Opening Day for Reston Little League — Sign of Spring: Saturday is the Reston Little League Opening Day Parade. The players will march down Market Street starting at 9 a.m.
Save the Date For SLHS Band On The Run 5K — The South Lakes High School Band on the Run returns on April 26. Run a 5K accompanied by live music from South Lakes pyramid band students and help the SLHS band raise money at the same time [PR Racing]
Watershed Cleanup This Weekend — Help the environment in Reston Saturday at the 26th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup organized by the Alice Ferguson Foundation and Reston Association. This is part of a multi-state effort that will take place locally along Snakeden Branch and Colvin Run, two tributaries to the Potomac River. [Reston Now]
Herndon Studying Metro Options — Fairfax County has begun seeking public input on bike and pedestrian access to Herndon’s Silver Line Metro station, starting with a forum at Herndon Middle School last week. Phase 2 of the Silver Line, which will include the Herndon station, is expected to open in 2018. [Herndon Connection]
The contractor building Metro’s Silver Line has until the middle of next week to fix the construction problems or start paying big fines.
Judging by the number of issues found in last month’s inspection by Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, Dulles Transit Partners (DTP) will likely have to start paying the $25,000 a day.
DTP told MWAA in February it had reached “substantial completion” on construction of the $2.8 billion rail extension from East Falls Church to Reston’s Wiehle Avenue. In contracting-speak, that meant the project was ready to be turned over to Metro, which would conduct its own testing before opening the line.
But MWAA completed a 15-day review and found issues in 7 of 12 areas, ranging from leaks to problems with the automatic train control system. It was revealed at a MWAA Board meeting two weeks ago that speakers in all five stations have to be reinstalled, and there is a cable issue in the Tysons tunnel.
According to DTP’s contract, the work is not finished starting April 10, DTP faces a $25,000-a-day penalty until the work is done. If the project is not completed 92 days after that April date, the contractor would have to pay roughly $2.3 million in fines, plus an additional $75,000 a day.
Ultimately, if the project is delayed more than six months from that April date, DTP could be required to pay more than $9 million total. Under the terms of the contract, the payments are capped at $60 million.
“Our goal is to have this wrapped up by April 9, before fines set in,” MWAA President and CEO Jack Potter said March 19.
Former Congressman Tom Davis, a MWAA board member, told WUSA9-TV that the most important thing is that the rail line is 100 percent safe and ready to go before opening.
“Hopefully, we can meet the April 9 deadline and it will be acceptable and we could move on,” Davis said. “But we want the public to know that when this transit system opens, it is going to be Grade A reader for business. It is going to be safe and it is going to work efficiently.”
But Davis also said if DTP has to pay fines, it could benefit the transportation system.
“If it is not ready, I think the airports authority can make some money on it,” Davis told WUSA. “
Citizens advocacy group Reston 2020 says the fines should go to offset rising Dulles Toll Road rates, which may have to climb high to pay for Silver Line Phase 2, which is not fully funded.
“I believe that every last cent of those fines should go to stabilizing DTR tolls,” Maynard recently wrote in a letter to Rep. Gerry Connolly (D- VA 11th). “Although the projected sums of the fines are not large compared with the multi-billion dollar price tag of Phase 1 of the line’s construction, we are at the point where every dollar counts.”
While a opening date for the Silver Line was never set, officials had hoped to finish testing last September for a possible December opening. But delays were announced last summer, then in November when the tracking system issues were discovered.
After the March setback, officials are no longer estimated when the turnover may be as DTP works to correct the problems.
When MWAA certifies that the issues are repaired, the project will be turned over to Metro, which has 90 days to complete its own testing.
A large group of local dignitaries will be on hand to wish Reston founder Robert E. Simon a happy 100th birthday on Saturday.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Gerry Connolly will be among the well wishers. Also in attendance: Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, Supervisor Chair Sharon Bulova, Del. Ken Plum and State Sen. Janet Howell.
Simon will turn 100 on April 10, but the entire community is invited to come to Lake Anne Plaza from 12 to 3 p.m. to celebrate. The ceremony, which will feature speakers, dedications and entertainment from students from Terraset Elementary School and South Lakes High School, begins at noon.
Founders Day 2014 will also mark Reston’s 50th birthday. The ceremony honor Reston citizens who were raised here and are now raising their own families here.
File photo of Gerry Connolly (left) and Bob Simon
Are you getting Reston Now in your inbox? You should!
Every weekday at about 4 p.m., Reston Now will send you the day’s headlines and links to stories. So if you are busy — like most of us are — that is one-stop shopping to keep up with all that is going on in our community.
We won’t share your email address.
Here is how to sign up for the daily newsletter.
More ways to make Reston Now work for you:
Want News As It Happens? — Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get links to stories all day long. You can also leave comments and messages and speak with editor Karen Goff directly this way.
