Tishman Speyer’s plan to redevelop two office buildings — Reston Crossing I and II — into a major mixed-use project with up to 2 million square feet of development got a green light from the Fairfax County Planning Commission last night (Wednesday).

A vote by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is set for June 8.

The project, Reston Crossing, is located at the Dulles Toll Road and Reston Parkway near the future Reston Town Center Metro Station.  It is neighbored by the Reston Crescent, an approved mixed-use development that is the future home of Wegmans.

The New York-based developer plans to build seven high-rise buildings that are up to 20 stories tall around open space on the 14-acre site. The plan also includes up to 1,003 residential units.

Most of the parking on the site will be underground. Open light wells called “oculi” will allow pedestrians in the parks to look down onto the parking level.

An office building that is between 10 to 16 stories in height would be the first to be constructed if the project is approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The first phase of construction will also include a crossing plaza, a retail plaza and a retail gallery.

Patches of open space totaling 7.4 acres are sprinkled throughout the site. For example, Halley’s Steps is a pocket park designed to transition to Edmund Halley Drive, which runs parallel to the property. A 1-acre “ribbon garden” is also planned, providing a connection from Reston Parkway to the Metro Station.

The two office buildings on the site — Reston Crossing I and II — and surface parking will remain untouched until the second phase of development. The office campus was built in 1998 and is largely undeveloped thus far.

Details of Reston Crossing are below:

• Building 1: Up to 390,000 square feet of office and up to 15,000 square feet of retail
• Building 2: Up to 130,000 square feet with between 89 or 144 residential units
• Building 3: Up to 290,000 square feet in a residential-only building with between 144 to 322 units
• Building 4: Up to 510,000 square feet with office and retail use. The building could have up to 22 stories — the tallest of all the buildings
• Building 5: Up to 245,000 square feet with up to 261 residential units and some retail
• Building 6: Up to 230,000 square feet with up to 244 residential units and some retail
• Building 7: Up to 205,000 square feet with up to 222 units and 5,000 square feet of retail

Tishman Speyer also plans to work with the owners of Reston Crescent to construct a road used by both sites. A third southbound land along Reston Parkway will be added before the first residential building permit for the second building is issued.

The company also plans to dedicate a right-of-way to the county on Edmund Halley Drive and install a traffic signal offsite between roads A and C, which are depicted in renderings above.

The Planning Commission also approved tweaks to Brookfield Properties’ Reston Crescent project next door to Reston Crossing last night.

John Carter, the Hunter Mill District Planning Commissioner, said the changes were not substantial and did not change the density of the project.

Photos via handout/Fairfax County Government

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 4:15 p.m. today (Thursday).

The National Weather Service issued the alert after a severe thunderstorm watch alert was sent earlier today. The watch is in effect until 8 p.m.

Damaging winds with wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour are possible.

Residents are encouraged to move to an interior room or to the lowest floor of a building.

Here’s more from the alert:

At 311 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Countryside to near Warrenton, moving southeast at40 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.

Photo via NWS

Two federally funded projects are in the works to improve the walkability of Sunrise Valley Drive.

The county plans to widen an asphalt trail on the north side of the road to 10 feet and install a new asphalt trail that will later be incorporated into a planned cycle track for the Sunrise Valley Drive corridor. That track will separate bikes from the pedestrian walkway, according to county spokeswoman.

On the south side of Sunrise Valley Drive, the county plans to install a five-foot concrete sidewalk. Currently, no walkway exists for pedestrians.

“There’s currently very narrow trails in that area or nothing at all,” Tom Biesiadny, director of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, said. “It’s not in great shape.”

Construction for both projects is expected to cost $1.5 million. The county anticipates receiving a contract award in July and construction is expected to begin later this year.

The projects are intended to improve access to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station from surrounding communities.

Map (for reference only) via FCDOT

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the county until 8 p.m. today (Thursday).

The National Weather Service issued the alert around 1 p.m. today.

Lightning and scattered wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour is possible.

Most of the rain is expected to hit the area this afternoon.

Locally damaging winds and large hail are also expected, according to the NWS.

Scattered showers moving east of metro Baltimore late AM. The main activity will affect the area this afternoon. Locally damaging winds and large hail expected. A tornado also possible. If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move indoors for safety! pic.twitter.com/s7VX13ZIXL

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) May 23, 2019

(Updated at 1:50 p.m. to clarify that the ALEC contribution and contributions from Alcorn’s developer friends are two separate issues). 

Walter Alcorn, a candidate running for the seat of Hunter Mill District Supervisor, has returned small donor contributions from the  CEO and Strategist of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a right-wing, pro-business group that has been criticized for furthering the goals of its corporate benefactors.

The donations were flagged in a May 3 press release by opponent Laurie Dodd, who is one of five candidates running for the seat.

In that release, Dodd also pointed out that Alcorn accepted contributions from developers in violation of his pledge to not take money from developers.

Alcorn said the donations were from college friends who do not have projects in the Hunter Mill District. He said he has maintained his pledge to decline donations from developers, noting the small size of the contributions from ALEC employees.

