The pedestrian bridge that links Reston Town Center’s Bluemont Way and the Discovery Square office buildings off Sunset Hills Road is finally reopen.
The bridge had been closed for months, prompting several Reston Now readers to ask if there was not some bigger development project at work.
The bridge’s troubles actually began last winter, when the bridge that crosses over the W&OD Trail suffered damage from ice melter over multiple winters, said a spokesman for Boston Properties, which owns the bridge.
Supplies to fix the bridge were ordered, but then sat in place for several months.
Pedestrian connectivity will continue to be an important issue as the Silver Line’s Reston Parkway station, and accompanying development, prepare to open in 2020.
The Reston Parkway station will be in the center of the Dulles Toll Road, about a half-mile from Reston Town Center. However, major mixed-use development is expected to take place on the 33 acres owned by Boston Properties linking pedestrians from public transit to the existing town center.
Reston-area drone owners will still be able to fly their aircraft — at least around here.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has amended its rule put in place in January that banned flying unmanned aircraft in the area within 30 miles of Washington’s restricted air space.
On Wednesday, the FAA said the rule of no unmanned aircraft with 15 miles of DC still stands. But in Reston, which is 18 miles from Washington, drones will still be allowed.
From the FAA:
Under the new procedures, hobbyists and recreational unmanned aircraft operators can fly aircraft that weigh less than 55 lbs. (including any attachments such as a camera) in the area between 15 and 30 miles of Washington, D.C. if the aircraft are registered and marked, and they follow specific operating conditions. The operating conditions require them to fly 400 feet or lower above the ground, stay in the operator’s line of sight, only fly in clear conditions, and avoid other aircraft.
If hobbyists intend to operate within five miles of an airport or heliport, the new procedures also require them to notify the airport, heliport and air traffic control tower, if there is one, before operating.
Commercial and other non-model aircraft operators must register and mark their unmanned aircraft, must have an exemption and comply with it, and must notify the FAA an hour before operating to provide specific flight information.
Public operators, such as federal, state or local governments, must also register and mark their aircraft, must have the appropriate FAA authorization to operate, and must complete the same one-hour notification before operating.
Register your drone on the FAA’s website.
Drone in Sky/Credit: jacinta lluch valero via Flickr
Fairfax County Police have arrested a man who shot his way into Reston Hospital Center early Wednesday.
William Brock, 52, of Potomac Falls, was arrested at Inova Fairfax Hospital on Wednesday. He has been charged with destruction of property and shooting into an occupied building, both of which are felonies in Virginia, police said.
Brock remains hospitalized, on no bond and under guard, pending his medical release, at which time he will be transferred to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, police said. The firearm was recovered and is being held as evidence.
Brock arrived at Reston Hospital about 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. When he tried to enter the Pavilion portion of the hospital and found the doors locked, as they are at night, he shot out a glass door panel to enter the building.
Brock then entered the hospital and encountered staff, who tried to help with the gunshot wound. As they approached, he displayed the weapon again and allegedly fired a shot inside the building, police said.
The bullet did not strike anyone and there were no injuries.
Hospital security convinced Brock to put down the weapon, and he complied. He was treated and then taken to Fairfax.
Photo of damaged door at Reston Hospital Center/Credit: FCPD
When the sun is down, your dog should go home. And you both should sleep in on the weekend.
That is the message from Fairfax County, which has slightly altered the hours of county dog parks to align with the county’s new noise ordinance. The Fairfax County Park Authority says new operating hours will go info effect on Feb. 17.
In the past, operating hours at the county’s off-leash dog parks, including Reston’s location at Baron Cameron Park, were consistent with overall park operating hours, which are dawn to dusk.
The new hours will be 7 a.m. to one half-hour after sunset Monday through Friday. On weekends and federal holidays, the hours will be 8 a.m. to one half-hour after sunset.
All of the county dog parks will have signs posted showing the new operating hours.
