Reston Association CEO Cate Fulkerson has found additional variances in the association’s budget to cover more than $430,000 of cost overruns that occurred in renovating the Lake House, according to RA documents.
After renovation costs were found to be nearly triple what the association had forecast, RA moved $430,000 from its operating fund to cover the deficit.
In June, Fulkerson said she found variances to cover about $355,000 of the money — including foregoing $15,000 of her own salary raise and potential bonus. The RA Board directed Fulkerson to come back to the July 28 meeting with more ways to save money.
New projections are that RA will save an additional $76,000 in seasonal hires, with about $30,000 of that savings happening from July to December of 2016.
Other cost savings are coming from not refilling an accounts receivable position ($114,000); forgoing hiring a land use assistant ($66,000); other hiring restructuring (about $100,000), among other changes.
See full savings projections on the graphic attached to this post.
RA purchased the Lake House, then known as the Tetra building, for $2.65 million in July 2015. The 33-year-old building on the shores of Lake Newport, which served as the Reston Visitors Center for about 20 years, added to RA’s contiguous open space and fended off the chance of commercial development.
But as renovations got underway, costs soon began mounting. RA’s Board of Directors voted in late May to move $430,000 from its operating fund to cover the Lake House overrun. Read More
Remember Fairfax County’s agricultural heritage — and have some family friendly fun — at the Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival, which returns to Herndon’s Frying Pan Farm Park next week.
The fair runs Aug. 4 through 7 and will feature carnival games, rides, fair exhibits and entertainment. There will be 4-H exhibitors showing farm animals, and visitors can try their hand at milking cows and goats.
Here are some of the highlights to plan your visit:
Thursday — The farmyard opens at 9 a.m. Carnival rides begin at 10 a.m. Rides end at 3 p.m., but the farmyard stays open with a free evening concert by the Will Overman Band at 7:30 p.m.
Friday — The farmyard opens at 9 a.m., and carnival rides run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. then again from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday is also Big Truck Night, a free, hands-on activity featuring a variety of large, commercial trucks.
Parking and admission are free on Thursday and Friday (you must purchase tickets for food and rides).
Saturday and Sunday — The fair begins at 9 a.m. The Fair Entrance will be on Monroe Street for those days. The carnival rides run from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday. Entry to the park grounds is free, however there is an $8 parking fee per car, per day on the weekend. Cash or check only.
Friday and Saturday will both include wagon rides, free blacksmithing demonstrations, live entertainment, an expanded Market Lane with craft vendors, as well as a food court.
Special features for Saturday, Aug. 6 include horse shows and the tractor pull.
The highlights for Sunday, Aug. 7 are the Livestock Competition and the Parade of Champions.
Want to enter a one of 18 competitions? Bring in your short film, artwork, flowers, photographs, writing, woodworking, vegetables, interior design project, baked goods or other hobby on Thursday or Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. to enter.
For more info, a schedule of entertainment and to purchase ride tickets, visit the carnival website.
After a campaign by architectural archivists and historians to save and repurpose the Marcel Breuer-designed former American Press Institute building in Reston, the building learned its fate Tuesday night.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to allow developer Sekas Homes to demolish the 42-year-old Brutalist building and construct in its place 34 townhomes and 10 condos.
Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said while she appreciated the efforts to save the building at 11690 Sunrise Valley Dr., the building did not have historical designation and was not in a historical overlay district.
The supervisors’ mission is to stick to judging an application on “meeting the criteria set forth in the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance for this area and supported by recommendation of approval by Department of Planning and Zoning,” she said.
While a DPZ staff report recommended approval for the redevelopment, the Fairfax County Planning Commission did not. Read More
Farewell, Tall Oaks Village Center as a retail spot. Welcome, Tall Oaks Village Center as a mostly residential neighborhood.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors took an unprecedented step for Reston development on Tuesday when it unanimously approved Jefferson Apartment Group’s (JAG) proposal to rezone, rebuild and transform the smallest of Reston’s village centers.
JAG will now go forward with plans for 156 homes (a mix of townhomes, 2-over-2 townhomes and multifamily buildings), community space, 8,500 square foot of retail and about 6,000 square feet of office space.
“We are very excited about the approval and the chance to rejuvenate a shopping center that has been fallow for a number of years,” said JAG CEO Jim Butz. “This will be one more nice neighborhood for Reston.”
