Stereotypes of suburban life — with its big homes, picketed fences, and affluent people — thrive in America. But in some “radical suburbs,” people flocked to the urban fringes to chase a different way of life, according to City Lab Editor Amanda Kolson Hurley.
In her new book, “Radical Suburbs: Experimental Living on the Fringes of the American City,” Hurley examines six suburban towns that are “fertile ground for utopian planning, communal living, socially-conscious design, and integrated housing.”
Hurley says that Reston is a community that strays from the typical idea of a conventional, middle-class suburb. She discussed her book in a Kojo Nnamdi Show segment on Wednesday (April 24).
Reston is an “anti-suburb” developed by Bob Simon, who was born into a family of real estate developers, Hurley said. After taking a bike trip across Europe — with all of its plazas and community-style living — Simon was inspired to sell off his share of Carnegie Hall to build a new town. Like the founder of Columbia, Md. – Reston’s sister city — Simon was tired of the soul-less and ugly character of other suburbs, Hurley said.
“People thought he was nuts,” Hurley said.
But Reston turned out to be a good bet. Unlike other suburbs at the time, Reston was integrated from the very beginning, giving it a forward-looking vision, she says.
But now, Reston — like other radical suburbs — faces a question of identity.
“The question it faces and that more and more suburbs will face in the coming years is one of identity,” Hurley said, “Should it be a suburb or a city?”
Her book examines other model suburbs like Old Economy, Pa., Piscataway, Nj., Lexington, Ma, and Greenbelt, Md.
Photo via Belt Publishing
Overturned Truck on Dulles Toll Road Causes Delays — “An overturned truck on Va. 267/Dulles Toll Road just after Route 7 in Vienna, Virginia, caused significant delays starting Wednesday afternoon. Around 2:30 p.m., the overturned ready-mix concrete delivery truck prompted lane closures and traffic reroutes.” [WTOP]
Dollars and Sense Today at Reston Regional Library — Join a monthly group discussion about business leaders and markets from 7-9 p.m. This month’s session covers “Moneyball” by Michael Lewis. The event is free and open to the public. [Reston Regional Library]
Live from the Den — In the continuing saga about a local fox family, the Walker Nature Center releases another live video from the den. [Walker Nature Center]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
A new, publicly accessible athletic field is a key component of the redevelopment of Isaac Newtown Square, which is located on the north side of Sunset Hills Road and west of Wiehle Avenue.
Peter Lawrence Cos. And MRP Realty are working together to convert nearly 33 acres of the suburban office park into a residential campus with up to 2,100 units. The proposal is making its way through the county’s approval process.
The athletic field will be located next to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, according to an April 9 proposal to the county. The publicly-accessed field is required by Reston’s Comprehensive Plan, which aims to meet future demand for active recreation facilities in Reston’s Transit Station Areas.
“Similar to urban parks in the District of Columbia located adjacent to, or near, high density residential and commercial uses, the athletic field will be easily accessible to pedestrian and vehicular traffic and its attendance foot traffic will help drive local commerce around the civic plaza and village Main Street,” according to the application.
The synthetic turf field will have 50 parking spaces allocated specifically reserved for field visitors. A 0.3-acre warmup field will be located next to the athletic field and a 1.5-acre civic plaza next to the athletic field is “intended to foster social interaction and create a visual identity for the Isaac Newtown Square Civic Plaza,” the application says.
The plaza will also house a 600-square-foot pavilion, picnic areas and shade structures, according to the application. Developers described the athletic field as a “destination” for the public.
The project heads to the Fairfax County Planning Commission on July 24.
Photo via Reston Association/MRP Realty
Director Evan Hoffman brings “Singin’ in the Rain” to life at NextStop Theatr Company (269 Sunset Park Drive) next month.
The show reimagines the golden age musical from Thursday to Sunday from May 23 to June 23. Tickets are between $40 and $55. The screenplay is by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Songs are by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed.
