The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority provided services to 25 companies that added more than 1,100 jobs in Fairfax County in the second quarter of 2015. More than half of the jobs (595) were in Reston, says the FCEDA.
Among the growth in Reston:
- Walmart Technology, the IT and cybersecurity portion of the large retailer (173 jobs)
- TEKsystems, an IT staffing subsidiary of Allegis Group, the largest privately owned talent management firm in the world (324 jobs)
- Canvas Solutions, software (35 jobs)
- Datapipe, security and IT services (35 jobs)
- Drainage and Erosion Solutions, construction (10 jobs)
- Lookout Inc., mobile cybersecurity (9 jobs)
- Vrid, ecommerce (5 jobs)
- Washington First Bank, banking (4 jobs)
Janis Parker Moore, senior HR manager for Walmart Technology, said locating an office in Reston is a strategic move to take advantage of the skill set of local employees.
“Today, one of the largest technology-based challenges exists in the retail sector, and Walmart is actively recruiting the world’s best STEM-specialized talent that will help the company make this historic pivot,” she said. “Our Reston office in Fairfax County is an extension of that effort, drawing upon the industry leading talent in the surrounding areas to help grow expertise and best-in-class technologies.”
Gerald Gordon, president and CEO of the FCEDA, agrees.
“The announcements by Walmart Technology, TEKsystems and Intelsat (109 jobs in Tysons Corner) illustrate how market leaders in diverse technology sectors look to Fairfax County to find the workforce and the partners they need to be successful, ” Gordon said in a statement. “This is what makes Fairfax County a market leader as a business location, most notably for IT and professional services firms.”
Nearly 100 Tall Oaks-area residents answered a recent survey on the future of their village center, saying they want more than 10,000 square feet of retail, among other tweaks to what is being planned for the ailing village center.
In July, the grassroots Concerned Citizens of Tall Oaks asked neighbors to look at “Citizen Options” compared to the latest concept from The Jefferson Apartment Group (JAG).
JAG, which purchased Tall Oaks late last year, wants to build 150 residential units and up to 7,000 square foot of retail on the site of the nearly empty 70,000-square-foot village center at Wiehle Avenue and North Shore Drive.
Sixty respondents to the citizen survey said they liked “Citizen Option 1,” which adds retail up to 10,000 square feet and opened up space in front of Tall Oaks Assisted Living. Thirty-three responses were in favor of Citizen Option 2, which also added up to 10,000 square feet of retail, as well as more parking.
Overall, 83 percent of respondents chose a citizen option over JAG’s option, says group rep Sherri Hebert, the president of the Bentana Woods Cluster Association.
“Although not a scientific research study, the results further validate the thoughts and concerns of the residents of Reston,” says the group’s report.
Hebert has also written a letter to county officials outlining the citizens’ furstration.
“Developing this land into a gem of Reston and a model for other village centers is critically important to Reston’s future,” she said. “To create another housing cluster would set the wheels in motion to dissolve the uniqueness of Reston and its village centers, increase traffic and decrease the character of the neighborhood and lower the quality of life of the residents. All of these factors would ultimately lead to a city without personality or distinction and lower property values. “
The group’s main conclusions:
- Require a minimum of 10,000 square feet of retail. The retail that is currently operating successfully at Tall Oaks, to include Paisanos, Paradise Nails, Fur Factory, Pho 75, Vocelli, Kumon Learning, and Tall Oaks Veterinarian easily fill the square footage. They have expressed interest to stay and have been successful for years in the village center.
- Require community green space/meeting space in a village or plaza-like setting.
- Require adequate parking so overflow parking isn’t along North Shore or it becomes impossible for customers to park for the retail services.
- Require a traffic study and feasibility of an exit onto Wiehle westbound.
- Require design of housing and retail building fit into the community and the Reston nature feel.
- Push for LEED certifications, green roofs, reuse of rain water, etc.
- Consider building above retail if needed.
- Require plaza/village space, multi-generational gathering space.
JAG has not yet submitted any formal permits or plans for Tall Oaks. After an April meeting where the concept was not well received, it did make changes to double the retail space (from 3,500 to 7,000 square feet) and add open space.
“We don’t know if Jefferson Apartment Group is open to changes, but we need to have our desires known and data can speak louder than words,” says the citizens group.
See a final report from the citizens below.
Former Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres will be arraigned Wednesday on second-degree murder charges in the 2013 shooting death of an unarmed Springfield man.
A Fairfax County grand jury on Monday night returned the indictment against Torres, who was released from the department in July. He turned himself into authorities at the Fairfax County Detention Center. He is being held there without bond.
The charges are the first time a FCPD officer has faced criminal charges stemming from an on-duty shooting, the department said.
Torres was among officers at John Geer’s townhouse on Aug. 29, 2013. Geer, in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend, was in a standoff with police for 42 minutes. Torres said Geer said he had a gun, but other police at the scene said Geer placed it on the ground.
In the midst of negotiations, Torres fired one shot at Geer, 46, without warning, officers said.
Police then waited for a SWAT team and did not enter the house for more than an hour, according to testimony. They found Geer dead inside the house.
Torres told investigators he felt Geer was a threat when he brought his hands down to waist level. The other officers on the scene said Geer’s hands were above his head the entire time.
“It was not accidental,” Torres told investigators and The Washington Post reported. “No, it was justified. I have no doubt about that at all. I don’t feel sorry for shooting the guy at all.”
It took FCPD more than a year to publicly identify the shooter and fully investigate the shooting, which sparked protest in a year where police shootings are under examination around the country, such as Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Mo., among others.
It also initiated a police practices review panel in Fairfax County.
Fairfax County paid Geer’s family nearly $3 million in a civil case settlement earlier this year.
FCPD Chief Ed Roessler said in a statement Monday that he would meet with Geer’s family to discuss the administrative handling of the case.
“We have great respect for the Special Grand Jury process, the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County, and the criminal justice system as this matter proceeds,” the chief aid in statement. “The loss of life is tragic for all. We express our sympathy to the Geer family, support to our great community and the men and women of the Fairfax County Police Department.
Photo: Adam Torres/FCPD
Every weekday in August, Reston Now will be offering suggestions for a Summer Bucket List — things to do, places to check out and activities to try in and around Reston before summer’s end.
Obviously, different ideas will appeal to different residents in different age groups. But we are open for ideas. If you have any “must-dos” of summer (even better: with a photo of you/your family participating in said event), email us at [email protected] and we will consider it.
Reston Summer Bucket List Item No. 11: Free Kids Shows
Before naptime is a great time for the preschool set to take in a show. Reston’s got a small circuit of free entertainment for the tots, so get going.
On Mondays through October, Mr. Kick Knack plays at 10:30 a.m. in the Reston Town Center Pavilion.
Mr. Knick Knack (real name Steve Rossi) has been singing and playing around Northern Virginia for years. He plays guitar and sings songs like My Heart is Like a Family and I’m So Glad — it’s all happy, danceable and appropriate for the smallest kids.
Over at Lake Anne Plaza, there are still two more weeks of the Tuesday morning kids shows. These shows (also free) are from 11 to 11:45 a.m. in the area near the climbing structure by Lake Anne Coffee House.
Aug. 18 features the Unicycle Country Lady. Aug. 25 will feature Bert the Nerd’s comedy, juggling and other cool stuff.
Photo: Bert the Nerd/Courtesy Bert the Nerd
End Of Summer Pool Party — Reston Community Center is sponsoring a bash for all ages at Dogwood Pool, 2460 Green Range Rd., Friday at 4 p.m. [RCC]
Raise Money To Prevent Drunk Driving — Glory Days is hosting a fundraiser for the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), a nonprofit to prevent drunk driving. Event is tonight at Glory Days in Fairfax (3059 Nutley St.). Former Redskin Ricky Ervins will sign autographs. Tickets are $40 at the door. [WRAP.org]
Brutalist Wonderland — One man’s review of how Reston’s style came to be. [dismagazine.com]
Bono Thanks Reston Mom — Remember the U2 frontman’s bad bike accident last year? A local lady helped him to safety (but has declined our interview requests). [Washington Post]
Reston Town Center’s Market Street will once again be turned into a colorful mural when ChalkFest, sponsored by the Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR), returns for its second year.
Organizers say ChalkFest, to be held Sept. 11 and 12, is a special opportunity to express your inner artist.
Market Street will be divided into 4-foot by 8 foot spaces where professional and amateur artists, as well as businesses, families, and kids can create street art.
There will be prizes awarded in various categories, including “Audience Choice Awards.”
The two-day ChalkFest opens Friday (Sept. 11), noon to 11 p.m. to professional artists, company team-building groups and sponsors. On Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., it will be open to participants of all ages and artistic
“IPAR’s ChalkFest has opened my eyes to a whole new — at least new to me — world of art,” said Penny Hauffe of Leesburg, the first-prize winner in last year’s professional artist category. “We are all enriched by each other’s imaginations and efforts.”
IPAR also is offering a free chalk workshop with artist Patrick Owens on Saturday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in front of the Pavilion. All are welcome to try their hands at chalk drawing and to register for ChalkFest.
To register (registration fees vary) and for more details on participation fees, prizes, rules and sponsorships, visit IPAR’s ChalkFest website.
Photo: ChalkFest 2014
A year after being approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the plan for a mixed-use development on Reston Town Center’s last undeveloped parcel is going back for revisions.
Boston Properties’ plan for Blocks 4, currently RTC’s 251-space surface parking lot, will go before the county planning commission on Sept. 30 and the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 6 for public hearings on small changes to the project.
Rich Ellis, Boston Properties’ Vice President of Development, says the application involves a minor design modification to one of the two residential towers planned for Block 4. The design change will not alter the total unit count or retail square footage, he said.
In summer 2014, the Supervisors approved Boston Properties’ plans, which include include two high-rise residential buildings with up to 549 units and nine levels of underground parking, for the surface lot at Fountain Drive and New Dominion Parkway.
Boston Properties purchased the six-acre site in 2013 and then changed the zoning from office space to residential.
Boston Properties will move the office part of the development to Block 5, where the current FedEx/Kinkos and Ann Taylor are now located, with additional office space above.
The plan calls for turning that three-story retail/office building into a 17-story building with 276,788 square feet of office space and 7,800 square feet of ground-floor retail. The building would also have four levels of underground parking.
The residences will feature one tower standing 19 stories tall and the other 21 stories tall. There will be up to 25,100 square feet of ground-level retail space and an additional 20,000 square feet of retail that would be partially located underground.
At the base of the 21-story tower will be two-level townhouse units, stacked three high. Each ground-level unit will have a terrace along New Dominion Parkway. Five levels of residences will also wrap around the parking structure. The complex will have its own pool.
Along President’s Street, the developers plan open space with outdoor dining areas and a pedestrian connection from the buildings to a proposed park along Reston Parkway. The park will feature a yoga deck, lawn and public art space.
As one of the proffered conditions for construction, which is expected to begin late this year or early in 2016, the developers will have to meet Fairfax County requirements for tree preservation.
Boston Properties will also have to build road improvements such as left turn lanes from Reston Parkway, New Dominion Parkway and Fountain Drive. Sixteen percent of the housing units will be set aside as workforce housing.
The board also in 2014 approved a reduction in parking of 22 percent (up to 192 fewer spaces) because of its proximity to future mass transit. The planned Reston Parkway Silver Line Metro Station is a half-mile away.
Block 4 and 5 development will flow into other approved high-density development nearby.
The Spectrum, a low-rise strip mall located just across New Dominion Parkway, has been approved for redevelopment into 774,879 square feet of non-residential use and 1,422 multifamily residential units in seven new residential buildings. The new area will feature a hotel, and Harris Teeter is the only retailer expected to remain under the current plan.
Additionally, part of the Spectrum will wrap around the planned 23-story office tower at 1760 Reston Parkway. That building, which will contain retail and 18 stories of offices, was approved by the supervisors in 2012.
Photo: Block 4/5 Residential Development Proposal/Credit: Fairfax County
Fairfax County Crime Solvers is seeking the public’s help in determining who shot at two buildings in separate incidents in the Herndon area of Fairfax County earlier this month.
The first incident occurred on Monday, Aug. 3, around 10 p.m. at a business in the 2200 block of Monroe Street.
The second incident occurred between the hours of 10 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, and 8 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5, at a business in the 2200 block of Corporate Drive.
Another incident the same week was reported to Reston Now. Those bullet holes were were found in windows of a building in the 12000 block of Worldgate Drive, also in unincorporated Herndon.
In each incident, the business was closed. The suspect fired several shots, striking the front of each building and fled.
There have been additional incidents reported to the Town of Herndon Police Department as well.
Those incidents occurred during the overnight hours of Thursday, July 23 into Friday morning, July 24 and Tuesday, July 28 into Wednesday morning, July 29.
Detectives continue to follow up on leads in these cases and ask anyone with information to contact Crime Solvers. Tipsters may submit a tip electronically by visiting www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637)** or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477).
A $100 to $1,000 cash reward will be paid for information that leads to an arrest and indictment in the Fairfax County incidents.
Photo: Bullet hole in office building/reader photo
Finish summer reading in a big way — by adding to your book collection at this week’s Children and Teens book sale at Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Green Dr.
There will be shelves of gently used books and teaching materials for sale. Proceeds benefit Reston Regional, as well as Friends of Reston Regional, the non profit that sponsors and pays for additional library programming and supplies.
Sale hours:
- Thursday, Aug. 20 — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 21 — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 22– 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 23– 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Payment is by cash or check. Sorry, no credit cards, scanners, or electronic devices.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 703-829-5467.
Every weekday in August, Reston Now will be offering suggestions for a Summer Bucket List — things to do, places to check out and activities to try in and around Reston before summer’s end.
Obviously, different ideas will appeal to different residents in different age groups. But we are open for ideas. If you have any “must-dos” of summer (even better: with a photo of you/your family participating in said event), email us at [email protected] and we will consider it.
Reston Summer Bucket List Item No. 10: Children’s Science Center Lab
Today’s suggestion will actually take you just slightly out of Reston. Head for Fair Oaks Mall, where the new Children’s Science Center is a fun, educational — and air-conditioned — place to pass part of the day.
After many years of fundraising and as a touring exhibit, the Children’s Science Center Lab finally opened its doors in late June.
The Lab is Northern Virginia’s first interactive museum where children, families and school groups can explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts through hands-on activities and programs.
The Lab is geared towards children ages 2 to 12. It features an Experiment Bar; Inspiration Hub: Hands-on exhibits demonstrating real-world applications of STEM; Tinker Shop: A space for making, creating, building based on open-ended engineering design challenges; and Discovery Zone: Hands on learning designed for budding scientists aged 5 and under.
The Lab is open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $12; discounts for seniors and military; children under age 2 are free. Visit Childsci.org for more info.
Photo: Children’s Science Center Lab/Courtesy Children’s Science Center via Facebook.
Reston Association’s Board of Directors has sent a letter to county officials saying that the new plan for Tall Oaks Village Center “falls woefully short of meeting even minimum standards sought for a village center.”
The Jefferson Apartment Group (JAG) purchased the aging village center in December and plans to redevelop the space — which is only 16 percent occupied — into a variety of housing with a small amount of retail.
JAG has not filed any permits or plans for the redevelopment, which will not need rezoning under new Reston Master Plan rules.
The company has held three community meetings. In the first two last April, the plans were not well received by community members, who said if proper management was in place, retail would thrive.
At the most recent meeting, in June, JAG officials came back with an amended plan featuring 150 rather than 154 homes (a variety of townhomes, 2-over-2 townhouses and condos), about 7,000 square feet (up from 3,000 SF) of retail and additional open space.
But the lack of a community gathering space and open space remains an issue for Reston Association, RA President Ellen Graves said in an Aug. 6 letter to Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and Planning Commission member Frank de la Fe.
RA says JAG should follow Urban Land Institute guidelines for the importance of public plazas in planning for the new Tall Oaks.
Those guidelines state a successful public realm is one where “commerce, social interaction, leisure time activities may mix easily in an attractive, pedestrian-friendly outdoor setting. … The public realm should allow for the integration of the people, the place and the larger community.”
Says RA: “The current Jefferson Apartment Group redevelopment plan does none of the above. In all its iterations, the plan falls woefully short of meeting even minimum standards sought for a Village Center in Reston. The existing elderly housing residents [at Tall Oaks Assisted Living] should be supported in the Village Center’s design, amenities and uses. An amount and mix of commercial uses sufficient to serve the surrounding neighbors should remain.”
See the entire letter below.
RA Letter Re:Tall Oaks by Karen Goldberg Goff
Photo: Rendering of redeveloped Tall Oaks/Credit: JAG
Very Good Deed — An anonymous 21-year-old from Reston donated a kidney to a stranger. [WSET TV]
Metro Woes — A long view of Metro’s issues this year and how a change in leadership may fix them. [Washington Post]
Sheriff’s Race — Incumbent Stacey Kincaid will face some competition from former Fairfax City law enforcement officer Bryan Wolfe in November’s election. [Fairfax Times]
SLHS Football Gears Up — Second-year coach Trey Taylor is hoping to see improvement from last year’s 2-8 team. [Reston Connection]
Reston Association’s outdoor pools turn to the late-summer schedule beginning Monday.
These pools will be closing for the season at the end of the day Sunday: Autumnwood, Golf Course Island, Hunters Woods, Newbridge, Shadowood, Tall Oaks and Uplands.
Still open: Dogwood, Glade, Lake Audubon (weekends only), Lake Newport, Lake Thoreau, Ridge Heights, North Shore and North Hills. For exact hours, visit RA’s website.
On Labor Day (Monday, Sept.7), the still-open pools will operate on a weekend schedule.
After Labor, Day only heated pools at Ridge Heights and North Shore will be open. The two will remain on a shortened schedule (3 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends) through Sept. 27.
Fairfax County Police apprehended a man and a teenage girl early Thursday after they attempted to run away from a stolen vehicle and FCPD officers.
An officer from the Reston District Station noticed a stolen vehicle traveling on North Shore near Links Drive about 1:26 a.m. The vehicle came to a stop and a man and a woman exited the vehicle.
The officer had confirmed the vehicle to be stolen and gave verbal commands to the suspects. The suspects attempted to run away on foot but were taken into custody and arrested.
Police charged Carlos A. Hernandez-Garcia, 20, of no fixed, with possession of stolen property, providing false identity to law enforcement, obtaining identification to avoid arrest, resisting arrest and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Petitions for the 16 year-old female from the Manassas area will be obtained, police said.
Shopping for a new home? Start with these open houses. For complete real estate information and more listings, check out Reston Now’s Real Estate section.
1519 Twisted Oak Drive *
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$414,900
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
Eileen DuBose, RE/MAX Allegiance
(703) 592-0080
11844 Dunlop Court
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$399,900
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
1436 Church Hill Place
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$337,000
Open Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.
1733 Ivy Oak Square
3 BR, 2.5 BA Condo
$385,000
Open Sunday 3 to 4 p.m.
11776 Stratford House Place
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$799,000
Open Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.
11720 Mossy Creek Lane
3 BR, 2 FB, 2 HB TH
$460,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
11721 Newbridge Court
4 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$469,900
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
11733 Summerchase Circle
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$287,000
Open Sunday 1:30 to 4 p.m.
* – denotes paid listing
