South Lakes and Herndon High Schools are slated get renovations to hold more students after the Fairfax County Public Schools Board approved an $856 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for 2016-2020.
The school board approved the five-year plan, $220 million of which is currently funded with approved school bonds, at its meeting on Thursday.
The remainder of the funds for the CIP will comes from a school bond referendum in the fall of 2015 and subsequent years, FCPS says.
“With increasing enrollment and aging facilities, it remains a challenge to respond to our capital and infrastructure needs,” says School Board Chair Tammy Derenak Kaufax.
“More than 35 percent of our schools are over capacity and our efforts to renovate schools and increase capacity are limited by the current bond sale allocation which remains insufficient to meet our ongoing capital needs. Unfortunately, this means we are going to have to continue to use temporary classrooms for the foreseeable future in order to accommodate our students.”
The school system has grown by more then 2,000 students a year the past several years, FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza said. She estimated in December that FCPS, which now has 187,000 students (22,000 more than in 2006) may have 198,000 students in 2019-2020. It is among the largest schools systems in the United States.
The money to build an addition at SLHS, which is now overcrowded after a redistricting to add more students seven years ago, comes from the $225 million school bond referendum voters approved in 2013. SLHS will have the capacity for 2,700 students after the addition is built. Herndon’s capacity is expected to increase to 2,500 after expansion there.
Other enhancements affecting the Reston from that bond round include capacity enhancements and renovations at Langley, Herndon, and Oakton High Schools.
Also part of the plan, an elementary redistricting once Terraset and Sunrise Valley Elementary Schools complete renovations next school year. When the renovations are completed, Terraset will have a capacity of 800 and Sunrise Valley ES will have a capacity of 750.
Other suggestions and plans for Area 1 (Herndon and Reston) in the 2016-2020 CIP include:
- Aldrin and Armstrong ES: Reassign the Advanced Academic (AAP) students residing within the Aldrin ES and Armstrong ES attendance areas from Forest Edge ES AAP Center to the already existing Clearview ES AAP Center upon completion of the renovation.
- Hughes MS: Renovation and capacity enhancement to be completed in the 10-year CIP cycle.
- Herndon MS: Capacity deficit accommodated with temporary facilities or interior architectural modifications.
- Herndon HS is predicted to be at 114 percent capacity, among the highest in the county, by 2019-20. Herndon will undergo renovation that will increase capacity to 2,500 students.
- New High School: Construct a new high school in the western end of the Silver Line Metro vicinity. This solution will involve multiple boundary adjustments to the schools in the western portion of the county, taking some of the overpopulation away from Herndon and South Lakes High Schools.
Read more about the CIP on FCPS’ website.
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Snow Day Play — Here is a great guide to all indoor kid-friendly places to play from D.C. to Loudoun. [Modern Reston]
Entry Increase at Great Falls? — The National Park Service is thinking about raising entry fees for Great Falls National Park in 2015. The rates, which have not been increased since 2006, would go from $5 per vehicle to $15. The NPS is interested in your feedback. [National Park Service]
Hot Property — Noblis, a contracting company that signed a large lease on two office buildings on Edmund Halley Drive, says major headquarters relocating in Reston but not at the Town Center may be the start of a trend. [Washington Business Journal]
Photo: Ice on Lake Audubon/Credit Joy Every
Leading the list of reported Reston District Station-area crimes this week are several thefts from vehicles, Fairfax County Police said.
Among the incidents in the last week:
LARCENIES
12000 block of Bowman Towne Drive, property from vehicle.
1800 block of Discovery Street, merchandise from business.
2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, beverage from business.
1300 block of Lake Forest Court, cash from residence.
11600 block of Stoneview Square, cash from residence.
12600 block of Terrymill Drive, wallet from business.
11100 block of South Lakes Drive, merchandise from business.
12000 block of Bowman Towne Drive, equipment from vehicle.
2200 block of Hunters Run Drive, equipment from vehicle.
2200 block of Southgate Square, property from vehicle.
700 block of Bennett Street, phone from school.
Fairway Drive/Waterhaven Drive, equipment from vehicle.
2600 block of Tack Lane, electronic equipment from vehicle.
Fairfax County Police have arrested a Herndon man in relation to a hit-and-run that occurred on Reston Parkway in November.
Police arrested Enda G. Browne, 32 of Herndon on Tuesday, charging him with felony hit and run, FCPD public information officer Lucy Caldwell said.
The accident occurred about 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 16. Police responded to a call for a pedestrian who was injured while crossing Reston Parkway from east to west near Harris Teeter.