After several years of discussion, Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors in November voted on a new ordinance. The new rules provide guidelines on everything from lawn mowers to garbage collection to dogs. Read More
Metro Ridership Way Down — Even with recent expansion with the Silver Line, shoddy Metro service contributing to ridership levels seen more than a decade ago. [Washington Post]
In Virginia, It’s George Washington’s Day, Not President’s Day — Fairfax County explains why. [Fairfax County]
Race For Hughes MS — Langston Hughes Middle School is holding the Panther Pride 5K on Feb. 27, 8 a.m. [PR Races]
A Taste of the Middle East — Reston Community Center is hosting “A Taste of the Arab World” Friday at 6 p.m. Come and enjoy Middle Eastern foods, belly dancing, henna art and baklava baking at this free event. [Reston Now]
More than a year after a plan to redevelop Lake Anne Fellowship House fell apart, the foundation that runs the senior housing says new plans are on the table.
Fellowship Square Foundation announced on Wednesday it will move forward with the redevelopment of the aging, 240-unit affordable senior housing buildings at 11480-11450 North Shore Dr.
In a release, the foundation said its decision comes after a five month evaluation of conditions at the property, which was built in the early 1970s. About 114 of the 240 units are subsidized for low-income seniors.
Fellowship Square commissioned Community Preservation and Development Corporation (CPDC), a regional not-for-profit developer, to evaluate the feasibility of preserving the existing units at Lake Anne Fellowship House.
Based on the results of the study, Fellowship Square concluded that renovation could not address the structural obsolescence problems facing the building and was not a viable option. They said there is excess land available on the site to allow the construction of a new building.
“Fellowship Square is committed to revitalizing the Lake Anne community, and to helping residents grow and thrive in the place many have called home for decades. This is an important step toward the long-term preservation of affordable senior housing in the Reston community,” said Charles Wortman, Chair of Fellowship Square Foundation. “We look forward to working with residents, Fairfax County and community stakeholders on a new and improved Lake Anne.”
In 2014, Fellowship Square also came to the same realization that its aging facilities could not be repaired at it was more feasible to tear down the buildings and start over.
Many of the units do not meet Americans With Disability Standards and there is a vacancy rate of more than 20 percent, officials said in 2014.
Under the old proposal, the buildings for seniors were to be replaced, and a market-rate building for all ages was to be constructed to blend in and enhance with planned redevelopment at Lake Anne Plaza. The Lake Anne redevelopment proposal — which encompassed nearby Crescent Apartments as well as the are a around North Shore near Lake Anne Plaza — also recently fell apart and is off the table for now.
The 2014 plan for Fellowship House faced challenges, including land that at that time was owned by two different mortgage holders. In September of 2014, Fellowship Square notified the Fairfax County zoning officials that it was deferring the application indefinitely “due to our inability to advance our land use proposal in a manner that will produce the best possible outcome for our residents.”
Going forward, Fellowship Square says it intends to partner with CPDC, an experienced developer of affordable housing, to develop the project.
“We are excited about the prospect of working with Fellowship Square to deliver a property that will be an asset to the community for years to come,” Christopher LoPiano, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development at CPDC, said in a release.
Fellowship and CPDC will meet with tenants in the coming months to discuss new construction. The site plans and design will have to go through Fairfax County and Reston approvals.
Lake Anne Fellowship House/file photo
Reston’s latest public art piece is being installed at the new Fairfax County North Governmental Center.
Crews have been busy the last two days installing a metal sculpture by Washington, DC, artist Matt Duffy near the entrance of the building, which houses the Fairfax County Police’s Reston District Station and the offices of Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, among others.
The project was commissioned with help from the Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR), which also funded the artwork outside the Hyatt Regency Reston.
Duffy was selected from a call for submissions. IPAR said it was looking for a design that reinforced the idea that public art is of value to the community; that public art helps define a community; and that this piece should be an icon or landmark that makes the Governmental Center Building and surrounding area a memorable place.
Duffy, 37, is a graduate of the University of Maryland and holds and MFA from Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Photos courtesy of IPAR
Correction, 4:30 p.m. Thursday: Janet Howell did not vote in favor of the bill. She did not vote.
The Virginia Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that could weaken developer proffers, which Fairfax County officials commonly use to get builders to contribute to park, roads and other improvements in exchange for development.
