Maryland Company Acquires Reston-based Company — MasterPeace Solutions, a Columbia-based cyber company has acquired Full Suite Solutions, a company that provides software to intelligence agencies. [Technical.ly]
Getting to Know the New Fairfax County Park Authority Chief — Jai Cole, who came the Fairfax County Park Authority’s new executive director last month, wants to make the park system more accessible for all. She started her career working at the pool at Reston Community Center, a position she says was one of the best jobs she ever had. [Inside NOVA]
Cyber Tip Leads to Child Porn Arrest — Brendan Lynch, 21, of Alexandria, was arrested and charged with four counts of solicitation of a minor and 26 counts of possession of child porn. He worked as an aquatics center at several recreation centers managed by the Fairfax County Park Authority. [FCPD]
Final plans to begin redeveloping the northernmost portion of Isaac Newton Square, an approved mixed-use development near Hidden Creek Country Club, are heading toward the county for approval.
APA Properties plans to first tackle roughly 15 acres of the 32-acre project with new roads and infrastructure like stormwater facilities, utilities, and bio-retention infrastructure. Plans for that area, which is located north of Sunset Hills Road and west of Wiehle Avenue, are up for a vote by the Fairfax County Planning Commission on Oct. 6.
Plans for the massive project are forming up after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the complete project nearly two years ago. Once built out, Isaac Newton Square will include 2,100 residential units and nearly 329,000 square feet of office and retail space.
The developer plans to construct a new section of Isaac Newton Square North and Isaac Newton Square West, along with a grid of streets called Isaac Newtown Square West, Center Street and Isaac Newton Square East. The proposed streets would continue to service office tenants on the site while allowing redevelopment of the proposed blocks to continue. Isaac Newton Square South is the only public road on the property.
A major feature of the plan includes the retention of most of the mature Willow Oak trees on the site. A new mixed-use trail is planned along Wiehle Avenue north of its intersection with Isaac Newton Square North.
The planning commission deferred a decision on the plan from Sept. 22 to Oct.6. John Carter, the planning commissioner for the Hunter Mill District, said that he was concerned that the proposed road improvements “limited the curb-to-curb relationship.” Carter said he wanted to ensure that the project had strong elements of urban street design.
“Primarily, the concern is providing safe access to the Metro Station. That I thought we could do better in in terms of what we have been doing.” he said.
Eventually, APA Properties plans to remove office buildings on the site — 11440 and 11410 Isaac Newton Square North and 1928 Newton Square. A synthetic turf athletic field is also planned on the site.
Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. has officially secured refinancing for a trio of office towers at Reston Station, according to a company release.
The Reston-based company arranged a $350 million financing package for the first three office towers built at Reston Station, a 60-acre, mixed use project near the Wiehe-Reston East Metro Station.
The office towers at 1900, 1902 and 1906 Reston Metro Plaza are anchored by tenants like Google, Neustar, Rolls-Royce North America, and ICF Global.
Comstock received roughly $2.6 million in debt and equity origination fees, which are charged by the lender for compensation for a loan application.
The package includes $312 million by a Blackstone subsidiary and $43 million with a DivcoWest subsidiary. The three buildings are 84 percent leased, according to a company release.
Here’s more from Comstock on the restructuring effort:
The Anchor Portfolio primarily includes mixed-use properties located adjacent to key Metro rail stations in the Dulles Corridor in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. Additionally, CHCI, through its institutional venture platform, acquires and manages stabilized properties with a focus on transit-oriented, mixed-use assets throughout the Washington, DC region.
“Building long term relationships with best-in-class capital providers such as Blackstone and DivcoWest is among our key strategic initiatives and we believe the financial commitment of these market leaders to Comstock and Reston Station affirm the pre-eminence of our office portfolio in the Dulles Corridor”, commented Chris Clemente, CHCI’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Closing this long-planned recapitalization in an attractive interest rate environment allows us to accelerate the recently commenced development of the next phase of Reston Station while we also focus on aggressively scaling up acquisitions of multi-family assets in our institutional venture platform. We look forward to updating the market in the very near-term on our progress on that front as we continue to focus on creating value for all Comstock’s stakeholders”.
Car Tax Payments Due Today — Today is the last day to pay the county’s personal property tax — also known as the car tax. Tax relief is available for some residents. [Fairfax County Government]
School Bond Referendum Moves Forward — The school bond referendum on county ballots calls for $360 million for school renovations, planning and design, and one site acquisition. [Reston Patch]
County Upgrades App — The county’s latest app now includes on-screen notifications. It also allows users to pay taxes, receive permits, arrange inspections and get access to the county’s calendar. [Fairfax County Government]
Transportation Career Fair This Week — The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Northern Virginia office is hosting a transportation workforce career fair on Oct. 7. The event is virtual. [VDOT]
Renaissance Park, a 60-acre property near Dulles International Airport, could be transformed into a series of data centers.
RP Industrial Owner LLC is seeking the county’s permission to replace warehouse buildings in the industrial park with roughly 2.3 million gross square feet of data centers and an electric substation. The park is located east of Park Center Road and north of Towerview Drive.
