Lake Anne Developer Offering Nearly $500K in Reston Improvements as Part of Land-Swap Deal

Republic Land Development is offering Reston Association close to $500,000 in developer proffers as part of a land swap deal related to redeveloping Crescent Apartments and the area near Lake Anne Plaza.  

Republic - which has developed projects such as Washington Harbour in Georgetown - was chosen by Fairfax County in July to redevelop the hillside site that currently houses the 16-acre Crescent Apartments.

In September,  the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an interim agreement with Republic, paving the way for the process of county planning, Reston Association Design Review Board and other land use necessities necessary for the project,

The interim agreement's specifics make replacing the 181 affordable housing units at Crescent and using the parking lot of the current Lake Anne Plaza high priorities.

In order to build a planned parking garage, though, Republic needs a parcel of land currently owned by RA. At its regular board meeting Thursday, the RA Board will also hold a public hearing on the land swap.

Reston Association documents state that Republic is offering the following improvements to the deal:

1. Landscaped areas around the proposed parking facility at Lake Anne Plaza.

2. Various connecting pathways through the Crescent Property to connect the expanded Village Center to the existing Green & Blue Trail systems

3. Water features, public art, pocket parks

4. Install light fixtures on the new pathways within the Crescent Property and up to 10 in adjoining areas

5. Cost share (50 percent ) of scheduled Reston Association Capital/Repair  Replacement Projects (Republic's share shown in 2014 dollars) 

* Lake Anne Park Tennis Color Coat (2016) - $5,258
*Lake Anne Park Parking Lot (2018) - $5,372
* Brown’s Chapel Multi-Purpose Lot (2021) $25,872
* Lake Anne Park Tot Lot (2023) $9,986
* Lake Anne Dredging (up to $200K) (2025)  $200,000

Other cost estimates for projects above: Clean-up and improvements to remove invasive species ($15,000); Replanting/reforestation ($10,000); Channel Stabilization ($150,000); Relocate certain Holly trees (10) ($12,500); 10 light fixtures – Brown’s Chapel or Lake Anne Elementary area ($52,920).

RA owns a 1.014 acre parcel of land located between North Shore Drive, Chimney House Drive and the existing parking lots at the Lake Anne Village Center.  The land is currently zoned for General Combination Development and its use is currently forested open space.

RA says the property would be used for part of an expanded parking facility. 

In return - and in addition to the proffers - Republic would convey to RA a portion (1.10 acres) of the “Crescent Property” along Baron Cameron Avenue. Republic says it will clear invasive plants, debris and waste, as well as replanted to encourage reforestation of native species.

The developers also said that if necessary, and if environmental studies warrant, they would also prepare and implement a channel stabilization program to minimize erosion and reduce sediment inputs to Lake Anne and relocate many trees from the RA land.

The potential land deal has met with mixed views from Reston Association members. Click here to see some of the previous comments on both sides of the issue.