Reston | FFXnow - Part 279

Reston Association to develop new ‘criteria-based’ capital projects plan

Published May 22, 2024 at 3:30PM

Tennis player uses the Barton Hill courts in Reston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Reston Association is working to update its capital improvement plan (CIP), which will prioritize facility maintenance, renovation and development projects over the next five years.

In a shift from previous years, projects in the 2025-2029 CIP will be ranked based on criteria identified through the recently adopted strategic plan, last year’s community survey and other sources of feedback, including a study of the condition of existing amenities that started on April 22, staff told the Board of Directors at a work session on May 9.

Around Town

Reston’s Lake Thoreau pool to celebrate grand reopening with free snow cones

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 22, 2024 at 11:45AM

The newly renovated Lake Thoreau swimming pool in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reston will usher in Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer by celebrating the grand reopening of Lake Thoreau pool.

The swimming pool at 2040 Upper Lake Drive will welcome its first patrons since closing in 2020 for renovations with a party this Friday (May 24) from 4-7 p.m.

Countywide

Meals tax back on the menu as Fairfax County seeks new revenue options

By James Jarvis

Published May 22, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated July 31, 2024 at 10:39AM

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Jan. 23. 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County is once again chewing on the possibility of a meals tax — and this time, it won’t need a public vote for approval.

The Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 yesterday (Tuesday) to instruct County Executive Bryan Hill and his staff to develop strategies for broadening the county’s revenue sources as it seeks to reduce the growing tax burden on homeowners. One option could be a tax on food and drink sales.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 22, 2024 at 8:15AM

The student artwork "Vidustria" in Hyatt Park near Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Audit Identifies Metro Safety Issues — “Metro has deployed rail cars that failed operations tests and neglected to follow occupational safety guidelines, according to an audit the transit agency’s regulator released Tuesday. The audit…provides a damning portrait of Metro operations, though it doesn’t suggest the system poses a significant danger to riders.” [Washington Post]

Dulles Greenway Toll Hike Discouraged — “A State Corporation Commission senior hearing examiner recommends the agency deny a proposed toll hike on the Dulles Greenway that would increase the toll to $8.10 during peak hours.” A report found that the toll road operator hadn’t proven that the proposed increases “are reasonable to the user in relation to the benefit obtained.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Around Town

Free concerts and outdoor movies coming to Reston this summer

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 21, 2024 at 2:30PM

This summer's "Summerbration Fab Fridays" series at Reston Station will conclude with a silent dance party (courtesy Reston Community Center)

Reston has a busy summer of music and movies ahead that will include the revival of a dormant Lake Anne Plaza tradition, an expanded entertainment line-up at Reston Station, and the addition of the area’s newest neighborhood.

Halley Rise, which remains under construction, will host the Reston Community Center’s long-running “Take a Break” series — one of six planned for sites around Reston this year — outside The Edmund apartment building (2025 Fulton Place).

Countywide

Fairfax County explores options for reducing how much trash it burns

By Acacia James

Published May 21, 2024 at 1:30PM

A Fairfax County solid waste management truck at the I-66 Transfer Station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) is working to develop a new 20-year plan for managing solid waste.

The county produces roughly 1.2 million tons of trash every year, processing about 630,000 tons as municipal solid waste (MSW). Currently, about 43.9% of waste is diverted from incineration. However, the county adopted a Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) that set a goal of 90% diversion by 2040.

News

Police seek information on N. Va. cheerleading businessman charged with child porn

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 21, 2024 at 10:45AM

Jason Fragale, 38, of Leesburg and Kissimmee, Florida, faces 10 felony child porn charges (courtesy Florida Department of Law Enforcement)

Investigators have put out a call for additional information on a child pornography case involving a Leesburg man who ran a cheerleading business based in Reston.

The Virginia State Police says it has learned that, in addition to running The Crimson All-Star Cheerleading Club, Jason R. Fragale, 38, presented himself as a coach for USA Cheer and a “modeling” recruiter to young girls. During that period in late 2022 and spring 2023, he went by the alias “Jason Mariani.”

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published May 21, 2024 at 8:30AM

Strawberry Park at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Governor Vetoes Dozens of Bills — “Last week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed 48 more bills passed by the Democratic-led General Assembly, blocking legislation aimed at preserving contraception access, ending state perks for Confederate heritage groups and legalizing slot machine lookalikes known as skill games.” [Virginia Mercury]

Developer Buys McLean Hotel — “Hunter Hotel Advisors has arranged the sale of the Staybridge Suites Tysons-McLean. SAK Developers acquired the five-story property for an undisclosed price.” Hunter Hotel Advisors says the move will allow SAK to “further expand their D.C. Metro portfolio and capitalize on the unique location and dynamic demand centered around this hotel.” [Hotel Business]

Around Town

Grand opening of Kook Dogg Cafe in Reston postponed due to permit delays

By James Jarvis

Published May 20, 2024 at 2:30PM

Kook Dogg Cafe at RTC West (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Due to permit-related delays, Kook Dogg Cafe in Reston has postponed its grand opening but expects to open within the next few months.

“It’s kind of a waiting game,” co-owner Noel Kuchler told FFXnow. “[The permit] has gotten submitted, so we’re just waiting to get that approval from the county and then as soon as they approve that, then we can move forward and get going on the rest of everything.”

Countywide

Fairfax County reports decline in homelessness despite broader regional surge

By James Jarvis

Published May 20, 2024 at 1:30PM

A tent encampment has become a fixture of the woods near Sunrise Assisted Living in Reston (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County was the only locality in the D.C. area where homelessness declined last year, decreasing by 2% from 1,310 individuals to 1,278, according to a new report.

County officials stated in the report, which was published last week by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), that the decrease is primarily due to fewer families residing in shelters and temporary housing provided by the county.