Reston Association will be giving the Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR) its support, a land use policy and in-kind donations.
It will not be giving the nonprofit a $65,000 donation, which the board discussed in March.
The RA Board of Directors voted at its regular monthly meeting last week to:
- Direct staff to prepare for review by the Board of Directors no later
than its regular meeting on July 28, 2016 a new Land Use policy resolution that delineates Reston Association’s commitment to public art and collaboration with IPAR. - Authorize the donation of in-kind support to IPAR’s operations in
the form of administrative assistance (office/meeting space). - Direct staff to include as part of the Association’s Strategic Capital
Planning process maintenance/reserve funding for the future installation and upkeep of public art on RA Common Area.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission will wait until next month before deciding what the future holds for the former American Press Institute Building on Sunrise Valley Drive.
The building, designed by noted architect Marcel Breuer, is an example of Brutalist design that should be given historical designation, some say. Others are of the opinion that it is an office building that has been sitting empty for more than four years and is ripe for redevelopment.
Sekas Homes is looking to rezone the 4.6-acres of land from industrial to residential in order to build 34 townhouses and 10 condominiums at 11690 Sunrise Valley Dr. A county staff report recommends approval of the application.
A public hearing was held earlier this month. Planning commission members will tour the building on June 2 and on June 16 will either recommend or deny the plan for approval. Read More
Death In Great Falls — Fairfax County Police are investigating a death in Great Falls that happened Thursday. Though initially reported as a suicide, police are continuing investigating the death of the 50-year-old woman until they receive the medical examiner’s final report. [Fairfax County Police]
Nearby: Herndon’s “Butterfly Pledge” — Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel signed the National Wildlife Federation’s “Mayor’s Monarch Butterfly Pledge” last week at Runnymede Park, where a monarch butterfly waystation was planted by the Friends of Runnymede Park. [Patch]
Sprint Triathlon Needs Volunteers — Many volunteers are still needed for Sunday’s Reston Sprint Triathlon. [SignUp Genius]
JBG To Merge With New York Company — Developer The JBG Companies, which has several projects in Reston (Reston Heights, RTC West, VY at Reston Heights, as well as several pending applications), will merge with New York REIT Inc. It is unclear how the merger will affect local projects. [Washington Business Journal]
Photo: Opening Day at Lake Newport Pool/Credit: Mike Collins
Reston Now is off for Memorial Day. If you are too, enjoy your day.
Here are some things to do:
In Herndon, there will be a Memorial Day observance, to include the ceremonial Avenue of Flags, at Chestnut Grove Cemetery at 10 a.m.
Chestnut Grove Cemetery is located at 831 Dranesville Rd.
In Vienna, ViVa Vienna, the annual family friendly carnival with rides, live entertainment and street fair food, continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. See more info on ViVa Vienna’s website.
In Washington, DC, the National Memorial Parade marches at 2 p.m.
We will be saluting our service members today; be back tomorrow. Have a safe and fun holiday.
While Metro’s SafeTrack repair program does not officially begin until next week, there will be some heavy repairs going on that will affect Metro service over the Memorial Day weekend, Metro officials said.
Here is what you need to know:
There will be service adjustments on all three lines, but Orange and Silver Line riders will see some big changes.
- There will be no Orange Line trains in service from 7 a.m. on Saturday through closing on Monday. Silver Line service will operate between Wiehle-Reston East and New Carrollton.
- Three stations will be closed this weekend: Vienna, Dunn Loring and West Falls Church.
- Riders traveling to/from Orange Line stations must board a Silver Line train to make their trip.
- Riders traveling to/from Blue/Silver stations between Largo Town Center and Benning Road must use only Blue Line trains.
- Red Line trains will operate every 8-16 minutes.
- Yellow and Green line trains operate every 12-15 minutes.
- Silver and Blue Line trains operate every 20 minutes.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight. Trains will operate on a Sunday schedule. Off-peak fares will be in effect all day, and parking will be free at all Metrorail parking facilities.
More Orange and Silver Line changes:
Buses replace trains at Vienna, Dunn Loring and West Falls Church; Silver Line trains replace Orange Line trains, 7:00 a.m. Saturday through closing Monday
From 7:00 a.m. Saturday through closing Monday, buses will replace trains between Vienna and East Falls Church. Free shuttle buses will operate on two routes:
- Local – between Vienna and East Falls Church making intermediate stops at Dunn Loring and West Falls Church. Please allow 12-15 minutes of travel time for each station stop.
- Express – between Vienna and East Falls Church with no intermediate stops. Please allow up to 25 minutes travel time.
Last Train Times:
The Fairfax County Public Schools Board voted on Thursday to approve its $2.7 billion Fiscal Year 2017 budget.
The move was expected — and capped a year of dire forecasts, budget task forces and warnings of program cutbacks. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors also raised real estate taxes 4 cents to $1.13 per $100 of assessed value in order to nearly fully fund the schools with a $2 billion transfer.
“We are sincerely appreciative of the efforts of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors,” said School Board Chair Pat Hynes (Hunter Mill). “Working together, we were able to secure the funding necessary to make critical investments in teacher pay, reduce the size of some classes in our elementary schools, and maintain our instructional programs and services to our students. “
“This budget is the first one in nine years that does not include difficult cuts to the FCPS operating budget,” she adds. “It enables us to begin the process of rebuilding the school division.”
The school system will be able to offer a salary increase of a step and a 1 percent market scale adjustment for all eligible employees; $40 million to enhance teacher salaries to make them more competitive; and more than $10 million to lower elementary school class (capping classes at 30 students)
The new budget takes effect July 1.
Other budget highlights:
The county transfer was an increase of 4.8 percent above FY 2016. There was also a 3.8 percent, or $22.3 million, increase in state aid and sales tax, and $6.7 million in reductions from enrollment as compared to 2016.
The FY 2017 budget recognizes compensation base savings of $19.1 million due to employee turnover and fuel savings of $2 million.
Investments of $2.2 million to replace some of FCPS’ aging buses are included in the FY 2017 budget. Also included are $13.8 million to cover health insurance increases and $14.7 million to cover retirement rate increases.
See more budget details on the FCPS website.
This is an op-ed by Reston resident Ed Abbott. It odes not represent the opinion of Reston Now. Something on your mind? Send us a letter at [email protected].
I attended last night’s meeting of the Board of Directors and witnessed the Board’s approval for funding the renovations of the Lake House.
Cate Fulkerson, the Association’s Chief Executive Officer, gave a Power Point presentation justifying the expenditure of $430,000 similar to the one that she presented to the Finance Committee on Monday.
Each Board member discussed their views after which the Board voted approval for the expenditure. As a result, both the Board and Ms. Fulkerson have failed their fiduciary responsibility in accordance with the Association’s governing documents. Here’s why:
The Board of Directors of the Association has a “fiduciary responsibility” requiring them to act in the best interest of the corporation. This responsibility is written into the Virginia’s state corporation law. Reston Association is a non-profit corporation and has filed articles of incorporation with the state. Those articles of incorporation comply with Virginia law. Read More
The Reston Chorale will be marking Memorial Day with a special Star-Spangled Sing-Along Saturday at 2 p.m. at Reston Town Center.
This free family event salutes the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The event will be held rain or shine.
The event will include patriotic music, activities for children and a care package drive for troops deployed overseas. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring items to donate for the care packages.
Suggested care package items:
- Single-serve, sealed powdered drink mixes and snack packs, such as flip-top canned fruit, jerky, tuna pouches, sunflower seeds, cookies, crackers, gum, individually wrapped hard candy, etc.
- Non-aerosol, unscented toiletries, including travel-size lip balm, lotion, antibacterial wipes, baby wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, etc.)
- Comfort items (hand-held fans and misters with batteries, insect-repellent wipes with DEET, bandannas, etc.)
- Fun stuff (hand-held games and batteries, puzzle books, playing cards, foam balls, water pistols, flying rings/disks, etc.)
The Reston Association Board of Directors voted on Thursday to move $430,000 from RA’s 2016 Operating Fund to cover the cost overrun from the Lake House project.
