Photos via Chip McCrea Photography

FireEye, a publicly-traded cybersecurity company based in Silicon Valley, has acquired a local security company.

The company announced that it has required McLean-based security company Verodin.

A spokesperson for the company wrote the following about the acquisition:

In April, the company announced it was expanding its Reston footprint. Their offices are located at 11955 Freedom Drive… FireEye announced their continued expansion in the Reston area in April and has now taken another step towards establishing its dominance in the growing cyber security industry with the purchase of McLean, VA-based Verodin.  This acquisition will grow FireEye’s footprint in the tech corridor as the region continues to draw top-tier companies.  

Equipped with FireEye’s frontline intelligence, the Verodin platform will measure and test security environments against both known and newly discovered threats, empowering organizations to rapidly adapt their defense.  

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

FireEye offers a single platform for organizations struggling to prevent and respond to cyber attacks. Since it was founded in 2004 by Ashar Aziz, the company has filed more than 150 patents for technology related to cyber threat protections.

The company also has offices in Alexandria, where FireEye’s cybersecurity consultants are located. Overall, the company has more than 7,700 clients in 103 countries.

Photo via FireEye

World-renowned architect Helmut Jahn will design another office building at Reston Station to complement his existing work at Reston Station.

According to the Washington Business Journal, Comstock Companies retained Jahn to build the second building across the Dulles Toll Road opposite from the first building at 1900 Reston Metro Plaza. The building is part of Comstock’s development plan for Commerce Metro Center.

Although the buildings are similar, the new structure is expected to be more of a parallelogram than a trapezoid.

Here’s more from the May 31 story:

“He wants to sort of match the angles. He likes the direction of that design,” said Tim Steffan, executive vice president of development and asset management at Reston-based Comstock (NASDAQ: CHCI). “There’s an angular similarity to it.”

The building, still in the concept stage, could be 17 to 23 stories and between 375,000 and 500,000 square feet. 1900 Reston Metro Plaza is 16 stories and 365,000 square feet.

Jahn and his firm, Chicago-based Jahn Architecture Inc., originally submitted a proposal for a residential concept at Reston Station as part of an international design competition but were not selected. Comstock later commissioned him to design the 1900 Reston Metro Plaza office building.

The architect convinced Comstock’s CEO Chris Clemente that the office building needed a companion across the toll road, Maggie Parker, Comstock’s vice president of communications, said.

Comstock does not expect to break ground on the building for at least another year, according to the report. Two buildings at 1902 and 1906 Reston Metro are currently in progress with a delivery date of mid-2020. No major leases have been announced for the office buildings.

Photos via Comstock/Washington Business Journal

Maggie Parker, vice president of communications for Comstock Companies and a candidate for Hunter Mill District Supervisor, has received more funds than any candidate running for a district office seat in the county in a single reporting period this year. At least $108,323 of her campaign war chest was given by Comstock or Comstock-linked entities, the developer behind the massive redevelopment of Reston Station.

According to campaign finance reports filed on Tuesday (June 4), Parker’s campaign war chest ballooned over the last several weeks with $254,276 raised in the latest reporting period. She collected $155,375 — roughly 61 percent of total contributions — from 65 donors who contributed more than $100.

In the final stretch before the primary next week, Parker has raised more money in the last reporting period than all four of her challengers combined.

Although Parker spent most of her contributions — leaving her with $11,856 in the bank before the June 11 primary — campaign finance reports indicate Parker is backed by several contributors linked with the development community in Reston.

Former Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Walter Alcorn raised $31,774 over the last reporting period and had $26,821 in the bank. Most of his donations — $28,930 – came from 80 donors who gave more than $100.

Shyamali Hauth, a U.S. Air Force veteran and self-described community advocate, raised $12,366 and ended with a balance of $7,331. She received $6,172 from 22 donors who gave contributions of more than $100.

Laurie Dodd, a local lawyer, raised $9,285 and had $4,468 in the bank. Seven donors gave contributions of more than $100 to her campaign.

Meanwhile, Parker Messick‘s campaign coffers dried out with no donations of more than $100 and a total of $155 raised. He has $1,039 in the bank.

The primary for the Hunter Mill District Supervisor seat is on June 11.

Photo via Maggie Parker

Candidates for Hunter Mill District Supervisor Discuss Reston’s Future — Candidates running for the seat submitted answers to the Coalition for a Planned Reston’s questionnaire on the community’s future. Topics include whether or not the Fairfax County Planning Commission should increase the density of Reston’s Planned Residential Community and the elimination of waivers granting exceptions to open space requirements. [Coalition for a Planned Reston]

“Nutrition for a Wealth of Health” Event Tonight — An in-store nutritionist from Giant Foods discusses eight steps to a wealth of health at Reston Regional Library from 7-8 p.m. [Reston Regional Library]

Virginia’s “LOVE” Letters Say Goodbye to Reston Town Center — The iconic letters move from RTC, their home for two days, to the Fairfax County Government Center. Next, they’ll head to Wolf Trap from July 12-24 and Frying Pan Farm Park from July 26 through August 4. [Reston Patch]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr