Reston Association is expecting the repurposed Tetra building will bring in about $122,000 of revenue annually from rentals.

The association has put in a conditional purchase contract on the 3.48 acre property for up to $2.65 million. The 3,128-square-foot building, which served as Reston’s Visitors Center for 20 years, has been the offices of its owner, Tetra Partners commercial real estate, since 2003.

RA members will be asked to vote in a referendum in order for the contract to go forward. The referendum, which will ask is RA should go forward with the purchase of the building at 11450 Baron Cameron Ave.; renovate and repurpose the existing building and land for community and recreation program uses; and, borrow up to $2.6 million for the purchase.

The referendum starts April 13 and runs through May 8. The results will announced May 11. The referendum needs votes from 1,751 households (10 percent of eligible households) to be valid.

RA officials said one reason for the purchase is to add indoor recreational and community use space to RA’s offerings. The association currently has conference rooms at its headquarters at 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr., Walker Nature Education Center, and Brown’s Chapel (limited use) for indoor usage.

“RA’s current year-round indoor programming spaces are limited,” RA President Ken Knueven said at the South Lakes District Meeting last week. “RA staff believes there are many opportunities to conduct a variety of community based programs for all ages at the property, in the building and on the grounds. By keeping the existing building foot print and reconfiguring the building’s interior, RA would have the ability to provide a venue for instructional, art, health and wellness programs and events.

“In addition, the space will offer an attractive venue for corporate and event rentals, as appropriate in a residential neighborhood. “

RA says it will put hourly use limitations in place “so as to mitigate possible noise pollution to the surrounding neighborhoods during weekday and weekend evenings.”

RA says it will ask members what programs they would like to see added at the new building, should they acquire it.

Meanwhile, with some basic usage categories in mind, RA staff has developed “a conservative rental and programming plan” to project potential revenues from the use of property, which could include:

• Youth holiday and break. Full-day program for three weeks serving 30 children — $17,850
• After camp child care — $4,700
• After school programming for 30 children for the full school year — $46,900
• General programming for children, family, seniors and one-time programs — $4,055
• Instructional & educational programming for all ages — $15,100
• Corporate/community rentals, 65 annually, 2-hour minimum — $8,500
• Weddings and Celebrations, 15 weddings or celebrations in key months May/June, September/October — $25,500

See more income and expense forecasts for the building on the updated Tetra Fact Sheet on RA’s website.

Searching for a new home? There are a few open houses this weekend, mostly on Saturday as Sunday is a holiday. For more real estate information, visit Reston Now’s Real Estate page.

12160 Abington Hall Place
3 BR, 2 BA Condo
$475,000
Open Saturday 1 to 3 p.m.

11705 Old Bayberry Lane
4 BR, 2.5 BA SFH
$585,000
Open Saturday 2 to 4 p.m.

1956 Belmont Ridge Court
2 BR, 1.5 BA TH
$329,900
Open Saturday 1 to 4 p.m.

11011 Birdfoot Court
4BR, 2.5 BA SFH
$819,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

1332 Murray Downs Way
5 BR, 3.5 BA SFH
$799,900
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

Terraset Elementary School took a big step in its major overhaul when a steel bridge was put into place this week. The bridge centrally connects the school entrance and the parking lot.

The bridge will replace the two aging walkways that formerly connected the parking lot to the school, which is located partially underground. One of the walkways was destroyed last year. One remains in place for the transition.

The school, which opened in 1977 as a unique, energy-saving underground concept, is about a year in to a renovation that is expected to take up to another year. Crews are nearly done with new classrooms on one side of the building. Later this school year, lower grades will move into the new wing while workers get busy with an addition on the other side of the school. Upper grades will be relocated to temporary classroom buildings, which will remain until the project is complete during the 2015-16 school year.

The renovation will change the school from an open concept to having more traditional classrooms, as well as addding space to nearly double the school’s capacity, with room for about 900 students.

Fairfax County Police are investigating an attempted abduction that took place on Lawyers Road in Oak Hill on Thursday.

Police were called to Lawyers Road and Glenbrooke Woods Drive near the Fox Mill neighborhood about 3:50 p.m. when a 20-year-old woman said she was waiting for a bus when a man drove up and stopped his pickup truck nearby.

The man exited the truck, engaged the victim in conversation then grabbed her by the arm, the victim told police. The suspect attempted to force the victim back to his vehicle but the victim resisted and managed to free herself.  The suspect returned to the truck and fled. The victim did not require medical treatment, police said.

The suspect was described by the victim as an Hispanic male, 40 to 50 years of age, with straight black hair. He was wearing a green sweatshirt with a white T-shirt underneath and tan-colored pants. The pickup truck was described as an older-model pickup truck with a ladder rack and tan-colored interior.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637.

The Reston Zoo has a weekend of Easter fun for kids April 4 and 5.

Stop by the zoo, 1228 Hunter Mill Rd., for visits with the baby lambs, goats and bunnies — as well as visit with the big guy himself, the Easter Bunny. There will also be a moonbounce and other kids activities.

The main event: Easter egg hunts:

Safari Egg Hunts (ages 4-12), 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Families will board the Zoofari Wagon for a trip out to the Safari Egg Hunt Field for this egg hunt.

Toddler Egg Hunts (3 and under), 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Youngsters will hunt for eggs at the picnic pavilion field, where stroller parking will be available.

Children are encouraged to bring their own Easter baskets for collecting eggs. Families are asked to arrive early for this popular event. Last admission will be at 3 p.m. each day of the event.

The egg hunts and other activities are free with zoo admission:

• Adults: $12.95
• Children (2-12): $12.95
• Under 2: Egg Hunt Ticket $3
• Season Pass Holders will receive $2 off per ticket

Photo: Piglets at Reston Zoo/Credit: Reston Zoo via Facebook

Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Karen Garza is asking local parents and supporters of public schools to aid in the request for more money from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

For the $2.6 billion Fiscal Year 2016 budget, the school board has asked the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for an additional $70.6 million, or 3.99 percent, over the amount from FY 2015. 

The transfer request amount from the county is $14 million, or 0.79 percent, above the guidance provided by the Board of Supervisors, which included a 3 percent transfer increase plus the cost associated with full-day Mondays implemented this year.

The supervisors will hold public hearings on the budget on Tuesday, April 7, and Garza is inviting FCPS friends and family to speak up in support.

The superintendent sent this letter this week:

Dear FCPS friends and families,

Over the next few weeks, our local elected officials, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS), will be making decisions that will have a significant impact on our local public schools. These important decisions will directly impact the future of our most precious resource – our children. I invite you to join me and School Board Chairman Tamara Derenak Kaufax at the BOS public hearing regarding the FCPS budget on April 7 at 4 p.m. and show your support for our children.

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Fiscal Year 2016 request of the County is very reasonable and pragmatic; unfortunately the County Executive presented a budget to the BOS that is $14 million short of fully funding our budget which, if approved by the BOS as presented, would result in even more cuts to our already strained system.

Since 2008, we have experienced significant budget cuts resulting in the elimination of more than 2,175 positions and almost a half-billion dollars in reductions to our operating funds. We cannot cut our way to greatness and our reputation and success must not be taken for granted. FCPS’ greatness cannot be sustained after many consecutive and continued years of shrinking investment.

We recognize that the BOS is a critical partner and, as such, are individually and collectively vested in the continued success of our great schools. Because our schools are their priority, we are confident the Supervisors will do the right thing for our children and families and will fully fund this reasonable budget request.

We thank you and our County leaders for your continued support of our schools. We know that this community understands that the most important investment we can make is in our young people — it is an investment that pays dividends to everyone in Fairfax long into the future.

I look forward to seeing you on the 7th at the Board of Supervisors hearing and thank you for making your voice heard.

Karen Garza/file photo

Passover Plans — The Jewish holiday of Passover begins Friday at sundown. Chabad of Reston-Herndon is hosting a community Seder open to all Friday at 7:30 p.m. ($40/per person). [Chabad of Reston-Herndon]

Police: Social Media Helped Capture Prisoner — Fairfax County Police say social media helped capture Woosen Assaye, the federal prisoner who escaped from authorities at Inova Fairfax Hospital this week. After a six-hour, regionwide search, Assaye was located in the District. [Fairfax County Police]

TJ Admits Nearly 500 — Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology has offered admission to 493 students to the Class of 2019. There were 2,841 applications from Northern Virginia eighth graders. [FCPS]

New GRACE Exhibit Opens April 16  — Greater Reston Arts Center will open Patterson Clark: Edicole. An artist’s talk will take place April 18. Patterson Clark is the author and illustrator of The Washington Post’s Urban Jungle natural history column and his works are connected to nature. [GRACE]

Not up for cooking on Easter Sunday? Here are a few Reston restaurants offering specials for holiday fun for the whole family.

Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro, Westin Reston Heights — is offering a three-course Easter Prix Fixe menu ($55/person; $65 with unlimited mimosa or Bloody Marys; $25/children). There will also be a petting zoo and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Reservations: 703-234-3550

Kalypso’s, Lake Anne Plaza — will be grilling lamb out on the patio, as well as offering a special Easter brunch featuring  grilled octopus, grilled bronzini, Greek-style chicken, pastitsio, moussaka and baklava. Reservations: 703-707-0660.

PassionFish, Reston Town Center — is offering Easter Brunch from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Specials incude Crabcakes Eggs Benedict and Eggs Sardou. Reservations: 703-230-3474.

Clyde’s of Reston, Reston Town Center — is open on Easter and offering its brunch menu, its children’s brunch menu and $4 Bloody Marys.

Mon Ami Gabi, Reston Town Center — is offering Easter brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular menu and specials will be available, as well as candy and holiday treats for the kids. Reservations: 703-707-0233.

The Melting Pot, Plaza America — invites you to celebrate Easter Fondue Style. The restaurant will be seating from 1 to 9 pm on Sunday and is offering a four-course meal (with chocolate fondue) for $32 per person. They also have an egg-dying station for kids from 1-2:30 p.m. Reservations: 703-435-1277.

