|
June 10, 2026
Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed June as Pride Month in Fairfax County.
This recognition matters. It publicly declares our commitment to inclusion, visibility, and respect, helping to create communities where everyone can feel safe, valued, and free to be themselves. Pride Month also raises awareness about the challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals still face, including discrimination, bullying, and unequal treatment.
| | |
At the state level, however, Virginia’s Constitution still contains language that bans same sex marriage, although it’s unconstitutional and unenforceable. Called the Marshall-Newman Amendment, voters passed this prohibition 20 years ago that defines marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman.
This ban remains in our state constitution despite marriage equality being the law of the land, thanks to the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in 2015 (Obergefell v. Hodges).
To change this situation, there’s a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot Nov. 3. If approved by voters, it would remove the ban, affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race, and require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law.
Advocacy and activism for equality make a difference, and Pride Month is an opportunity to champion inclusive laws and policies. However, it’s also a celebration.
While the annual Reston Pride festival isn’t taking place this year, there are many other local festivals and events happening, including:
-
Caboose Tavern Pride Color Run (June 15): Caboose Tavern in Vienna and the Trails & Ales Run Group are sponsoring this run. Be sure to wear white since the they will provide color-powder bottles to spray on during the run. Afterwards, enjoy special Pride-inspired drinks.
-
“Queerly Written: LGBTQ+ Author Panel” (June 16): Attend this discussion with award-nominated and award-winning queer authors at Reston Regional Library. They include Dominique Dickey, Susie Dumond, Steven Gellman, Salinee Goldenberg, Venessa Vida Kelley and Andrew Joseph White.
-
Herndon Pride (June 27): This third-annual festival returns on Saturday, June 27 from noon to 5 p.m. at Arts Herndon. It features live music, local vendors, activities, theatre, and a vibrant “Hands on Art” children’s arts space.
Of course, there’s also the Capital Pride parade and festival in D.C. on June 20-21, along with its many associated events and parties. And if you are going to Capital Pride, use Metro (and you might also end up on one of their Pride-themed trains and buses)!
Regards,
Walter
| |
- In the Community
- Reston Town Center North Town Hall June 16
- Lake Fairfax Business Center Redevelopment Open House June 22
- Land Use Meeting Update
- What's News in Vienna
- Events and Activities
| | |
It’s so much nicer now than when my son was playing Little League and travel ball (including double headers) at the fields next to this park. Go check it out.
What’s new?
🛝Zero Steps: A single-level design that connects all play areas seamlessly.
🛝 Poured-in-Place Surfacing: Enhanced safety and smooth rolling for strollers and wheelchairs.
🛝Accessibility: Fully accessible routes from the parking lot to both the playground and the lower diamond field.
🛝Universal Play: Modern, sensory-rich equipment designed for all ages and abilities!
| | From handcrafted cakes and freshly baked breads to expertly brewed coffee, this new café is a fantastic addition to our community. | | |
Reston Town Center North
Town Hall Meeting June 16
| | |
What’s happening: As the initial Reston Town Center North rezoning application gets ready to advance to the Planning Commission next month, I’m holding a town hall on the proposal on Tuesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center.
Inova’s development team, along with county staff, will provide an overview of the proposal, as well as answer questions. This meeting is your chance to learn more, get updates on this project since my town hall last year and understand what comes next.
Why it matters: If ultimately approved, this joint application by Inova and the Board of Supervisors will rezone this 47-acre site to show the locations of redesigned streets, a central green, and streetscapes throughout the property. Future rezoning applications will be required for the building-specific uses, including several new buildings: the Reston Regional Library, the Embry Rucker homeless shelter, the human services building, a Fairfax County Park Authority recreation center, an athletic field, a future elementary school, and — on property owned by Inova — housing and limited office, medical, and retail space.
| | Lake Fairfax Business Center Redevelopment Open House June 22 | | |
What’s happening: Come learn about the redevelopment proposal for Lake Fairfax Business Center at an open house on June 22 at 7 p.m. It will be held at the Homewood Suites, 1735 Business Center Drive, Reston, and developer EYA will be there to chat with you and answer your questions.
Redevelopment location: The office center sits north of Sunset Hills Road along the intersection with Business Center Drive, and the redevelopment would encompass 49-acres of the overall office park.