Something On Your Mind? Let Us Know! — We have lots of ways for you to speak your mind. You can send a letter to the editor to [email protected]. You can comment in the comments section of a story, engaging in a lively discussion of the news of the day with your neighbors. You can answer one of our poll questions. You can send us an anonymous news tip. You can also start or respond to a topic in our forums section.
Want To Share Your Photos of Reston? — We would love to see them, and maybe we will use them on the site. Visit our Reston Now Flickr Page to upload your pictures.
Mark Our Calendar — Reston Now has a free events calendar, and we will gladly publish your fundraiser, performance or any other event happening around town. Just click on our events page to submit your event.
Now that El Manantial is the latest business to announce its departure from Tall Oaks Village Center, it is time to play Fill This Space.
This has been a common game in the last few years as many businesses, including anchor Compare Foods, have left the shopping center. Among them: Curves gym, Dominos Pizza, a hair salon, Total Rehab Chiropractic.
El Manantial in 2011 received Reston Association Design Review approval to build a 40-seat, three-season patio, but never started the project. Owner Humberto Fuentes says he will move his high-end restaurant to Old Town Herndon this summer when his lease expires. He said he chose not to renew his lease partially due to the number of vacancies at the center.
In March, Total Rehab Chiropractic closed and moved to 1760 Town Center Parkway.
What do do about Tall Oaks, where some stores have sat empty for years, has been a hot topic among Restonians. Reston Citizens Association President Colin Mills wrote about his ideas in 2013.
The landlord and owner of Tall Oaks did not return calls.
The El Manantial space has empty stores on either side, and is one empty storefront from the 25,000-square-foot empty grocery store space. That means some interested retailer could put together a very large space.
What do you think should open there? Tell us in the comments.
Transformer Blows At Reston District Station — The Fairfax County Police’s Reston District Station was briefly evacuated Tuesday night after a transformer sparked. There was no fire and there were no injuries. [Reston Patch]
Lots of Distracted Drivers in Reston — The Fairfax County Police say three of the five top spots for Distracted Driving are in or near Reston, including Sunrise Valley Drive at Fairfax County Parkway. [Fairfax County Police]
Ballpark Bus Back in Business — It’s baseball season! Avoid traffic and parking fees when you take the Ballpark Bus. The bus is operated in conjunction with Reston Limousine and leaves from Tavern 64 at Reston Town Center. [Ballpark Bus]
Herndon High Artists At Work — A juried art show for Herndon High senior artists opens April 10 at ArtSpace Herndon. This exhibition enables student artists to experience a real-world situation as their artwork is viewed by professional artists.
Photo by Mark Toner
Reston founder Robert E. Simon will be 100 years old next week and shows no signs of slowing down.
The almost centenarian goes for a daily walk around Lake Anne, travels internationally (check out the dog sledding pictures from Canada!) and is out on the town at Reston events and fundraisers several times a week.
He is quite outspoken on his vision for the future of Reston. Last week, at a Master Planning meeting for Baron Cameron Park, he urged officials to finally build an indoor tennis facility — and to borrow the money to finance it.
The community is invited to Lake Anne Plaza Saturday at noon to honor Simon at Founder’s Day. Stop by to sing Happy Birthday on this big occasion.
To see a full list of celebration events, visit Reston Celebrates.
Fairfax County spends less on its library system than any other nearby jurisdiction, says a new report by advocacy group Reston 2020.
“Fairfax County, one of the top household income earning counties in the United States, is among the worst in funding the operation of its public libraries, especially in comparison with other area library systems, says Reston 2020 co-chair Terry Maynard.
At $24.10 per person, Fairfax spends less than three-quarters of its nearest competitor, Prince Georges County ($32.49) does on a per capita basis and less than 40 percent of what Washington, DC, the top library spending jurisdiction in our area,” writes Maynard.
“Reaching outside the local area to “mountain Maryland” Garrett County — the westernmost county in the state and location of Deep Creek Lake, a regional four-season resort area with a population of less than 30,000 people — we find that that county spends nearly twice as much per capita on its library as does Fairfax County.”
Reston 2020 crunched the numbers hoping to have an impact as the Fairfax County Supervisors prepare to vote on a FY 2015 budget — one that cuts library spending. Maynard sent the report to the Board of Supervisors, along with a request that they find an additional $2 million for the library system.
See the entire Reston 2020 report here.
The library system has been struggling of late. Last year, it planned to institute a Beta Plan at regional branches in Reston and Burke. The plan would reorganize staffing with a central help desk as a cost-saving measure. After mcuh negative public feedback ,the plan was shelved.
The Fairfax County Public Library has eight regional and 14 community libraries. More than 5.2 million people visited the FCPL in FY 2013, the county says. The FY 2014 allocation for the library was $28,922,907.
