First Look: Wegmans — Wegmans is coming to Brookfield Properties’ four million-square-foot redevelopment of the 36-acre Reston Crescent site. In a recently submitted proposed to Fairfax County, The first new building will feature an urban-style Wegmans resting underneath 380 apartment units. [Washington Business Journal]
Dump the pump — Local officials want drivers to dump the pump and hop onto public transit on Thursday. Are you up for the challenge? [Fairfax County Government]
Artificial intelligence 2.0 — “NCI Inc. is pushing to bring more artificial intelligence to government customers to help them boost efficiency and save money. The Reston contractor is starting to sell Shai, or Scaling Humans with Artificial Intelligence.” [Washington Business Journal]
Ken Plum fundraiser — The state delegate is raising money for his campaign. A breakfast-style fundraiser is slated for tomorrow with tickets ranging from $35 to $1,000 each. [Ken Plum]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
Commuters using the Wiehle-Reston East garage should expect delays this week.
Construction equipment is being delivered to the site from today through Friday (June 22), causing delays of up to 10 minutes.
Delays are only expected to impact the entrance and exit of the Wiehle-Reston East Park & Ride garage.
Beginning today through Friday, June 22, 2018, commuters entering and exiting the Wiehle-Reston East Park & Ride between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. should anticipate delays of up to 10 minutes due to construction equipment being delivered to the site. pic.twitter.com/Do7O2rE6ab
— Fairfax Connector (@ffxconnector) June 18, 2018
A Reston Association working group created to analyze rules governing lakes, docks and boats kicked off it meetings on June 13 (Wednesday).
RA’s board of directors formed the group on March 22 in response to residents’ concerns about outdated boating policies, enforcement issues and overall usage of local lakes. The group will provide recommendations to the board in November.
During the first meeting, members received information on Reston’s lakes, as well as the type and number of boats and docks currently allowed.
The group’s objectives include identification of the environmental impact of docks and boats, a review of current rules and policies and whether or not rules infringe on lakeside property owners’ use of their properties.
The presentation given to the working group is linked here.
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
Taste of Reston, Northern Virginia’s largest outdoor festival, took place on Friday and Saturday, bringing food and visitors to Market Street.
The 28th annual event is a fundraiser for Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce‘s INCspire Education Foundation, which aims to help businesses grow by providing educational opportunities.
“This is the best-attended ‘Taste’ we’ve had in five years, thanks to our participating organizations, community turnout, and great weather,” said Mark Ingrao, CEO of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s Best of Taste restaurant winners are as follows:
- First Place: Choolah Indian BBQ
- Second Place: Agora
- Third Place: Guapo’s Restaurant
Organizers plan to conduct a debrief on the event to determine how to enhance the festival.
Photos by Don Renner
Greats Falls and Reston soccer merge — “The Reston Soccer Association and Great Falls Soccer Club merged in March of this year, combining to form one club of around 2,600 players. The merger has been a subject of discussion for years now, but only recently came to fruition after careful coordination between members of the Reston and Great Falls Boards of Directors.” [The Connection]
Be wary when going outside today — An air quality alert has been issued for today. The heat index could climb into the high 90s or even the low 100s. [National Weather Service]
Herndon’s high hopes for Metro — “The town is preparing for an unprecedented amount of high-density development around the Silver Line’s new Herndon Metro station slated to open in 2020.” [Washington Business Journal]
Nearby: Fireworks and family fun — “Lake Fairfax Park will host its annual fireworks show on Saturday, June 30, 2018. (Rain date July 1, 2018). Come to the park early and spend the day. The park opens at 7 a.m.” [Fairfax County Government]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
Before we head off into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.
- Updated: Security Procedure Lifted at Two Reston Schools
- Pedestrian Dies After Being Hit By Car Near Baron Cameron Avenue and Fountain Drive
- Roof at Sully’s Pour House in Downtown Herndon Collapses Over the Weekend
- Robbery Reported Along Wooded Path in Stoneview Square
- Monday Morning Notes
If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip. We’re also looking for photos of Reston submitted by readers. Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.
