Two Familiar Reston Spots Are Changing
If you use the Wiehle-Reston East Metro, you know the south side of the station has never felt like much of a destination. A new proposal could change that, replacing a large stretch of office property with homes, shops, parks, a brewery, a grocery store, and even a possible pedestrian tunnel under Wiehle Avenue. It is still early, but the scale of the plan makes this one worth watching closely.
For the weekend, I would start with KidsFest at Reston Town Center if you have children, especially with Touch-a-Truck, Mad Science, and the birds-of-prey presentation all on the schedule. Dog Paddle at Newbridge Pool is another very Reston way to close out summer, while RTC Connect RideFest is worth a look if you are curious about how getting around Reston could change in the years ahead.
Elsewhere this week, Lidl has finally been confirmed for the former Whole Foods space at Plaza America, and the local news roundup has several stories worth catching up on, including Reston Town Center office leasing, reopened trail bridges, Restaurant Week, and the Reston Community Players marking 60 years.
Feature Story
BIG CHANGES NEAR RESTON’S METRO
A major redevelopment proposed south of the Wiehle-Reston East Metro could turn a dated office complex into a much more walkable neighborhood. Plans include 540 homes, shops, a brewery, a grocery store, parks, easier Metro access, and even a possible pedestrian tunnel under Wiehle Avenue.
Around Town
LIDL REPLACES FORMER WHOLE FOODS
Lidl is officially coming to Plaza America, taking over the former Whole Foods space in Reston. There is no opening date yet, but the long-empty anchor space finally has a confirmed tenant and Reston is adding another international grocery name to the mix.
Quick Hits
IN OTHER NEWS
MetroStar is expanding its Reston headquarters, signing a lease for nearly 38,000 square feet at Reston Town Center ahead of its planned merger with a Tysons startup. The move will help push RTC’s office portfolio to a reported 99% occupancy, which is a pretty remarkable number in the current office market.
Reston Community Players is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a new four-show season at Reston Community Center. The group dates back to 1966, when Reston itself was barely out of the box, making it one of those local institutions that has basically grown up alongside the community.
Fairfax County officially recognized the Reston Multicultural Festival’s 25th anniversary ahead of its September 19 return to Reston Town Center. The festival started with an idea from two Reston residents and has grown into one of the community’s signature annual events, drawing thousands of people each year.
Two more pieces of Reston’s trail network are back in business after Reston Association completed replacements of Footbridges 60 and 64. The associated pathways have reopened, and the new bridges are designed to handle both everyday trail traffic and emergency or maintenance vehicles. Reston infrastructure news does not get much more Reston than footbridges.
Restaurant Week has reached our corner of Fairfax County, with Reston and Herndon restaurants participating in the regional summer promotion through August 30. Local participants include Wiseguy Pizza in Herndon and several Reston restaurants, giving you a perfectly reasonable excuse not to cook this week.
Some genuinely sad local wildlife news: both juvenile peregrine falcons born at Reston Town Center this year have died after separate collisions with buildings. The young falcons had attracted plenty of local attention after hatching atop an RTC building earlier this summer.
Curated Events
EVENTS IN RESTON, HERNDON, AND BEYOND
From commuting ideas and family fun to dogs in the pool and cornhole for a cause, Reston and Herndon have plenty going on this week. RTC Connect RideFest brings transportation exhibits, food, and music to Reston Town Center; Floris UMC hosts a budget-friendly bingo night; and Saturday is packed with KidsFest, Dog Paddle, the Community Cornhole Challenge, and a hands-on nature program at Walker Nature Center.
A Final Note
YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
“…a new pedestrian tunnel sounds genuinely exciting.”
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