Butz said he estimated the retail site plans and permitting will be processed in the next nine months. Because the retail space will be located in existing free- standing buildings on the property, that will enable a smooth transition for current retail tenants who desire to stay at Tall Oaks.
The residential permitting process will take about 12-14 months, Butz said. Construction would begin sometime after that.
Tall Oaks’ longtime challenges have been a location on a dead end and lack of visibility from a main street. Its longtime anchor tenant, Giant Foods, moved out in 2007 and vacancies have been mounting since.
JAG representatives have said the property was marketed to retailers in the last several years but there was little interest in locating there as more than five major retail centers featuring a grocery anchor are located within a few miles.
More recently, the developer conducted a market study that showed large retail was not viable at Tall Oaks, which is now only 13 percent occupied.
“This has been a very difficult center to remodel or upgrade,” said Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who lives in the Tall Oaks area. “The hope I have is JAG is able to provide what is necessary to provide that.”
JAG paid $14 million for the property in 2014 and has held numerous meetings with the community since then. After noting community concerns, JAG has added green space and additional retail space to its original plan.
But many in the community were still not in favor of a complete overhaul for Tall Oaks. Some residents still maintain that retail would thrive at the center if it were properly managed. Read More
What Happened to Monday’s Severe Thunderstorm? — Serious predictions, little rain and wind. The Capital Weather Gang Explains. [Washington Post]
Update In Great Falls Crash — A fatal crash last week in which the driver was thrown under his vehicle, which then burst into flames, was not alcohol related, Fairfax County Police said. [FCPD]
Changes Coming To Herndon Monroe — Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project Personnel will permanently close Bus Bays G and H for Metro construction beginning Aug. 1. That will affect two bus routes. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]
“Big, The Musical” At HHS — Herndon High’s Summer Theatre Program presents Big, The Musical July 29 -31 at HHS. Tickets are $10. [Herndon Drama]
Reston Soccer is hoping to organize dozens of young soccer players in uniform to attend Thursday’s Reston Association Board of Directors meeting to lobby for “a new home for Reston Soccer.”
Reston Soccer President Robert Anguizola told Reston Now last month that the organization, which serves more than 1,500 youth soccer players, wants to turn two fields, preferably at RA”s Lake Newport Soccer, into artificial turf fields.
“We are doing a lot of things to improve player development,” Anguizola said . “One thing that is a big part of that is field and facility quality.”
Anguilzola will present a plan to the RA Board Thursday that takes Reston Soccer’s plans way beyond field conversion.
Said Reston Soccer in an email to members:
Reston Soccer will present its proposal for building a new home for Reston Soccer at Lake Newport Soccer fields which would include: 2 full size synthetic turf fields with plant derived infill (not tire crumb!); low glare LED lights; bathrooms; and a clubhouse!”
[We are] looking to partner with Reston Association and raise the funds via grassroots fundraising by Reston Soccer, proffers, corporate sponsorships, phased building over number of years if necessary. Eager to work with the community in a collaborative manner to minimize the impact and support the needs of the surrounding community.
While supplies last, we will give anyone that comes to the meeting to support Reston Soccer a Reston Strong jersey! Need to fill the room to the gills. We need to show that people love soccer in Reston and care about better fields!
The RA Board will not vote on this proposal Thursday; the presentation is for discussion only.
In 2013, RA gave South Lakes High School $50,000 for a $2 million project to convert two grass fields to turf. In turn, RA got places on the turf usage schedule. RA originally had committed $100,000 to the project.
Reston Soccer donated $150,000 to the SLHS project.
Anguizola said in June Reston Soccer has benefitted from additional playing time on the SLHS fields, Reston still needs additional turf fields.
Nearly six years after being approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors — and then virtually halting plans to move forward — there is some action on Lerner Enterprises’ Excelsior Parc project.
The Excelsior Parc will include 457 residential units in two buildings on Reston’s Oracle campus near the intersection of Sunset Hills and Reston Parkway.
The project was first proposed in 2oo6 and was sent back from the county several times for changes that were finally approved by the supervisors in 2010. The Fairfax County Planning Commission had recommended denial of the plan for two 15-story towers because they seemed out of scale with Plaza America, Reston Parkway and surrounding areas.
However, a lot has happened since 2010. The Reston skyline has come to include The Harrison, Midtown, BLVD and plans for a 23-story office tower, among other buildings. So 15 stories seems rather modest.
But that is not why the developers are back before the supervisors. The buildings had originally been approved for 820 underground parking spaces. The developers are seeking a reduction in parking of 16.4 percent, which must be approved by board.
