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Plans for Reston Town Center North are moving forward, but completing the full redevelopment could take until the mid-2050s as Fairfax County and Inova Health System confront funding, land-transfer and maintenance questions.
At a June 23 community meeting, project representatives presented updated concepts for the central green, road network and public facilities planned for the roughly 47-acre site. The discussion focused on infrastructure and land use rather than individual building designs.
Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who represents the Hunter Mill District, said the meeting was intended to gather feedback about road locations and the appearance of the central green.
The redevelopment covers eight irregularly shaped parcels owned by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority and Inova Health Care Services. Plans call for an urban mixed-use district with 1,000 homes, up to 150,000 square feet of nonresidential space and several public facilities.
Those facilities would include a new Reston Regional Library, an expanded Embry Rucker Community Shelter, a relocated Health and Human Services building, a recreation center and other community amenities.
Land exchange is key to development
Tim Sampson, a land-use attorney representing Inova, said a proposed land swap would allow the county and Inova to consolidate and subdivide the property. Each organization could then take ownership of particular blocks and pursue separate development applications.
The exchange is considered necessary for projects such as the library and shelter to advance. During the presentation, however, one attendee challenged the suggestion that detailed design must wait for zoning and land-transfer approvals, arguing that design work could begin while those processes move forward.
The site’s history stretches back to the county’s first land acquisitions in the 1970s. The current challenge involves rearranging ownership and relocating the existing library and other facilities.
The land plan has received conceptual approval from the Reston Association and its Design Review Board. The library and shelter are expected to be the first projects developed, with work extending into 2030.
The planned Reston Regional Library carries an estimated $58 million cost and is primarily financed through Fairfax County bond issues and Economic Development Authority bond sales. Funding for the expanded shelter and its supportive housing is expected to combine bonds with other sources.
Block 5, which is currently owned by Inova, is planned as the future site of the shelter and a new Health and Human Services building now located on Block 1. Plans also call for an oversized parking structure that could serve later development and events.
Central green shaped by community survey
Susan England of LandDesign described a central green featuring a large lawn, plaza, playground, stormwater bioretention area and accessible walkways. The concept could also include public art, restrooms and electrical connections for events.
England said the design evolved through a community survey, stakeholder meetings, feedback from the Reston Association Design Review Board and work related to the Comprehensive Plan update. A September work session helped shape the proposal submitted in April.
The survey received 383 responses, with 88% of participants reporting that they lived or worked in Reston. Respondents emphasized outdoor respite, trees and shade, social activities and large organized events while also seeking quieter areas.
The wider plan includes pedestrian routes, dedicated bicycle lanes and parking. Questions remain about how the green will be governed and who will cover its long-term landscaping and maintenance expenses.
Residents question parking and long-term funding
During the question-and-answer session, residents raised concerns about the amount of parking and whether bicycle lanes would be adequately protected. One attendee warned that abundant parking could encourage more driving and undermine efforts to create a walkable, bike-friendly neighborhood.
Funding produced some of the meeting’s sharpest concerns. While money is identified for the library and shelter, attendees said there is no current bond funding for the proposed recreation center, athletic field or elementary school. The county’s bond calendar already extends beyond 2050.
That uncertainty prompted questions about whether three of the development’s eight blocks could remain vacant for decades. Although initial facilities may arrive much sooner, residents were told the broader project—including its housing, retail and school components—could take roughly 30 more years to fund and construct.
Attendees also asked who would pay to operate and maintain the central green. One resident cautioned that its landscaping and amenities would create continuing costs beyond the annual assessments already paid to the Reston Association.
The discussion remained professional as members of the 12-person project team answered questions, clarified details and supplemented one another’s presentations.
The eight-block site is bounded by Baron Cameron Avenue to the north, Fountain Drive to the east, Dominion Parkway to the south and Town Center Parkway to the west. Existing facilities nearby include Inova urgent care, Sunrise at Reston Town Center, the Reston Regional Library, the Embry Rucker Community Shelter and the North County Government Center, which houses the Reston District Police Station.
The property can be reached from the Dulles Toll Road, Fairfax County Parkway and Reston Parkway. The Reston Town Center Metro station is approximately one mile away, while the Wiehle-Reston East station is about two miles from the site.