The Fairfax County Park Authority has outlined a land swap that will enable it to eventually move forward on an indoor recreation center for the area known as Town Center North.
Park Authority Chair Bill Bouie said Friday the park authority has committed to a deal, pending a public hearing and park authority board vote, that plans for a 90,000-square-foot recreation facility to be built on the same block as the new North County Government Center on Fountain Drive.
The 47-acre area is bounded by Baron Cameron Avenue, Fountain Drive, and Town Center Parkway and Bowman Towne Drive.
The recreation center would be owned and operated by the park authority, however, officials still do not know who would pay to construct the building.
“This is a very big deal — one we have been working on for a number of years,” said Bouie. “This satisfies a number of parties. We still don’t know the cost — and there is no money for the rec center at this point. But we are hoping [to pay] through a combination of developer proffers and park bonds.”
The deal means the plans to build a new Reston Community Center at Baron Cameron Park, which has been debated for more than two years, is all but dead, even though space for an indoor facility is on the Baron Cameron Park master plan. Bouie said he hopes RCC will be involved in the planning in order for Restonians to get top priority for facility use.
There has been more than two years of community meetings and a feasibility study about a joint project with RCC, whose indoor pool at Hunters Woods is aging, and the park authority at Baron Cameron. However, the plan faced much community pushback on traffic, as well as un unfair tax burden on Small Tax District 5 (Reston) residents.
RCC Executive Director Lelia Gordon called the plan a “win-win-win,” with no additional burden on STD 5 residents “other than the one that already exists.”
“We see this as terrific,” she said, adding that the work already done by RCC — and Reston Association in a previous plan for facilities at Brown’s Chapel Park — should shorten the process.
“[The new plan] can advance so much more rapidly because of RA and RCC,” said Gordon. “The last county facility of this type was built more than 20 years ago. I would say this accelerates the process by many years.”
The independent appraisal and the Fairfax County tax assessment of the Tetra building that Reston Association seeks to purchases are more than $1 million apart.
The Reston Association Board said on Monday that the appraised value of the 3,200-square-feet set on 3.47 acres near Lake Newport is $2.65 million.
The 2014 county tax assessment for the property, which was formerly the Reston Visitors Center and currently is office space for Tetra Commercial Real Estate, is $1,248,370. The county values the land at $845,840 and the building at $402,530, according to county tax records.
RA announced last month it is seeking to buy the property, which sits amongst other RA properties such as Lake Newport Tennis and Brown’s Chapel Park. The board discussed at a meeting on Monday financing terms and borrwing up to the full purchase price of $2.65 million.
However, the community will ultimately decide wether the purchase goes forward. There will be a member referendum on the subject in April. The referendum will cost about $20,000, RA sources said.
In residential real estate, it is common practice for a home buyer to bid about 25 percent above the assessed value in a home purchase.
However, that is not typically the case when it come to commercial property, said area commercial real estate appraiser Thomas Kirchner. Kirchner is not involved in the appraisal of the Tetra property.
“There are so many factors that go into a commercial property, you can’t just say a certain percentage amount in a bid,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what the assessor says whatsoever. All they are assessing is a piece of property.”
Factored into an appraisal, rather than the purchase, is the “highest and best use of the property.” When you appraise a four-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home, for instance, it will be used as a residence, so the value is pretty standard. With a commercial property, the limits are much different, says Kirchner.
“It is what is legally allowed [for the property] and what is economically feasible,” he said. “you can have two identical buildings next to each other, but one is a hotel and one is a condo and they can be appraised with millions of dollars difference.”
Also, complicating matters for this property is the Tetra building has not been sold in more than 10 years and there are no comparable nearby sales since it is an unusual piece of property.
The building is currently used for office space. RA CEO Cate Fulkerson said RA will get input from members at public hearings Feb. 26 and March 26 to determine the best uses of the property.
Some of the suggested uses could include holiday and break camps, after school programs, event and meeting rentals, extended child care for camps, art and fitness programming, all of which would bring in revenue for RA.
The building is in the current Reston Master Plan as a convenience center, which means it could be used for a variety of purposes, including retail and restaurant.
The original plans for the building approved years ago include a second story addition that could make a 6,930-square-foot restaurant, RA officials said. The restaurant would also be allowed to construct up to 50 feet into Lake Newport.
