Two vacant spaces at Plaza America are deep into the renovation process and plan openings this summer.
The sign for MOD Pizza recently was installed — along with a wood-burning pizza oven and other fixtures — at the space at 11642 Plaza America. MOD Pizza signed a lease for the location, formerly occupied by Vie de France, last October.
MOD Pizza is a Seattle-based franchise founded in 2008. It opened its first Washington, D.C.-area store earlier this year in Silver Spring, part of fast growth that the company founders hope will be 100 stores by 2016. Another Northern Virginia store is planned for Gainesville.
The restaurant is a fast-casual concept. Customers choose from a variety of speciality pizzas or create their own. The pizza is ready in about five minutes. Pizzas start at $7.47.
The usual toppings such as pepperoni, cheese and sausage are available, but so are hot buffalo sauce, siracha, feta and arugula.
Over at the other end of the plaza, Brown Bag is hiring for its new location at 11692 Plaza America. Brown Bag, a local fast-casual chainlet, signed a lease this winter for the space formerly occupied by Salaadworks, which closed last year.
Brown Bag started in Bethesda in 2002. It still has a location there, as well as franchises in Arlington and several stores in DC.
Brown Bag says on its website it takes pride in:
- Local artisan bakers producing multi-grain breads
- Produce from local farms, when in season
- All-natural dairy products
- Hormone-free, all-natural meats
- No trans-fats or processed ingredients
- Fresh squeezed juices
- Locally roasted coffee
- Homemade soups & dressings
On its website, Brown Bag founder Erich Fuldner calls Brown Bag “the anti-sub shop.”
Brown Bag said in a press release its plans to open the Reston store “this summer.”
Fairfax County is considering banning plastic lawn and leaf bags.
The county’s Solid Waste Program will be hosting a series of meetings with professional landscapers to discuss the elimination of plastic bags used for the curbside collection of leaves, lawn clippings and other yard waste.
Yard waste collected throughout the county is processed into mulch and compost products, but their quality is compromised by the presence of small pieces of plastic, Fairfax County says.
Here is the problem, according to Fairfax County Solid Waste officials:
Plastic bags have to be manually or mechanically ripped open for the material to be processed. These processes can be expensive and labor intensive. More importantly, neither method prevents small pieces of plastic from getting into the finished products. Prohibiting plastic bags for yard waste collections will help ensure the county provides high-quality end-products for use on residential lawns and gardens.
Since yard waste makes up most of the waste generated by landscapers, we would like to hear the industry’s thoughts on prohibiting the use of plastic bags when setting out yard waste for curbside collection.
All landscapers, industry representatives, and other interested parties are welcome to join in these discussions at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway starting at 6 p.m., on the following dates/locations:
- May 25, Conference Room No. 232
- June 22, Conference Room No. 232
- July 20, Conference Room No. 9-10
Under Fairfax County law, yard waste such as brush, leaves and grass must be recycled. In nearby Arlington County, only paper bags are accepted.
Reston Now will update you if the county bans plastic in favor of the paper yard waste bags.
Photo: Plastic yard bags/Credit: Amazon.com
The plans for Reston’s tallest building now include an outdoor rooftop terrace, where visitors and office residents will be able to see (on a clear day) from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the D.C. skyline. Plans also include a seventh-floor outdoor park with a potential bocce court.
These are some of the changes that RTC Partnership and Akridge are proposing as the plans for 1760 Reston Parkway, a 23-story office building set to be Reston’s tallest structure, head back to the Fairfax County Planning Commission this week.
The rooftop terrace is planned as an amenity for tenants of the building. It will be surrounded by a 35-foot tall glass screen wall with an opening on the west side to shield the space from strong winds; it will be constructed of aluminum and steel supports and clear glass.
The terrace will include outdoor seating; a trellis structure on the west side of the rooftop to provide shade for outdoor seating; an enclosed event space serviced with restroom and pantry facilities; and a 2,500-square-foot vegetated green roof. Read More
South Lakes Lax Rules — South Lakes High School’s boys lacrosse team defeated Yorktown 8-5 on Friday to win the Liberty Conference Tournament. It’s the program’s first-ever conference title.