But before the vote, there were hours of discussion about how a nearly half-million dollar error occurred and what the organization can do to ensure such a mistake does not happen again.
RA purchased the building, formerly Reston’s Visitor Center, on the shores of Lake Newport for $2.6 million last summer. Acquiring the property would fend off commercial development and add to RA’s open and community space, RA said.
The purchase was narrowly approved by a member referendum, but there was lots of concern among community members that RA was overpaying for the building and its three acres of land, and that members would ultimately bear the burden — with higher annual assessments — of paying for the acquisition.
RA staff estimated that renovating the then 32-year-old building would cost $259,000. That number quickly jumped to $655,000.
“It was incredibly unfortunate the mistake that was made in the pro forma,” RA CEO Cate Fulkerson said at Thursday’s meeting. “I own that mistake, along with my staff. It was an error that should not have been made.”
Fulkerson outlined to the board some of the things that went wrong:
New Batting Cages in Reston — New batting cages will be coming to Reston’s Stratton Woods Park. The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved a Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program request from Northern Fairfax County Babe Ruth (NFCBR) for $6,332.57. NFCBR will match the grant money and add another $20,000 from telecommunications funds to complete the project that will enable more practice time for youth teams.
Soapstone Connector Meeting — There will be a community meeting on the progress of the planned Soapstone crossing over the Dulles Toll Road. The meeting is June 15, 6 p.m. at South Lakes High School. [Hunter Mill District Facebook]
ElliptiGO On The W&OD — Potomac River Running is sponsoring an ElliptiGO marathon Sunday on the W&PD Trail in Reston. ElliptiGOs are standup bikes, similar to a stationary elliptical machine one would find in a gym. Bring your own ElliptiGO if you have one. PR will also have eight ElliptiGOs for the first eight people to register. [PR Running]
Memorial Day Schedule — Here’s Fairfax County services are open or closed on Memorial Day. [Fairfax County]
Big Lake Swims at Audubon — The annual Jim McDonnell Lake Swims take place at Lake Audubon this weekend. Hundreds of swimmers will be participating in a clinic Saturday and taking part in one- and two-mile races on Sunday. [Reston Masters]
On Fridays, we take a moment to thank our sponsors and advertisers:
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, the business community for the vibrant region.
BLVD, Comstock’s new apartments at Reston Station.
AKG Design Studio, boutique design firm specializing in kitchen, bathroom designs and cabinetry sales.
The Harrison, luxury apartments near Reston Town Center.
Berry & Berry, PLLC, Reston law firm specializing in federal employment, retirement, labor union, and security clearance matters.
Reston Real Estate, Eve Thompson of Long & Foster Real Estate specializes in Reston homes.
Reston Carpet Cleaning, local cleaning service.
Becky’s Pet Care, offering friendly pet services in Northern Virginia.
Reston Community Center, Serving Reston’s recreational and cultural needs.
MakeOffices, shared work spaces with five area locations, including Reston.
Lake Anne Nursery Kindergarten, educating Reston’s young minds for more than 50 years.
Boofie O’Gorman, Top Producer Realtor at Long & Foster Reston.
Goldfish Swim School, specializing in children’s swim lessons year-round.
Small Change Consignment, serving Reston’s kids for more than 30 years.
A Cleaning Service, professional residential and commercial cleaning.
Greater Reston Arts Center, Reston’s visual arts center.
Reston Montessori, private co-educational school for children ages 3 months to sixth grade.
Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, providing great food and drink at Lake Anne Plaza.
All Spice Cafe & Catering, bringing flavor to your events.
Ashby Ponds Senior Living, quality senior community in Loudoun County.
PetMAC Pet Nutrition Center, for all your pet food needs at Lake Anne Plaza.
Lake Anne Fellowship House, providing housing for seniors for more than 40 years.
Greater Reston Arts Center, supporting the arts in Reston.
Oatlands Historic House & Gardens
Towns of Lansdowne Square, luxury townhomes in downtown Landsdowne.
Neurology Center of Fairfax, top medical practice with offices in Reston and Fairfax.
