Reston and Herndon won’t slow down
Another data center is moving forward in Herndon, and it’s close enough to the new Skyview High School to make the location worth a closer look. The property has long been planned for industrial use, but the school is new, and that changes how some residents may think about the site. We took a closer look at what has been approved, what is already operating nearby, and why this part of Herndon is becoming part of the larger Northern Virginia data center conversation.
For the weekend, I would put Dog Paddle at North Hills Pool near the top of the list. It is one of those very Reston end-of-summer traditions, and watching the dogs take over the pool is hard to beat. Beer in the Garden at Halley Rise is another good Saturday option if you want something more relaxed, while Friday evening’s Bats of Reston program at Walker Nature Center is a particularly good pick for families who want to get outside without doing the usual festival circuit.
Elsewhere this week, we are tracking more change along Association Drive and at Halley Rise, the upcoming court fight over Herndon’s downtown redevelopment site, and Carfax getting closer to bringing hundreds of employees to Reston Station. We also have the story of two Reston cats that need a temporary home while their owner is deployed, plus a local roofer worth knowing after a particularly rough storm season.
Feature Story
ANOTHER DATA CENTER IN HERNDON
Another data center has been approved in Herndon, this time less than a mile from the new Skyview High School. The site has long been planned for industrial use, but its proximity to nearby schools adds a new layer to the ongoing local debate over data centers, power demand, noise, and where these facilities belong.
Around Town
FINDING A TRUSTED RESTON ROOFER
Storm season has been rough around Reston and Herndon, and when shingles start landing in the yard, the hardest part is often figuring out who to trust. We called a longtime Reston roofer we had already used before, and the whole experience was a good reminder that having a reliable local contractor in your back pocket can save a lot of stress when something goes wrong.
Quick Hits
IN OTHER NEWS
Another piece of Reston’s aging office landscape could be on the way out. Toll Brothers has filed plans to replace the office building at 1902 Association Drive with 54 four-story townhomes, along with two small parks and a natural playground. The proposal is the latest sign of change along Association Drive, an area the county has already identified for a gradual shift away from older office uses.
The plans for Halley Rise are changing again. New filings would move more housing closer to the Reston Town Center Metro station, shift office space farther south and redesign the project’s main public green. The overall size of the approved development is not increasing, but the mix and placement of what gets built could look noticeably different from earlier versions.
One of Herndon’s longest-running downtown disputes is finally headed to court. A three-day trial between the Town of Herndon and Comstock is scheduled to begin September 14 over the five-acre property at 770 Elden Street. The town is seeking the return of the site after the planned downtown redevelopment stalled, putting one of Herndon’s most prominent properties back in the spotlight.
Reston National Golf Course is heading back into the local conversation. A community meetup is planned for October 15 at Founding Farmers Reston Station, with a project presentation, Q&A and help for residents interested in preparing public testimony. The golf course has been at the center of a long-running debate over redevelopment, preservation and what should happen to the property in the years ahead.
Two Reston cats need a temporary home while their owner is deployed overseas. Oliver and Princess Peach need to stay together from October 15 through April 20, and a local foster is being sought for the six-month stretch. It is a small story compared with some of the development news around town, but it is also the kind of thing where one local reader could make a very real difference.
Reston Station could soon see a noticeable bump in weekday traffic. Carfax has filed for occupancy at its new headquarters, clearing another hurdle toward bringing roughly 450 employees from Centreville to the Wiehle-Reston East area. The move would fill the remaining office space in the tower that is already home to companies including Google and Spotify.
Curated Events
EVENTS IN RESTON, HERNDON, AND BEYOND
There’s plenty happening around Reston and Herndon this week, with a mix of quirky, outdoorsy, and community-focused events. You can try beginner square dancing in Herndon, learn about local bats at Walker Nature Center, or make Saturday all about dogs with the Basset Hound Rescue Fall Festival and Reston’s Dog Paddle. If you’d rather slow things down, Beer in the Garden at Halley Rise offers a relaxed afternoon of food, drinks, crafts, and lawn games, while Sunday brings a bird walk along Buttermilk Creek and an artist reception at Lake Anne. The week wraps with a free screening of Maudieat Reston Community Center—so whether you’re into nature, art, dogs, dancing, or just getting out of the house, there’s something local worth checking out.
A Final Note
YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
“…you can identify which village center someone means before they finish the sentence.”
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