RA is working to remove the convenience center designation under the ongoing Reston Master Plan Phase 2 draft process. RA attorneys are recommending the plan designation be changed to limited office and community use whether RA purchases the property or not.
RA said it will not make the appraisal public until it has a ratified contract for the property.
Fairfax County Library Survey — The Fairfax County Public Library is looking for a new director. They are asking patrons to take an online survey to help them in the process. [Fairfax County Public Library]
Scholarship In Memory Of Dave Tremaine — Reston resident Dave Tremaine, the popular principal of Hayfield Secondary School who died of cancer last year, will be honored with four college scholarships in his memory for Hayfield students. [College Access Fairfax]
Signage Up, No Opening Date Yet — Crews are a little farther along in getting Barcelona Wine Bar ready to open, but not opening date has been announced. They are hiring, though. [Craigslist]
Fairfax County Police To Train Faith Communities On Staying Safe — Fairfax County Police are implementing a new program that aims to help keep houses of worship safe and crime-free. At a workshop Feb. 28 they will show congregants how to become more involved in reducing the opportunity for crimes to occur on facility premises. [Fairfax County Police]
Photo: Signage up at Barcelona at Reston Town Center/Credit: The Avant via Twitter
Chesapeake Chocolates is now open in the former space occupied by Lake Anne Florist Virginia Wine & Gourmet at 11426 Washington Plaza.
Virginia Wine & Gourmet had held a spot at Lake Anne Plaza since 1996. Owner Linda Fuller decided to retire and closed the store at the end of February.
Chesapeake Chocolates owner Doris Tyler, who had rented a tiny counter in a portion of the florist for the last seven years, has expanded into the rest of the store and leased it back from Fuller.
Chesapeake Chocolates held its grand reopening on Saturday,during the Virginia Polar Dip, which brought hundreds of people to the plaza.
Chesapeake Chocolates specializes in hand-dipped milk, dark and white chocolates. In additional to traditional varieties, Tyler has a large collection of chocolate molds and can custom make anything from a bushel of chocolate crabs to a collection of chocolate seashells or race cars, all of which would make a good gift for Valentine’s Day.
Chesapeake Chocolates will also carry other gift items such as handmade soaps and other gourmet snacks.
The store is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed Sundays and Mondays. They can be reached at 703-620-0082.
Bob Simon, sadly, is all over the news today.
He is trending on Twitter, part of many headlines and breaking news crawls on television.
That has led some Restonians to ask Reston Now whether the news is about “our” Bob Simon, the 100-year-old founder of Reston.
It is not.
The Bob Simon all over the news Thursday is the longtime CBS News and 60 Minutes correspondent, who was killed in a car crash on New York City’s West Side Highway Wednesday night. The correspondent, who as held as a prisoner of war for 40 days during the first Gulf War, was 73.
Bob Simon, the founder of Reston, is just fine. He will celebrate his 101st birthday in April.
Photos: Top: Bob Simon/Credit: CBS News. Right: Bob Simon, Reston founder/file photo
On Valentine’s Day, take your sweetheart on a romantic carriage ride through Reston Town Center.
There will be horse-drawn carriage rides from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Rides meet in front of Talbot’s on Market Street. Rides will take place rain or shine.
The cost is $5 per person. Children under 5 ride free with an adult. Proceeds will benefit Volunteer Fairfax.
Other special Valentine’s Day events at Reston Town Center Saturday:
Sweet and Savory Valentine’s Special at The Tasting Room Wine Bar — Enjoy a Valentine’s Day special of four cakepops plus two glasses of select wine for $20 per couple.
Gift wrapping at Appalachian Spring from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Donations benefit Kids R First.
Jour de L’Amour with The Tasting Room — A day of decadence begins at The Tasting Room with sparkling wines, chocolate, a chauffeured mini-coach tour to Boxwood Estate Winery for a group tasting experience and lunch, plus a cider tasting and distillery tour. $125 per couple – advance only. Get tickets and details at www.boxwoodwinery.com
And, of, course dinner at any number of Reston Town Center restaurants. Call your favorite for a reservation as it is sure to be a busy evening.
Photo: Horse-drawn carriage at RTC/file photo
After years of construction and a move-in delay of several months, the offices of Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and the Fairfax County Police’s Reston District Station are slated to to move into the new North County Government Center Feb. 23 and 24.
The new building, at 1801 Cameron Glen Dr., has been under construction for more than two years. The current building, constructed in 1985, will be torn down to make way for a parking lot after the moves are complete.