The amount on the advertised budget for FY 2015 is $27,678,031. While the overall amount is lower, the allocation allows for an increase of $275,000 for new materials, an increase in $275,000 for personnel and $61,500 for computer replacement.
When a Reston Little League Class AAA game gets underway at Brown’s Chapel Field on Friday, it will usher in a new era at the Reston Association park.
After years of discussion, lights have finally been installed at Brown’s Chapel Field No. 1.
The Reston Association Design Review Board approved the installation of lights last June.
Like many changes in Reston, it was not a quick and easy process to get night baseball at Brown’s Chapel.
While the field improvements were initially approved and money ($282,000) allocated in the 2012-13 RA budget, there was concern by nearby residents that the lights and after-dark noise would interfere with the peaceful surroundings.
Still, the plan was OKed and six, 60-foot light poles were installed. Each with three 1500W fixtures.
Plans for lighting at two additional Brown’s Chapel fields have been postponed, as have lights for the parking lot lights and concession stand.
Winter Was Worst, And Now It Is Over? — It wasn’t an exaggeration. It did snow way more than usual this winter. Dulles Airport recorded its snowiest and coldest March of all (records go back to 1963) as well as matching its coldest March temperature (-1F). [Capital Weather Gang]
Can I Borrow The Car? — The son of a Fairfax County police officer has been arrested for taking his father’s cruiser out for a high-speed drive and activating the emergency lights, wearing a police uniform shirt and firing a gun, authorities said. James Michael Puebla Berling, 27, of Centreville, were charged by Virginia State Police in Centreville. [Washington Post]
Honors For FCPS Tech Program Manager — Tony Casipit, Fairfax County Public Schools Technology and Engineering Education program manager, has been recognized by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) with the Distinguished Technology and Engineering (DTE) Professional designation. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Help A SLHS Student — South Lakes High School is still raising money for this year’s Laptops for Success program. The program is 100 percent funded by community donations. Each year, several deserving students are given a new laptop to take to college. [South Lakes High School]
Photo of Lake Anne at dusk by Mark Toner.
Hundreds of runners braved poor race conditions Sunday at the second annual Runners Marathon of Reston.
Still, more than 200 marathoners and 350 marathoners finished the course that ran through South Reston.
Marathon winners were Michael Wardian, 34, in 2:44:44 and and Jill Atherton-Melli in 3:34:55
Half marathon winners were Matthew Clark, 30, in 1:20:10 and Deedee Loughran, 55, in 1:33:44.
For complete race results, visit Amazing Race Timing’s results page.
See finish line photos on Flickr
Photo by Brian Kent Photography via Flickr.
Reston-based brb (be right burger) is among the many new dining and shopping options coming to Dulles International Airport in the next few months, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has announced.
Both Dulles and Reagan National are getting a shopping expansion, and there will be nearly 70 more food and shopping options at the airports by the end of 2014.
Among them:
International and domestic passengers at Washington Dulles International Airport will have the opportunity to shop at Michael Kors, Estee Lauder, L’Occitane, Burberry and Coach, as well as and dine at Chef Geoff’s and Bar Symon.
District Chophouse will be located in the pre-security area on the Main Terminal building’s ticketing level.
From MWAA:
“The new shops and restaurants will bring more world-class offerings to a world-class airport,” said Chris Browne, vice president and airport manager for Washington Dulles International Airport. “The improvement to the food and retail offerings at Dulles will fit nicely with the significant facility expansions we have completed in recent years. All of these changes will benefit our passengers from the moment they come in the door to liftoff from one of our four runways.”
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which already has major changes underway with pre-security construction, including Legal Sea Foods and Ben’s Chili Bowl, will add local favorites &pizza and Taylor Gourmet to its second wave of food and retail choices.
The Airports Authority has launched new web pages for airport customers to keep track of food and retail offerings under construction at Reagan National and Dulles International. The web pages will be regularly updated as construction of new shops and restaurants continues at both airports.
New/Enhanced Options Coming to Dulles International in 2014
Food and Beverage
- Bar Symon – Michael Symon, co-host of ABC’s The Chew, brings hearty farm-to-table fare
- D.C. Craft Brews – traditional favorites with selections of local beers
- Smashburger – handcrafted burgers that are smashed, seared and seasoned to order
- ‘brb’ (be right burger) – made-to-order gourmet burgers with chef-inspired toppings
- District ChopHouse – steakhouse classics
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill – flavorful, handmade Italian dishes
- Chef Geoff’s – Washington DC’s local favorite chef, serving contemporary cuisine
- ‘&pizza’ – made-to-order specialty pizzas
- Potbelly Sandwich Shop – Fresh, fast, and friendly toasted sandwiches
- Starbucks – fresh-brewed coffee
- Capitol Grounds Coffee – café with coffee and deli sandwiches
Retail
- Michael Kors – latest jet-set apparel and accessories for women and men
- Coach – American luxury leather goods
- L’Occitane – natural beauty products
- Thomas Pink – British fashion apparel for men and women
- Chanel – designer beauty and accessories
- Dior – designer beauty and accessories
- Lancome – luxury perfumes and cosmetics
- Burberry – iconic British men’s and women’s apparel and accessories
- Montblanc – manufacturer of writing instruments, watches, jewelry and leather goods
- Estee Lauder – luxury perfumes and cosmetics
Another longtime tenant of Tall Oaks Village Center is departing the mostly empty shopping center.
