I’ve been watching a lot of medical dramas lately, so I’ve got defibrillators on the brain, I guess. Hence, the metaphor in this week’s big idea is to shock Lake Anne off of life support. There’s good news to be had here but it may take a while. As always, let me know what you think!

In today’s Reston Insider:

• What to Do: Summer Beer Crawl

• People Movers: Will Dulles ever get rid of the People Movers?

• Heart of Reston: It’s on life support and needs a shock to get it moving.

THE BIG IDEA

The Heart & Soul of Reston - Lake Anne - is on Life Support

While the Reston Town Center is great and all, Lake Anne Village is the true heart of Reston.

Over the years, it has become the home of several major events that bring the whole community together, like the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, Reston Pride Festival, and Santa on the Lake.

In addition to the many public events, Lake Anne is home to the most vibrant Farmers Market in the region. Residents from across the area come to the market each Saturday to purchase local produce and visit the local craft fair. They often stay for brunch at the Lake Anne Coffee House or a beer and pretzel at the Lake Anne Brew House.

When you visit Lake Anne for the first time, you are often surprised to find one of the most unique places in the DMV. With the possible exception of Old Town Alexandria, where else would you find such a vibrant and welcoming community on the water?

But many who visit Washington Plaza (the main plaza adjacent to the lake - also known as Lake Anne Plaza) during a weekday or in “off-hours” will see the dinginess of the infrastructure and the starkness of the Brutalist architecture and may consider the community “dead.”

That’s why it’s time to get serious about investing in this historic location to resolve the long-term financial and structural issues that are keeping the community from realizing its potential in an ever-changing Reston.

One major barrier is the more than $37 million needed just to get the existing buildings up to a modern standard. That money has to come from somewhere, and it will be difficult to squeeze any more of that out of the existing unit owners who already pay monthly HOA fees between $700 and $1500.

Some will argue that the community's homeowners and business owners should pay the bill. After all, it’s their mismanagement that created this hole in the first place. While the condo association has a history of financial malfeasance, some aspects of Lake Anne Village benefit the public at large - and that fact shouldn’t be discounted.

The good news is that there is an awareness of the problem at the county level. In 2023, a consultant conducted a visionary exercise and presented some unique ideas that would clearly enhance the already unique environment. Now, the county is proposing to provide tax breaks to developers to help revitalize the area. Things are moving in the right direction, albeit slowly.

Lake Anne Village is for everyone in the community; it’s where we gather, celebrate, recreate, and chill. It is the heart and soul of Reston and deserves our collective attention.

What do you think? (Reply or leave a comment).

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

RTC North: See a map of the upcoming Reston Town Center North development, which will reshape the area currently known as Spectrum and include 10 acres of open space.

Lake Anne Revitalization: There’s a push to include the Lake Anne area in the County’s Economic Incentive Program, which would provide tax breaks to developers to help revitalize the area.

Work in Progress: Public art in progress at Lake Anne Elementary School.

People Movers Forever: Dulles Airport is about to undergo a $700 million expansion to become a major cargo shipping hub. They’re also planning to use $160 million to refurbish the dreaded people movers, saying, “They’re very efficient; they move a lot of people very quickly and very safely, so we like them. We think they’ll be around another 20 years or so.”

Most Expensive: Speaking of Dulles Airport, a report from FinanceBuzz confirms what we all felt: Dulles is the most expensive airport to fly from.

WHAT TO DO

🍺 Summer Beer Crawl: The coolest way to immerse yourself in the pubs and dining scene in Old Town Fairfax is the 2024 Old Town Fairfax Summer Crawl. Saturday, June 22, starting at Noon.

🕺 Dance Party: Dance the night away this Friday night at the Neon Night Dance Party With DJ Chord at Captial One Hall on June 21, 7 pm.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Brunch: Makers Union is hosting an Epic Drag Brunch in honor of Pride Month. It’s $40 for unlimited family style brunch with one morning and one afternoon show. Saturday, June 22.

🐝 Bee Festival: The Liberia House near downtown Manassas is hosting a Bee Festival that will include a costume parade, food trucks, a bluegrass band, a mead and beer garden, vendors, crafts, native plants, speakers, farm animals, games, crafts, education for native plants and pollinators, and more.

🦕 Summer Solstice at the Smithsonian: It’s Solstice Saturday at the Smithsonian where numerous museums will be open late with tons of cool programs for the whole family. Check it out in our nation’s capital.

⛵️ Clipper Ships: Head downtown to The Wharf to tour a Clipper Racing Yacht and learn more about the World Clipper Race that made a stop in D.C. for the weekend.

SAVE THE DATE

🧨 Lake Fairfax Fireworks: Spend your Independence Day at Lake Fairfax for food, family fun, and fireworks. Saturday, June 29, starting at Noon.

🧨 Herndon Fireworks: The Town of Herndon’s fireworks will be on Wednesday, July 4, beginning at 6:30 pm. Enjoy good food, entertainment, family games, and the fireworks start at 9:30 pm.

RESTON ASSOCIATION

Shaping Future Green Space: Reston Association sent a letter to Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn to express its desire to be involved in shaping the 10 acres of open space within the upcoming Reston Town Center North project.

EVENTS | NOTABLE DATES

Bird Walking: Beginning and expert birders are invited to search for birds in some of Reston's most beautiful natural areas. Walker Nature Center, June 23 at 7:30 am.

Marvelous Monarchs: Monarch butterflies are a delight to see and have fascinating life cycles. Discover where these insects live and how far they migrate for the winter. Learn how you can support monarchs and go for a walk to look for the plants they need to survive. Walker Nature Center, 2 pm, June 23.

Dog Paddle Registration: Registration opens for the popular Dog Paddle events, during which your dog is welcome to swim in one of the Reston pools at the end of the season. Registration opens at 8:30 am on June 24.

THANKS!

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