The Town of Herndon is exploring new transportation projects for South Elden Street, Central Elden Street, and the creation of the Metrorail Station Promenade as part of budget planning for capital projects.

In a draft proposal for the FY2021-FY2026 Capital Improvement Program — which creates a six-year schedule for public improvements — the town will pursue five new projects, in addition to 43 ongoing initiatives.

The Town of Herndon is exploring funding opportunities for transportation projects for South Elden Street, Central Elden Street, and the creation of a signature plaza area near the Herndon Metro Station as part of budget planning for capital projects.

In a draft proposal for the FY2021-FY2026 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) — which creates a six-year schedule for public improvements — the town will pursue 48 projects, including five new ones.

The signature plaza area with a public space that extends from the entrance of the Herndon Metro Station to Herndon Parkway is planned. The project, “Metrorail Station Promenade,” will include “rich streetscape and areas for outdoor activities” in order to activate the space.

The plan also includes updates to South Elden Street to replace the undivided five-lane street with a median and left-turn lanes, as well as new pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Pedestrian safety improvements to improve Central Elden are also planned. The town has submitted an application to receive state funding for this project.

Other new projects include security improvements for town facilities and updates to a police server room.

Staff noted that the $54 million total is a big jump from the FY20-25 CIP. But the total net increase is similar to previous years if town matching funds for more than $65 million for Elden Street and Spring Street are taken into account. The current $54 million.

In a memo to the town’s Planning Commission, staff noted that changes to the draft CIP are expected as the town manager finalizes the budget and makes recommendations to the Herndon Town Council.

The commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal today (Monday) at 7 p.m. in the Herndon Council Chambers Building (765 Lynn Street).

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr 

Researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio will study the Fairfax County Police Department’s use-of-force culture.

A study released three years ago found that roughly 40 percent of all use-of-force incidents involved a Black individual. The Fairfax County Board of Directors subsequently directed Police Auditor Richard Schott to find an academic team to review FCPD’s data.

The study, which will identify patterns and trends by FCPD with emphasis on race, ethnicity, and gender, will be completed by Jan. 31, 2021. Researchers will review incidents that happened between 2016 and 2018, in addition to the following questions:

1.    What factors or combination of factors contribute to the use of force by FCPD officers? Specifically, what role does civilian race, ethnicity, gender, or similar personal characteristics play in the decision to use force?

2.    Does the rate of force experienced by persons of different races and/or ethnicities align with those groups’ representation among persons at risk for having force used against them by the police? Do disparities exist in rates of force experienced by different racial and/or ethnic groups relative to risk?

3.    Is civilian race, ethnicity, or gender related to the level of force used by the police while accounting for resistance and other relevant individual, situational, and environmental factors?

4.    How can the FCPD improve its use of force data collection processes to help facilitate future analyses?

5.    What steps can the FCPD take to help reduce bias in use of force incidents?

The USTA team expects to present a reporting of its findings — including conclusions and next steps — to the Board of Supervisors.

File photo

Restaurants Recognized for Safety Practices — Founding Farmers at Reston Station and the Hyatt Regency in Reston Town Center were recently recognized for promoting safety through actively managing practices. [Fairfax County Government]

Where to Report Potholes —  “VDOT’s online reporting tool makes it easier to pinpoint exactly where you see a pothole. You can also report potholes directly from your mobile device and include images (**but NOT while driving!).” [Fairfax County Government]

Photo via R. Dawson/Flickr

A Flood Watch is in effect for Fairfax County and surrounding areas through Friday morning.

The National Weather Service says flooding is possible based on current forecasts. Here’s more from the alert:

Periods of rainfall will continue to occur through early Friday. The heaviest rainfall potential will begin this afternoon and continue into this evening. Storm total rainfall amounts through Friday morning are expected to range between 1 and 2 inches with isolated amounts near 3 inches possible.

Flooding of poor drainage and low lying areas will be possible, and some smaller streams and rivers may exceed their banks.

Residents should continue to monitor the weather for later forecasts.

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Editor’s Note: This article was updated with new information about the temporary closure and comment from the owner.

Kiln & Co., a paint-your-own-pottery studio that also serves up custard, has temporarily closed for renovations, according to company owner Sarah Selvaraj.

The company, which first opened at Lake Anne Plaza in 2017, plans to reopen by the spring or summer of this year. Selvaraj said it is not unusual for the business at Lake Anne to go on hiatus for the winter.

The Reston location was forced to close overnight on Sept, 11 last year due to water damage. “We might have a relocation within Lake Anne due to the infrastructure issues as indicated…  and if the real estate was sold,” she stated.

Lake Anne has been part of the Kiln & Co family ever since our first 2016 pop up covered by RestonNow’s Karen Goff on June 16, 2016. My relationship with Lake Anne dates back even before opening my first store. I have taken several sculpture classes and ceramic classes at the Reston Community Centre with amazing instructors like Guy Zoller and Marianne Cordyack that teach there to this day.

As of yesterday (Thursday), the company’s website lists the Reston location (1631 Washington Plaza-N) as “closed.” 

Late last year, the owner expressed concerns about the lack of upkeep and maintenance at the plaza and several businesses. 

File photo

Ever since the Federal Aviation Administration rolled out NextGen — a new system to modernize its air traffic control systems — communities across the country have complained about increased airplane noise in areas where it previously did not persist.

Recently, Reston, and Herndon residents have raised concerns about airplane noise on social media. It’s possible that the FAA has indeed changed flight paths, which could be leading to complaints.

NextGen ditches radio in favor of GPS to guide planes and digital communication. Flight paths are narrower and at lower altitudes as a result.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority tells Reston Now they’ve seen no recent rise in complaints. While we’re awaiting a response from the FAA, we’d love to hear from you.