Today, this site is primarily developed with low-rise suburban office buildings from the 1980s and 90s plus surface parking lots. However, the site also includes a data center, Lifetime Fitness, Reston Montessori School and Homewood Suites, an extended-stay hotel. These buildings and businesses will remain with no plans to be redeveloped.
Why redevelop: Lake Fairfax Business Center is largely vacant, and this trend is expected to continue, according to EYA. About 65% of the office space at the redevelopment site sits vacant with several empty buildings that have no future leasing prospects: 1760, 1769, 1771 and 1761 Business Center Drive, along with the National Wildlife Federation headquarters at 11100 Wildlife Center Drive.
| Photo: One of the vacant offices at Lake Fairfax Business Center, 1771 Business Center Drive. | | |
Homes and apartments: EYA proposes to redevelop this office park into an up to 1.9 million square foot residential community. The proposal calls for creating:
- A seven-story apartment building with 385 units and limited ground floor retail
- Condos with 132 units across three buildings that will be five to six stories tall.
- Townhouses with 290 detached and 211 stacked units
- Retail and amenity space totaling 27,900 square feet
- Future public facility to be located on an approximately four-acre site on the northeast corner
To provide a compatible transition to the adjacent residential neighborhood to the southeast, building heights within the development would step down as they approach the Equestrian Park subdivision. The proposed apartment building would be located on the western portion of the property, and townhomes situated closer to Equestrian Park. These homes would be set back a minimum of 73 feet from the neighborhood, and these proposed single-family homes would be lower or no taller than the existing office building adjacent to the community.
| | |
Open space and parks: The redevelopment sets aside almost half of the site for open space with 4.59-acres devoted for parks. This includes a central park, 12 pocket parks, and three linear parks:
-
Central Green: Located at the heart of this project next to the future apartment building, this central park would be built around three existing mature trees, and include an expansive lawn, paths, shaded hardscape terrace, picnic areas, game areas and tables, playscape, hammock grove, and dog relief area.
-
Pocket Parks: There are 12 smaller parks proposed across the community, offering trees for shade, inclusive play features, seating, landscaping, and trail connections where possible.
-
Linear Parks: Three linear parks would include small gathering spaces or wellness stations with a “free flowing ‘plaza’ feel.”
| What’s next: In order to allow this proposed rezoning to move forward, the Comprehensive Plan first must be updated to allow residential development at Lake Fairfax Business Center. The Planning Commission will consider a Site-Specific Plan Amendment for the property on July 16, and the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold its public hearing on August 25. If the plan amendment is approved, the Planning Commission will consider the rezoning application on September 23. | | |
Reston Planning & Zoning June 15
To join this virtual meeting on Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m., click here. To participate by phone, call 571-429-5982 and enter meeting ID 693 626 456#.
Agenda:
Hunter Mill Land Use Committee June Meeting Canceled
The committee’s June meeting has been canceled because there are no applications on the agenda. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday July 21.
Questions? Comments? Email Mark Goldberg-Foss or call 703-478-5123.
| | |
Chillin’ on Church Returns Friday
Vienna’s favorite block party returns to Church Street on Friday, June 12 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Join your friends and neighbors for an evening of live music from The Mash Up, featuring pop, rock, and Motown hits. Come hungry and choose from several local food trucks and drink vendors (must have a valid ID to purchase alcohol).
Liberty Amendments Month Begins Saturday
Liberty Amendments Month returns this June with a month-long tribute to American freedom and the nation’s 250th anniversary. Festivities begin Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m. with a parade down Maple Avenue, ending at a Juneteenth festival at First Baptist Church. Check out the full event calendar for details on the July 2 fireworks, Naturalization Ceremony, author talks, and other events taking place June 13-July 8.
Celebrate Flag Day on Sunday
Attend the Colonial Faire and Ice Cream Social at the Freeman Store & Museum on Sunday, June 14, from noon to 4 p.m. You’ll celebrate Flag Day and America’s 250th anniversary while enjoying colonial games and crafts, children's military drills, wood carvers, gardening, and a visit from George and Martha Washington at 1 p.m. The afternoon concludes with an ice cream social beginning at 3 p.m.
| | Stay Informed and In Touch | |
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
| | | | |