A 2006 bond referendum provided the $18 million funding for the new building.
The new building will be approximate 35,000 square feet, which is nearly double the size of the current building.
The supervisor’s section of the building will include a larger community room. The project will be seeking a LEED Silver certification by incorporating high-efficiency plumbing and HVAC systems, water efficient landscaping, a “cool roof” with high reflectivity, use of recycled components and low-emitting materials and construction waste management practices.
There are also plans to include a public art work on the east side of the building.
County offices may be hard to reach as phones are disconnected on moving day, but after that all phone numbers will remain the same, county officials said.
The building is the first new construction in the “Town Center North” area, which may eventually include a new library, replacement of the Embry Rucker Community Center, a new community center and other mixed-use amenities.
There will be grand opening event for the facility later this year.
Missing Teen May Be In Reston – The Herndon Police Department is searching for a 15-year-old girl who has been missing since July 2014. Police are searching for Lilian Medina Stevens, who left her home on July 29 and has not returned, officials said. Stevens may be in Reston, or possibly somewhere in Texas, police said. [WUSA9]
Ballet Event At CenterStage — Celebrate the joy of movement with a performance by the Classical Ballet Theatre Friday at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage. Tickets are$22 per Adult; $18 per Senior/Student. Complementary cocktails served at 6:30 p.m.; performance is at 7:30 p.m. [ArtsFairfax]
County Tax Assessments 101 — Your 2015 Fairfax County Property Tax Assessment should arrive any day. Here are five things to know about it. [Fairfax County]
Long Weekend On The Way — Northern Virginia Magazine has a list of some fun things to do nearby, including free admission at Great Falls National Park. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Photo: Reston Town Center at night/Credit: RTC via Facebook
Fairfax County Department of Health officials said Wednesday the suspected measles case turned out to be negative.
The county announced on Tuesday it was investigating a possible case of measles in a Fairfax County resident. Health officials identified potential exposure sites, and the individual is in self-isolation at home. The test to confirm the case would take 24 hours to complete, they said.
The county did not say where in the county the resident lives.
More than 100 cases of measles have been diagnosed in 23 states in 2015, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. That marks a rapid increase in this country of a disease that was considered eradicated 15 years ago. CDC officials have said pockets of residents who refuse vaccinations are causing the rise.
From the county health department:
People who have received at least one dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in the past are at very low risk of being infected with measles. Measles is easily preventable through safe and effective MMR vaccine. The best protection against future measles cases is the on-time vaccination of all susceptible people.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread through coughing, sneezing and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth and throat of an infected individual. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. The second stage begins around the third to seventh day when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads over the entire body.
Fairfax County Public Schools require students to have the MMR vaccine. However, families can take a medical or religious exemption from the requirement. In a story last week, Reston Now outlined how many area children currently take the exemption.
Several residents of the Longwood Grove neighborhood have a new suggestion to quell the noise at the Baron Cameron Park Dog Park — they are seeking a county grant that will pay to move the off-leash area to another Fairfax County Park Authority location.
It has been nearly a year since the group of five Longwood Grove families whose homes are located across four-lane Wiehle Avenue from the dog park filed a lawsuit against the Park Authority.
In it, the plaintiffs called the park, the only off-leash dog run in Reston “a private nuisance” as the “the dog park noise, mainly from unruly dogs barking and fighting, has grown to intolerable levels over the last two years.”
The lawsuit asked for an immediate shutdown of the park. That did not happen.
So in January, the Longwood residents submitted to the Park Authority a Mastenbrook Grant application that seeks to relocate the dog park from its current location to Lake Fairfax Park.
Mastenbrook Grants are a Park Authority program, founded in 1999, that match funding (up to 50 percent of the total project cost or $20,000 maximum) for park projects. The aim is to fill a gap between limited bond funding and the community’s desire for new neighborhood facilities.
The grants have been used in the past for dog parks, playgrounds, greenhouses, shade gardens and other small improvements desired by civic groups, says the FCPA website.
It would be unprecedented to use grant funds to move a project to another park, said Park Authority Chairman Bill Bouie.
“As you know, a few Longwood Grove residents have been engaged in an ongoing dialogue with Fairfax County Park Authority about the dog park and have spent countless hours trying to resolve the issue to no avail,” one of the Longwood Grove residents said in an email obtained by Reston Now.
