Sept. 7, 2022

Neighbors,

Last week, I provided some details about the Sept. 15 public hearing regarding the proposed affordable housing/library redevelopment of Bowman Towne Court in Reston. Here is additional information:

The Fairfax County Redevelopment & Housing Authority (FCRHA) is considering an unsolicited proposal by Foulger-Pratt, LLC for the redevelopment of property located at the intersection of Bowman Towne Drive and Town Center Parkway in Reston (as shown on the map). The proposed redevelopment would increase the quantity of residential units serving households with low-incomes and incorporate the construction of the Reston Regional Library. My statement on the unsolicited proposal from March 31, 2022

As required by the Virginia Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002, the FCRHA is holding a public hearing on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. on the proposed interim agreement with Foulger-Pratt, LLC. The meeting will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Conference Room 11. 

• Written comments may be submitted by email on or before Sept. 14 to Marwan.Mahmoud@fairfaxcounty.gov. 
• Residents wishing to speak are encouraged to contact Avis Wiley at 703-246-5152, TTY 711, or by email at Avis.Wiley@fairfaxcounty.gov  
• Additional information or questions about the public hearing may be directed to Marwan Mahmoud at 703-246-5017, TTY 711.

The unsolicited proposal aims to redevelop an existing 2.89-acre property owned by FCRHA with new affordable multifamily units for working families, a new Reston Regional Library, and free parking for residents, visitors and library users. It will also include additional affordable housing located on the surface parking lot used currently by Reston Police District Station officers and staff, as well as a new secure multilevel garage for police use. 

As many as 400 new affordable units are proposed under this project. Once FCRHA completes their procurement under the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (PPEA) – a future step after an interim agreement is finalized and after community feedback during the interim agreement period is collected and considered – the proposal will be reviewed under necessary zoning and land use approvals. Partial funding for a new regional library was approved by voters in a bond referendum in 2012. This project would help finance the necessary additional funds for constructing a new regional library while keeping the existing one open for the community. 

This public hearing on the interim agreement for the potential redevelopment of Bowman Towne Court is the first of many such public engagement opportunities. The Interim Agreement provides that Foulger-Pratt will work in close coordination with the FCRHA and my office to develop a comprehensive community outreach program to engage stakeholders including, but not limited to, Bowman Towne Court residents, residents of surrounding neighborhoods, Reston Association, Reston Towne Center Association, Reston Town Center North Public Facilities Community Task Force, Reston Planning and Zoning, and the Reston Design Review Board (this is the proposed list in the draft interim agreement). It is expected that these sessions will include both virtual and in-person meetings. These meetings will begin prior to filing a zoning application and continue through the land use approvals process. Community engagement details will be provided in future editions of this newsletter as information becomes available. I will be listening so if you have something to say please do so.

If you have questions regarding the proposal, please contact my office at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

Regards,

Walter

COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccinations

The Virginia Department of Health announced today that effective immediately, eligible residents of Virginia are able to schedule appointments with healthcare providers to receive the new, free COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccinations, manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The new updated boosters are targeted specifically at the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the Omicron variant that initially emerged in the U.S. last November. Information on how to receive this booster vaccination from the Fairfax County Department of Health can be found here. 

• Community Levels By County
• Fairfax County COVID-19 Data Dashboard

Yesterday, ArtsFairfax, the nonprofit designated as Fairfax County’s local arts agency announced over $400,000 in operating support grants to 44 nonprofit arts and culture organizations. We are very lucky to have so many engaged arts organizations in Hunter Mill District – 9 of the 44! – who contribute to our quality of life! Congratulations to the Hunter Mill grant recipients. Learn more.

The Pitch and Pilot: Fairfax County Innovation Challenge is seeking teams to produce high-impact solutions to address carbon neutrality and clean energy in Fairfax County. The goal of the challenge is to find, and ultimately pilot, innovative solutions that improve energy efficiency, increase the use of renewable electricity, or accelerate the use of electric vehicles. All teams—from college students and start-ups to entrepreneurs and technologists—are welcome to apply.  

