Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn: Reston Master Plan Review Delayed — “We’ve had to delay initiation of the planned task force process,” Alcorn said, Wednesday morning during a video call with reporters. “We’ve heard from a number of folks who had volunteered to be on a task force. I don’t expect we’re going to initiate any task force activity until we make sure we can have a robust process.” [Reston Patch]

Distinguishing Between Social Distancing, Quarantine, Self-Isolating — Social distancing refers to staying out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining distance from others when possible. Self-Isolating refers to staying at home, not going out, and not accepting any visitors. [Fairfax County Government]

Three Inova Respiratory Illness Clinics Open — Three Urgent Care locations in Dulles South, North Arlington and Tysons will conduct physician-ordered tests and evaluate patients with respiratory illness symptoms. [Fairfax County Government]

Photo by Marjorie Copson

Previously approved plans for the redevelopment of Lake Anne Fellowship House are coming closer to reality following the securement of $3 million from the county.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to authorize the county’s housing authority to provide a $3 million loan for the project.

“The folks that are living in the existing Lake Anne Fellowship House have been waiting for this for a long time,” said Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn. “I think everything about it is actually quite straightforward and I’m very excited about having this move forward even in these uncertain times.”

Pat Herrity’s attempt to defer the vote failed. Herrity said he was concerned about approving the loan during “different and difficult times.”

The redevelopment plan ensures the 240-unit development, which offers affordable housing for seniors in Reston, will remain affordable for the next 30 years.

The plan, which was approved in Oct. 2018, would redevelop two aging buildings built in the 1970s, into a single building along North Shore Drive. Fellowship Square Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and maintains the current facility, and the Community Preservation and Development Corp., also plans to add 36 market-rate townhouses to the west of the property in order to help finance the construction of senior housing.

Construction is expected to begin in May, according to county documents.

Here’s more from the county on the project:

The Project will also be much more livable than Fellowship House: 100 percent of the units, and all of the common areas, are designed to Universal Design standards. Further, 54 of the units are designed to be fully accessible under the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, which is nearly double the accessibility code requirement. The units will be built to EarthCraft standards of energy efficiency. Fellowship House currently has a “two-pipe” central heating and cooling system, but the units in the new building will each have efficient, individually controlled HVAC systems.

To encourage energy conservation, the apartments will be individually metered for electricity. The residents will receive a utility allowance as part of their rent calculation. The Project will include extensive amenity spaces, including a business center, garden center, arts and crafts room, wellness room, game room and cybercafé. The Project includes an approximately 8,000 square-foot private outdoor terrace for the residents as well as an interactive tot lot and pocket park which will be available to the community at large.

The developers have also secured tax-exempt bonds from the Virginia Housing Development Authority.

Photo via Fairfax County Government

The number of known coronavirus cases in Fairfax County has jumped by a little over 65 percent overnight. The county now has 76 confirmed cases of COVID-19, up from 46 yesterday (Tuesday).

The county has the most number of cases, followed by Arlington, which has 46 cases, according to recently released statistics from the Virginia Department of Health.

So far, the state has 391 cases of the more than 5,370 people who have been tested. Nine people have died as a result of the respiratory illness.

The state’s testing capacity has expanded to include commercial labs, which could explain the jump in confirmed cases.

Inova Urgent Care locations in Dulles South, north Arlington and Tysons will begin evaluating patients with respiratory illness symptoms and collecting samples for physician-ordered tests from patients’ vehicles.

Here’s more from the county on the new clinics:

Before visiting any Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic, contact your regular physician for evaluation. For assistance with recommendations, to arrange for a physician appointment, or if you do not have a primary care physician, call 1-855-IMG-DOCS. Your regular physician can evaluate your symptoms to determine if testing is indicated based on COVID-19 testing criteria and provide a testing order, or refer you to the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic for evaluation.

These clinics will be open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Addresses and contact information for the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinics are:

• Inova Urgent Care – Dulles South
  24801 Pinebrook Rd. #110
  Chantilly, VA 20152
  703-722-2500

• Inova Urgent Care – North Arlington
  4600 Lee Hwy.
  Arlington, VA  22207
  571-492-3080
• Inova Urgent Care – Tysons
  8357 Leesburg Pike
  Vienna, VA 22182
  571-665-6440

Inova Urgent Care Center at North Arlington and Tysons will operate exclusively as respiratory illness clinics.  All other urgent care centers, including Inova Urgent Care – Dulles South, remain open to see all patients.

With social distancing protocols in place, the Herndon Town Council unanimously passed a local emergency declaration due to growing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The declaration, which was passed Tuesday night, follows a similar move by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last week and State Gov. Ralph North’s declaration on March 12.

The move allows the council to activate the town’s emergency management plan and seek aid as needed. Town departments, agencies, and volunteer organization can also develop a more coordinated response to handle the public health crisis.

The council also formally adopted its Emergency Management Plan, a 93-page document that outlines emergency roles, coordination responsibilities, and recovery options.

Lesa Yeatts, the town’s attorney, said that although the town used the plan since 2015, it had never been formally considered by the council.