El Manantial Restaurant will close at Tall Oaks in the next few months and reopen in Old Town Herndon, the restaurant’s owner says.
El Manantial, a high-end Mediterranean restaurant, has been a mainstay at Tall Oaks for 11 years, even as other stores closed, leaving more vacancies at the center than occupied spaces. Owner Humberto Fuentes said he signed a five-year lease, rather than a 10-year lease, in 2009, knowing that Tall Oaks had lost much of its vibrancy.
That lease is up in July. More than half the Tall Oaks space is now vacant, including the anchor grocery store space.
“I realized this center is not going to get any better,” he said. “I want to operate in a better location.”
Fuentes will also rename the restaurant Europa, which better describes the menu, he said.
The departure of the popular restaurant is one of many businesses to close at Tall Oaks recently. Earlier this month, Total Rehab Chiropractic moved from Tall Oaks to 1760 Reston Parkway.
The stand-alone Burger King and the 25,000-square-foot anchor space have been empty for years. Curves gym and Dominos Pizza have also closed in the last 18 months and no new tenants have taken their place.
Tall Oaks is just up Wiehle Avenue from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station set to open this year, but there are no current plans to rezone or redevelop the site.
El Manantial was a 2003 Washingtonian Top 100 restaurant pick.
What does the future hold for Tall Oaks Village Center? Join in the conversation on our forums page or in the comments below.
File photo of El Manantial
Kimberly Miller, a portfolio manager for developer JBG Companies, says she hopes to being a voice of the apartment industry on the Reston Association Board.
Miller was technically not on the ballot as an Apartment Owners rep for the 2014 elections, which closed at 5 p.m. on Monday. She says she intended to file by the Feb. 14 deadline, but was delayed by snow that week and missed the deadline by about 30 minutes. She has been campaigning as a write-in candidate.
The Apartment Owners seat represents the businesses — JBG among them — that own multifamily units in Reston. It is somewhat different than the other board seats in that the rep, who does not have to live in Reston, only is elected by a voting pool of 20. The director also does not have to actually own apartments in Reston.
The seat is open because current Apartment Owners Director Amanda Andere did not run again. Ellen Graves, who has served in a number of leadership positions in Reston, is also running for the Apartment Owners Director spot.
Miller, a former Reston resident who now lives in Aldie, has managed Reston properties for several companies during her career.
“I feel like the apartment industry is such a fundamental part of Reston,” she said. “I think it would be great to have a voice that understands our industry. It is a great opportunity for the apartment industry to become more involved with Cornerstones, Taste of Reston, and other Reston organizations.”
In Reston, JBG currently owns Fairway Apartments (which has been slated for massive redevelopment) as well as Charter Oaks Apartments. It also owns the Reston Heights development where the Mercer Condos, the Sheraton Reston and the Westin Reston Heights are located. That area is also slated for additional expansion and development.
Miller said Metro’s arrival in Reston is “the biggest challenge” facing Reston Association.
“JBG’s properties are on North Shore, so I am interested in how we are going to be moving in Reston without creating backups,” she said.
RA election results will be announced April 8.
Getting Closer to Ending Homelessness Here — The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness has reached its first-year goal under the 100,000 Homes Fairfax Campaign to house 50 of the individuals in the county identified as most vulnerable. The group also housed 98 more individuals identified as chronically homeless. [Fairfax County]
Kudos for Reston Hospital Center — Reston Hospital is a good place for new nursing moms. The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and International Lactation Consultant Association have recognized Reston Hospital Center for excellence in lactation care. [Reston Hospital Center]
School’s In, At Home — On April 7, students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will attend virtual classes. The school is holding what it calls a “telelearn day,” with students checking in and completing work online rather than in classrooms. TJ has done this before, and with April 7 a teacher workday that is now a snow day make-up this is a good chance to try it again, school officials said. [Fairfax Times]
Virginia Moving Left? — A Quinnipiac Poll says that 50 percent of Virginia residents approve of gay marriage and 84 percent support medical marijuana. [Richmond Times Dispatch]