The production is made possible with support from Music Theatre International. The complete cast with their roles is below:
- Wood Van Meter / Don Lockwood
- Morgan Kelleher / Kathy Seldon
- Robert Mintz / Cosmo Brown
- Carolyn Burke / Lena Lamont
- Duane Monahan / R.F. Simpson
- Ethan Van Slyke / Rod/Hollywood Tenor
- Melrose Pyne Anderson / Zelda Zanders
- Elizabeth Spikes / Dora Bailey
- Suzy Alden / Swing
- Joseph McAlonan / Swing
Photo via NextStop Theatre
Restaurant-goers in the Town of Herndon will likely see their total bill go up this year after the Herndon Town Council approved an increase in the town’s meals tax Tuesday night.
In a 5-2 vote, the council increased the meals tax — which covers all meal purchases at food establishments — from 2.5 to 3.75 percent. Town officials said the hike is necessary to meet a revenue shortfall for capital improvement projects in the town. Councilmembers Bill McKenna and Jennifer Baker voted against the increase.
Some business owners and Town of Herndon residents criticized the measure for putting local businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Others said the tax unfairly singles out one industry and could regressively impact people with low incomes who rely on prepared meals.
Kristen Murphy, the general manager of the Washington Dulles Marriott Suites in Herdon, said her business was being “unfairly signaled out again.” She said she has lost business because clients looking to book the hotel have expressed concerns about the town’s occupancy and meals taxes.
Although the decision was tough, Mayor Lisa Merkel said the increase was the best way to boost revenue by minimizing the impact on Town of Herndon residents and property owners. The tax would apply to anyone who purchases meals in the Town of Herndon — including the 17,000 people who visit the town. Meals taxes are also a “predictable and stable source of revenue,” Merkel said.
“I don’t anticipate its something that will become a trend,” Merkel said, noting that other towns and cities in Virginia also levy meals taxes.
The meals tax has not gained traction in Fairfax County. Voters rejected a referendum to institute a meals tax in 2016.
Photo by Melissa Walker Horn/Unsplash
If you’re looking for a new four-legged family member or interested in improving your relationship with a pet your own, the Pet Fiesta returns to Reston Town Center (11900 Market Street) on May 4. Local pet businesses, community members and animal rescue groups will be on-site to promote local adoption and educate owners about dog ownership.
The event kicks off with a Dog House of Style fashion show at noon. The latest canine couture will be modeled by rescue dogs, who will be up for adoption. Face painting and caricature artists will also be on-site during the fiesta, which begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.
It’s hosted by Gooddogz.org, a Reston-based nonprofit that educates future dog owners about dog selection and care. The organization also supports rescue groups.
Last year, the Pet Fiesta drew more than 10,000 visitors, according to event organizers.
Photo by Don Renner
Frying Pan Farm Park Meetinghouse is one of the oldest racially-integrated Baptist churches in Virginia. In 1791, the congregation built the structure and African Americans worshipped from galleries that lined both sides of the building.
Learn more about this and more at a historical education event at the farmhouse on Sunday (April 28) from 1-4 p.m. The event, “Echoes of the Past: History Comes to Life,” walks attendees through the religious freedom movement in Virginia, the meetinghouse’s role in that movement, and the role of the church in the community.
Here’s more about the meetinghouse from Fairfax County Government:
The Frying Pan Spring Meeting House has survived changing land use, the Civil War, and major 20th century suburban growth to earn designation as a Virginia Landmark and a National Register of Historic Places site.
In 1984, the last surviving trustee of the Meeting House deeded the property to the Fairfax County Park Authority “to preserve the building and grounds for posterity.” The Meeting House and grounds are not open to the public on a regular basis, however special guided tours may be arranged by calling the park office at 703-437-9101.
Some scout badge programs include a tour of the Meeting House. A tour for the public is scheduled each spring and fall.
Change and growth in western Fairfax County have left undisturbed the Frying Pan Spring Meeting House and its adjoining springs, baptismal pond, grounds and cemetery. They have maintained their integrity for more than 200 years.
Attendees can enjoy reenactments, 18th century games for kids and exhibits. The programs is designed for attendees age eight and older. The meetinghouse is located at 2615 Centreville Road.
Registration is open online.
