Construction of the Silver Line extension into Loudoun County has cleared a major hurdle.

Crews with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority have begun the process of tying in the current Silver Line with the extension.

On Friday, crews began the tie-in process at the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, which would connect phase two’s computerized control systems to the rest of the Metrorail system.

Capital Rail Constructors, its subcontractors, the MWAA, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority are cooperating to complete the effort.

“The tie-in project is critical and complicated work that requires close cooperation and coordination among contractors and WMATA,” said Charles Stark, MWAA senior vice president and head of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.

The extension is expected to be fully operational in the spring. Currently, all five Silver Lien stations are closed during the summer shutdown.

Tie-in work will be completed by the end of July. After construction is completed, WMATA will assume ownership of phase two and conduct additional testing. A final date for completion of the overall project will be set at a later point.

“Months of preparation and coordination between Capital Rail Constructors, WMATA and the Airports Authority led to the initiation of the tie-in work, to ensure that software and other controls on both sections,” according to a statement from the Dulles Corridor Metro rail Project.

Once complete, the extension project will run along 11.5 miles of track from Wiehle Avenue to Ashburn.

Artwork at the Colts Neck Road underpass is under consideration for an international award.

A jury selected Thoreau’s Ensemble by Philadelphia-based artist Ben Volta for the 2020 CODA Awards, an international juried arts competition. Volta’s work is inspired by Reston’s 55 miles of pathways.

The artwork was one of 445 projects from 30 countries submitted for consideration for the Top 100 list.

The awards recognize projects that integrate commissioned art into an interior, architectural or public space.

Members of the public can vote to select the people’s choice award. Only one vote is allowed per project and the deadline is Tuesday, June 30.

Winners from ten categories selected by jurors and two people’s choice winners will be announced on August 31. Voting is open online.

Photo via Public Art Reston

Comstock Secures New Loan for BLVD — “Comstock Holding Companies’ capital markets group secured a $73 million loan with Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) for the BLVD I luxury apartment tower, which is located at 1908 Reston Metro Plaza. The new 10-year loan replaces a maturing construction loan provided by Citizens Bank.” [Reston Patch]

Herndon Police Department Closed Today — The department’s office will be closed tomorrow in observance of Juneteenth. Officers and dispatchers will remain on duty to serve the community. [Herndon Police Department]

School Board Considers New Religious Holidays for Calendar — “The Fairfax County School Board is considering a 2021-22 Standard School Year Calendar that was developed with a focus on instruction and learning for students and includes four religious observance holidays.  Two options for the 2021-22 school year were presented to the Board at its business meeting on June 18.” [Fairfax County School Board]

Photo by Ray Copson

Fairfax County government offices will be closed tomorrow (Friday) due to Juneteenth.

The move comes after Gov. Ralph Northam declared Juneteenth a state holiday earlier this week.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Texas, the last of the former Confederate states, finally heard the Civil War ended and that the Emancipation Proclamation had made slaves free nearly two years earlier. It is formally considered the official commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

Although the state has marked Juneteenth via proclamation, the date has not been previously declared a state holiday.

“Fairfax County is moving forward and our holidays must reflect that. I am committed to our values that include a diverse, inclusive and equitable society.,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “I asked that the County Executive commemorate Juneteenth because that commitment requires listening to diverse voices and acknowledging the shared history of all Americans.”

All government offices will be closed. But employees who staff essential around-the-clock county operations will work as scheduled, including public safety and trash collection.

Here’s more from Northam’s statement:

“Since 1619, when representative democracy and enslaved African people arrived in Virginia within a month of each other, we have said one thing, but done another. It’s time we elevate Juneteenth not just as a celebration by and for some Virginians, but one acknowledged and commemorated by all of us. It mattered then because it marked the end of slavery in this country, and it matters now because it says to Black communities, this is not just your history–this is everyone’s shared history, and we will celebrate it together. This is a step toward the Commonwealth we want to be as we go forward.”

Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill also encouraged residents to reflect on this day and take actions to “promote the unity we embrace here in Fairfax County.”

File photo

At the Dulles Health and Rehab Center in Herndon, the COVID-19 situation appears to have taken a turn for the better.

As of earlier this week, the nursing center announced that it is now free of COVID-19. At the center, 66 residents and 20 staff members recovered from the virus.

Recent data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shed new light on the impact of COVID-19 on long-term care facilities.

Overall, nursing homes in Northern Virginia have had 903 cases of COVID-19, according to the newly released data, which provides the first comprehensive look at individual nursing homes. Several facilities have 10 deaths each.

Long-term care facilities have been hit hard by the spread of the novel coronavirus. In late April, 11 patients died from coronavirus-related complications.

The first positive case was reported on March 28.

The 166-bed facility celebrated on Tuesday, June 16, by surprising residents with banana splits and ice cream sundaes.

Photo via Dulles Health and Rehab Center

Sharon Fitzgerald, a former Tishman Speyer executive, has joined Comstock Companies as a managing director of commercial property management.