2016 Reston Now Reader Survey — RestonNow.com is conducting our first annual reader survey. We’ve designed a survey that should take only 10 minutes to fill out, but could help Reston Now better serve the Reston community for years to come. We would greatly appreciate your time in filling it out. [SurveyMonkey]
New Law: Slow Down — Virginia has a new law that says drivers need to slow down when approaching trash trucks. The “Slow Down to Get Around” law, which carries a penalty of up to $250, says drivers must reduce their speed to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and pass at least two feet to the left of any stationary vehicle that is collecting trash or recycling. [Fairfax County]
Photo: Outdoor Sunday yoga at Lake Anne Plaza/Credit: Lake Anne Plaza
Reston Town Center is going to a paid parking system on Aug. 1. While RTC owners Boston Properties has softened on employee parking — retail and restaurant workers will get passes — it is going to cost $2 an hour for the rest of us (though many places say they will offer some validation).
Parking will be free on and weekends. But a weeknight dinner, a Wednesday business meeting or a free concert with Mr. Knick Knack on a Monday morning are all going to cost you.
Boston Properties says the paid system, managed by an app, is necessary to cut down on commuter parking now that the Metro is in Reston. But Boston Properties executives have also said on earnings calls that they can make tens of millions of dollars by charging for parking.
Here is what many consumers say: that they are done with Reston Town Center. More than 5,000 have signed petitions urging Boston Properties to reconsider. Hundreds have commented on Reston Now’s Facebook page that they will never visit on a weekday again if it means paying for parking.
Others say it is just as easy to go to restaurants at One Loudoun or Tysons, where parking remains free. But won’t more gas to get there actually cost you more than paying a couple of bucks to park at RTC?
What say you? Are you really going to avoid Reston Town Center come August?
Reston Association has several unclaimed boats — and they can be your if you enter an upcoming lottery.
The boats are various canoes, rowboats and other lake-worthy craft that became unmoored and then went unclaimed.
To enter the raffle, you must be a Reston resident. Names will be randomly drawn during next week (May 16).
To place your name in the drawing, please call William Peterson at 703-435-6535 or email [email protected] with subject line “BOAT RAFFLE.”
Boats on Lake Thoreau/file photo
It may be cold and gray, but according to the calendar it’s swim season.
Two of Reston Association’s pools — the heated ones, of course — open on Saturday, May 14:
Ridge Heights Heated Pool
Weekdays 1-7 p.m.
Weekends 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
North Shore Heated Pool & Spa
Weekdays 1-7 p.m.
Weekends 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
The remaining pools are scheduled to open Saturday, May 28. Visit RA’s website for a full pool schedule.
If you still need to purchase pool passes, go to the online RA Marketplace or visit RA Member Services at 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr.
It’s Friday and it has been raining in Reston for more than two weeks. Do you even remember what the sun looks like? It has not been out much the entire month of May.
What do your weekend plans hold? You may want to plan for more showers.
But first, cold.
The Capital Weather Gang says we are also having the coolest May in a while, and temps Saturday night could fall into the 40s. Sunday’s record low is 40, by the way.
From the CWG:
Temperatures on all but two days this May have fallen shy of average. On three days highs only reached the 50s, tying for ninth most on record (month-to-date).
Not once has it hit 80. And the average temperature for the month, in its entirety, is running 4 degrees below normal.
At this time last May, 11 of 12 days had reached at least 80 and one of those days even soared to 90. We had pronounced spring over and summer started. (It ended up as the warmest May on record.)
By Monday morning, lows could dip into the 30s in the coldest parts of the D.C. metro region. A bit of patchy frost cannot even be ruled out if skies stay clear and winds are light. The GFS model forecasts near-record lows in the mid-30s but often has a cold bias. The European model (not shown) predicts more realistic lows of 40-45.
Meanwhile, rain is in the five-day forecast all but Monday for the next six days.
Map: Weekend weather/Credit: Weatherbell.com
Reston Association Lake Anne/Tall Oaks Director Sherri Hebert says the community should move on from the idea that extensive retail will return to Tall Oaks Village Center.
Tall Oaks owners, Jefferson Apartment Group (JAG) showed the community a third version of its redevelopment plan this week. The plan calls for about 150 townhomes and condos, with a parklike entry, public art, a children’s play area and exercise stations.
JAG also plans about 8,500 square feet of retail and services, up from about 3,000 and 7,000 in previous versions. It does not include plans for an anchor grocery store, which a recent market analysis said would not thrive in that spot. The current grocery anchor space has been empty since 2011. Read More
More than 200 artists — along with live entertainment and family fun — return to Reston Town Center May 21 and 22 for the 25th annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival.
Festival artists from across the nation have been selected by jurors to exhibit and sell their paintings, photography, mixed-media, sculpture, jewelry, and fine crafts. This year’s lineup will include 38 artists exhibiting at the festival for the first time.
Complete list of festival artists.
Also among the artists: 28 artists from the D.C. metro region, including Reston-area artists Ann Barbieri, Laura Edwards, Dana Ann Scheurer, and Connie Slack.
Festival artists are selected on the basis of quality, originality, and craftsmanship by a panel of expert, independent jurors appointed by the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE). This year’s jurors – artist, Tim Doud; curator, Ashley Kistler; and interior designer, Judith Weisman – will also serve as judges for the 2016 festival.
More than 30,000 visitors are expected to check out the festival this year. Here is what you need to know:
Hours and Prices — The festival is open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, and 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22 at Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street, Reston, VA 20190. A gate donation of $5 to GRACE is suggested and provides a festival program and dining certificates for local restaurants. Parking is free.
Launch Party — There will be a Festival Launch Party in the Reston Town Center Pavilion on Friday, May 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The party will feature fun food and beverages and a silent auction. Tickets are limited, so purchase soon if you want to attend. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased online. Read More
Reduced Shakespeare Company Returns — Crowd favorite returns to RCC next weekend. [Reston Connection]
Watch Out For Brush Clearing — Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project crews will be clearing trees and brush from the median located adjacent to the south edge of the Fairfax County Parkway exit ramp from the eastbound Dulles Toll Road (DTR). The work will take place during the day, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through May 16. The clearing work is necessary for the installation of storm water management facilities required for the Herndon Metrorail Station.
Reston Network Grid Analysis Meeting — Another in the series of meetings by the Reston Network Analysis Group (RNAG) is Wednesday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at South Lakes High School. The group is working on an urban grid of streets surrounding Reston’s transit stations. [Fairfax County]
National Merit Kudos — Olivia Strahan of Herndon High School was among 44 Fairfax County Public Schools students named as a National Merit Scholar. [FCPS]
Photo: Food Trucks on Business Center Drive
Innovators in technology, the arts, education and philanthropy will be among the speakers at TEDx Herndon 2016 next week.
The event is Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Herndon Middle School, 901 Locust St. in Herndon. There is free parking and lunch and coffee will be provided.
Tickets are $40.03 and can be purchased online.
TEDx Herndon is an independently organized TED event. It is being organized by The Council for the Arts of Herndon to bring to the area “speakers are innovators, leaders, and social changemakers with great ideas worth spreading.”
Here are some of the featured speakers:
Life, Learning and Passion
Katie Beck, Chief Operating Officer of 4.0 Schools, a network of education entrepreneurs who are supported through events, programming, and community.
Sue-Chen Cuff, founder of the Gin Dance Company
Shantae J. Edwards, founder of I AM D.O.P.E., Inc. (Dreaming Of Possibilities Everyday), a self-empowerment and story-sharing enterprise.
The owners of Tall Oaks Village Center set up in the center’s empty anchor space on Tuesday to present both a market analysis of why no grocery store will be returning to Tall Oaks and what owners Jefferson Apartment Group (JAG) have planned instead.