File photo
Hundreds of students from Herndon High School and South Lakes High School graduated this week. Herndon’s graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena.
For the second year, graduates of South Lakes High School held a graduation walk through the halls of feeder schools and SLHS.
When you stop by a school during #FCPSGrad18 @southlakeshs! pic.twitter.com/IoAtL9tcVo
— Fairfax Schools 🌟 (@fcpsnews) June 8, 2018
Local students are headed to colleges throughout the country. The following is a breakdown of schools and places graduates are planning to soar off to. The school declined to release counts for each school.
2018 College Name — SLHS by Fatimah Waseem on Scribd
Photo by Kevin N.
Fairfax County parks are offering classes to socialize and train four-legged members of the family.
The classes, known as Puppy Kindergarten, will begin June 23-28 at Frying Pan Farm Park. Puppies between 10 to 23 weeks will learn the fundamentals of discipline and socializing, as well as chewing and jumping.
Dogs who are advanced can participate in Dog Obedience I or II. The first class features management, discipline, problem-solving, affection and restraint. Dogs must be at least six months old to attend. Classes meet from 10-10:55 a.m. for eight weeks.
The level one class must be completed prior to taking the level two class. Dogs must be eight months old and will learn how to perform the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test.
Each class costs $109. Humans who participate must be at least 14 years old.
File photo via Chesapeake Dock Dogs
Build some extra time into your plans if you’re planning to take the Orange, Silver or Blue line this weekend.
Trains on all three lines will travel 24 miles apart. Silver Line trains will run only between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston, Blue Line trains will single track between Foggy Bottom and Arlington Cemetery and Orange line trains will single track between Foggy Bottom and Arlington Cemetery.
The service changes are necessary in order to allow crews to install cables and communications equipment on the Blue and Orange lines, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Authority.
Customers should use Orange and Blue lines to complete their trip. At Ballston, customers should transfer between Silver and Orange line trains on the same platform.
Photo by Mike Heffner
An additional $40 million is being sought to begin widening a seven-mile stretch of Route 7 between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive.
State officials’ estimates of the overall $278 million project came in $95 million above the amount originally anticipated by the proposal. The project has been bid and is ready for construction, pending the approval of additional funding.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider approving funding at their June 19 meeting.
Once the funding gap has been bridged, construction will begin to widen Route 7 from four to six lanes with intersection improvements and the addition of a shared-use path on both sides of the roadway. County and state officials said the project is necessary to reduce congestion, improve safety and boost mobility for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Officials said the project came in nearly $1 million above estimates due to the competitive market generated by ongoing construction in Northern Virginia, several challenging utility relocations (including a $200 million upgrade project by Washington Gas) and the more than 230 property transactions required to ensure right-of-way.
The county is considering pitching in $23 million in funding that was not previously allocated by the board. Dollars will be drawn from the following project: Route 123’s widening ($13 million), Frying Pan road widening ($3 million) and a park and ride expansion at the Lorton VRE ($690,470). The Virginia Department of Transportation will provide up to $40 million in state funding.
According to 2011 traffic counts provided by VDOT, the stretch of Route 7 carries between 46,000 and 54,000 vehicles per day. That number is expected to increase to 73,000 to 86,000 by 2040, VDOT says.
Map via VDOT
Foodies can enjoy food from more than 20 restaurants during Taste of Reston, a two-day festival in Reston Town Center (11900 Market Street) tomorrow and Saturday.
The event is produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.
Taste of Reston is the largest outdoor food festival in Northern Virginia and has been voted “Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival” by Virginia living magazine for the past six years.
A family carnival, which includes games and food, will also be held at Lake Fairfax on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A free shuttle will transport attendees to and from the tasting event throughout the day. Carnival tickets are available online.
