Reston founder Robert Simon gives Maya Deutchman a hug after she hands him a proclamation from President Obama. Photo by Reena Singh.
Reston has gone through historic changes in the past year.
2014 brought Phase One of the Metro’s Silver Line and community input to redevelop all of Robert’s Simon’s village center visions on the 50th anniversary of his namesake.
“It was a proud day on July 26 when the first Silver Line Metrorail train pulled into the Wiehle Station loaded with regional partners,” said Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins. “And, it continues to bring not only excitement, but great, needed service to Tysons, Reston and the Dulles Corridor.”
The ribbon cutting, which brought both state and national officials to Reston, came after much fanfare from the community for more than a decade.
“We are committed to unlocking the region,” said Gov. Terry McAuliffe before the ribbon cutting. “That’s why we’ve been so involved with making sure this comes to fruition.”
It was Hudgins, however, that noted how long the community has been waiting for Metro to arrive. She said when she moved to Reston nearly 50 years ago, her family was told that the Metro line would eventually run to Reston. Soon, it will be out past the Dulles Corridor into Loudoun County.
“Construction on Silver Line Phase 2 has begun and we look forward to the continuing increase in transit use,” she said.
Reston Association president said there is still work to be done in order to make Metro better serve the community.
“I think the opening brought a lot less angst than predicted, but there are still a lot of improvements that are yet to be done,” he said. “New development brings a word called change, and change can be a good thing or a bad thing.”
AMONG THE OTHER CHANGES in the community are Phase II of Reston’s Master Plan, which includes the revitalization of the village centers. During the last several months, Fairfax County Planning and Zoning representatives have met with citizens to find out what they want their village centers to look like.
“The major factor in all of this is speed,” said founder Robert Simon. “Everything takes much longer than it used to. What you get now is an eight to 10 year gap, like with Lake Anne, for example.”
Knueven said the Reston Association's relationship with the county and the community helps to make sure the residents’ voices are heard during those early morning meetings.
Master Plan Phase II does not include Lake Anne - Simon’s first village center. The community is getting its own revitalization completely separately from the others.
The community had the opportunity to have their voices heard during the various town Planning and Zoning meetings with Lake Anne Development Partners, LLC. Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the county comprehensive plan in favor of Lake Anne Development Partner’s plans.
“The development proposes to include a combination of multi-family buildings, single-family attached dwelling units in a crescent pattern, affordable housing, active adult and restricted housing, additional commercial/retail development and a proposed boutique grocery store,” said Hudgins.
RESTON- also known as Robert E. Simon’s town - celebrated its 50th anniversary the same year the founder turned 100. The historic Founder’s Day brought county and state-level officials to Lake Anne Village Center where it all started.
“For me and for my family, this is very special in that we landed here by accident in 1969,” said Hudgins during the event. “In 1969, things were vastly different in the country and the world, and we found that we were lucky to be able to find a place we could raise a family, we could create friends, we could give back, and do what everyone thought was the most important part of being a community.”