The bill passed the Senate 29-8. Reston’s Sen. Janet Howell (D) did not vote.
A House version passed on Friday. Reston’s Del. Ken Plum (D) voted yes on the bill.
Limiting local government’s ability to ask for proffers could have a big impact in Reston, which is undergoing a period of multifamily housing growth as it turns towards being a transit-oriented community.
For instance, the Fairfax County Park Authority has said it will seek developer proffers to partially pay for a multimillion indoor recreation center, now slated for Reston Town Center North.
Developers of a proposed assisted and senior independent living facility at Hunters Woods have been asked to donate move than $100,000 to the Fairfax County Park Authority or Walker Nature Education Center, as well as install new traffic lights to help traffic flow near the entrance.
The county also has identified more than $2 billion in infrastructure improvements needed in Reston over the next several decades — money that would likely come from proffers, as well as taxes, bonds and even a new special tax district.
Features of the bill require that proffers be limited to offsetting impacts that are directly attributable to new residential developments, such as traffic. The Senate version of the legislation does not apply to high-density areas, commercial developments or neighborhoods near Metro stations.
The bill places restrictions on what local officials can ask for in development negotiations.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors this week asked Fairfax County General Assembly delegation members to oppose HB 770 and SB 549 or seek amendments to “shield Fairfax County from the significant restrictions these bills would place on development and proffers.”
Read more about the impact of the bills in this previous Reston Now story.
Buy A Brick — There are only two weeks left to order a commemorative brick for installation at Lake Anne Plaza on Founder’s Day, April 9. Brick orders must be in by Monday, Feb. 22. [Reston Museum]
Romantic Ride — Valentine’s Day horse-drawn carriage rides are back at Reston Town Center on Sunday, Feb. 14. The rides meet in front of Talbots and are $5 per rider. Proceeds go to Leadership Fairfax [Reston Town Center]
Cinderella At HHS — The Herndon High Drama Department is presenting “Cinderella: The Oldest Story Ever Told” Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m.) at the school. [Herndon High]
Getting Tough On Heroin — Virginia law enforcement officials say they are cracking down on drug dealers as the commonwealth has seen a rise in heroin deaths. The message at a news conference on Tuesday: If you are selling heroin and one of your customers overdoses and dies, the feds are probably going to come after you. [Washington Post]
Photo: Light snow in Reston on Feb. 9, 2016/Credit: Robbie Nolan via Twitter
A man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound fired a gun to break through a glass door to Reston Hospital Center’s Pavilion entrance early Wednesday, Fairfax County Police said. Once inside, he fired another shot in the direction of hospital staff.
Fairfax County Police responded to the call about 1:30 a.m. after a 53-year-old Loudoun County man with an apparent gunshot wound to the upper body couldn’t get into the hospital and fired a shot to get in, police said.
Police spokesman Don Gotthardt said the man attempted to gain entry to the hospital, but found the doors locked.
“He gets out of his car in front of the hospital and attempts to gain entry to the hospital,” Gotthardt told WTOP. “He found the doors locked, so he apparently fires a bullet, a round at the glass doors, breaks the doors, gains entry into the hospital.”
“Once inside, he encounters hospital personnel, who immediately realize he’s in need of medical attention. When they go to render aid, he displays a handgun again and fires another bullet inside the hospital. Fortunately, that did not hit anyone.”
Hospital security then convinced the man to give up his handgun.
Police said the man was then stabilized and taken to another hospital for treatment and evaluation.
The man had tried to get into the Pavilion entrance to the hospital, not the emergency room entrance. Emergency room doors are accessible at all hours.
The police investigation is continuing, and the man has not been charged, police said. There is no threat to public safety.
Snowy streets and cold temperatures have meant a slow time for small crime in the Fairfax County Police’s Reston District.
Here is the crime log for the last two weeks:
LARCENIES
11300 block of Baron Cameron Avenue, purse from vehicle
2500 block of Congreve Court, money stolen from vehicle
11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, merchandise stolen from business
1300 block of Rock Chapel Road, property stolen from vehicle
1400 block of North Point Village Center, merchandise stolen from business
12400 block of Yellow Tavern Road, property stolen from vehicle
10900 block of Woodland Falls Drive, property stolen from residence
9900 block of Georgetown Pike, merchandise stolen from business
2500 block of Centreville Rd. Services from a business.
