The Lake House, in a photo from last winter, was purchased in July 2015 for $2.6 million, and has been an ongoing source of controversy. Photo by Ken Moore.
Reston Association members will vote on whether to purchase the 3.47 acre Tetra property located at 11450 Baron Cameron Ave. for $2.65 million.
The referendum will take place from April 13 to May 8, 2015.
“This building has many potential buyers, not just us. As it stands today, any buyer can refurbish it,” said Reston Association President Ken Knueven at February's public hearing.
The property, which sits between RA's Lake Newport Tennis Court complex and part of the RA’s Brown Chapel Park, would create a continuous band of 98 acres of common area property or parkland.
“We're not going to have too many opportunities to purchase green space,” said Board member Jeff Thomas.
The Reston Association’s Board of Directors held a public hearing last week and in February to gather feedback on Reston Association’s referendum question concerning purchasing the property.
The Tetra property was originally built by the Reston Land Corporation to serve as the Reston Visitor Center.
"By keeping the existing building footprint and reconfiguring the building’s interior, RA would have the ability to provide a venue for instructional, art, health and wellness programs and events," according to Ken Knueven, Board President.
Larry Butler, Senior Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources presented possible revenue sources and uses for the property, including after-school programming, holiday and break camp for Reston youth, extended child care for camp, general programming for children, families and seniors, instructional and educational programming, community and corporate rentals.
"One thing we think would be really attractive about this site is rental opportunities," said Butler, including weddings and celebrations especially during May and June and September and October and corporate and community rentals.
If members approve the referendum, the Reston Association has agreed to purchase the property by July 2015.
Currently, the Fairfax land designation for this parcel is “convenience center.” This designation envisions that the property will be developed to a mix of convenience, retail, office and personal service uses. The property is zoned to allow office space, with the option to expand the space into a two-story building, with an approximately 6,930-square-foot restaurant, having a footprint that could extend 50 feet into Lake Newport.
Kneuven argues that buying the property would: help protect against over development; increase and enhance greenspace; and enable RA to increase community recreational use opportunities.
Call 703-435-6570 or visit the website at www.reston.org.