Regular folks, media members and local leaders lined up to be among the first to ride the Silver Line on its opening day. Here is what they had to say.
Beginning Saturday, Metro’s Silver Line will take visitors from Downtown D.C. directly to Reston.
But how they will get around Reston once they are here is still a work in progress.
While the Silver Line will likely be a boon to area residents who commute to D.C., it remains to be seen how it will be used for occasional visitors, such as those attending a meeting or special event.
The Wiehle-Reston East Station — located at Sunset Hills Road, Wiehle Avenue and the Dulles Toll Road — will be the end of the line for at least five years. When Phase 2 opens after 2018, there will be stations at Reston Parkway, Herndon, Route 28, Dulles International Airport and Ashburn.
Wiehle-Reston East is located closer to the south end of Reston, and while there are many office buildings nearby, the heart of the Reston business district around Reston Town Center is still more than a mile away.
Currently, the options are to walk or to hop on a Fairfax Connector bus. There are more than a dozen buses routes in Reston. Visit Fairfax Connector’s website to see interactive maps of where you need to go and whether a bus can take you there from the Reston Transit Center.
In the future, urban style transportation amenities may add to visitor options at Wiehle-Reston East.
Scott Hall, General Manager of Zipcar’s Washington office, says the car sharing service is “actively pursuing the possibility of placing cars in the Reston area in the future.”
“Zipcar is very excited about the extension of the Silver Line,” he said. “We are currently in talks to have Zipcars placed at multiple Silver Line stations with the hopes that they will be in place very soon. Zipcar continues to see strong utilization and membership growth in the D.C. area, and members tell us that they routinely use Zipcar in concert with public transit, so we will do our best to meet those needs to provide ‘wheels when you want them.’ “
Bikesharing may also come to Reston. Fairfax County has contracted with consultants to examine the feasibility of putting the county’s first bikeshare operation in Reston.
Consultants Charlie Denney and Fionnuala Quinn of Alta Planning + Design, hired by the county last winter, say bikesharing would be feasible in Reston as it makes the transition to a transit-oriented community.
Phase 1 of a bikeshare in Reston would consist of 13 stations with 130 bikes. Locations would include the plaza at the Wiehle-Reston East Silver Line Station; Sunset Hills/Plaza America; Reston Town Center/Freedom Drive; Bluemont/Transit Center; Reston-Wiehle East Southside; Town Center Parkway and Market Street; Reston Town Center/Fountain Drive; Market/Explorer Streets; Town Center Parkway/Reston Hospital; Bowman Towne Drive/Library; and two at the Spectrum.
The estimated cost of phase 1 would be $1.2 million: $54K is for startup costs, $766K for capital (cost of stations, docks, bikes), and $397K for operating costs.
What is not yet certain: who would pay the bikeshare costs. In other suburban-area bikeshares (Arlington, Montgomery County), funding came from a combination of federal, state and local money, as well as developer proffers, county bicycle coordinator Charlie Strunk said.
Meanwhile, if you are arriving in Reston with your own bike soon, check out Fairfax Advocates for Better Biking’s routes.
More Silver Line news:
- Silver Line: In Their Own Words
- Glimpsing the Future at Wiehle-Reston East Open House
- Connector Will Run Special Shuttles on Silver Line Opening Day
- Silver Line, Connector Will Link Air and Space Museums
- Silver Line Opening Day Plans
- Fairfax Buses Changing Routes for Silver Line Service
- Throwback Thursday: Reston Station Groundbreaking
- Silver Line: Don’t Park Here
- Answering Your Silver Line Questions
Photo: Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (R) and other bicycle enthusiasts pedal to Wiehle-Reston East/Credit: FABB
Yes, some people in Reston are doing the happy dance about the opening of Metro’s Silver Line on Saturday.
At least they are in a new TV commercial that will begin airing this weekend as the Silver Line opens.
Metro says the ad was created as a celebration of the Silver Line, and features the song “Escapee” by Architecture in Helsinki. The dance movements were choreographed by Michael Stokes, a D.C. resident, and the ad was filmed at the new Wiehle-Reston East station, inside the transportation center on the North side of the station, and in the neighborhood adjacent to the station.
See if you can name the exact locations around Reston where the commercial was filmed.
Alas, those are not real Restonians skipping through the station. The video includes 30 dancers from the National Capital Region – ages 8 to 78. Fifteen Metro employees are also featured — including bus and rail operators, Metro Transit Police, station managers, and car maintenance staff — all of whom have been recognized for their dedication to safety and exemplary customer service, says Metro.
Also included are two local business leaders — Michael Caplin, Executive Director of the Tysons Partnership, and Jim Corcoran, President and CEO of the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce.
Metro’s Silver Line opens to to the public Saturday at noon, when the first train leaves Wiehle-Reston East.
Prior to the start of service, local leaders who helped make rail to Reston happen — a 50-year or 20-year process, depending on how you are counting — will hold an opening ceremony.
Many of the officials were on hand last Saturday, as Fairfax County hosted a ribbon cutting and open house for the 2,300-space public parking garage at Reston Station, adjacent to Wiehle-Reston East.
Wiehle-Reston East will be the end of the line for at least five years, when Phase 2 of the Silver Line is expected to be completed. Phase 2 will take passenger to points west of Wiehle-Reston East such as Reston Parkway, Herndon, Dulles International Airport and Ashburn.
The 10 a.m. ceremony is closed to the public, but Reston Now will bring you the details. There is a public celebration on the Reston Station plaza from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Here is who will be there:
- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx
- Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe
- District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray
- Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA 11)
- Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA 10)
- Congressman Jim Moran D-VA 8)
- Virginia Delegate Kenneth Plum (D-Reston)
- Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
- Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors
- Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles
For more Silver Line details:
- Silver Line: Your Q &A
- Silver Line: In Their Own Words
- Glimpsing the Future at Wiehle-Reston East Open House
- Connector Will Run Special Shuttles on Silver Line Opening Day
- Silver Line, Connector Will Link Air and Space Museums
- Silver Line Opening Day Plans
- Fairfax Buses Changing Routes for Silver Line Service
Photo: Del. Ken Plum, Rep. Gerry Conolly, Sen Janet Howell and Supervisors Cathy Hudgins and Sharon Bulova were among VIPS at garage opening last Saturday.
A little over three years ago, Reston founder Bob Simon and local elected officials moved shovels of ceremonial dirt in the rain near the Dulles Toll Road and talked about big things to come.
The VIPs hailed the public-private partnership of Fairfax County and Comstock, who were teaming together to build the $90 million, seven-level underground parking garage. Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said at that time Reston Station could be considered “Reston’s sixth village center,” alluding to Reston founder Robert E. Simon’s original vision that Reston be built as a walkable community centered around village centers.
“I hope we will measure up to the standards of Robert Simon for people to live, work and play here,” Hudgins said at the groundbreaking. “This is truly a significant part of Reston’s history, the [Dulles] corridor’s history and Fairfax County’s history. This changes Fairfax County from a bedroom community to a transit-oriented community.”
Since that afternoon in April 2011, the site has gone from giant hole in the ground to the framework of a 1.5 million square foot transit-oriented development.
When Metro riders disembark at Wiehle-Reston East, they will see a pedestrian plaza that planners envision as being home to civic and community events. The plaza features public art — giant spires of orange-red cords called “Dancing Reed’s by artist Don Hoover — as well as landscaping and seating.
But some of Reston Station remains a work in progress. Comstock officials said earlier in the building process that only the garage was expected to be open when the Metro station opened. Some of the larger projects will not start until they have a major leaseholder to help pay for the cost, a Comstock spokesman said.
Here is a look at what is finished, what is under construction and what is planned for the future at Wiehle Avenue, Sunset Hills Road and Reston Station Boulevard.
Completed:
Parking garage — the garage features 2,300 public parking spaces as well as 1,000 private spaces owned by Comstock. Parking is $4.85 weekdays; free on weekends. Reserved monthly parking is available. The parking garage also features a 200-space indoor bike room. Reserved bicycle parking is also available for $60 a year.
Retail space — there is a retail center on the plaza that is complete but has no tenants yet. It is currently being used for special events. There is also street-level retail on Reston Station Boulevard.
Under construction:
BLVD Apartments — the 450-unit luxury high rise is being built on the plaza. The first residents are expected to move in next year. Pricing information is not yet available.
To be built:
Office space: Comstock is planning for two office towers. One will be 375,000 square feet of office and 15,000 square feet of retail. The other will be 250,000 square feet of office and 15,000 square feet of retail. A third building is planned for office, retail and health club, size to be determined.
Hotel: A 200-room hotel is planned for the plaza. The current retail center will eventually be the hotel lobby.
While riders can access the new Wiehle-Reston East Metro stop from spots both South and North of the Dulles Toll Road, it would be wise to park only in the garage at Reston Station.
Anywhere else and you might be ticketed or towed. The South entrance is meant to be a pedestrian entrance.
Officials for Vornado, which owns several of the office buildings on the South side of the toll road off Commerce Park Drive and Association Drive, were busy on Wednesday installing signage and card gates to ensure the parking lots and garages remain for office park use only.
Metro riders who park in the office lots will receive a $25 ticket, Vornado says. Employees now have hangtags for their cars and key cards to get through the gates.
Not all of the lots in the complex have key card access as there needs to be visitor access for retailers and businesses. But there is plenty of signage reminding drivers that it is private property and violators can be towed.
A few blocks from Wiehle-Reston East, residents of one Reston neighborhood successfully petitioned the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last year to become a no-parking zone. A permit is now required to park on Great Meadow neighborhood off Sunrise Valley Drive just south of Wiehle Avenue. Violators risk having their vehicles towed and a $75 fine.
Wiehle-Reston East is the only one of the five Silver Line Phase 1 stations with parking. At Tysons Corner, where there is no parking, mall officials are also trying to ensure the mall’s 12,000 parking spaces remain for shoppers.
The mall is installing gates to keep early-morning commuters out of garages and lots, the Washington Business Journal reports. The gates will go up when the mall opens. Parking remains free.
There are 2,300 public parking spots at Wiehle-Reston East, as well as 1,000 private spots owned by developer Comstock. Weekday parking is $4.85 a day. Weekend parking is free.
There are also bus lanes, kiss-and-ride lanes and bike parking at Wiehle-Reston East.
More Silver line news:
Reston Now put out the call for your Silver Line questions on Monday. We have some answers for you. We regret we could not answer every question, but here are some basics to get you ready for Saturday’s Wiehle-Reston East Station opening.
How long until the first escalator is out of service?
Haha. Don’t know.
Will RIBS4 run directly to the Metro?
Yes, RIBS 4 will go to the station Mondays through Fridays. See additional Silver Line bus info on the Fairfax Connector website.
How will parking be on weekends?
Parking will be free on weekends and lots of spaces will likely be available.
How much is a round trip to the Smithsonian and Wheaton stops?
From Wiehle-Reston East to Smithsonian, it would be $11.80 peak/$7.20 non peak. To Wheaton, it will be the same fare. Calculate all fares on Silver Line Metro’s fare calculator.
Why the Sunday evening cutbacks on the 505? Currently you can catch a 505 to RTC as late as 11 pm. In the new schedule, your last bus will be at 9ish. Am I missing another option to get from Wiehle to RTC on a Sunday late night.
That’s a good question for Fairfax Connector, which will be holding an online chat Friday from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.
Will both pedestrian overpasses be open Saturday?
Yes, you will be able to access the station from the South and North sides of the Dulles Toll Road.
Where is the entrance to the parking structure?
There are two entrances, both off of Reston Station Boulevard. The first left (if coming from Wiehle Avenue) into the structure is the premium parking, which will eventually become parking just for Reston Station tenants. Go a few feet farther on Reston Station Boulevard and turn into the main garage entrance.
Will there be Zipcars?
At this time, no. Though at some point in the future there may be.
Is parking at the Wiehle Avenue station free on weekends just like other Metro stations?
Yes.
What will be the cheapest (non-work commuter) return fare to central Washington, and from what time would that be available?
It would cost $3.60 one-way to get to or from most D.C. stations during non-peak hours, which are weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m.; weekends until midnight.
Photo of Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station by JDAntos via Twitter
As Reston prepares to become a transit-oriented community, it is also preparing to for urban-style issues. Among them: The opportunity for crime.
Metro’s first five Silver Line stations, including Wiehle-Reston East, open on Saturday. Fairfax County Police
Chief Ed Roessler says that combining an increased population with urban-style gathering spots does increase the chances for crime. But it doesn’t mean it has to increase actual crime rates.
“The opportunity for crime is more prevalent when you open up a Metro station,” says Roessler. “What you see are breaking into cars late at night and more people traveling corridors from platform to garage and pedestrian pathways. That is what we are concerned about and we have taken action to prevent that.”
Roessler says FCPD has been planning for crime prevention around the new transit areas for many years — about as long as Metro’s five-year course of building the Silver Line.
The FCPD, boosted by additional funding from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to add nine positions to the department, created the Tysons Urban Team in 2013. The police department’s five-year strategic plan calls for a similar unit in Reston, says Roessler.
However, officers at all stations have been undergoing urban police training for much longer, the chief said. Reston Town Center has always had bike and foot patrols — two of the core urban policing strategies. Additional bike and foot patrols are also in place at Hunters Woods Village Center, and will be at the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station.
Crime around Metro stations is actually quite low in Virginia, says Metro. The transportation agency says there were 7.1 serious crimes per million riders overall in 2013, with far more in D.C. and parts of Maryland. The majority — 70 percent — were thefts, says Metro Police Chief Ron Pavlik. He said that the Virginia stations are some of the safest in the system.
“Typically, crime on Metro is reflective of crime rates in the surrounding communities,” he says. “We don’t see a lot of ‘Part I’ (violent) offenses in Virginia.”
Fairfax County saw a drop in every violent crime category in 2013. In the Reston District in 2013, there were 654 assaults (compared to 765 the previous year). There was a rise in robberies though, from 27 in 2012 to 37 in 2013.
Still, Metro’s 491 sworn officers are being prepared to prevent crime. The agency hired 26 officers and 15 civilian employees in advance of the Silver Line opening. Transit police have trained with county police. Reston District Station officers have also done safety seminars for students, said Lt. Ken Baine, Reston Assistant Commander.
Pavlik says riders will see a high police presence the first few weeks the Silver Line is open. But riders still need to be aware to stay safe. He offers these tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings. Put yourself close to other customers if you feel you are being followed.
- Put your cell phone away when not in use.
- If you see something, say something. You can text tips to Metro police dispatch at “MyMTPD” or 202-962-2121 or 911.
- Use the emergency call buttons located throughout each station. It will ring through to the station manager.
Reston’s future as a transit-oriented community officially gets started next week, when the first Silver Line Metro train departs from the Wiehle-Reston East station.
But for Restonians and other nearby residents, accessing the station is nearly important as the riding the trains. Visitors got a look on Saturday at where the bikes will go, where the buses will drop off and depart, and other logistics at a Fairfax County open house.
Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who was one of many local dignitaries who worked for many years to get rail to Reston, says the seven-level, 3,300-space garage and Comstock’s mixed-use development above it is a great example of a public-private partnership that will benefit the entire community.
The county and Comstock teamed to build the $90 million parking structure, which will feature a bicycle repair room, parking for 200 bikes and 10 bus bays. It is the only station on the five-stop, 11-mile Silver Line Phase 1 that features parking. Wiehle-Reston East will be the end of the Silver Line for at least five years, when Phase 2 will take passengers to Reston Parkway, Herndon, Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County.
Hudgins says she hopes residents will look at the many ways to access the Metro station.
“Yes, we are celebrating the garage,” she said prior to a ceremonial ribbon cutting. “But we want our neighbors to get out of their cars and get on Metro. “A lot of folks can ride their bikes here if they chose. We’ve improved bus services.”
Representatives from Fairfax Connector, Fairfax Advocates for Better Biking, Metro, Washington Flyer and other transportation-related groups were on hand to answer questions from potential Metro users. On the plaza above the garage, visitors could check out the construction of Comstock’s BLVD apartments.
Some of the open house visitors were making plans on how Metro will fit into their lives on a daily basis. Others said they plan to take it occasionally to get into D.C.
Bob Whiteman of Oak Hill said he moved to Reston in 1980, and even then his Realtor told him “a train to Dulles would be here in five years.”
“I believed [rail] would never happen,” he said. But now that he is two years from retirement, the federal employee said he will most likely stick to his usual commute.
“It is actually cheaper to carpool downtown and pay for parking,” he said.”But I will take Metro at some point, like during a snowstorm.”
Denver Lovett, a retiree who has lived in Reston since 1974, said he is looking forward to the convenience on a lot of levels.
“I won’t have to drive to the Vienna Metro at Nutley,” he said. “When my daughter comes to visit from New York, she can just ride Metro here from downtown. It is going to make the trip so much better. Hopefully traffic around the station won’t be too bad.”
The garage officially opens on Saturday, July 26, the same day as Silver Line trains start running. Parking at Wiehle-Reston East will be $4.85 a day; $65 a month for reserved parking. Spaces in the bike room will be $65 annually (with a $10 charge for the key fob). For more details, read this previous Reston Now story.
The countdown has begun to the July 26 opening of Metro’s Silver Line. Reston Now will bring you updates on what you need to know as Wiehle-Reston East prepares to open.
Saturday’s ribbon cutting and open house will feature a lineup of VIP speakers, including Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins; Gov. Terry McAuliffe; Rep. Gerry Connolly; Peter Rogoff, U.S. Under Secretary of Transportation; State Sen. Janet Howell; Del. Ken Plum; Del. Tom Rust; Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova; Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust.
The ribbon cutting takes place at 10 a.m. The open house will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can check out 3,300-space parking garage and dedicated bike room. For more details, read this previous Reston Now article.
Sunday, July 20 begins six days of simulated service, which will familiarize Metro employees and finalize train schedules under real-time conditions. Here is an overview from Fairfax County and Metro of how simulation trains will operate:
- Simulation trains will run between Wiehle-Reston East and Largo Town Center stations at all hours that the Metrorail system is open.
- Simulation trains will run every 6 minutes during rush hour and every 12 to 20 minutes during off-peak times, consistent with the schedule for Silver Line trains once the line opens.
- Simulation trains trains will not carry passengers to or from the five new Silver Line stations. However, passengers will be able to board these trains for travel between East Falls Church and Largo Town Center, in either direction, including all stops along the Orange and Blue lines in Downtown DC.
- Between July 20 and noon July 26, simulation trains will be labeled as Orange Line trains showing a destination of either East Falls Church or Largo Town Center.
- Westbound trains will offload any remaining passengers at East Falls Church and then continue to Wiehle-Reston East without passengers aboard.
The 11-mile rail extension officially opens when the first car will leave Wiehle-Reston East at noon on July 26. More details about opening day can be found in this previous Reston Now post.
Photo: Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (left) and Gov. Terry McAuliffe will be among the VIPs at Saturday’s open house at Wiehle-Reston East/Reston Now file photo
Metro’s Silver Line opens in 11 days, but before you can take the train you have to get to the train.
Fairfax County is holding an open house Saturday to show potential Metro riders their access and parking options.
There will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. The open house runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can tour the transportation center and talk to representatives from Metro, Dulles Corridor Rail Project and Fairfax Connector.
When Phase 1 of the Silver Line opens July 26, Wiehle-Reston East will be the only onsite parking garage at the five new Metro stations in Phase 1.
- 3,300 public parking spaces (eventually there will be fewer when office space at Reston Station is leased)
- 45 “Kiss and Ride” spaces
- 10 bus bays on the north side, 5 on the south
- A secure locker room for over 200 bicycles.
The garage was built as a public- private partnership by Comstock and Fairfax County. The county owns the commuter garage, and Metro will collect parking fees. The rates will be the same as at other Metro garages in the county:
- $4.85 per day
- $65 a month for reserved parking
- $75 a year for using the secure bike room. The $75 fee includes a one-time $15 registration fee and $60 for the first year’s annual membership.
The bike room is the first of its kind for Fairfax County. There will be both vertical and regular parking, as well as room for oversized bikes or bikes with trailers. It features two fully-equipped “fix-it” stations with pumps and tools and a work bench for bike repairs. Additional bike parking is also available for non-members.
The bus station at Wiehle-Reston East features 10 bus bays on the north side of the Toll Road, and five bus bays on the south side of the Toll Road. In addition to Fairfax Connector service, Washington Flyer will operate its Silver Line Express from the north side, and Loudoun County Transit will operate bus service from the south side.