Have you seen a change in airplane noise in your neighborhood? You can also email us at [email protected] to provide information about what’s happening in your area.

Photo via Unsplash

More delays are expected before the 11-mile extension of the Silver Line, which includes stations in Reston Town Center, Herndon, and Innovation Center.

According to a report by NBC 4, officials say its possible trails will not be rolling until 2021.

Service was expected to begin over the summer, but due to delays with electronic testing and deficiencies in concrete panels and other structural components, opening day was pushed to December 2020.

Metro has not yet indicated when it plans to accept the project from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

Staff photo by Jay Westcott

Friends of the Reston Regional Library kicks off a special book sale tomorrow (Thursday) at Reston Regional Library (11925. Bowman Towne Drive).

The sale features mystery, thriller, and adventure books. The timing of the sale is as follows:

• Tomorrow (Thursday), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 7 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Saturday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• Sunday (1-5 p.m.)

The next book sale, which features books for children, young adults and educators, takes place at the end of March.

According to information provided by the Friends, the nonprofit organization has raised more than $700,000 for the library through its book sales over the past 15 years.

In addition, it has been able to donate $200,000 to direct library support programs — including $100,000 in eBooks, $25,000 in children’s series books, a Braille printing station for the Access Services branch, librarian scholarships and more.

Friends of the Reston Regional Library is made up of nearly 100 active volunteers who donate over 10,000 hours a year to process donations, run sales and reach out to the community.

More information about the Friends’ other six annual sales is available online.

Lake Anne Elementary School has lost its Title I funding due to recent changes in the structure of the federal program, which was established by the U.S. Department of Education.

If a school has more than 75 percent or more students with eligibility for free and reduced meals, the program creates funding opportunities. Each local school district sets eligibility requirements.

This year, Fairfax County Public Schools increased the threshold from 40 percent of students eligible for free and reduced meals to 45 percent. The decision was due to “fluctuations in funding and increasing costs of programs and other supports,” according to a Wednesday statement by principal Jill Stewart.

In an email to parents, Stewart wrote that the loss of funding is expected to have a “minimal impact” on the school community. She noted that the school thoughtfully invested its funds in resources with longterm benefits for students, including:

• diversified and increased our novel units for literacy instruction
• expanded our leveled readers that are used for guided reading instruction across grade levels
• purchased additional laptops for students
• enabled us to purchase math manipulatives that provide concrete examples of math concepts
• refined and expanded the instructional practices of our teachers
• funded staff members participation in Title I professional development
• attended a conference with Virginia Department of Education to learn more about family engagement practices
• allowed Title I specialists to train our teachers and in our school

The school plans to discuss the funding change at a Parent Teacher Administration meeting tomorrow (Thursday) at 7 p.m.

Image via Google Maps

A man was arrested in connection with an indecent exposure incident on Tuesday (Feb. 4).

Joseph Flynn, 61, was arrested and charged with peeping, indecent exposure, and drunk in public, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

Police believe Flynn was watching a woman in her home on the 11600 block of Charter Oak Court at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday. The woman said the man was watching her while exposing himself.

FCPD did not release a photo of the suspect, which is being held at the Adult Detention Center. Information about the incident was released earlier this morning.

Photo via FCPD

In a collaboration between the Reston Town Center Association and South Lakes High School, students will envision and create a sculpture for display in Reston Town Center.

SLHS art teacher Marco Rando — who has also led a number of art projects in the area — will work with art students on the project. The project will be delivered this spring during the town center’s 30th anniversary year, according to a press release.

“This is a unique opportunity for us to bring project-based learning into the classroom in a very powerful way, and we hope its success this first year will lay the groundwork for a long-term continuation of this wonderful partnership between SLHS and Reston Town Center,” said SLHS Principal Kimberly Retzer.

RTCA and project sponsors reviewed students’ proposals for the project and selected a “lenticular” sculpture that could present four different murals, according to RTCA. The association, Boston Properties, and professionals in design and art, will review two maquettes created by students.

Rando said the approval project will allow students to get a glimpse of the approval process for artwork.

“This is part of the challenge and learning experience for our students, to interact with and respond to the multiple professional interests that would typically be required to get a project like this approved at a dynamic place like Reston Town Center,” Rando stated

In addition to the support of RTC, Boston Properties is providing the school’s funding for the project while the Hyatt Regency at Reston Town Center is offering the location at Hyatt Park and power at no cost. Power Services, Inc. will complete all electrical and lighting work at no charge while KCS Landscape Management will transport the sculpture to the site for free.

RTCA’s executive director, Robert Goudie, said the project is the product of partnerships created by Public Ar Reston, Reston Association, and the school.

“Thanks to our incredible partners – Boston Properties, Hyatt, Power Services, and KCS, who are covering the school budget and more – we can bring that model into the classroom and deliver a community project that furthers an important part of RTCA’s mission:  enriching our downtown through the arts.”

Photo by vantagehill/Flickr

A review of The Capital Grille in Reston Town Center —  “Which came first? The hamburger or the hamburger restaurant? In the case of The Capital Burger, the new Reston Town Center restaurant, the hamburger came first, specifically a French-onion style burger with caramelized onions, Wisconsin Grand Cru Gruyère and shallot aioli.” [Reston Patch]

Reston Market Up By Five Percent — “We reached the end of a decade and the statistics for 2019 real estate transactions in Reston have been tallied. The news is good! The numbers are up 5 percent from 2018, with 1,383 total transactions* in 2019, an increase from 1,316 total transactions in 2018.” [The Connection]

Court at Newbridge Tennis Courts Closed — Court two is closed for maintenance purposes, but courts one, three and five will remain open. [Reston Association]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr