I-66 slows traffic — Major construction for the toll project will create sluggish conditions, so all rides between Loudoun County Transit stops and the Wiehle-Reston East stations will be free. [WTOP]
R-E-S-P-E-C-T — Spencer Alston, a lacrosse player at South Lakes High School, received the 2018 Lou Peterson “Respect the Game” award. [The Connection]
Walk it off — Hundreds walked together at Walk MS Reston at Reston Town Center earlier this month. A total of $177,109 was raised in order to end multiple sclerosis. [The Connection]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
What’s the buzz — Expect your cell phone to buzz loudly today between 10 and 11 a.m.. The county is participating in a wireless emergency alerts test. [Fairfax County Government]
An eye for that — The Eyewear Gallery in Reston Town Center recently completed renovations. [The Eyewear Gallery]
Celebrating two years — Reston’s first and only craft brewery, Lake Anne Brew House, is hosting a second anniversary on April 14. [Lake Anne Brew House]
Awareness about alcoholism — In honor of National Alcohol Screening Day, the county is offering a free, confidential online screening, which includes referral information on how to get help. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via Savannah Bassett
A nearly one-hour long power outage at Reston Town Center was caused by an unidentified construction incident.
According to a press release, Boston Properties, HITT Contracting and subcontractors “followed protocol and took the proper steps as required by Dominion Virginia Power and Miss Utility prior to performing any work.”
A full review of the incident is ongoing. No other information was immediately available.
Here’s a roundup from social media:
We'd never want to keep you in the dark, but…the power is out at Reston Town Center and our phones are down! Thank you for your understanding while we get back up and running. @RestonTwnCenter pic.twitter.com/scSoFnjpA3
— Mon Ami Gabi (@MonAmiReston) March 29, 2018
NOTICE (3/29): We have a experienced a power outage that has impacted the entire Reston Town Center. As soon as we have an update regarding when power will be restored we will share the information. Apologies for any inconvenience!
— Reston Town Center (@RestonTwnCenter) March 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/_PornFlakes/status/979417332777934848
This has been updated.
A spiraling tower of glass created by American glass artist Danny Lane is under construction next to the newly-opened Signature, Boston Properties’ 508-unit apartment building.
The artwork consists of stacked, iron glass on a granite plinth that can also be used as seating. The twisting form is placed at the center of the convergence point between three pedestrian paths.
The art piece is the “focal point” within Signature Park, which contains widened bike path, a play area for children and stairs leading to town center, according to Richard Ellis, Boston Properties’ vice president of development.
The site is under construction as work on landscaping continues, according Anne Delaney, executive director of Public Art Reston.
Here’s more about the piece and the artist from Public Art Reston:
The goal of the artwork is three fold. From macro to micro, our objective for the new Danny Lane sculpture site is: to enrich the civic life of greater Reston; to contribute a permanent sculpture to the Reston Town Center development that introduces a unique and elevating experience and to specifically form a connection between the new Signature residential tower that both harmonizes with the building’s elegant design and serves as a welcoming transition from the adjacent public green space.
Danny Lane is an American glass artist currently living and working in London. He is best known for his large scale glass and steel sculptures. Through his work, he contrasts the seeming fragility of glass as a material with the sturdiness of steel to create sculptures that are at once commanding and elegant. His work can be found in collections around the world, from London, to Hong Kong, to the United States.
Photo via Public Art Reston and Danny Lane
A walk to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will take place on April 8 at Reston Town Center.
The event, called “Walk MS”, is a fundraiser for the organization, which its website says aims to create a “a world free of multiple sclerosis.”
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord and often leads to the disability of young adults.
Individuals interested in participating can register by calling 855-372-1131 or by emailing [email protected].
Organizers expect a turnout of 800 people. A fundraising goal of $200,000 has been set. The walk is expected to begin at 10 a.m.
The event’s lead sponsor is Sanofi Genzyme, a biotechnology company based in Massachusetts.
Photo via Walk MS/YouTube
A public hearing for Boston Properties’ Reston Gateway project, which is designed to bridge the future Reston Town Center Metro Station with the community’s urban core is set for June 27 before the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
Boston Properties has proposed to include up to 3.5 million square feet of transit-oriented development on 33 acres immediately north of the future RTC Metro Station.
The Reston Planning & Zoning Committee will receive a presentation on the proposal at 7:30 p.m. today in the North County Government Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive).
Fannie Mae will lease roughly 850,000 square feet of the property. At full buildout, Reston Gateway may include up to 1,700 residential units, 570 hotel rooms, 200,000 square feet of retail and nearly 2 million square feet of office space.
Final tweaks to a shared parking agreement are underway as Boston Properties prepares to construct the last office property available in Reston Town Center’s urban core.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal Tuesday to remove roughly 78,823 square feet of future office space covered under RTC’s shared parking agreement.
Some office tenants in a future office building on Block 5, home to 17Fifty (1750 Presidents Drive), which is set to open in 2020, will park in reserved spots in a below-grade garage.
The shared parking agreement serves Phase I of RTC, a 44-acre swath of land in the center’s 84-acre urban core. If the proposal is approved, 226 parking spaces will be reserved for corresponding future office space equal to 86,923 square feet and 3,000 spaces will remain for shared uses.
The request is in response to a change in the mix of uses in the area, particularly in 17Fifty, the future of home of Leidos, Instead of a mix of office and retail, the 17-story tower will be solely composed of office space.
The overall impact of the change is minimal, said Rich Ellis, vice president of Boston Properties.
“All we’re doing is a re-tabulation of what’s required as several uses have changed,” he said.
Shared parking for the theater, eating establishments, hotels and hotel function space will remain unchanged.
Ellie Codding, the county’s director of the code development and the compliance division of land development services, said the change covers proposed buildings in response to a tenant-specific request.
“Previously under this agreement, parking spaces were being shared by all office, retail, restaurant, hotel, and theatre uses. The modified agreement, if approved, would decrease the square footage of office space that shares parking under the agreement,” she said.
A parking analysis indicates 3,000 parking spaces are “sufficient to serve the mix of remaining non-residential uses” and will not reduce parking beyond 29.3 percent, a reduction approved by the county in 2014, according to county documents.
Photo via handout
Muse Paintbar is opening at 11943 Democracy Drive in the fall, according to a company representative. The wine-and-paint studio will have a 3,000-square-foot storefront.
Muse Paintbar has more than two dozen locations along the East Coast from Portland, Maine to Virginia Beach. In the D.C. Metro region, it has locations at the National Harbor, in Gaithersburg and at Merrifield’s Mosaic District.
Customers can receive painting instruction while accessing the restaurant and bar. Muse Paintbar hosts painting sessions daily at its locations. All ages are welcome and no prior experience is required.
(Editor’s note: This post was updated at 2:57 p.m. to remove a reference to The Eyewear Gallery and update Muse Paintbar’s address. A company representative for Muse Paintbar incorrectly stated the address was 11900 Market Street, not 11943 Democracy Drive)
Photo via Muse Paintbar
Big wins for Boston Properties — Ray Ritchey, senior vice president of Boston Properties, can’t remember a better year for the company, which has inked major deals since last July. [Bisnow]
Last chance to hit the ice — The season for skating at the Ice Skating Pavilion in Reston Town Center will be over this Sunday. Get on the ice while you can. Ice ice baby! [Reston Town Center]
If you’re concerned about issues in Reston — The Reston Citizens Association, a civic, non-profit organization, is looking for volunteers for various committees. [Reston Citizens Association]
Free caregiver support group — Are you a caregiver for an older adult? The county is offering a free online program to help you navigate the process. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by Ruth Sievers
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, an Annapolis-based restaurant, will replace Red Velvet Cupcakery (11939 Democracy Drive).
Buildout for the 800-square-foot restaurant will begin in late summer, according Dan Beck, lobster maven and the company’s founder.
The news comes as Aaron Gordon, owner of Red Velvet Cupcakery, announces plans to shutter his business at Reston Town Center on May 27 — a move he hinted at last year.
Gordon has vehemently and visibly opposed Boston Properties’ paid parking structure — a program that drove his decision to close his store.
“I have no interest in staying with our current landlord, which in my opinion, completely disregards it’s retail partners,” Gordon said. He may reconsider finding another location in Reston in the future.
Late last year, Mason’s opened its first franchise locations in Baltimore, Md. and National Harbor. Masons’ serves lobster rolls, lobster bisque, clam chowder, salads, and more.
Beck said his company selected Reston Town Center because the franchisee lives in Reston and because the community’s urban core has “strong foot traffic and strong demographics,” especially customers from nearby offices.