The County Executive recommends the supervisors approve the reduction based on an analysis of the parking requirements. He has recommended 612 spaces, including 58 designated for guests.
Part of the reason for the change is the Metro. The property is about a half-mile from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station and about the same distance from the future Reston Town Center Station, which is scheduled to open in 2020.
The Excelsior is planned to have 212 studio/one-bedroom units; 202 two-bedroom unites; and 33 three-bedroom units.
The Board of Supervisors will discuss and vote on this on Tuesday.
No word on when the construction will begin.
Correction: A previous version of this story said the victim was on the W&OD Trail. That was incorrect.
A man was robbed and assaulted by three suspects on a trail near the 12100 block of Sunset Hills Road on Monday, Fairfax County Police said.
The man was walking near Sunset Hills and Town Center Parkway about 9:25 p.m. when he was approached by three men who allegedly began to assault him, police said.
The suspects took property and fled on bicycles. They were described as black. There was no further description provided.
The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital.
A similar robbery and assault took place near the same spot in May.
In that incident, a man said he was walking on the path about 9:30 p.m. when two men pushed him to the ground, took his property and fled.
The suspects in that case had a different description. That case remains open.
Metro GM/CEO Paul Wiedenfeld plans to suggest this week at the Metro system begin closing at 10 p.m. on Sunday and midnight all other nights, even after the SafeTrack program ends next spring.
Wiedenfeld said in a statement his plan is following rail expert and peer transit agency recommendations. The move will require Board approval following a public engagement process this fall.
Under the proposed schedule, the Metrorail system would be open 127 out of 168 hours in a week. Prior to SafeTrack, the system was open 135 hours per week. The additional track time increases safety and reliability by giving workers the time and space they need to keep Metro’s infrastructure in a state of good repair, Metro says.
Wiedefeld engaged peer transit agencies and rail engineering consultants, all of whom urged that the focus on track safety and maintenance continue to prevent Metro from sliding backward.
Earlier this year, Wiedefeld announced a one-year accelerated maintenance plan, called SafeTrack, which includes expanded track access through midnight closings on weekends (on a temporary basis), a moratorium on early openings or late closings, and expanded track work during midday and evening hours. Metro is in the midst of the fifth of 15 “Safety Surges” which close or alter various sections of the system at a time.
The SafeTrack plan is intended to achieve three years’ worth of work in one year and allow work crews to eliminate a maintenance backlog and address safety recommendations from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Wiedefeld is expected to formally propose the change at Thursday’s Metro Board of Directors’ meeting.
Fairfax County Police have arrested a man in connection with a robbery at the Soapstone 7-Eleven store last May.
Detectives from the Major Crimes Division said they received an anonymous tip through Fairfax County Crime Solvers identifying a possible suspect in the robbery that occurred on Friday, May 20.
With that information and other investigative leads, including security camera footage, detectives were able to identify the suspect as John McCaw Flynn, 45, of Vienna.
In the incident, the suspect entered the store about 6 a.m. on May 20, announced that he had a weapon, and then fled the store with merchandise.
On Monday June 13, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Flynn. On Tuesday, June 21, the Fairfax County Police Department’s Fugitive Squad located and arrested Flynn and he was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
There was an additional robbery at the same 7-Eleven on May 5, but Flynn is not believed to be a suspect.
Meanwhile, according to Fairfax County Police, Flynn was arrested following an incident at the same 7-Eleven nearly a decade ago.
In July of 2007, police said Flynn was charged with robbery after he stole a purse from a woman walking into the store.
He has also faced charges since then of DWI, public swearing, public intoxication and eluding police, county court records show.
Two items on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ agenda for Tuesday may mean the end of two structures that have stood in Reston for more than 40 years.
Jefferson Apartment Group’s (JAG) application to raze most of Tall Oaks Village Center and turn it into a mostly residential neighborhood will have a public hearing at the supervisors’ meeting (Fairfax County Government Center) at 3:30 p.m.
JAG’s plan for 156 homes (townhomes, 2-over-2 townhomes and multifamily units), 8,500 square feet of retail space and about 6,000 square feet of office was recommended for approval by the Fairfax County Planing Commission last week.
If the Board of Supervisors approved JAG’s plan it will be the first time an original Reston Village Center will essentially disappear.
Tall Oaks thrived in Reston’s early days, but as the community expanded, so did retail options. The center has been failing since Giant Foods left in 2007. The center is now only 13 percent occupied and other anchor stores have no interest in opening at the center, JAG reps have said.