“On Jan. 21, Longwood Grove neighbors submitted to the Park Authority a Mastenbrook Grant application that, if approved, would relocate the dog park from its current location to Lake Fairfax. Read More
After a successful first season offering Standup Paddleboarding (SUP) classes at Lake Anne, Surf Reston is seeking to expand its operation to Reston’s other lakes.
Surf Reston has asked Reston Association for permission to offer occasional classes and outings on Lake Audubon, Newport and Thoreau, according to RA documents.
“In 2015, it is proposed that sessions better utilize all four Reston lakes,” Surf Reston operator Steve Gurney wrote to the RA Board. “Many of the RA members enjoyed seeing Lake Anne from a new perspective and inquired about paddling on the other lakes. Expanding beyond Lake Anne can lighten the footprint of the offering on any one lake in additional to providing options for RA members to explore the water in our community.”
There had been controversy using Lake Audubon when SUP lessons were first proposed for Reston in 2013. At that time, the previous owner of Surf Reston wanted to base operations at Lake Audubon. That proposal received much pushback from Lake Audubon-area residents, who did not want a commercial operation on the all-residential lake.
In 2014, there were two successful paddleboard events at Lake Audubon, said Gurney.
“The majority of sessions are five students and one instructor, ” he said. “Surf Reston would request the potential to have sessions that would not exceed 15 paddlers. For example, Reston Community Center has requested organizing a ‘trip’ for 12 paddlers. These requests would be limited in quantity and during specific day and times to minimize impact.”
Surf Reston is also working with Reston Association to try and offer SUP as part of Teen Camp and Day Camp, as well as several fitness/yoga/paddleboarding combo classes.
The 2015 schedule proposes most SUP classes at Lake Anne, but also classes and tours at Lake Audubon on alternating Wednesday evenings and monthly events at Lake Newport and Lake Thoreau on Sundays.
The RA Board will vote on the summer 2015 schedule at its Feb. 26 meeting.
Photo: Paddleboarding on Lake Anne/Credit: Jim Kirby
Cannabis Bill Passes House — The Virginia House of Delegates unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Fairfax Republican Dave Albo that would allow children with seizures disorders to legally use cannabis oil to counteract them. A similar bill by Reston Del. Ken Plum (D) is still in committee. [Washington Post]
STEM Academies Open House — Fairfax County Public Schools high school academies will host the annual STEM-H (science, technology, engineering, math, and health and medical sciences) Expo on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Chantilly High School, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, with registration starting at 9 a.m. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Rules For Food Trucks On VDOT Roads Could Change — A bill introduced by Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Springfield) would make it easier for food trucks to park on Fairfax County streets. [Fairfax Times]
Fairfax County Police say a person was assaulted by a man wielding a bottle in the 12000 block of Greywing Square near Hunters Woods Village Center on Saturday night.
The victim told police the suspect approached and assaulted the victim with a bottle, then fled on foot.
The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries near the scene, police said. The suspect was described as Hispanic, between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall and wearing a green and white striped stocking cap.
In other police news this week.
BURGLARIES
The first was in the 12700 block of Magna Carta Road in unincorporated Herndon on Feb. 5.
Two break ins occurred on Harpers Square Court. One on Feb. 6, another on Sunday.
In all cases, residents reported someone entered the buildings and and took property. Police did not specify what was taken.
LARCENIES
- 2400 block of Centreville Road, wallet from business.
- 11400 block of North Shore Drive, catalytic converter from vehicle.
- 12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, phone from business.
- 2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, beverage from business.
- 11900 block of Sloane Court, cash from vehicle.
- 12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, briefcase from business.
- 12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, cash from vehicle.
- 12025 block of Town Square, purse from vehicle.
STOLEN VEHICLES
- 1900 block of Crescent Park Drive, 2003 Chevy Silverado.
- 11900 block of Market Street, 2010 Infinity G37X.
Reston Association’s Board of Directors estimates that purchasing the former Reston Visitors Center will cost $2.65 million.
The board announced late last month it is looking into purchasing the building, which currently houses Tetra commercial real estate.
The 3,200-square-foot building, which was the Reston Visitors Center from 1982 to 2003, sits on 3.47 acres near Lake Newport and several RA recreational spaces.