The store will be similar to other locations, but will also include a “very strong Monday through Friday lunch business.” Customers will be able to place online orders through an app.
Plans for build-out are still on the drawing board as the company works through the permitting process. The restaurant’s sign should be up in the coming weeks.
The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival is returning to Reston Town Center for its 27th annual event, and this year the festival is a day longer.
The festival established by the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) will run from May 18-20 at 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day and will bring more than 200 artists from across the country to show original works in 16 different categories of fine art and fine craft.
“The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival is an event unlike any other. The quality of the fine art is exceptional, and the variety ensures that there is something for everyone, from woodwork to jewelry, ceramics, and painting,” said GRACE Executive Director and Curator Lily Siegel in a press release.
Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market will also be joining the festival as a title sponsor in time for its move to the Reston Town Center this spring. The market will be providing attendees food at multiple locations throughout the festival.
On top of the showings there will be a festival party for artists, sponsors and their guests from 7:30-9 p.m. There will also be an announcement of the 10 winners of the Awards of Excellence who will receive $500 in cash prize, a blue ribbon for their artist booth and admission into next year’s festival.
Donation tickets cost $5 per adult to benefit GRACE. There will also be free parking in all Reston Town Center garages throughout the entire festival.
Reston Town Center will welcome &pizza, a fast-casual pizza restaurant known for its oblong-shaped pizzas, this fall.
The new tenant will take up a 1,363-square-feet space on 1818 Library Street, the former location of Teavana.
No word yet on the exact opening date, a Boston Properties retail property manager told Reston Now.
In the spring, Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market is expected to open on the ground floor of The Signature, a new 508-unit apartment building at 11850 Freedom Drive.
&pizza has six other spots in Virginia, as well as other locations in Maryland, the District, New York and Pennsylvania.
Photo via &pizza
The Signature, a new 508-unit apartment building in the heart of Reston Town Center, will welcome a new retail tenant this year.
Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market, a gourmet market that says it offers restaurant-quality foods, imported cheeses and meats roasted in the Old Tradition, is set to open in the spring.
For Balducci’s, the new location at 11850 Freedom Drive is a homecoming. The store’s previous site in The Spectrum, just down the street from the current location, closed in 2005.
Construction crews are currently working on the site. An exact date on the store’s opening hasn’t been set yet, according to a company representative. Balducci’s has six other stores in Maryland, Virginia, New York and Connecticut.
The store is hiring for all positions. To apply, email [email protected].
Photo by Fatimah Waseem
It’s official: Appalachian Spring, one of the first tenants in Reston Town Center, has shuttered its doors.
The handcrafted gifts and handmade jewelry store opened its Reston location in 1990.
The company is shifting its focus to its Rockville location after the store on 11877 Market Street officially closed on Jan. 24, a company representative told Reston Now.
When the closure was first made public, the store’s president told Reston Now that customer traffic dipped considerably over the last few months.
Paid parking, which was instituted last year, was a common complaint by customers, he said.
Photo by Fatimah Waseem
Local artists will showcase their pieces at a ground floor gallery of the Signature, Reston Town Center’s newest “luxury” apartment building.
Through a partnership with the Greater Reston Arts Center, Signature (11850 Freedom Drive) will feature a year-round schedule of exhibitions. This month’s gallery showcases the work of Craig Moran, a D.C.-based painter known for boldly patterned canvases.
Moran uses collages and computer manipulations to create his work, which combines elements of the natural world and portraits in a flattened space.
His artistic process begins by cutting and arranging shapes from street art, photographs, old paintings and books. He then rearranges the pieces using image editing software and transfers the final work to a painting. An opening reception is set for March 1 from 6-8 p.m.
Exhibits will remain open to the public every Tuesday through Saturday at Signature. The gallery is the product of a partnership between Boston Properties, Bozzuto and GRACE. It is sponsored by Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market.
Organizers said the gallery merges the vision of the Signature, which aims to creating communal spaces for residents.
“This partnership provides a perfect opportunity for GRACE to regularly celebrate and support local artists through exhibitions of their work as the programming in our current Town Center space becomes more dedicated to introducing national and international artists to Reston and the DMV,” said GRACE’s Executive Director and Curator Lily Siegel.
A grand opening for Signature is set for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Artwork by Craig Moran