Garage parking is free during the event. Food vendors will compete in the “Best of Taste” competition. Last year’s winners were M&S Grill, Agora Restaurant and Tavern 64.
The festival will take place from 3-11 p.m. on Friday and from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets are needed to purchase food, beer, and wine at the event. They are $1 each or $20 for $24. Beer prices require five tickets for mainstream beer and six tickets for craft beer. Wine costs six tickets for five ounces pour and one ticket per wine tasting.
File photo
Fit(ted) bikes — The Reston Bike Team fitted the entire fifth-grade class at Hutchison Elementary School with bike helmets. [Fairfax County Police]
Last chance: summer art camp registration — Looking to enroll your child in Greater Reston Arts Center’s camps this year? There are only a few spots left. Registration is open online. [Greater Reston Arts Center]
Take a Break concert: Mystic Warriors — Enjoy world music at Lake Anne Plaza in this free concert series on Thursday nights from 7-9 p.m. [Reston Community Center]
Nearby: Meet the Northern Virginians of the year — This year’s service, honor, excellence, leadership, and dedication award was given to Michael Rossiter, and Alexandria Police Department sergeant. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Photo by Maureen Jules-Perez
The “Summerbration” concert series at Reston Station Plaza will feature a new addition on Friday summer nights.
Professional dance instructors will offer lessons during select concert performances hosted by Reston Station. Lessons vary from swing dancing to African dance.
Reston Community Center’s executive director Leila Gordon said the center is “thrilled” to add professionals to the lineup. She said Reston Station Plaza is “becoming a destination experience for people.”
Dance instruction begins with Friday’s King Teddy Concert. Each concert runs from 7-9 p.m. and parking is free from 6:30-9:30 p.m. during the concerts.
The complete lineup, which includes dancers and instructors, is below:
June 15
King Teddy
Swing dancers – dancing and instruction
June 22
Cedar Creek
Country line dance instruction
June 29
Elikeh
African dancers – dancing and instruction
July 6
Four Star Combo
Sock hop dancers – dancing and instruction
July 27
Alfredo Mojica & Friends
Latin dancers – dancing and instruction
August 10
Scott Kurt & Memphis 59
Country dancers – dancing and instruction
August 24
The Swingin’ Swamis
Swing dancers – dancing and instruction
Photo via Reston Community Center
Noble Investment Group, a Georgia-based investment company, has acquired Westin Reston Heights, a 191-room hotel located at 11750 Sunrise Valley Drive.
The company plans to renovate guests rooms and common areas in the hotel. Westin Reston Heights has a business room and is also the location of Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Noble principal Ben Brunt said the acquisition was motivated by substantial growth and corporate relocations planned in Reston.
“The Westin afforded Noble the opportunity to acquire a first-class physical asset that is well suited to the wide array of demand generators in the area while offering substantial upside through the reconfiguration and enhancement of the hotel public spaces and guest rooms,” Brunt wrote in a statement.
Nearby, another hotel changed hands this year. In March, Wurzak Hotel Group and DoveHil Capital Management acquired Sheraton Reston Hotel at 11810 Sunrise Valley Drive. A renovation project is planned for the 298-room hotel.
Photo by Starwood Hotels
The roster of candidates vying for Herndon Town Council and Town Mayor has been released ahead of elections on November 6.
Lisa Merkel, the town’s current mayor, is running for reelection. No other candidates are running.
Five incumbents are running for six seats on the Town Council for one-year terms. Those candidates are Jennifer Baker, Grace Cunningham, Signe Friedrichs, William McKenna and Sheila Olem.
In the race, five newcomers are hoping to challenge incumbents for their seats: Cesar Del Aguila, Pradip Dhakal, W.J. Kenis, Jr., Joseph Plummer and Roland Taylor.
Town residents must register to vote by 5 p.m. on October 16. Applications must be mailed to the General Registrar (12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323). Online applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m.
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