Bright Horizons at Commerce Park, new child care facility in Reston.
If you are traveling for the Memorial Day weekend, you may want to stay put Thursday afternoon.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says nearly 966,000 D.C.-area residents will travel at least 50 miles for the holiday. And the heaviest congestion on area roads is predicted to occur Thursday afternoon between 5-6 p.m.
This is the highest travel estimate in the last 11 years, representing a nearly 2 percent increase over the 951,000 residents who traveled at this time last year, according to AAA.
“The great American road trip is back due to cheaper gas prices. We’re seeing this play out for Memorial Day, with a projected 869,600 people in the Washington metro planning to drive to their Memorial Day destinations,” AAA’s John Townsend said in a press release.
Gas prices this year are noticeably lower compared to previous years, with the national average at $2.29 a gallon, 45 cents cheaper than a year ago. Prices in the D.C. area are also down, averaging $2.28 a gallon, 41 cents cheaper.
Along with the roads, air travel is also expected to increase with a predicted number of 69,100 people expected to fly, a 1.7 percent increase from last year’s numbers.
Overall, AAA says more than 38 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. That is the second-highest Memorial Day travel volume on record and the most since 2005. It’s about 700,000 more people than last year’s numbers.
AAA estimates that Americans have saved $18 billion on gas so far this year compared to the same period in 2015, and prices are at the lowest levels in 11 years.
Photo: Traffic on I-66/ARLnow.com file photo
Fairfax County Police report that Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers was involved in a vehicle crash Thursday morning that left the other driver injured.
From Fairfax County Police:
On Thursday, May 26 at 8:01 a.m., Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers called the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) to report that he had just been involved in a motor vehicle crash on Lee Highway (Rt. 29) at the intersection of the Fairfax County Parkway (Rt. 286).
Patrol officers from the Fair Oaks District Station responded and located the crash. The investigation is underway.
Chief Bowers was on-duty, operating his assigned county vehicle, a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe, southbound on the Rt. 29 ramp approaching the ramp to northbound Rt. 286.
The other vehicle involved was a 2002 BMW, driven by a 36-year-old man from the Fairfax area. The BMW was on the northbound Rt. 286 ramp approaching Rt. 29.
The front of the Tahoe collided with the right side of the BMW, in the intersection.
The driver of the BMW was transported to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Chief Bowers was not injured.
Detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department Crash Reconstruction Unit are assisting with the crash investigation. An administrative investigation will be conducted by the Deputy County Executive for Public Safety, David M. Rohrer.
Anyone who witnessed this crash, or who has information about this incident is asked to contact Crime Solvers electronically by visiting www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637)** or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or call Fairfax County Police at703-691-2131 .
**Text STOP to 274637 to cancel. Text HELP to 274637 for help. Msg & data rates may apply. Go to crimesolvers.net for Terms & Conditions.
To some, the former American Press Institute headquarters on Sunrise Valley Drive is a vacant office building on a nice wooded lot. To others, it is a shining example of Mid-Century modernism and should possibly be included in the National Register of Historic Places.
Fairfax County and Commonwealth of Virginia Architecture experts have written to Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova asking for a last-minute reconsideration of Sekas Homes’ rezoning application for the property.
Sekas Homes application will go before the Fairfax County Planning Commission Thursday night.
Sekas is looking to rezone the 4.6-acres of land from industrial to residential in order to build 34 townhouses and 10 condominiums at 11690 Sunrise Valley Dr. A county staff report recommends approval of the application. Read More
Drive carefully this holiday weekend.
Fairfax County Police will be holding a sobriety checkpoint in the Reston District between Friday at 11 p.m. and Saturday at 2 a.m.
FCPD regularly holds checkpoints in various parts of the county in order to monitor for intoxicated drivers. They do not announce the location ahead of time.
The last Reston checkpoint took place in late April at Walnut Branch Road and the Fairfax County Parkway.
Police said 623 vehicles passed through that screening point, resulting in one DWI arrest, one criminal charge, and three traffic summonses.
Photo courtesy FCPD