The retail planned for the new Tall Oaks will be neighborhood-serving small shops such as fast food, coffee shops, and dry cleaning, though many residents are still lobbying for at least a small food store. Read More
More Fairfax County Shots Fired — Several homes were the target of gunfire in Clifton. Are these cases, under investigation by Fairfax County Police, related to recent shootings in Herndon? [Washington Post]
Behind The Scenes At SafeTrack — Metro’s year-long repair project a headache for rail workers, too. [Washington Post]
A Bit Of Rio In Reston — Students at Lake Anne Nursery Kindergarten (LANK) summer camp created vibrant works of art to celebrate the Summer Olympics in Rio. [LANK]
Fairfax County Needs Election Officers — Want to help out on Election Day Nov. 8? Fairfax County can use workers for its 242 voter precincts. [Fairfax County]
Fairfax County Police said a woman was robbed of her purse at knifepoint on Saturday afternoon on South Lakes Drive in Reston.
Police said the woman was walking down South Lakes near Soapstone about 4:30 p.m. when a man attempted to grab her purse.
The suspect displayed a small knife and a struggle ensued, but the victim was not stabbed.
The suspect fled on foot and was described as Hispanic, about 25 years-old, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and 250 pounds, with a mustache and short hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jean shorts.
In other weekend crime news:
BURGLARY: 11700 block of Karbon Hill Court, Reston, Sunday, 12:50 a.m. A resident reported that she awakened to a man entering her home through a window. The suspect fled in an unknown direction and was described as white, 20 to 30 years old, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.
TRESPASSING: 11000 block of Caris Glenne Drive, Herndon, July 22, 9:30 p.m. A resident reported someone entered their residence and shut off their power. No property was taken.
LARCENIES:
Moorings Drive/Chatham Colony Court, license plate from vehicle
1400 block of Lake Fairfax Drive, phone from residence
11100 block of North Shore Drive, food from business
8700 block of Potomac Hills Street, purse from vehicle
The Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR), scheduled to formally dedicate this year’s South Lakes High School public art work, “Simon,” has canceled tonight’s unveiling due to the extreme heat. The dedication of the work had been scheduled for 7 p.m. No word on when new ceremony will take place.
This is the third year in a row SLHS students’ — the STEAM team — have merged art and science to turn a concrete slab into a temporary work of art. The sculpture is expected to remain for several months.
The students said they wanted to honor Reston founder Robert Simon, a supporter of public art, who died last year at 101. The students’ mission statement said “Inspired by Robert E. Simon’s Seven Principles of Community, the temporary public artwork shows that beauty, both structural and natural, is a necessity of a good life and should be fostered.”
“The house structure represents how the hospitality of Reston draws people into the community, its warm colors creating an inviting atmosphere, and the curtain and window illustrating Reston’s welcoming nature. Reston is our home, and the house serves as a representation of such.”
The students worked with SLHS art teach Marco Rando on the project for a year, presenting design concepts to the Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR) Public Art Committee for recommendation on the design to develop for the spillway, as well as presenting and receiving approval from the Reston Association Design and Review Board (DRB).
The sculpture was first fabricated by students in the school parking lot to formalize the engineering process. It was then deconstructed and given to RA construction staff to reconstruct on the concrete spillway of Lake Thoreau.
Heidi Merkel, a senior planner with the Fairfax Department of Planning and Zoning who was instrumental in organizing and implementing the Reston Master Plan Special Study and plan amendment, died of cancer July 19. She was 49.
Merkel, of Arlington, is survived by her husband, Bill, and three children: Caroline, 15; Samuel, 12; and Caleb, 7; her father, Leland Tolo of West Hartford, Ct.; her brother, Paul Tolo, and sister-in-law, Jennifer Tolo, of Sammamish, Wash.; and her many beloved nieces and nephews.
Merkel attended high school in West Hartford, Ct., then received her bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College and studied Urban and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She began her professional career as an Associate Planner for the City of Danbury.
Merkel joined Fairfax County’s Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) in 1995. She later took five years off to raise her family, but after returning in 2007, she worked tirelessly to help move Reston into the future.
The Master Plan amendments were approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2014 and ’15.
“Heidi was a gem,” said land use lawyer Mark Looney, who served on the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force. The task force held dozens of meetings over four years, and Merkel attended most of them, even while battling her illness. Read More