The 37-year-old woman, who has not been identified, was struck by a vehicle, thrown around 80 feet and landed on the side of the road, Caldwell said. Her teenage daughter was walking with her but was not injured.
The victim was transported to Reston Hospital, where family members said she underwent several surgeries and was in critical condition.
Police “never gave up,” said Caldwell. Officer had few leads, but worked on accident reconstruction and identified a probable suspect some time later, police said.
Officers tracked Browne to his place of employment — he is the bar manager at O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub in Herndon, according to his LinkedIn profile — and seized his car as evidence.
After a series of interviews and tracking down leads over months, the detective obtained an arrest warrant for Browne’s arrest. He also was charged by Herndon Police with driving under the influence on Oct. 12, 2014.
Fairfax Connector is proposing changes to Reston Internal Bus System (RIBS) service, routes 928 and 937 in Herndon, and Tysons circulator and Express Lanes routes.
The changes are in response to changing travel patterns and ridership since the start of Silver Line Metrorail service last summer, county officials said.
The proposed changes, to take place in Spring 2015, “aim to improve on-time performance, enhance connectivity, and provide more direct service for the majority of passengers.”
Fairfax Connector will host a public meeting Wednesday, Jan. 28 in Reston to explain the proposed changes and gather feedback from the public. The meeting is at Reston Community Center Lake Anne from 6 to 8 p.m., with the formal presentation at 7 p.m.
Highlights of the proposed changes include:
- Schedule adjustments to RIBS 1 and RIBS 3 service to improve on-time performance;
- Route and schedule adjustments to RIBS 2, RIBS 4, RIBS 5, and routes 928 and 937 to provide new and more direct connections in Herndon and Reston;
- Route and schedule adjustments to Tysons Circulator routes 422, 423, and 424 to provide more direct connections and bi-directional service to the majority of passengers connecting with the Silver Line Metrorail; and
- Combining routes 493 and 494, with service proposed to operate between Lorton, Saratoga, Springfield, and Tysons via the 95 and 495 Express Lanes.
Routes affected by the proposed changes are 422, 423, 424, 493, 494, 495, 551, 928, 937, RIBS 1, RIBS 2, RIBS 3, RIBS 4, and RIBS 5.
View details by route on the Connector website.
Chesapeake Chocolates, the tiny chocolatier that has been leasing a counter in a portion of Lake Anne Florist Virginia Wine and Gourmet at Lake Anne Plaza for seven years, will expand into the rest of the storefront.
Lake Anne Florist owner Linda Fuller said previously she would retire at the end of January. There is currently a closing sale to move merchandise out of the store at 11426 Washington Plaza West.
Lake Anne Florist will close Jan. 31. The new Chesapeake Chocolates will open on Feb. 7.
Chesapeake Chocolates will increase its chocolate offerings and carry jewelry, pottery, crafts, plants, and more. Future plans include adding wine and craft beer, a Lake Anne Plaza spokesman said.
Chesapeake Chocolates owner Doris Tyler 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.
For its Grand Opening, Chesapeake Chocolates will be offering free tastes on the plaza (inside store if weather permits), free dipped pretzels and coupons for future purchases.
Ten percent of the proceeds for the day will go to the Freezin’ for a Reason event taking place on the plaza the same day. Freezin’ for a Reason benefits Camp Sunshine, an overnight camp in Maine for children with serious illnesses and their families.
Photo of handmade chocolates at Chesapeake Chocolates/Credit: Yelp
Correction: an earlier version of this story said the Board of Supervisors would vote on the plan on Jan. 27. They will not vote until Feb. 17.
The long-awaited Crescent Apartments/Lake Anne area plan will go before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in a series of meetings that get it closer to construction starting at the site of the aging apartment complex.
The first meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 27. It will focus on the public-private partnership between Lake Anne Development Partners and the county government, addressing the business aspects of the partnership such as the purchase and sale agreement and associated fees, county officials said.
The second public hearing will take place Feb. 17, and will focus on the LADP’s zoning application needed to proceed with the Lake Anne Redevelopment Plan.
Both hearings will take place at the Fairfax Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway. To view the latest presentation on the Lake Anne Redevelopment Plan, Click Here.
The Board of Supervisors public record is open. You can send comments Supervisor Cathy Hudgins at [email protected].
A vote of final approval from the board would clear the way for the project will add needed density to the Lake Anne area with 1,037 residential units (including replacement of the 181 affordable units at Crescent). It also plans 60,000 square feet of retail; a 15,800-square-foot grocery store; and 78,000 square feet of office space.
The project will also have a 1.1-acre central park, an outdoor amphitheater, a bike share station and 12 public art works, according to the county planning staff report.
Lake Anne Plaza will not be redeveloped as it is a historic property. However, nearby revitalization is expected to improve the retail district at Lake Anne.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted 11-0 on Thursday to recommend approval of the project to the Board of Supervisors.
A big sticking point held over from the Jan. 8 planning commission meeting was the contribution of developer Lake Anne Development Partners to the Fairfax County Park Authority. LADP wanted to proffer $100,000; the park authority wanted them to pay $1.4 million. The two sides reached a deal at a $500,000 contribution prior to Thursday’s planning commission meeting.
The planning commission also agreed to waive some conditions set forth by the planning staff concerning residential street length, transitional barriers and underground stormwater facilities.
LADP was chosen by the county in 2013 to redevelop the aging Crescent Apartments, which was purchased by the county in 2006 for affordable housing.
See the entire staff report on the project on Fairfax County’s website.
Photo: Artists rendering of Lake Anne-area redevelopment/Credit: LADP
Save RA Money; Opt In To Online Balloting — Reston Association spends $2 per household to mail ballots for the annual Board of Directors election. You can can opt-in to online balloting my emailing RA at [email protected] with your name and property address, whether you are an owner or renter and and your email address. [Reston Association]
Keeping The Buses Running — A look at the crew who keeps the Fairfax County Public Schools’ fleet of 1,610 school buses running even in the dead of winter. [Fairfax Times]
Teachers Earn National Board Certification — Many teachers at Reston-area schools were recently among the group of Fairfax County Public Schools teachers that earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). [Fairfax County Public Schools]
New Digs For Chamber — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce will have a new home by the end of the week. The Chamber will move from its offices at the Spectrum to new offices at 1886 Metro Center Dr., near the Wiehle-Reston East Silver Line station. The new office will open on Monday, Feb. 2.
Snow fell overnight, causing a number of closures and delays for Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Fairfax County and School Status
- Fairfax County Government offices are open today, however employees have been granted unscheduled leave. Emergency service personnel should report as scheduled.
- Fairfax County Public Schools are closed today, Jan. 27, 2014. School Age Child Care(SACC) centers are closed.
- The Fairfax County Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court have not yet made a decision on operating status as of 7 a.m.
Parks, Community and Recreation and Community Centers
- If you have questions about Park Authority facilities, contact the site directly, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
- For Department of Neighborhood and Community Services programs and events visit fairfaxcounty.gov/ncs.
The Reston Community Center and the McLean Community Center may be affected by the inclement weather. Call RCC at 703-476-4500, TTY 711, restoncommunitycenter.com or MCC at 703-790-0123, TTY 711, www.mcleancenter.org for their current operating status.
Lake Anne in snow/file photo
Lake Anne Florist Virginia Wine and Gourmet is closing its doors later this week.
Now is your chance to take advantage of some great closing deals. Wine and beer are discounted 25 percent; Gourmet food discounted 50 percent.
The store is also offering deep discounts on wine accessories, baskets and containers as well as “buy something, get something free,” Tuesday and Wednesday.
You can also pick up a small helium tank at the sale.
Store owner Linda Fuller is retiring. Fuller, who has been operating the shop at 11426 Washington Plaza since 1996 — and at other spots in and around Reston for 40 years — has been seeking an owner for her businesses since last summer. Asking price for the business is $24,995.
Other store closing and opening news around town:
Unleashed at Hunters Woods Village Center closed Jan. 24.
The Dandelion Patch at Reston Town Center is slated to close this week.
Today (Jan. 26) is the last day for The Gap at Reston Town Center.
Glory Days Grill at North Point Village Center opens for business on Wednesday.
Photo: Lake Anne Florist/file photo
More snow is in the forecast for later on Monday, so Fairfax County Public Schools have canceled afternoon and evening activities.
From the county:
All activities scheduled in Fairfax County public schools or on school grounds for this afternoon and evening are canceled, Jan. 26, (Condition 6), including:
- extracurricular activities
- interscholastic contests
- team practices
- field trips
- middle school after-school programs
- professional learning and training courses
- adult and community education classes
- recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS
SACC centers will remain open until 6:15 p.m.
It’s a 3,200-square-foot building in a lush lakeside setting. It’s the former Reston Visitors Center, and Reston Association is considering purchasing it for community use.
RA voted at its regular meeting on Thursday to send the idea to a community referendum, and ultimately RA members will decide whether to add the multi-million dollar building and the surrounding 2.5 acres to its holdings.