A panel of smart city experts will assess each entry based on:

• Significance of innovation
• Regional impact
• Practicality and scalability
• Equity and inclusivity of solution

The winning team will have an opportunity to pilot their solution in the county. 

The pilot opens with a team Q & A session on Sept. 15 and closes on Oct.

19 with a live pitch event. More information and registration can be found at

https://www.smartcityworks.org/fairfax-challenge-oct-2022/. Questions? Email Fairfaxinnovates@gmail.com 

Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Update and Upcoming Meetings

We began our community outreach efforts today with a media briefing for our local reporters. Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development (DPD) staff presented an overview of the study recommendations. You can watch the briefing here.

Below is the schedule to date of community meetings for public input, which will be hosted by DPD and county staff. The Task Force members are encouraged to be on hand to hear community input and answer questions. Learn more. 

Community Meeting (Transportation Focus)

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 5 p.m.

Virtual WebEx Meeting

Community Meeting (Economic and Social Development Focus)

Thursday, Sept. 15, 5 p.m.

Virtual WebEx Meeting

In-Person Community Meeting (Nonprofits and Community Organizations Focus)

Thursday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m.

Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate, 12125 Pinecrest Road,

Reston

Lunch & Learn

Friday, Sept. 23, Noon

Virtual WebEx Meeting

In-Person Community Meeting (Young Professional/Civic Leaders Focus)

Tuesday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m.

Venue TBD

Lunch & Learn

Wednesday, Sept. 28, Noon

Virtual WebEx Meeting

All of these meetings are public and I encourage every Reston resident to attend at least one. Additional meetings may be scheduled. Your best reference for the comprehensive plan study is the county's Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. 

Residents may also provide written input or ask questions through Oct. 28 here. Your input is critical in helping the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors make informed decisions regarding this comprehensive plan that will impact Restonians for decades.  

If you have a group that would like a presentation and the opportunity to provide feedback during the community outreach phase, please email my office at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

Metrorail Ridership Survey 

Metrorail customers are being asked to complete ridership surveys that will help ensure future policy decisions reflect transit needs. Metro staff in yellow vests will be handing surveys out at various stations across the system, which will be collected from drop boxes at stations through November. Surveys can also be completed online via a web address or QR code on the printed surveys, which are unique to each individual survey. As a member of the County Board of Supervisors and as an alternate director on the WMATA board, I really want to hear from you. Learn more. 

Vienna Celebrates the Opening of New Police Station

Last Friday, Sept. 2, I had the honor of attending the ceremony celebrating the opening of the town's new police station. There was a great turnout, including many neighbors, the mayor, town council members, my colleague, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, and Sheriff Stacey Kincaid. Located at 215 Center St. South, the new $14 million facility features upgraded technology, security measures and a large community room. Learn more.

Photo credit: Town of Vienna

Fairfax County Deer Management Archery Program runs Sept. 10 through Feb. 18

Under the oversight of the Fairfax County Police Department, in collaboration with the Fairfax County Park Authority, NOVA Parks, and other public landholders, the deer management archery program is conducted in parks and other locations countywide. The archery program began more than a decade ago and is part of an integrated deer management program to reduce and stabilize the white-tailed deer population in efforts to minimize safety and health hazards and other impacts related to an overabundance of deer. These impacts include deer-vehicle collisions, potential spread of diseases, and environmental damage attributed to deer that can impact the ecosystem. Learn more. 

Hey Look! You Can Borrow Binoculars From the Library

Whether you're planning a hike, birdwatching, or attending a football game, you now have the opportunity to bring along binoculars from your Fairfax County Library branch.

• Binoculars may be borrowed for two weeks. They are renewable, if there is no wait list.
• Kits may be placed on hold for pickup at any branch.
• There are no fines for late returns on this item.

Learn more.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept.15 to Oct. 15

The Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with events at several of our our county community centers. These events will pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our country. Learn more.

Caregiver Support Group

The Fairfax County Adult Day Health Centers staff invites you to join their family caregiver support group on Tuesday, Sept. 20,10:30 a.m. to noon. The topic will be on Sleep Challenges. If you wish to attend, join the Zoom meeting here: vdh.zoom.us/j/3222872381