According to the latest campaign finance reports, the Democrat raised nearly $71,000 and has $44,942 in the bank — well beyond his competitors.

In 2012, the Democratic Party of Virginia condemned donations from ALEC, stating that the organization is on a “stealthy mission to purchase our democracy,” powered by funding from the Koch brothers.

Dodd told Reston Now that Alcorn’s statements about the matter are unethical and deeply disturbing.

Alcorn clarified that he will not accept contributions from developers who have a stake in land-use cases in the Hunter Mill District.

Dodd, Shyamali Hauth and Parker Messick have also pledged to accept no developer contributions.

Photo via Walter Alcorn

Reston Association to Treat Algae in Lake Anne and Lake Thoreau — RA’s aquatic consultants will treat blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, with algaecide on Friday (May 24). There will be no restrictions on fishing or boating following the application. [Reston Association]

Deadline for Study on Fairfax County and Franconia-Springfield Parkways Extended — Residents now have until June 3 to submit comments about the long-range study, which provides recommendations for 2040 and beyond for the corridor. The plan also considers whether changes should be made to the county’s transportation plan. [Fairfax County Government]

A Review of ‘The Accidental Pundette’ — Nancy Giles, a commentator and comedian, offers an evening of tongue-in-cheek humor and insight on June 1 at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road). Tickets are $25 for Restonians and $35 for all others. [The Connection]

Photo via Reston Association

Mark Ingrao, a leader who diversified Reston’s business community and launched new collaborations and programs, plans to leave his position as president and CEO of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce next month.

He plans to leave a few days before what would have been his 10-year anniversary with the chamber. Ingrao will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association. His last day is on June 27 — the chamber’s annual awards luncheon and member meeting.

Ingrao joined the chamber in July 2009 as the chamber struggled with nearly $150,000 in debt, declining membership, and the slowdown following the recession.

With Ingrao at the helm, the chamber’s financial position strengthened, membership increased and a new sponsorship strategy helped the organization position itself as a “collaborative organization and community steward,” according to Charlene Wheeless, the chamber’s chairman.

“Mark led the association to historic milestones, including growing the Chamber from the 13th largest in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area to the 7th largest,” Wheeless said.

She listed his accomplishments as the following:

• Retired $150K in debt within his first year;
• Reorganized the staff structure more focused on new members and membership benefits; 
• Positioned the Chamber as a founding member of the Northern Virginia Chamber Partnership, successfully advocating for our members at the Virginia General Assembly; 
• Led the Chamber’s Taste of Reston festival to being named the “Best Food Festival in Northern Virginia” by Virginia Living Magazine;
• Launched the B2G Matchmaking and Expo, which has become the largest event of its kind for government contractors outside the Beltway; and
• Created Northern Virginia Restaurant Week as a collaboration with other chambers in Northern Virginia

Ingrao says he’s been grateful and honored to serve Reston and its business community, which he has watched grow as the Silver Line comes to the the area.

“The development that has occurred in the last 10 years has been remarkable,” Ingrao said. “Reston is a planned community and it has everything that anyone would want: great housing, great work centers, great community. It doesn’t have to be built out and that’s what makes it unique.”

But that growth is not without challenge, Ingrao cautioned. Although he expects the completion of the Silver Line to reduce the number of Metro riders and commuters coming from Loudoun County, he anticipates managing traffic will be a major challenge for the community.

“I think there will be a lot of discussion about what the old Reston was and what the new Reston will be,” he said. “But the opportunities that are here will continue to grow and perpetuate.”

Ingrao’s successor has not yet been named. A search committee is leading the chamber’s recruitment efforts.

He hopes to continue to adopt a collaborative, transparent and inclusive leadership approach in his new position.

“I’ve been lucky to be here for 10 years,” Ingrao told Reston Now. “I’ve really enjoyed the people and the work that we’ve been able to accomplish. It’s been a great ride.”

 File photo

Fairfax County’s public safety agencies will begin using drones — technically called Unmanned Aircraft Systems — by early September.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday (May 21) to approve the program, which the county says will “provide an enhanced level of operational capability, safety and situational awareness.”

The county plans to purchase between six to eight devices, which cost $3,500 each. Costs are expected to be absorbed in the county’s existing budget.

The equipment will be used by the Office of Emergency Management, Fire and Rescue, Police and Sheriff in order to deliver “high-quality imagery, data and customized geospatial solutions,” according to the county.

The program will also be used to complete search and rescue, pre- and post-disaster damage assessment, crash reconstruction, and fire management.

County officials say the program will not be used to conduct random surveillance, target individuals solely based on individual characteristics or for personal business and other unauthorized uses.

The next three months will be spent setting up the program, certifying pilots and completing training. Drones will begin flying between late August and early September.

All pilots in the program must obtain a remote pilot certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Commission. A steering committee will be set up to oversee the program.

The county will also notify the public through Fairfax Alerts about missions and training flights.

The program was approved following the creation of a working group in May 2017 and a task force last year.

More information about the program is available online.

Photo by Jared Brashier

The Town of Herndon’s Planning Commission unanimously approved plans to bring a vocational school for entry-level healthcare fields to the Crossroads (1037 Sterling Road) on Monday night.