Il Fornaio, Reston Town Center — is offering Easter brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. and Easter dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Reservations:  703.437.5544.

Tavern 64, Hyatt Regency Reston — is offering an Easter brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 5 pm. Reservations: 703-925-8250. Photo: Brunch at Mon Ami Gabi/Courtesy Mon Ami Gabi

Fairfax County Police said two burglaries took place in Reston on Saturday, March 28. It is unknown if the incidents are related.

The burglaries occurred in the 1500 block of Regatta Lane and in the 1400 block of Greenmont Court. In both cases, residents reported someone entered the residence and took property.

In other crime news this week:

LARCENIES

2200 block of Astoria Circle, wallet from residence.

1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, license plate from vehicle.

1900 block of Isaac Newton Square, cash from business.

2400 block of Jefferson Way, property from residence.

11100 block of South Lakes Drive, beverage from business.

11500 block of Hearthstone Court, jewelry from residence.

1400 block of Northgate Square, license plate from vehicle.

STOLEN VEHICLES

13000 block of New Arden Court, 2007 Honda Civic.

Reston-based Serco Inc., headquartered on Library Street, has been named to  Forbes magazine’s list of “America’s Best Employers for 2015.”

Serco Inc. was rated as the top business services employer and one of the top 40 overall best employers. Serco was ranked 39th overall out of the 500 companies that made the list.

Serco, which provides business and professional services primarily to the U.S. government, was also the top-ranked Washington-area company on the list.

“On behalf of the 10,000 Serco employees, we are honored to be named on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers,” Dan Allen, Serco’s Chairman and CEO, said in a release. “We pride ourselves in creating a culture that engages our people and makes Serco a great place to work.. It is heartening to know that our focus on building a team that has passion for their work is being recognized.”

Forbes’ list was complied by surveying more than 20,000 employees at companies with at least 2,500 people.

To see the entire list, visit Forbes’ website.

Just what is RTC West and where at the Reston Town Center will it be located?

That’s a question Reston Now got a lot on Tuesday, when it posted that Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant will be the first tenant at the 40,000-square-foot retail-and-restaurant destination.

A few basics:

RTC West is being developed by JBG Companies.

RTC West is NOT at the town center. RTC West will be built where three office buildings and a parking garage currently stand at Sunset Hills Road and Town Center Parkway. It is also bordered by the W & OD Trail and the Sunset Hills area that contains Chick-fil-A, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Chipotle and more.

JBG’s plan, which was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last week, will mostly add the retail space to the first two floors of the office buildings.

JBG says it plans to convert 15,100 square feet of office space to retail/restaurant space and add 25,000 square feet of new retail/restaurant space (on the southwest corner of the site), including outdoor seating.

The addition of RTC West brings amenities closer to where the Reston Town Center Metro stop will eventually open in 2018 or early 2019. While the Silver Line stop is called Reston Town Center, it actually will be located in the center of the Dulles Access Road just west of Reston Parkway.

That means pedestrians will have to walk about a quarter-mile from the station to the town center. Now they can walk through RTC West — or have a destination such as Cooper’s Hawk or other restaurants and shopping — closer to public transportation.

JBG had to agree to make transportation and pedestrian improvements, so look for walkways and crosswalks to be added to the the W & OD Trail and Town Center Parkway entrances of the development.

See the entire Fairfax County Planning Commission staff report on project on the Fairfax County Planning website.

The Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning has completed the draft of the Reston Comprehensive Plan Amendment that will guide future development in Reston’s neighborhoods, village centers and open spaces.

Working under the quicker Fairfax Forward process, the plan — also referred to as Reston Master Plan Phase 2 — was organized in 10 months. Phase 1, approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2014, took nearly four years.

“Staff has collaborated with community stakeholders, incorporated community ideas, and drafted a proposed amendment to the Reston section of the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan based on these collaboration and engagement activities,” said Richard Lambert of the county planning and zoning office.

“Admittedly, not everything everyone wanted made its way into the proposed amendment. Staff had to meet some groups down the middle. This is the needle we thread. We are hopeful that the majority of people will be pleased with the majority, if not all, of the proposed amendment.”

There will be a Planning Commission public hearing on April 22 at 8:15 p.m. and, if recommended for approval, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing and vote on June 2 at 4 p.m. Both hearings will be at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Fairfax County officials say the the current comprehensive plan, last updated in 1989, requires revision because Reston no longer has a master developer to update the plan for Reston; the plan for Reston has outdated elements; and with population expected to grow with the arrival of Metro, Reston is evolving as a community.

Phase I of the Reston Master Plan changes looked at how development and density should proceed in the areas surrounding transit stations such as Metro’s Wiehle Reston East.

Here are some of the highlights for Phase 2:

Village Centers — The amendment establishes general vision and guidelines for redevelopment  for any future village center redevelopment proposals. The general vision for Reston’s village centers addresses elements necessary for village centers to achieve the desired goal of becoming a vibrant community gathering space. The Guidelines for Redevelopment establish a process for developing detailed plans and considering redevelopment proposals.  Read More