The building, which overlooks Lake Newport and is adjacent to Brown’s Chapel Park and Lake Newport Tennis, operated as Reston’s Visitors Center from 1982 to 2003. It currently is office space for commercial real estate firm Tetra Partners. It is currently undergoing an appraisal to determine the purchase price, RA board members said.
The property at 1145 Baron Cameron Ave. is currently designated in the Reston Master Plan as a convenience center (mix of commercial, office and limited retail). However, RA has recommended in the Master Plan Phase 2 draft that the convenience center designation be removed and the parcel be limited to office or community use.
So tell us in the comments — What do you see for the property? What uses could the existing building and surrounding area have for RA and the members?
Photo: Tetra building at 11450 Baron Cameron Ave./Tetra file photo
Developer JBG Companies is planning a new development at Sunset Hills and Reston Parkway that will bring Reston Town Center-type amenities closer to where the future Reston Parkway Metro Station will be located.
The developer is seeking a special exception in order to add retail, restaurant and food stores to the 13-acre site that currently houses three office buildings.
The new development will be called RTC West. The area is bordered by the W & OD Trail on the side of Reston Town Center, Town Center Parkway, Sunset Hills Road and the complex that currently houses Chipotle, Potbelly, Chick-fil-A, Carrabba’s and Extended Stay America.
“The development vision includes the upgrade of the first one or two floors within the office buildings to be more suitable to retail uses, and extensions of the retail program in specific areas of the site,” says JBG materials included in a Fairfax County Planning Commission Staff Report.
“This development will transform RTC West into a retail destination with a vibrant pedestrian-friendly environment to complement the existing office components.”
JBG’s application to the planning commission says the project will have 40,100 total square feet of retail stores, eating establishments, quick service food stores, and fast food restaurants.
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) within an existing office campus on three parcels. JBG says it will convert the first two floors of each building to turn office in to retail.
The plan includes:
Connecting an existing walkway to the adjacent trails along the public roadways and adding two new crosswalks across Town Center Parkway, as well as connecting the development to the W & OD trail, which runs on the northern part of the property. One development condition for JBG is working with the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) and Dominion Virginia Power to establish an easement for a pedestrian connection between the site and the W&OD trail.
Adding 1,538 parking spaces to the current 1,600 that already exist.
Leaving 15 percent open space (90,000 square feet) as per zoning requirements.
Closing the existing exit-only driveway on Town Center Parkway and to construct new signalized access point about 440 feet north of the intersection at Sunset Hills Road. Constructing an entrance in this location will require the relocation or closure of an existing entrance for the property across Town Center Parkway to avoid an unsafe intersection, JBG says. JBG will have to work out an agreement with Boston Properties, which owns that parcel, as a condition of development.
Other development conditions in the county staff report:
More road improvements, including a new turning lane on Reston Parkway, and pedestrian improvements.
Attention to keeping existing trees and planting new ones and meeting underground stormwater management standards.
See the entire staff report on the Fairfax County Planning website.
The plan will go before the Fairfax County Planning Commission in a public hearing Feb. 4.
RA Camp Signups Start Today — Think summer! Reston Association summer camp registration begins today for RA members. [Reston Association]
Kudos For Midtown Jewelers — Reston Town Center’s Midtown Jewelers is a winner of WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards 2015 for engagement rings and wedding bands. The WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards 2015 recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network. [WBTW TV]
Big Lease For Noblis — Federal contractor Noblis Inc. has signed on for a full building and part of a second at 2000 and 2002 Edmund Halley Drive in Reston. Noblis will lease 160,000 square feet from JBG. [Washington Business Journal]
Bill Could Alter Happy Hour Rules — Bill in Virginia General Assembly could unlock some of the “must remain secret” details of Happy Hours in the commonwealth. [Washington Post]
Snow is headed to Northern Virginia on Monday, so be prepared.
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties.
From the NWS:
- Precipitation type: Snow, possibly heavy at times.
- Accumulations: 1 to 2 inches.
- Timing: snow will begin late tonight and continue through late Monday afternoon. The Heaviest snowfall will occur between early Monday morning and Monday afternoon.
- Temperatures: in the lower 30s.
- Winds: northeast 10 to 15 mph.
- Impacts: roads will be snow covered and slippery with visibilities being reduced to near One-quarter mile at times. The combination of snow covered roads and low visibility will make traveling dangerous.
- Outlook: snow will continue Monday night into Tuesday, with additional accumulation possible.
Reston Now will update you with any school closings or road issues.
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