Fitzgerald previously worked at Tishman Speyer for 14 years as director of property management. She will now oversee the Reston-based companies properties, including several mixed-use projects in Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties.

“I am excited that Ms. Fitzgerald has joined the Comstock team and I am confident that our commercial customer base will benefit from Ms. Fitzgerald’s leadership position within our commercial management group” said Christopher Clemente, Chief Executive Officer of Comstock. “Sharon’s reputation as a skilled manager and her prior experience managing high-quality real estate directly supports Comstock’s best-in-class approach to managing a growing portfolio of stabilized assets and supports our growth plans for the Commercial Property Management Division.” 

Here’s more from Comstock on her appointment:  

Ms. Fitzgerald has extensive experience with management of large-scale portfolios of high-quality, mixed-use properties throughout the Washington, DC market. Prior to joining Comstock, she spent 14 years as Director of Property Management at Tishman Speyer where she was responsible for day-to-day property operations, financial reporting and customer service for properties on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC as well Rosslyn, Tysons and Reston. At Tishman Speyer, Ms. Fitzgerald was responsible for implementing a new tenant services platform that leveraged health and well-being principles to promote work-life balance, which included a collection of services, experiences, and rewards program discounts. Ms. Fitzgerald began her career at The Evans Company, a Washington, DC area development firm, where she was responsible for transitioning newly constructed commercial properties from development to full occupancy. Ms. Fitzgerald graduated with a BS from Virginia Tech and holds the designations of a Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Real Property Administrator (RPA). 

Comstock also noted that Fitzgerald will help implement “stringent environmental security protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Photo via Comstock

Herndon Police Department Releases ‘Where We Stand’ Guide — The police department offers a look at its use of force policy. “Trust and respect come through a solid foundation build on professionalism, strong policies, and continuous community engagement,”  HPD wrote. [Herndon Police Department]

Facial Recognition Tech Pitched at Microsoft Office — Microsoft tried to sell its facial recognition technology to the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to newly released emails. The company privately hosted DEA agents at its Reston office. [Tech Crunch]

Chicago Company Acquires Reston-based PagnatoKarp — “Reston-based wealth management firm PagnatoKarp has been acquired by Chicago-based Cresset Asset Management, the companies announced Wednesday.  A transaction amount was not disclosed. [Virginia Business]

State Not Ready for Phase Three — “Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Tuesday that statewide Covid-19 numbers ‘continue to look favorable,’ but that he will not move the commonwealth into phase 3 of reopening this week. ‘I want to have more time to see how the numbers look before we make changes, especially as we see surges in other parts of our country,’ Northam said.” [Washington Business Journal]

Photo by Marjorie Copson

Comstock Companies, the developer behind Reston Station, says that Northern Virginia is becoming the “Silicon Valley of the East.”

Reston Station, a sprawling mixed-use development near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, is positioned to help make that change happen, according to an investor presentation released earlier this week.

The development, which includes several districts that are planned or already in construction, is expected to achieve comparable rents to Reston Town Center. New buildings, parking, amenities, and the Metro station have attracted corporate relocations from RTC, according to Comstock.

Currently, RTC commands a higher rent premium over other micro-markets within Reston. Overall, vacancy rates for Class A office space in Reston and Tysons are slightly lower than the region-wide average of around 18 percent, according to the company.

Once completed, Reston Station will include four districts: Metro Plaza, Commerce, West, and Reston Row. Major companies have signed leases at the project, including Google, Neustar, and ICF International.

Photo via Comstock

Although COVID-19 may limit celebrations, there’s still plenty to do locally for Father’s Day this upcoming Sunday (June 21).

PassionFish in Reston Town Center is offering a “premium grill meal kit,” which includes a classic shrimp cocktail, New York strip steaks, heirloom tomatoes, house rolls, dessert, beer and wine. Orders can be placed by calling 703-230-3474.

Mon Ami Gabi, a French bistro in Reston Town Center, is offering a prix fixe menu for $50 per person from noon to 9 p.m. Orders can be picked up at 11 a.m. The three-course spread includes roasted chicken, filet mignon, pommel frites, and dessert.

Reston Farmers Market by FreshFarm, which is open today (Wednesday) from 3-7 p.m. at 11900 Lawyers Road, is offering several deals. Vendors like The Fermented Pig, a father-daughter operation, is offering free local delivery and shipping for items like hot Italian sausage and salumi.

Meanwhile, Reston Strong, a local community advocacy group, is considering hosting a Father’s Day event on Sunday for Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man who was killed at a Wendy’s drive-thru in Atlanta. More details are expected soon.

Meanwhile, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to dine at member restaurants through Father’s Day. If patrons spend at least $10 at a member restaurant and email a receipt to [email protected], an entry will be submitted to a drawing to win $500.

Photo via PassionFish

Fire investigators say that a fire at North Point Village Center last week was caused by a lightning strike.

The June 11 fire was contained to the former location of The Boston Market, which has been vacant since July.

No injuries were reported and no occupants were present during the incident. Fire and rescue crews responded to the scene after a delivery person noticed the flames from the roof at around 3 a.m. that day.