The formal adoption of the plan on Tuesday night also makes Police Chief Maggie DeBoard the emergency management coordinator for the town.

Yeatts said the town is working “feverishly” to meet the needs of residents and ensure continuity of service.

Councilmembers thanked the town’s staff and the police department for their tireless work during the pandemic.

Vice Mayer Sheila Olem also urged town residents to practice social distancing as much as possible.

“This is really serious. Please stay away from each other as much as you can.”

Photo via Town of Herndon

Education technology giant Blackboard, which operates its global headquarters in Reston, is a major force in the shift to digital teaching and learning during COVID-19..

The company — which is contracted by Fairfax County Public Schools and many other jurisdictions nationwide — is partnering with K-12 districts and higher education institutions in the region as COVID-19 forces schools to close for the remainder of the school year.

Earlier this week, State Gov. Ralph Northam ordered all schools to close through the academic year. The Fairfax County School Board is expected to release information on online teaching, impact on seniors and grading over the next several days.

“We appreciate and support the work that our superintendent and staff have done to set in motion the distance learning initiative. Adjustments will be made over time as we learn from our students and staff. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has provided school districts additional guidance regarding continuity of learning that has an equity focus,” wrote board chairwoman Karen Corbett Sanders on Tuesday.

Classrooms will likely leverage Blackboard Collaborate, an online classroom solution, to complement Blackboard’s existing online communication tools and website.

“We reach over 50 percent of the top 100 U.S. largest school districts with our educational communications and learning management tools,” a Blackboard spokesperson told Reston Now in an interview.

The company is currently working with Amazon Web Services, an Amazon subsidiary that provides cloud computing platforms, to ensure the company can meet increased demand.

The spike in global demand for cloud-based learning solutions like Blackboard due to the coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented. But the company says it can apply lessons learned and best practices from situations like Hurricane Harvey and H1N1.

Blackboard is working with clients to understand how they might use the company’s services in two-week intervals to “improve our own processes and readiness,” the spokesperson said.

“These two-way conversations help us plan so that we can be more proactive with changes to our capacity.”

Photo via Blackboard

Blood Drives in Fire Station Parking Lots — “Several Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Volunteer Fire Departments are partnering with Inova Blood Donor Services to hold blood drives in their fire station parking lots. Due to current events, blood supplies in Fairfax County and the nation are at dangerously low levels and dropping.” [Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department]

County Buildings to Close to Public — All government facilities and buildings will be closed to the public beginning Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m. The county government remains open for business online and by phone and email. [Fairfax County Government]

Metro Closes More Stations — “Metro’s Pandemic Task Force today announced the strategic closing of 17 additional stations, effective Thursday, March 26, 2020, in an effort to conserve critical resources and protect the health and safety of Metro employees and the public. This follows drastic measures already taken to reduce travel on Metro to essential trips only, leading to a Metrorail ridership decline of 90 percent.” [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]

Economic Injury Loans for Small Businesses — Small businesses in the state can apply for low-interest Economic Injury Loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Businesses can get up to $2 million in working capital loans. [SBA]

Don’t Use Drug Take-Back Boxes —  The boxes at the county’s police district stations will be closed until further notice to protect residents and first responders. [Fairfax County. Government]

Photo by Marjorie Copson

The Reston YMCA will begin offering produce distribution tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12196 Sunset Hill Roads.

Although the location and all others in the DMV region are closed, residents can drop by on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. and on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon to pick up produce.

Produce is available to all, regardless of their affiliation with the YMCA.

Residents should bring their own bag. The effort is made possible with the support of Keany Produce and Child Care Resources Inc.

Image via Google Maps

Lake Anne’s main dock will get a $1.1 million facelift that’s expected to finish around May 1.

Although the dock’s appearance will not change significantly, the structure will get new wood decking and repairs to its structural elements are planned.

No new features are being added, according to RA spokesman Mike Leone.

The $1.1 million estimate includes costs associated with the dredged of accumulated sediment beneath the dock. RA contracted Lake Services Inc. to dredge the sediment from the Lake Anne Canal near North Shore Pool and Lake Anne Plaza. The bulkhead along the Green Trail will be replaced as well.

More information about the project is available online.

Local employees and restaurant managers are seeking relief as temporary closures and storewide layoffs add financial strain and stress due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Staff from Red’s Table, CraftHouse, PassionFish, Cooper’s Hawk and Uncle Julio’s have launched crowdfunding campaigns.

Diane Edwards, a former full-time employee at Red’s Table, told Reston Now the lay-offs of 30 staff members have put her in a challenging financial situation.

“The past few weeks have been uncertain and stressful and the foreseeable future does not appear to be any different. Although I have applied for unemployment, it is not guaranteed when I will receive aid. Money is becoming scarce as I still have bills to pay and basic necessities need to be fulfilled as well,” Edwards said.

Ryan Tracy, the restaurant’s owner and manager, launched the public funding campaign for his employees.

“Unfortunately it seems this could go on for some time. I have been searching for remote employment but haven’t had any luck,” said Stanley Kaplan, 27, who has worked at the restaurant for around eight months.

