Politics & Government

Is New Plan for Lake Anne On The Way?

Hudgins says she hopes to move forward in redevelopment process this spring.

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins says she hopes to have narrowed down the list of proposals for Lake Anne-area revitalization within the next 60 days.

Hudgins told the Reston Association Board of Directors at a planning session this week that there is not an ultimate solution for redevelopment yet.

"Hopefully, in the next 60 days, we will be able to move forward," Hudgins said. "The good news is we have some good opportunities."

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It has been over a year since Fairfax County released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Crescent Apartments near Lake Anne. 

Crescent is owned by Fairfax County and was acquired in 2006 as part of the goal of adding additional affordable housing units in the area. The 16-acre, 180-unit development was built in 1963.

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Developers have the option of proposing redevelopment of that parcel only, or opting for a "consolidated plan," which looks at redeveloping other nearby parcels around Reston's first village center.

Lake Anne's comprehensive plan, formulated in 2009, recommends developers consolidate the Lake Anne area, which the county looks at as five parcels: Crescent,  Lake Anne Plaza's parking lot, an office building and the area around the former Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  

Lake Anne Plaza itself will not undergo major redevelopment because it is a designated historic area.

Rick Thompson, president of the Lake Anne of Reston Condominum Association, which represents both residential and commercial owners at Lake Anne Plaza, says his group favors a consolidate redevelopment plan.

"We would absolutely like to see consolidation," he said. "That embodies the objectives of redevelopment and also the revitalization of Lake Anne."

Sources close to the process say that the county is leaning toward a consolidated plan - and that proposals have run the gamut from massive development to a "beautiful, transformative" vision for Lake Anne.

The sources said they favor one proposal that includes a boutique grocery store, an amphitheatre and multifamily housing on the Crescent property.

"That design is super-sensitive to the Plaza," they said. "It takes the curve of the village all the way up to Fellowship House.

the county said the timeline for redevelopment would look like this: Review of proposals and selection of potential development partners through the end of 2012.

Six months of negotiations and selection of the developer (or developers) though fall of 2013; an 18-month rezoning/planning commission/RestonAssociation/DRB process/Board of Supervisor hearings through the first quarter of 2015; a year-long site and building plan approval process though the first quarter of 2016; and construction potentially beginning towards the end of 2016.

To see a comprehensive report on Lake Anne, click here. 

 

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