JAG has been planning mostly residential development at the nearly empty center since it purchased it in 2015. Community input to JAG’s plans was not well received in spring 2015, when it showed renderings of residential developments with limited retail (first 3,000 square feet, then 7,000 square feet) to citizens. Citizens also criticized lack of green space for the site.
What JAG plans now is essentially the same amount of housing — about 150 residences, which will be a mix of condos and townhouses.
However, an independent Fairfax County review of the retail analysis says the neighborhood could support up to 8,500 square feet of service and retail. JAG says it will acquire an additional existing office building to develop into service/retail.
Meanwhile, Bignell Watkins Hasser Architects have prepared a pretty cool animated 3D flyover tour of new Tall Oaks. Check it out below.
JAG also envisions well-planned outdoor space to give Tall Oaks a community feel, which was the original goal when Reston’s village center’s were planned. The plans include grassy areas, an outdoor terraced amphitheater area, benches, a children’s play area, and outdoor exercise stations.
The plans do not include an anchor store. The study presented Tuesday showed nearby competition and poor visibility means a grocery store — even a speciality one such as MOM’s Organic Market or Trader Joe’s — would not thrive on the site.
The 25,000-square-foot anchor site, which was the home of Giant Foods from 1974 to 2007, has been empty since Compare Foods (an international grocery) left in 2011. It has led to further vacancies at the 70,000-square-foot center.
The Virginia High School League (VHSL) said last week it will move 14 state tournament events away from Liberty University.
However, the league also says the move has more to do with geography than reaction to insensitive comments made by Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr. and reaction from the Fairfax County Public Schools Board.
Nine of the 12 FCPS Board members wrote to the VHSL late last month advocating that future VHSL events no longer be held at the Lynchburg, Va., school.
The FCPS board comments came in support of several FCPS students who boycotted the VSHL Debate tournament in April in protest of Falwell’s comments last December. At that time, Falwell urged students to obtain concealed-carry permits and arm themselves so they could “end those Muslims.”
Another high rise may soon be part of the Wiehle-Reston East skyline — and this one is also may cast a shadow on one of Reston’s Golf Courses.
Golf Course Overlook LLC has filed a rezoning application with Fairfax County seeking to convert a three-acre parcel wedged between Sunset Hills Road and a corner of the private golf club. The site, northwest of the W&OD Trail, is about one-third of a mile from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station and currently is Golf Course Plaza, a 45-year old, three-story office building with surface parking.
Developers would need to change the zoning from I-5 (General Industrial) and RE (Residential Estate) zones to Planned Residential Mixed-Use to proceed with the plans for a single high rise with 413 residential units.
Plans call for replacing the office building and surface parking lot at 11480 Sunset Hills Rd. with an approximately 392,600-square foot building with three levels of underground parking.
“The property’s location, adjacent to the private Hidden Creek Country Club and Washington and Old Dominion (‘W&OD’) Trail, provides a unique opportunity for a residential use in the Wiehle-Reston East Transit Station Area,” the application says. “It will allow natural views across the attractive golf course and immediate access to the W&OD Trail for both recreation and access to the Metro Station.”
The property is part of Isaac Newton Square, an aging low-rise office park that is considered to be Reston’s next big area for transformation. This is the first application filed for Isaac Newton Square, which currently has allowed densities of up to a 2.0, which is relatively low density. The new project would seek much higher density due to its location close to the Metro.
It is also one of several rezoning or development applications surrounding Reston’ golf courses. While a years-long zoning appeal to change public course Reston National has been shelved for now, there are plans for major development (API building, Association Drive, Commerce Park, VY) along Sunrise Valley across the street from Reston National, which ultimately will be located in between Wiehle-Reston East and the future Reston Town Center Metro.
This is the first application that plans to build near Hidden Creek’s property, but is part of several development projects along Sunset Hills and Wiehle (1831 Wiehle, The Aperture, Michael Faraday). Read More