So far, it has raised $5,660 of the $40,000 goal.

“We look forward to all of our team members coming back to work, where they will have jobs waiting for them. Until then, we thank you for your generosity and support during these unprecedented times,” Tracy wrote.

Other employees have launched campaigns of their own.

“The donations we are asking for extend further than the employees of Uncle Julio’s; it will be reaching the families of our staff as well,” the campaign for Uncle Julios’s reads.

Nine bartenders from Cooper’s Hawk in Reston are also out of work and seeking donations.

“We do not know how long we will be out of work and considering the majority of our money was made via tips, it would be greatly appreciated if you would show your support,” the bartending team wrote.

On Monday, State Gov. Ralph Northam ordered all restaurants to switch to carryout, delivery, and curbside pickup by tonight.

Photo via Oscar Garcia/GoFundMe

Fairfax Connector Suspends Fares, Begins Rear Door Boarding — The bus service has temporarily suspended fare collection and all customers must enter and exit the bus using the rear doors. Fares will be suspended because fareboxes and SmarTrip equipment is at the front entrance of buses. Service continues in order to “serve Fairfax County residents who. Have no alternate way to travel during this emergency.” [Fairfax County Government]

Stonebridge Companies Acquires Residence Inn — The Denver-based company will manage the 168-room Residence Inn by Marriott in Herndon.  The hotel is located at 315 Elden Street. [Hotel Executive] 

Playgrounds, Parks, and Park Authority Restrooms Now Closed — “Effectively immediately, all Fairfax County Park Authority playgrounds, skate parks and restrooms will be closed until further notice. Portable restrooms will be placed near all bathrooms. Signs will be posted at all affected locations. Park visitors are asked to adhere to all closure notices and current social distancing recommendations.” [Fairfax County Government]

Herndon-Fish Offers Emergency Financial Help — “At least for the time being, we are making no changes in our criteria for providing assistance, and our operations remain in place to make this possible. Because our efforts related to providing emergency financial assistance are done by phone and online, we can carry out these activities without endangering the health of those involved. Changes in our revenue receipts or alterations in government policy could mandate that we alter these policies in the future, but they remain in place for now.” [Herndon-Reston Fish]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

A decision on the previously deferred plan to bring a new telecommunication tower to Herndon High School’s football field has been delayed, along with other votes and hearings on Reston and Herndon developments.

The project was set to go before the Fairfax County Planning Commission last week on March 18.

The approval of signage for Commerce Park, a 260-unit multifamily building north of Sunrise Valley Drive and west of Commerce Park Drive, has also been delayed. A public hearing was planned for Wednesday, March 25. Another comprehensive sign plan by Reston Hospital Center was also slated for discussion on April 22.

Tweaks to change lot lines for Montessori Children Center (2745 Centreville Road) were set to go before the commission on April 2.

A plan to rezone roughly one acre of land from one residential unit to three residential units on the north side of Old Courthouse Road, just 300 feet east of Ervin Street, has also been delayed. The proposal by two residents was set for an April 29 public hearing.

County government officials have not yet indicated when the regular schedule for public meetings will resume. The county passed an emergency declaration last week.

In response to the novel coronavirus, several local stores are offering special shopping hours for seniors and high-risk customers.

We’ve rounded up what we know so far about these hours, although some grocers have not defined the age minimum for being classified as a senior.

Here’s the latest update on specialized shopping hours for seniors and high-risk people:

• Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market: First hour of shopping every day
• Target: First hour of shopping on Wednesdays
• Giant: Individuals who are age 60 or above and people with compromised immune systems between 6-7 a.m.
• Safeway (Hunters Woods and South Lakes Village Centers): Between 7-9 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, according to store representatives
• Walgreens: Tuesdays from 8-9 a.m., also open to caregivers and immediate families
• Trader Joe’s: Mondays from 9-10 a.m.
• Whole Foods Market: The location at 11660 Plaza America Drive opens at 8 am., but guests age 60 and above can shop at 7 a.m.
• Though MOM’s Organic Market in Herndon isn’t hosting specialized hours yet, a store staffer said that headquarters is considering options to keep shoppers safe.
• Sprouts Farmers Market in Herndon does not have special hours, a customer service representative said.

We’ll update this list as we hear from more local businesses about next steps.

Ashley Hopko contributed reporting

Photo by cbreezy

Demolition has begun on the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s Station 25 in Reston.

After some delays, crews began the effort on Friday (March 20) to make way for a new fire station on 1820 Wiehle Avenue.

The project is expected to wrap up in the summer of 2021. Fire and rescue personnel are currently working from a temporary station at 1800 Cameron Glen Drive near the North County Government Center.

With a price tag of $14.8 million, the new fire station will have double the capacity, two levels, and space for administrative offices, a kitchen, storage, and bunk rooms.

The area around the fire station is slated for major redevelopment, some of which is already underway.

Yesterday, demolition started on Station 25, Reston. Another step closer to the start of construction on the new Station 25 on this site. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/YXe34T0m8Y

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) March 21, 2020