A Connector Store is located on the north side bus platform, where passengers can purchase fare cards, speak to a customer service representative, and find maps, timetables and information.
The current commuter lot, Sunset Hills Interim Park and Ride, will permanently close at midnight on July 25. The 600-space lot at the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and Town Center Parkway was temporary parking while Wiehle was under construction.
Fairfax Connector has also changed its bus routes in order to serve the Silver Line. There will be 16 new routes, changes to 28 existing routes and five routes will be eliminated. The new routes go into effect July 26.
Also coming soon at Reston Station: BLVD apartments (currently under construction), as well as retail, restaurants, office space and a hotel. No tenants have been announced.
Photo: Bike room window at Reston Station garage
Now that the Silver Line is in the final stretch towards opening, Metro and Fairfax Connector want to familiarize residents with bus routes that will serve the stations.
The opening of Phase 1 Metro’s $2.9 billion rail extension that will run from East Falls Church to Reston’ Wiehle Avenue is more than six months behind schedule.
However, Metro officials said on Monday that fewer of 10 punch list items need to be completed. If that gets done promptly they will set an opening date early next week. That means the first Silver Line riders may be boarding as soon as July.
Wiehle-Reston East will be the end of the line until at least 2018, when Phase 2 is slated to be completed. In Phase 2, the rail will go to Reston Parkway, Herndon, Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun County.
Until that happens, Wiehle will be a busy hub. It is the only Phase 1 station with parking. More than 3,000 spaces are in the parking garage at the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and Wiehle Avenue. Parking will cost $4.75 a day. There is also parking for more than 200 bicycles.
Despite the parking, Metro and Fairfax County transportation officials are encouraging Metro users to take a bus to the station.
Things to know:
The Silver Line will be serviced by several bus providers. Metro bus will provide service to and from the McLean and Tysons Corner stations; Fairfax Connector will take riders to all five stations; Potomac and Rappahannocok Transportation Commission will provide service to the Tysons Corner station; and Loudoun County Transit will provide service to Spring Hill and Wiehle-Reston East stations.
Fairfax Connector has added new routes, made changes to existing routes and eliminated some routes in preparation for the Silver Line’s opening. To see if your route is affected and to see which bus route is most convenient for you, visit www.silverlinemetro.com.
Buses will also play a critical role in connecting riders to Dulles, said Jack Requa, Metro’s assistant general manager of bus services. Options to Dulles include the 5A bus from L’Enfant Plaza in D.C. (with stops at Roslyn and Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride); Fairfax Connector buses 981 and 983 will depart Wiehle-Reston East with stops at Herndon Park and Ride and the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Museum; and the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority will run the Washington Flyer Silver Line Express from Weihle-Reston East to Dulles.
Fairfax Connector routes 505, 981 and 983 will also go from Wiehle-Reston East to Reston Town Center. Buses that formerly carried passengers from Reston stops to Blue and Orange line stations will now go to Wiehle-Reston East. Visit Fairfax Connector’s website to see all area routes.
Want to reserve your place at Reston Station? You can now make reservations for dedicated parking spots.
As reported earlier on Reston Now, the seven-story garage adjacent to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will have reserved parking for both bicycles and cars.
Wiehle-Reston East will be the end of the Silver Line Phase I when it opens in 2014. The parking garage, a public-private partnership between Comstock and Fairfax County, will have space for about 3,000 cars.
The garage will also feature Fairfax County’s first enclosed, secure bicycle parking facility with a capacity for over 200 bicycles. There will also be unsecured (free) parking as well as a space reserved for a future bikesharing station.
In July, the Board of Supervisors approved various rates for garage, inclduing a $75 annual bike room membership. This includes a one-time fee of $15.00 (non-refundable) for the access key fob. But the early bird rate of $45 (or $75 for two years) is now available if you sign up by March 1.
Get more details and follow the registration link on the Fairfax County website.
The county, in partnership with LAZ Parking, is also now taking reservations for reserved auto parking for $65 a month. Visit this LAZ form to register.
Find out about additional premium parking options in this Reston Now article.