Divine Healthtech Institute can operate on the property under specific conditions. No classes will be offered before 8 a.m. or after 10 p.m. and class sizes will be restricted to five students.

Commissioners said they worked through conditions on the project in order to alleviate parking concerns and limit traffic to the building, which already has a number of tenants.

“The parking situation at that location was the focus of considerable discussion at our work session and I’m personally satisfied in keeping with the staff conditions,” said Vice Chair George Burke.

The project heads to the town’s council for final approval.

Boston Properties plans to upgrade Reston Town Center’s common areas in an effort to modernize the 30-year-old, mixed-use center, according to a report.

Over the next 18 months, the company plans to spend up to $5 million to upgrade some of the areas, the Washington Business Journal reported today (Wednesday).

The project is still in the design phase.

Here’s more from the report:

The improvements will include the installation of artificial green turf on the area where the ice skating rink is set up in the winter. There’s the possibility for some kind of outdoor beer or wine garden setup there, said Lisa Stoddard of CBRE, who represents the property in lease deals. 

The project will aim to soften existing public spaces, and make them more modern and contemporary, so that people are more inclined to hang out. The plan includes creating more programs and events to engage people, so that there is always “interactive things going on on the green,” Stoddard added.

Stoddard also told the Washington Business Journal that more restaurants aren’t expected to fill several vacancies in the town center. North Italia and True Food Kitchen are slated to open later this year in former restaurant space.

The report states the company is seeking more entertainment use, clothing, and “on-trend brands.”

File photo

Car Stolen from Garage in Home — Someone entered a garage on the 2700 block of Mansway Drive yesterday (May 21), took car keys and stole a 2017 Nissan Murano. The incident happened at around 7:15 a.m. [Fairfax County Police Department]

Reston-based Parabon Tracks Germantown Man Accused of Raping Elderly Women — DNA evidence submitted to the lab helped police track Marlon Alexander, who was sentenced to life in prison, on Tuesday. Alexander was linked to a series of unsolved rapes dating back over 10 years. [Fox 5]

A Recap of the 28th Annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival — Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) held its acclaimed free-to-the-public, 28th annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival last weekend. The event featured more than 200 juried artists and offered “high-quality hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind artwork in the dynamic outdoor setting” at Reston Town Center according to GRACE. The Festival once again attracted an estimated crowd of 30,000. [The Connection]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

In a flashback to “store closed” signs that sporadically appeared and disappeared in March, Reston Town Center’s Vapiano is temporarily closed once again.

The Reston location (1875 Explorer Street) is facing potential litigation, according to an attorney representing the restaurant chain’s new owners. 

Details of the complaint — which will be filed over the next two days in either the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California or U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida — have not been made public, Andrew Corcoran, a managing partner for Wilson Keadjian Browndorf LLP told Reston Now.

The location has faced a rocky transition after Vapiano SE, which operates the international restaurant chain, announced it would sell shares of Vapiano Holding USA and seven of its U.S.-based subsidiaries to Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc. earlier this year.

Corcoran said he could not explain why the restaurant is temporary closed due to attorney-client privilege.

“I can’t speak further on any issues,” he said.

In a tweet posted yesterday (May 20), the company wrote that it is “currently in a major restructuring phase” and is “undergoing operational changes” at the Reston location.

“We are doing our best to restore normality as soon as possible,” according to the tweet.

In March, the restaurant closed due to management changes and payment delays for staff. Store representatives told Reston Now that the location was transitioning to a new general manager and that payroll delays have been resolved.

The restaurant has been closed since at least May 9.

File photo

Optimal Motion Physical Therapy, a new physical therapy clinic, is now open at 950 Herndon Parkway.

The clinic offers “specialized treatment in various areas, including sports injuries, chronic pain, and other orthopedic issues,” according to its website.

The business was founded by Secilli DeStefano and Matt Barnes. Although the clinic is now open, a grand opening event is set for Friday, June 7 from 5-8 p.m.

More information about the practice is available online.

Photos via Jackie Yencha

A 17-year-old from Maryland was arrested in connection with a carjacking on Sunrise Valley Drive last week.

On Monday, May 13, police say that a masked suspect pointed a shotgun at a man who was putting air into his car’s tires and demanded the keys.

The suspect drove away in the stolen car, but police caught up with him a short while later.

The teen was caught with the help of the police’s K9 team, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. He was charged with carjacking and the use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

In a separate incident, a man entered a home on the 2600 block of New Concorde Court on Wednesday, May 15 at around 3:50 a.m.

Residents discovered the man in their garage after they heard the garage door open. The man ran away when one resident confronted him.

Nothing was reported missing, police said.

FCPD also reported the following incidents in recent days:

LARCENIES:

11300 block of Chestnut Grove Square, documents from vehicle

2200 block of Quartermaster Lane, bicycle from residence

2600 block of William Short Circle, bicycle from residence

11600 block of Windbluff Court, license plates from vehicle

STOLEN VEHICLES:

2500 block of Brenton Point Drive, 2015 Vespa motorcycle

File photo