Ultimately, the decision to purchase the building will depend on results of a community referendum. Public hearings on the subject Feb. 26 and March 26, RA said. The referendum would take place in April. If it passes, RA would like to close the deal in July.
At a special meeting on Monday, the RA Board discussed some of the details of the transaction, including revenue estimates, mortgage terms, potential uses and the exact wording of the referendum question.
The referendum question will read:
Should the Reston Association, acting through the Board of Directors, be authorized to:
- Purchase the Tetra property, inclusive of land and improvements, located at 11450 Baron Cameron Avenue, Reston, VA 20190 in the North Point District as an addition to Common Area pursuant to Article IV, Section IV.10 of the Reston Deed; and,
- Borrow up to $2.65 million on behalf of the association to make the purchase and repurpose the property for future community and recreation uses?
Some other key points to be included on a fact sheet on the issue:
Money — The association will borrow $2.65 million, based on a recent appraisal. RA Chief Financial Officer David Harris said preliminary financial terms include a zero interest down payment and financing of the entire purchase price at 3.45 percent. The term would be a 20-year amortization schedule, but the loan matures at 10 years and would need to be refinanced at that time. Harris said that is standard in commercial deals. There would be $16,000 in loan costs at settlement.
RA will get $650,000 from developer proffers that will cover repurposing costs. RA CEO Cate Fulkerson said she could not name the developer or the project yet, but that the association is close to an agreement. If the referendum passes, RA hopes to close the deal in July.
RA’s Parks and Recreation Department projects $123,000 annually from facility rentals and net income.
Property taxes are $19,500, but once the space is converted to RA common area in 2016 it would no longer be subject to property or real estate tax. Insurance would be about $1,500 annually. Cleaning costs would be $10,000 a year. Estimated repair and maintenance costs are $5,000. Utilities about $15,000 a year. Trash collection, $2,000 a year. Harris estimates those costs would rise by about 3 percent annually. Read More
When D.C.-based developer Akridge announced on Monday that it had teamed with RTC Partnership LLC to construct what will be Reston’s tallest building, it brought a somewhat dormant project back in to the spotlight.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the $210 million project back in Sept. 2012. The 330-foot tall tower will replace an aging five-story office tower at 1760 Reston Parkway.
“This will stand as a stark example of what world-class design is called for in the principles of Reston,” Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said at the September 2012 BOS hearing. “We will not have to remain in the sameness of heights and density as a measure of world-class design.”
The journey to approval of the tower — which will hold 420,000-square-feet of office space at Reston Parkway and Bowman Towne Drive — was not without controversy.
Opponents of the project were concerned about the scale of the building, calling it “incompatible with Reston. Also of concern was additional traffic as the building, which will contain a parking garage, will be nearly one mile from the Reston Town Center Metro station, which is scheduled to open in late 2018.
Critics of the project included Reston Association and the Fairfax County Planning Commission staff, which said the building was out of scale with its surroundings.
The building was approved by the supervisors anyway. The current building was zoned Planned Residential Community in 1978 and is under no height restrictions. The proposed density of 4.08 Floor-Area Ratio on the 2.36-acre property is actually less than several surrounding buildings or proposed buildings, representatives for RTC Partnership pointed out at the time.
The project was recently mentioned at last month’s Board of Zoning Appeals hearing on whether Reston National Golf Course could be considered residential. The building was mentioned as one that was approved by the Board of Supervisors contrary to the staff report.
The proposed height of the building makes it 125 feet taller than Reston’s tallest building, One Freedom Square.
However, with a high-density project coming at The Spectrum, which surrounds 1760 Reston Parkway, as well as the new, 14-story residential towers at The Harrison nearly ready to open across the street, the building will not be such a contrast eventually.
The building will feature a large rooftop plaza, grand lobby, floor-to-ceiling glass, panoramic views from the Blue Ridge mountains to D.C., 9.5-foot ceilings, five levels of screened parking above street level, ground-floor retail and roughly 18 floors of office space.
Reston founder Robert E. Simon, who has long been a proponent of higher density in Reston, called the project “a perfect location” back in 2012.
“The question is ‘is this is good location?'” said Simon. “It is a perfect location. Town Center starts at and goes to This building will be right in the center and will be appropriate.”
No start date has been set. The Washington Business Journal reports that the building is seeking an anchor tenant to prelease at least 150,000 square feet before proceeding with construction.
Photo: Rendering of planned 23-story tower/Credit: RTC Partnership