11600 block of Plaza America Dr. Property from a business.
11900 block of Lawyers Road, phone from residence
STOLEN VEHICLES
1800 block of Explorer Street, Lexus RS350
1400 block of North Point Village Center, Toyota Corolla
2500 block of Congreve Court, 20154 Chevrolet Cruz
County officials say Reston is going to need more than $2.6 billion in transportation improvements to keep up with development and population growth in the next 40 years.
How to pay for them? For the first time, the word “Reston Special Tax District” has been mentioned.
County transportation and planning officials have not itemized what the improvements will be, but said in a recent presentation that Reston roadway improvements (overpasses, widening, extensions, and interchanges) will cost $1.28 billion. Intersection projects will cost $65 million and the enhanced grid network will cost $1.28 billion, the report said.
According to the presentation (see below) by the Fairfax County Transportation Department to Fairfax County’s Reston Network Analysis & Funding Plan Advisory Group, money to pay for those infrastructure improvements may come from a wide array of sources. Among them: developer proffers, taxes, bonds, federal transportation grants and state funding, as well as a potential county meals tax.
But the concept of a special tax district for Reston’s roads is a new one.
Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins says a special tax district is just one of the “tools we are exploring in transportation improvements. We have done it with rail; we are doing it in Tysons.”
Tysons has a special tax district in place since 2013. Businesses and residents of Tysons are taxed in order to help raise about $810 million of the estimated $3.1 billion necessary for longterm changes. The Tysons Special Tax for FY2016 is $0.05 per $100 of assessed real estate value.
Was that you in the superhero costume, flinging yourself into Lake Anne on Saturday for a good cause?
About 200 brave participants took part in the ninth annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip.
The event raised nearly $100,000 for Camp Sunshine, a summer camp in Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses. The money raised from this year’s jump will enable 50 families from the Mid-Atlantic region to take part in Camp Sunshine.
The event was founded by the Toth family of Oakton, whose daughter suffered from childhood cancer and was enriched by her Camp Sunshine experience.
There are several Polar Dips held annually for the cause nationwide.
Photos courtesy of David Madison Photography.
A Pennsylvania-based company plans to bring a senior citizens’ independent living and assisted living facility to the site of the former United Christian Parish on Colts Neck Road near Hunters Woods Village Center.
It would be the first Virginia location for IntegraCare, which has facilities in Pennsylvania and Maryland. IntegraCare’s proposal will go before the Fairfax County Planning Commission later this month.
The 4.3-acre lot at 2222 Colts Neck was first approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for 210 senior housing units in 2007.
IntegraCare plans to retain 91 of the 210 previously approved independent living units and to add 79 assisted living, 24 memory care, and 16 high-acuity assisted living/memory care rooms.
The building will be 230,000 square feet in two wings, one along Colts Neck and one along Reston Parkway. The estimated completion date is 2020. Read More
Former SLHS Athletic Director Earns Hall Of Fame Honors — David Morgan, who served as an athletics administrator at three Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high schools, has been named to the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Hall of Fame. Morgan worked at South Lakes High from 1989 to 2001. During his 20 years as an active athletic director, teams at Morgan’s schools won 52 district titles, 10 regional titles, and six state championships.
FCPS Begins After Labor Day, But Will Look Into Change For 2017-18 – Fairfax County Public Schools has used enough snow days to qualify for a state waiver of the “Kings Dominion Law” to start the 2016-17 school year prior to Labor Day. The school board voted 12-0 to not not change the ’16-17 calendar, but will look into it for 2017-18.
“Our Town” in Our “Town” — Reston Community Players are holding auditions for the drama “Our Town” Monday, Feb. 22 and Tuesday Feb. 23. The production will run weekends, April 22 to May 7, at CenterStage at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. [Reston Players]
Best Tacos Right Here? — bartaco, a national chain with a location at Reston Town Center, makes this list of “19 of the Best Tacos in America.” [BuzzFeed]