Photos via Fairfax County Government
Kojo Nnamdi Show to Feature ‘Radical Suburbs’ Author — City Lab Senior Editor Amanda Kolson Hurley explores the histories of six suburban communities, including Reston, in her new book, “Radical Suburbs.” Hurley will join Nnamdi in a discussion on the show today at 12:32 p.m. [The Kojo Nnamdi Show]
Ryan Kerrigan Gives Out Tickets to Draft Night — The Redskins player was at the fountain in Reston Town Center on Thursday to give away tickets for Draft Night on Thursday at the Anthem. [Washington Redskins]
NASA Invests in Leidos Project — The Reston-based company is funding early-stage technology that could change what’s possible in space. NASA says the technologies have the “potential to transform human and robotic exploration of other worlds, including the Moon and Mars.” [NASA]
Red’s Table Brings on New Executive Chef — Red’s Table, located at 11150 South Lake Drive, has appointed Nelson Erazo as the new executive chef. Erazo came from Jardenea, a restaurant located at the Melrose Georgetown Hotel in D.C., where he had served as executive chef for three years.” [Reston Patch]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
As the race for the Hunter Mill District Supervisor seat heads to the wire on June 11, former Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Walter Alcorn is well ahead of the four other Democrats vying for the seat.
Alcorn has a sizeable war chest of $44,492 after raising $70,975, dwarfing fundraising efforts by other candidates, according to the latest campaign finance report. Alcorn pulled in 144 donations that were more than $100, including $10,000 from the Consumer Technology Association, an Arlington-based standards and trade organization.
Democratic candidates are seeking to fill the seat of Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who was first elected to the board in 1999 and is nearing the end of her fifth term. Hudgins announced her intention to retire in January.
Laurie Dodd, a Reston-based lawyer, and Shyamali Hauth, a U.S. Air Force veteran and community advocate, competed for the second place spot. Hauth raised $16,372 and spent nearly $11,000 while Dodd raised $15,634 and spent $9,203. A significant chunk of that number — $6,000 — was from a loan she gave herself.
Parker Messick, a recent Roanoke College graduate, raked in $6,916, out-raising Maggie Parker, an executive with Comstock Companies, who had $3,949. Parker was a late comer to the race, as she announced her candidacy days before the campaign finance report period ended. Parker spent all of her cash, all of which came from herself.
Messick announced his candidacy before Hudgins said she would retire while Parker joined the race just a few weeks ago. He also spent most of his funds, leaving him with $1,732 as of March 31.
The Reston Citizens Association plans to hold a Hunter Mill District Supervisor forum today at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609-A Washington Plaza N.) from 7-9 p.m.
A burglar broke into a home and took off with valuables, police said.
The burglary was reported in a home on the 11500 block of Cypress Point Court at around 7:42 p.m. on April 19 (Friday), according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Police believe someone entered the home and stole personal items. The investigation is ongoing.
FCPD also reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
11400 block of North Shore Drive, document from residence
400 block of River Bend Road, purse from residence
12100 block of Sunset Hill Road, purse from location
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, document from vehicle
11900 block of Democracy Drive, credit cards from location
1800 block of Wiehle Avenue, bicycle from location
2400 block of Centreville Road, bike from shopping center
STOLEN VEHICLES:
12900 block of Lyme Bay Drive, 2015 Ford Explorer
File photo
A 56-page document gives detailed guidelines on urban design and streetscape implementation for Reston’s Transit Station Areas. Now, Reston Association and county officials are working to bring the guidelines, which were formulated late last year, to life.
A streetscape demonstration is set for May 2 at 3:30 p.m. at RA’s Central Service Facility (12250 Sunset Hills Road). Several design schemes will be revealed to help developers implement Reston’s guidelines.
Suzie Battista of the county’s Office of Community Revitalization said the demonstration helps showcase Reston’s unique character. Unlike design guidelines for Tysons, Reston’s streetscapes are generally divided into three styles. Overall, the landscape panel is lighter, transitioning from lush landscape with multi-level plantings to a suburban streetscape in areas that are pedestrian-oriented. In between these two extremes is a hybrid streetscape. Denser plants are called for compared to the plan for Tysons, according to the county.
“We want people to see it in real life,” Battista told Reston Now.