The application, which was submitted to the county on Sept 3, calls for four data center buildings. Two loading docks for each data center are proposed and roughly 685 parking spaces are planned on the property. Roughly 27 percent of the park will remain as open space.
The first phase of construction will begin with one building, a guardhouse and an electric substation. Later phases will begin in response to market conditions, according to the application. The first building, which is 91 feet in height, will be constructed with what the applicants describe as a “contemporary style” with a mix of pre-cast concrete panels, metal, and glass.
RP Industrial Owner LLC bought the site in June 2019 for $134 million, according to county land records. The LLC is linked to Starwood Property Trust, which is based in Connecticut.
A growing number of data centers have established their hold in Northern Virginia, notably in Loudoun and Prince William counties. According to a 2020 report by the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the region is the largest data center market in the world. As of last year, there are 166 data centers in Northern Virginia, including 27 in Fairfax County.
No public hearings have been scheduled for the proposal yet, which was only accepted for review earlier this month.
Body of Missing Man Found — The body of Ganesh Chandrabhata, 60, who was last seen in the area of River Bend Park in Great Falls, was found over the weekend along the shore of the Potomac River in Prince George’s County in Maryland. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Reston Garden Club Celebrates 50 Years — The club celebrated its anniversary with three gifts, including a bench next to The Lake House and $500 for native plants at the Walker Nature Center. [Reston Association]
Attempted Robbery in Reston — A man and a woman attempted to rob a man while was he walking his dog on Sept. 21 along the 1200 block of Exbury Street. No injuries were reported. [FCPD]
Stuff the Bus Returns — The county government and local nonprofit organizations are collecting nonperishable food donations for the annual drive. The next drive takes place on Saturday at various locations between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Before we head into a weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on the site in recent days.
- From dish washer to owner, local immigrant brings pizza spot to Reston
- Former youth minister from Reston church faces unlawful filming charges
- Herndon teen John Gluck takes his star turn on NBC’s “Ordinary Joe”
- Nearing completion, local officials frustrated by Silver Line Phase 2’s constant delays and missed deadlines
- Another tenant will leave The Spectrum by the end of the year
If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip. Photos from around the Reston and Herndon area are also welcome, with credit always given to the photographer.
Feel free to discuss these topics, your socially distanced weekend plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.
(Breaking update at 1:35 p.m.) A motorcyclist was killed in a crash in Herndon last night, according to police.
Police say the 22-year-old motorcyclist, Donald Baker, of Sterling, crashed near the McLearen exit on northbound Route 28. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Baker was operating a 2021 Suzuki motorcycle and accelerated when he lost control, struck a guardrail and was thrown from the vehicle, said police, who responded just before midnight.
Officers are on scene of a fatal motorcycle crash on NB 28 near McLearen Rd exit in Herndon. Driver of motorcycle was taken to the hospital & pronounced deceased. Preliminarily, no other vehicle involved. One NB lane on 28 open. Please use other route. pic.twitter.com/XupsH2PsaH
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) October 1, 2021
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the county’s Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543. People can also submit anonymous tips to Crime Solvers by phone, text and online.
Police said a preliminary investigation found no evidence of alcohol or drugs contributing to the crash.
It’s the 11th non-pedestrian fatality in the county this year.
Yard Waste Piles Up in Fairfax County — Fairfax County collects solid waste and recycling for about 10 percent of its residents. Some residents say the job just isn’t getting done. The county says an unprecedented labor shortage is to blame. [NBC4]
Herndon Police Investigate Burglary — Someone broke into a home on the 1000 block of Elden Street on Sept. 25 some time between 3-11:30 p.m. The case is under investigation. [Herndon Police Department]
Town of Herndon Releases Annual Report — Town Manager Bill Ashton presented the town’s annual report for the fiscal year. He offers details on how the town responded to the pandemic. “From a town operations perspective, COVID-19 forced us to quickly adapt and pivot to new ways of doing things,” Ashton writes. [Town of Herndon]
Local Pumpkin Patch Options — Michael O’Connell from Patch rounds up some local options for visiting pumpkins patches, including Reston Farm Market and Cox Farms. [Reston Patch]
The county is still mulling ways on how to minimize the impact of the Soapstone Connector on historic areas surrounding the proposed one-mile extension between Sunrise Valley Drive and Sunset Hills Road.
The $235 million project has been on the county’s drawing board for years. Earlier this month, the county officially approved plans to seek $75 million in Northern Virginia Transportation Authority funding for its FY2022-2027 funding program.
The Soapstone Connector is located west of the Wiehe-Reston East Metro Station and would include a new bridge across the Dulles Toll Road. Pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations are also planned as part of the massive project.
But construction isn’t expected to begin until fiscal year 2027, a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Department of Transportation tells Reston Now. County transportation officials anticipate the project will be funded from federal dollars — which requires the county to determine how the project would impact historic resources.
An initial analysis found that the proposed project does not significantly impact historical resources in the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad and yhe Wiehle Historic District. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has officially agreed with this conclusion.
But the project would have an adverse effect on properties in the Association Drive Historic District (ADHD).
