Wireless Service Now Available for Green Line — Metro users can now take advantage of full cell service through four major wireless carriers on the Green Line. [WTOP]
Metro to Build New Lines to Handle Congestion — Metro planners have come up with six ideas to address congestion through the Rosslyn Tunnel on the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines. But many fixes, including re-routing or creating new lines, would be multibillion-dollar deals that would take 25 years to execute. [WAMU]
Tom Susco Completes Eight-year Run — “In St. Louis, Missouri, Tom Susco of Arlington finishes his quest to run a marathon or half marathon in every state and D.C. in honor of his brother Tim, raising awareness for brain aneurysms and organ donation. It took eight years to complete.” [The Connection]
Parking Rate Adjusted for Local Shopping Malls — “The Board of Supervisors approved a new minimum parking rate for large shopping malls at its Tuesday, Dec. 3, meeting. The changes give Fairfax County’s largest commercial retail centers additional flexibility to adapt to a changing retail marketplace as residents increasingly shop online. The minimum parking requirement for malls of 800,000 net square feet or more is being reduced from four spaces per 1,000 square feet to a rate of 2.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet.” [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
County Seeks Help Reporting Streetlight Outages — Residents can report streetlight outages through the county’s interactive map online. [Fairfax County Government]
Meeting on Silver Line Phase Two Set for Today — The Dulles Corridor Advisory Committee meets today. The committee will receive an update on phase two of the project, as well as funding needs. [Dulles Corridor Advisory Committee]
Reminder about Reston Association Board Elections — Members interested in running for a seat in 2020should submit applications by Jan. 24. [Reston Association]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
Reminder to Sign Up for Fairfax Alerts — The county is reminding residents to sign up for the alert system in order to keep up to date with winter travel news. [Fairfax County Government]
FCPS Scores High on Environmental Ranking — “Fairfax County Public Schools has earned “Platinum” status in the Virginia School Board Association’s “Green Schools Challenge” for 2019.” [Inside NoVa]
Annual Holiday Gift Shopping Event Set for Saturday — Reston Community Center’s annual “Gifts from the HeART” shopping event returns this Saturday (Dec. 7) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to all. [Reston Community Center]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
County’s New Glass Recycling Program Shatters Expectations — “In just a few months, Fairfax County’s new glass-recycling program is reportedly getting great results. Since the county started its “Purple Can Club” last spring, 2.8 million pounds of glass have been dropped off in special collection bins, one official said.” [WTOP]
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Accepts Toys for Donation — The department is participating in the region-wide toys for tons campaign. Children served by this campaign include toddlers and youth through age 17. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
County Launches Dog Park Study — The Fairfax County Park Authority is conducting a comprehensive study of off-leash dog areas in the county in order to assess current and future needs and opportunities for dog parts throughout the county. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Traffic Changes on Dulles Toll Road and Sunset Hill Road This Week — Lane closures are scheduled beginning today (Monday) through Friday, Nov. 22, along the eastbound and northbound Dulles Toll Road and eastbound Sunset Hills Road near the future Reston Town Center Metro Station. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]
Owner of Public Interest Registry to Sell Organization — The owner of Reston-based Public Internet Registry, which oversees customers in the .org domain, is set to sell the organization to a private equity company. [Washington Business Journal]
Free Locking Devices Available for Medications, Firearms — The county is offering free cable and trigger locks ad locking medication boxes. Individuals interested in the items can email [email protected] for more information. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Brookfield Properties is seeking approval for the third phase of Halley Rise, a 4.1 million square foot project on the north side of Sunrise Valley Drive between Edmund Halley Drive and Reston Parkway.
The proposal, which was previously known as the Reston Crescent, received approval from the county in July 2018.
Brookfield plans to remake the 36-acre site into eight urban blocks, including 1.5 million square feet of new office space, 1,721 residential units, a 200-room hotel and 380,000 square feet of retail.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission will consider Brookfield’s plan for the third phase of development at a meeting on Nov. 20.
The developer is seeking to build a 19-story building with 550,00 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail uses.
An eight-level parking garage is located behind the building and a neighborhood park with a fire pit and seating areas is planned in front of the building.
The first building, which will include an urban-format Wegmans, is currently under construction. It will occupy the ground floor of a seven-story building with 380 units and 1,000 parking spaces.
Photos via handout/Fairfax County Government
Lane and Ramp Closures This Week — Several ramp and lane closures are planned this week due to ongoing work on the extension of the Silver Line. Changes are planned along the Dulles Toll Road, Sunrise Valley Drive, Sunset Hills Road and Moran Road. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]
County Plans to Repurpose Unused Parking Spaces at Malls — “A proposed Fairfax County amendment aims to lessen the parking requirements for large retail centers, allowing unused parking lots to be repurposed. It’s an issue the county has been talking about for the past year and a county report said there’s been a decline in shopping malls since the 1990’s.” [WUSA 9]
Reston Witches Rules the Water on Hallow’s Eve — A playful coven of Halloween witches on stand up paddle boards skim the waters of Lake Anne to kick-off an evening play and spooky brews. [The Connection]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Local Schools Recognized for Excellence in Web Content — “Fairfax County Public Schools has recognized ten school websites for excellence in web design and use of web-based tools in the 2019 Best of the Web Awards. Winners were recognized at this year’s Web Curators conference.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
County Executive, FCPS Superintendent Discuss Budget, Collaboration — The county’s latest edition of “Connect with County Leaders,” a podcast, features County Executive Bryan Hill and Superintendent Scott Brabrand of Fairfax County Public Schools. [Fairfax County Government]
Reston Artist Unveils Newest Mural in Falls Church — “Reston artist Dana Scheurer is known for her many commissions and installations, among them “The Midtown Community Mural” on New Dominion Parkway in Reston Town Center, Public Art Installation — Bicycle Racks at Walker Nature Center, and Lobby Installations — The Jordan in Arlington, AHC Inc. Baltimore office, The Serrano, Jackson’s Crossing and The Woodbury Apartments, according to the artist’s website.” [The Connection]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Voter turnout in Fairfax County rests at roughly 18 percent as of this afternoon.
So far, turnout in the Hunter Mill District (18.2 percent) is slightly above the county-wide average.
In previous years, turnout was nearly 70 percent in the 2018 midterms, up from 45.7 percent in the 2014 midterms.
The Springfield District has the highest turnout thus far, with turnout at 20 percent.
The district-by-district breakdown as of 1 p.m. today is below:
- Braddock: 18.2
- Dranesville: 18.4
- Hunter Mill: 18.2
- Lee: 15.6
- Mason: 16.6
- Mount Vernon: 17
- Providence: 15.9
- Springfield: 20
- Sully:18.3
Unofficial election results are expected to trickle in after polls close at 7 p.m. today. Reston Now is following several local races, including two school board candidates for the Hunter Mill District.
The county is seeking proposals for a permanent, 3D public artwork at the Innovation Center Metro Station‘s garage.
The artwork must integrate with the larger public space in the project at 2435 Innovation Center Drive.
The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has budgeted $100,000 for the project, which should “evoke the spirit of 21st century urban living, creative inspiration and a sense of community.”
The artwork would be located in the pocket park on the southeast corner to the Metro garage.
Here’s more from the county about the project:
The Innovation Center development will be a new transit-oriented development just south of the Dulles Toll Road, adjacent to the Innovation Center Station, one of six Metrorail stations being built in the Silver Line’s second phase. The overall 14.6-acre site consists of the 5.5-acre footprint for a County-constructed Metro commuter garage, kiss-and-ride spaces, pocket park, and Metro plaza with the remaining 9.1-acres to be developed by a private developer. Fairfax County has partnered with the private developer to clear and grade the nearly 15-acre undeveloped site before installing stormwater infrastructure, building a road network, erecting streetlights, constructing public space, and landscaping. The infrastructure will serve the overall development including the Metro Station Garage.
The design of the Innovation Center Metro Garage and adjacent development envisions a site-specific artwork to evoke the spirit of 21st century urban living, creative inspiration, and a sense of community. The artwork may address local themes or landmarks of the surrounding area. The work should be visible from the street and the Metro Plaza, just north of the pocket park and kiss-and-ride. The artwork shall be accessible to the general public of all ages and ability levels, and shall not impact planned infrastructure, easements, trees, and critical root zones. The artwork may engage visitors by being tactile or interactive; may be an identifiable landmark or gathering spot on the site; may offer opportunities for environmental education; or may engage site features such as trees or topography to provoke a spatial experience.
Applications are due by Friday, Nov. 8. Three semi-finalists will be selected by a committee with representatives from the county.
More information about submission guidelines is available online.
File photo
The future of a wooded patch of land nesting between a childcare facility, Reston Regional Library, and Paramount Condominiums is uncertain.
Norton Scott is appealing the county’s rejection of its plan to develop the 0.8-acre site with a 13-story condominium building with 58 for-sale luxury units — adding a new mix of housing units to the Reston Town Center market.
County planners say the developer’s plan exceeds the allowed density in the area and does not provide a public street connection between north Reston, Reston Town Center, and the future Reston Metrorail Station.
Reston’s master plan, which was approved in 2013, calls for extending Library Street to the Reston Town Center North site — a connection that county planners say is necessary to improve the street network in the area.
But Norton Scott is seeking to exercise a by-right plan, which comes after the county rejected a plan from MRP and Norton Scott in May 2018 for a public-private partnership on blocks seven and eight of the area known as Reston Town Center North.
The county deemed the proposal for Reston Town Center North– which would have included a civic plaza, a new library, a pedestrian underpass, and a new shelter, and a new performing arts center — too expensive.
County officials said they only received one submission for the project after a request for proposals was issued in 2017 for the project.
After the rejection and seven years after purchasing the site from Trammel Crow Company, Norton Scott says it wants to move forward with a new project on the site, which it is calling Library Square.
“The county kind of closed the door on other possibilities,” Chelsea Rao, senior vice president of Norton Scott, said. “We are a company and we want to monetize our assets.”
Rao also says the project would add a for-sale product in RTC’s housing market that hasn’t been seen for almost a decade.
She says the company is willing to work with the county to ensure the site extends well with the other areas in Reston Town Center north. But asking for a road to extend throughout the site interferes with the developer’s by-right plan.
In a Feb. 7 memo, county planners concluded the development plan could not reasonably accommodate a future extension of Library Street as a public street.
Access between the surrounding parcels does not align with the extension of the street, making the inter-parcel connection “futile,” according to the county’s planning department.
The county wants the developer to align its project with the existing Library Street and connect with the proposed connection associated with Library Street near Reston Town Center.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors deferred a decision on the appeal to Oct. 29.
Photos via handout/Fairfax County Government
Proposed Changes to Land Use Regulations Unveiled Today — Fairfa County officials will showcase proposed revisions to zoning land use regulations as part os its zoning modernization project — zMOD — today (Tuesday) at the Fairfax County Government Center at 7 p.m. [Fairfax County Government]
INOVA Blood Drive is Today — The bloodmobile will be stationed next to the pavilion from 1-6 p.m. today. Appointments to donate blood can be scheduled online or by calling 1-866-256-6372. [Reston Town Center]
Absentee Voting in Full Swing — Absentee voting, which kickstarted last Thursday, across 10 locations in Fairfax County is underway. Locations will be open Mondays through Saturdays until Saturday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. [Fairfax County Government]
Hudgins Reflects on 20 Years as Supervisor — Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who has been a supervisor for 20 years, fears Reston has lost its welcoming spirit for newcomers. [Washington Business Journal]
CoreSite Announces Opening of New Data Center — “With over 100MW of expected capacity for the Reston Campus Expansion, and the multi-cloud capabilities of the CoreSite platform, we are in a position to deliver the maximum degree of scale, operational flexibility and performance throughout the entire lifecycle of customers’ digital transformation journey,” writes Juan Font, CoreSite’s senior vice president of general management. [Data Economy]
County Offers Held to Prevent Opioid Overdoses — “According to the latest statistics from the Virginia Department of Health, there were 324 fatal overdoses caused by opioids in January-March of 2019 in the commonwealth. Unfortunately, those are the highest first-quarter numbers ever recorded. Twenty-two occurred in Fairfax County.” [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by Jay Westcott
Southgate Community Center will host community day on Oct. 19.
The event at the center, which is located at 12125 Pinecrest Road, includes music, raffles, moon bounces, cakewalks, a talent show, and food vendors, takes from place from 11 to 4 p.m.
The day is presented by Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, which promotes the wellbeing of individuals, families and the community by providing a mix of recreation, educational and development programs.
More information about the event is available online. The event is free and open to all.
File photo
Fairfax County residents are no longer required to place glass bottles, jars, and other glass items in curbside recycling bins.
The change, which went into effect on Tuesday (Oct. 1), was made at the request of private recycling sorting centers and Covanta Fairfax, Inc., which operates the area’s waste-to-energy plant.
In the past, county officials say single-stream recycling has caused major problems. Glass recyclables often break during collection and transport to recycling centers, contaminating other more valuable recycled items like cardboard and metals.
In recent years, China, the largest customer of recycled materials, has begun imposing strict standards on the quality of accepted recycled materials.
County officials also say glass has damaged machinery and is often heavy, adding costs to transporting recyclables to centers.
Residents can deliver glass containers to one of 21 purple recycling bins in the county. Recently, a new bin was added to the Reston South Park and Ride lot.
All colors of clean glass bottles and jars are accepted at purple containers. Light bulbs, lamps, ceramics, porcelain, mirrors, window, and sheet glass cannot be recycled at the sites.
Collected glass will be processed by the region’s only glass processing plant in Lorton. Recycled materials will be used for pipe bedding, filter material, and other purposes.
Photo via Fairfax County Government