The county’s Office of Community Revitalization will invite developers to attend the demonstration.
Reston’s design guidelines are based on the following principles:
- “Streets and their adjacent streetscape are vital parts of the public realm.”
- “Streetscapes should be places for social interaction, economic activity, civic activity, and public gatherings.”
- “Designing from the perspective of the pedestrian is important for creating great places.”
- “Landscaped amenity zones and landscape features should be used to buffer the pedestrian from the road, and are opportunities to integrate Reston streetscape character into a more urban setting.”
- “Low impact development techniques for stormwater management should be incorporated into new and redesigned streets where practical.”
The complete guidelines are available online.
Photo via Fairfax County Government
Despite a toll increase that went into effect in January, more drivers are using the Dulles Toll Road than the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority anticipated.
Between January and March, tolls brought in $46.4 million — 31 percent more compared to the same period last year. That gives the MWAA $11.2 million to work with in order to fund phase two of the Silver Line.
Even though the number of toll transactions dipped by 4.8 percent compared to the previous year, transactions were 1.3 percent higher than MWAA expected. So far this year, there have been 21.7 million transactions.
The cost of operations also increased this year. Year-to-date expenses were $1.3 million or 17 percent higher than the same period last year. MWAA attributed this increase to $1 million in operating expenses for expanded service and $300,000 in transaction fees.
Toll prices increased for the first time in four years from $2.50 to $3.25 and from $1 to $1.50 at ramps in order to cover phase two of the Silver Line past Reston Town Center to Dulles International Airport and Ashburn. Another increase is expected in 2023.
Photo via MWAA
Reston Town Center is celebrating National Picnic Day with a pop-up picnic today (Tuesday).
Several town center businesses will offer deals for the picnic, which will be located at 11900 Market Street. All are encouraged to bring lunch to the pavilion to “celebrate great weather” and a “fun picnic atmosphere,” according to event organizers.
Restaurants will offer the following specials:
- Balducci’s (1871 Fountain Drive) — 10% off entire purchase all day
- Le Pain Quotidien (11909 Democracy Drive) — Receive a free drink with purchase of the Tartine of the Day (Salmon & Ricotta)
- Peet’s Coffee (11830 Freedom Drive) — Purchase one pound of coffee and receive $2 off and a free drip coffee
- Ted’s Bulletin (11948 Market Street) — Receive a free Ted’s Tart with purchase of any take out meal
Photo via TAA PR
Hunter Mill Supervisor Candidates’ Forum To Take Place Today — Reston Citizens Association is hosting a forum after Reston Community Center at Lake Anne today from 7-9 p.m. Moderators will lead the discussion, but questions will be accepted from the audience. [Reston Citizens Association]
Brookfield Platform Gives Access Across 13 Buildings — Brookfield Properties is rolling out a new platform that gives office tenants across a 13-building portfolio, including several buildings in Reston like Halley Rise and Summit II. [Bisnow]
Silver Line Phase Two Construction Prompts Lane and Ramp Closures –– Several lanes will be closed through Saturday this week, including parts of Herndon Parkway, Sunrise Valley Drive, Sunset Hills Road and Dulles Toll Road. A complete list of closures is available online. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
It’s been a quiet two months since the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to indefinitely defer the consideration of the hotly debated Planned Residential Community district proposal in early March.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and the county’s planning staff plan to discuss future steps in an internal meeting by early May, according to a legislative assistant for the Hunter Mill District. The office deferred questions on the proposal and next steps until discussions have taken place and new leadership for the Planning and Zoning Department are updated about the process thus far.
The proposal, which would have increased the maximum allowed population acre in PRC from 13 to up to 15 people, was put on hold on March 5 at the request of Hudgins. She said she wanted to work with the community to address concerns about the redevelopment of village centers, managing growth with infrastructure improvements, and misinformation in the community.
County officials will likely examine the future of Reston’s village centers before reconsidering the PRC proposal — a plan suggested by the Fairfax County Planning Commission. Hudgins also concurred with the suggestion.
No other information about the future of the proposal was released as the county takes “a short breather,” the legislative assistant told Reston Now.
File photo