“Once it was concluded that there were no prudent and feasible alternative to impacting the ADHD, a determination was made that the Soapstone Connector would have an Adverse Effect to the ADHD. Once this determination of Adverse Effect is made, the next step is to develop a strategy to mitigate the Adverse Effect,” Robin Geiger of FCDOT told Reston Now.
The county is working with state and federal partners to develop a mitigation strategy. But details on plans have not yet been made public. Discussions on proposed alternatives have been underway since at least 2018.
Reston Association is considering a plan to improve the tennis courts at Barton Hill. Built in 1985, the courts suffer from major cracks along the concrete. In 2000, a proposal to cover and light the four unlit courts never materialized.
Since then, RA repaired and color-coated the courts in 2011 and 2017. The board is considering either a soft or hardcover for the court, lighting, and additional improvements.
At a Sept. 23 board meeting, staff presented two options — a single-phase option where all the work would be completed at one time — and a two-phase option in which lightning and court improvements would be followed by a cover five years later.
Chris Schumaker, RA’s capital projects director, recommended the association’s Board of Directors at a recent board meeting favor the single-phase option, which he said was cheaper and caused less disruption for users. Costs for covers linger between $1.4 to 2 million while installing lights and a refurbished court would cost between $720,000 and $895,000.
A recent geotechnical study on the courts found that the courts have been overplayed with asphalt several times in the past — creating upwards of four layers and resulting in reflective cracking.
RA is currently in the thick of developing its 2022 budget, which could include a six percent increase next year’s assessment. Discussions on the budget are currently underway and a draft budget is expected to be released by Oct. 4.
Covers would allow the courts to have extended seasonal play, but not year-round.
Next year, Reston Association plans to continue the rehaul of Lake Thoreau pool. In 2023, the organization plans to renovate Shadowood pool — pending input from the community and the board. The cost of that project is expected to hover around $1.3 million in addition to $575,000 for the renovation of the Glade tennis courts.
Construction of Lake Thoreau’s pool is expected to begin in November after the board approves a construction contract in October, according to meeting materials from a Sept. 23 board meeting.
Cornerstones Celebrates 50 Years — The nonprofit organization will celebrate its 50th anniversary at Reston Community Center tonight. The event begins at 6 p.m. [Cornerstones]
Reston Community Players Launches New Program — The organization has launched a new apprenticeship program for students between the ages of 12 and 18. The opportunity involves 10 performances at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage. [Reston Patch]
Fire Department Cancels Fill the Boot Event — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has once again canceled its in-person “Fill the Boot” event for muscular dystrophy this year. The decision was made due to increasing cases of COVID-19. [FCFRD]
A new 5k is coming to Reston on Oct. 17 in an effort to raise funds for Friends of Reston, a nonprofit organization that supports Reston Association.
The Friends of Reston Fall 5K will take place at Brown’s Chapel Park, which is located at 1686 Browns Chapel Road. Beginning at 8 a.m., attendees can will travel across paved trails in north Reston. Spectators are welcome to cheer on participants.
A spokesperson for Friends of Reston told Reston Now that the organization wanted to debut a new all-outdoor event that would be fun for the community while raising awareness about the organization and scholarship funds.
“Friends of Reston holds a few fundraisers each year for various projects. We’ve presented the Nature Center 5K every April for many years – pandemic precautions did have bearing on putting that on hold in 2021,” the spokesperson said.
Registration is open online through Oct. 15. Participants will receive a T-shirt and a goodie bag. The fee is $40 if registered by Friday and rises by $5 after that or during in-person registration at the event.
Proceeds from the event will go toward funding youth scholarships and the enrichment of RA’s programs.
Friends of Reston was established in 1999. In the past, it has used funds for camp scholarships, swimming, and tennis. It’s most notable project was courting $1.5 million for the design and construction of the Nature House.
County Stops Using Blotter Due to Data Concerns — The Fairfax County Police Department has stopped using an arrest blotter following concerns that the data could be used to deport immigrants. [The Washington Post]
More on Yesterday’s Loud Boom — An enormous loud boom that reverberated throughout Northern Virginia was most certainly caused by lightning, according to a radar snapshot of thundershowers. [The Washington Post]
Reston Company Lands Big Contract — Noblis, a Reston-based company, has secured a five-year, $263 million contract from the Department of Defense’s defense threat reduction agency. [Virginia Business Monthly]
Pfizer Booster Shots Now Available — Beginning today, the Fairfax County Health Department will begin providing booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine. Four groups of people are eligible for the dose. [Fairfax County Government]
Reston-based Company Makes List of Top Employers – Maximus, a government service provider, was included in Forbes’ annual list of America’s best employers for diversity. JLL, a business services and supplies company, topped the list. [Forbes]
Local Tennis Courts Closed — The tennis courts at Lake Anne will be closed today and tomorrow due to court painting, according to Reston Association. [RA]
Public Hearings on RA Budget Set — The Board of Directors will hold public hearings on its proposed budget on Oct. 13 and Nov. 10. The budget is currently under development. [RA]