The incident resulted in nearly $75,000 in damages, according to the  Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

A fire also occurred on the roofline of the same building in August 2019.

Photos via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

Reston Association to Host Meetings Today — The association’s fiscal committee will meet today (Wednesday) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and its covenants committee will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Both meetings will take place via Zoom and are open to RA members. [Reston Association]

New COVID-19 Case Count Dips — The number of new cases reported per day is decreasing in the Fairfax Health District. As of yesterday, 13 new cases were reported. More than 440 people have died from the respiratory illness. [Fairfax County Government]

Juneteenth May Become State Holiday — “Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said Tuesday that he will support legislation to make Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery, a state holiday in Virginia. He gave executive branch state employees the day off Friday — June 19 — in recognition of the event. On that date in 1865, federal troops told enslaved people in Texas they had been freed, more than two years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.” [Washington Post]

Photo via Marjorie Copson

Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler Jr. defended his department’s longstanding use of force policies and commitment to the sanctity of human life as national protests call for dramatic police reforms.

At a meeting with county officials today (Tuesday), Roessler Jr. stated that FCPD’s policies surrounding use of force, the use of chokeholds, and de-escalation are well ahead of many reforms requested by protestors across the country.

Currently, chokeholds are not allowed as a use of force options. De-escalation is required when possible and officers are trained two times per year in order to reinforce the use of force continuum and training. Shooting at moving vehicles is prohibited unless there is a “threat of death or serious injury” to the officer or another person, according to police documents.

“These reform endeavors have not ended as we continue told ourselves accountable,” he said.

FCPD’s use of force policy aims to gain voluntary compliance from the other person using seven core pillars, which include principles like self-control, empathy, balance, realism, and a commitment to lack of humiliation.

A study on FCPD’s use of force culture is underway. The report, which is conducted by University of Texas at San Antonio researchers, was prompted by another study that found roughly 40 percent of all use-of-force incidents involved Black individuals.

Earlier the month, FCPD officer Tyler Timberlake was charged on three counts of assault and battery in what FCPD said was an “unacceptable” use of force.

When prompted by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, Roessler Jr. noted that FCPD’s training requirements “typically exceed state mandates.”

The county is currently working on implementing a countywide body-worn camera program. Although the Reston District Station and three other stations have body-worn cameras, the full implementation of the program was delayed due to budgetary concerns.

Recent events, including the killing of George Floyd, have prompted the board to expedite funding for the program. An updated plan will be developed by the end of the month, according to FCPD.

FCPD is also testing a new technology that would automatically turn on the body-worn camera when an officer takes a gun out of the holster.

Major Paul Cleveland noted that the department follows a co-produced policing model, which relies on community support and input to develop policing practices in line with community expectations.

Currently, the police department is taking a look at ensuring its internal culture emphasizes the well-being of officers and de-escalatory practices.

He says FCPD will continue to monitor ways to improve its practices.

“Reform is the right way to go,” he said.

Several local gyms and fitness studios are now offering outdoor classes as Northern Virginia begins reopening.

Although New Trail Cycling Studio (1614 Washington Plaza-N) is closed, outdoor classes limited to nine people are being offered. All staff and participants will have contactless temperature checks before beginning workouts. Attendees should bring water, use the restroom, and change before taking part.

The studio is also following a number of other safety protocols. Participants must wear masks until they are in place and when class begins. Physical distance of at least 10 feet must be maintained before, throughout, and after class.

Crunch Fitness (11951 Freedom Drive) also resumed classes on Monday. Staff has “dramatically increased the number of sanitation stations” for members. Capacity will be monitored to maintain the 30 percent occupancy restriction put in place by Gov. Ralph Northam. Onelife Fitness, which is part of the same company, is also open at 11445 Isaac Newton Square.

So far, the location has not experienced waiting lines due to the size of the club. The Reston location is open on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

Gold’s Gym (11674 Plaza America Drive) also opened this week. Weekly class schedules are available online. The gym is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. on weekends. But UFC Gym, which is also located in Plaza America, remains temporarily closed.

Life Time Reston, a fitness club located at 1757 Business Center Drive, plans to open on June 19.

CrossFit North Reston (11503 Sunset Hills Road) remains closed.

This story will be updated as more information is available.

With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting many recreational activities, Frying Pan farm Park is turning to a new kind of tour.

The park, which is located at 2739 West Ox Road, is offering a driving tour of the farm. Residents will get the chance to see animals “up close and personal,” according to the farm. An audio tour will also be offered.

Here’s more from the park on the tour:

Here is your chance to cruise the park like the farmer! Load the family up in the old pickup truck (or minivan!) and come to enjoy Frying Pan Farm Park like never before as you tour the park from the comfort of your car. Enjoy a custom audio tour on your smart phone while driving the park and learn about history, farming, and other parts of Frying Pan Farm that you may not have known about! Price $25 per car.

The cost of $25 per vehicle. Registration is open online for four sessions on Saturday, June 20.

Photo via Yvonne Johnson