I knew Wiehle Avenue between Sunset and Sunrise was wide, but did you know there are 10 lanes across part of that stretch? Fortunately, a work group is conducting a study to improve this chaotic thoroughfare. Can it be transformed into an asset for the region?

In today’s Reston Insider:

• High Alert: Herndon in the era of potential nuclear fallout

• Concerts Galore: More outdoor concerts than you can shake a stick at

• Future is Bright: Wiehle Avenue Corridor Study: Progress and Potential for Reston Station

THE BIG IDEA

Wiehle Avenue Corridor Study: Progress and Potential for Reston Station

As Wiehle Avenue's future goes, so goes Reston Station's. Fortunately, Fairfax County is conducting a study of the Wiehle Avenue Corridor's future, and the future looks bright.

If they don’t screw it up!

I don’t say that to denigrate the good work of the volunteers and residents participating in what appears to be a very open and transparent process. I’m more concerned that as the plans become more concrete and the budgets constrained, we’ll end up with something that is a figment of what has been imagined.

In case you haven’t followed the study’s progress, there have been multiple public meetings. The first meeting was an educational session where participants were asked to break into eight workgroups and brainstorm the future vision for Wiehle Ave using a map. The best ideas were consolidated into three concepts that were presented to the public at a meeting on May 23, 2024. At that second meeting, participants were then asked to vote on their preferred concepts and alternative components. There will be a third meeting for the public in the Fall to present the preferred alternative with 3D renderings, preliminary costs, and schedule.

After reviewing the materials linked above, I have to say there are some very creative ideas. To fully grasp some of them, you have to imagine a day when the area is much denser than it is today, including a full buildout of the area between the Google and JW Marriott buildings through Michael Faraday Drive.

The ideas range from small but simple changes like improving crosswalks and intersection corners to grand ideas of tree-lined promenades, dedicated cycle tracks, and space for a farmers market and food trucks.

Of the three concepts, I like a blend of alternative two and alternative three. Alternative two includes a two-way separated cycle track on one side of the street, while alternative three has one-way cycling tracks on each side of the road. Also, alternative three includes a roundabout for road traffic at both Sunrise Valley Drive and Sunset Hills Road. I believe the roundabouts will be critical to the success of the project in so far as they will facilitate a constant flow of traffic without bottlenecking. This will make reducing the lanes of traffic to allow for bikes and pedestrians much more feasible.

Some of the concepts include on-street parking. This absolutely should not be an option. First of all, most suburban drivers can’t parallel park to save their lives, let alone all the bobbing and weaving it will cause for oncoming traffic.

I also noticed that all of the concepts are missing the proposed pedestrian tunnel or overpass on the south side of the Toll Road, which would take people from the soon-to-be-developed area to the East to the Metro. Hopefully, that will still be a requirement of the developer, and it should be included in the plan.

Ultimately, this is really good work by the county planners and the public. Let’s hope short-term thinking and insufficient budgeting don’t prevent a vibrant future for the Reston Station District and Reston as a whole.

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

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Happy Hour: Here’s a fairly comprehensive list of happy hours around Reston and Herndon.

I Scream, You Scream: People seem overly enthusiastic about the new Moo Thru ice cream shop coming to downtown Herndon. I’m not quite sure what the hype is all about but, maybe you have to experience it for yourself. The owners will also own and operate Old Town Coffee in a shared space with the shop.

Wiehle Ave. Reconsidered: Fairfax Now has a nice summary of the recent Wiehle Avenue Corridor Study meeting.

Straighten Up: Reston Hospital continues to expand as they’ve added a new Spine and Orthopedic Unit.

Herndon History: The Patch has an interesting account of what life was like in Herndon during the 1950s when the U.S. was concerned about a nuclear attack. Lots of interesting historical tidbits.

WHAT TO DO

🧵 Craft Fair: Shoot down Reston Parkway/Lawyers/West Ox to Fairfax Corner, where you’ll find 40+ local artisans showcasing their crafts. Saturday, June 8 at 11 am.

🏳️‍🌈 Herndon Pride: The Town of Herndon’s first-ever Pride Festival will be held on the Arts Herndon lawn on Saturday, June 8, from Noon to 5 p.m.

🍷 Bordeaux Wine Tasting: Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton hosts a special Bordeau-style wine tasting on Friday, June 7, at 6:30 pm. Head on over after work and see if you can taste the difference between their wines grown in Santa Barbara vs those grown here in Virginia.

🇰🇷 Korean Food Tour: It’s a great idea when you visit a foreign country to do a food tour to get a flavor of the local cuisine. How about doing the same in our own area? Virginialicious is hosting the Unlocked: Koreatown Food Tour in Annandale on June 8 at 2 pm.

👯Tay Tay Dance Party: Dance the night away with two hours of non-stop Taylor Swift music featuring DJ Swiftie at Capital One Hall, June 8, 7 pm.

🎤 Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight: “Godmother of Soul” Patti LaBelle and “Empress of Soul” Gladys Knight hold court with a pairing of showstopping performances at Wolf Trap June 8, 8 pm.

SUMMER CONCERTS

Take a Break Concerts: Modern R&B from the Jarreau Williams Experience. Thursday, June 6, 7 pm at Halley Rise.

Friday Night Live: High-energy party rock from Vertigo Red + Kat Atomic. Friday, June 7, 6:30 pm at Herndon Town Green.

Jazz Happy Hour with Darden & Friends: Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet. Friday, June 7, 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm at Reston Town Square Park (RTC).

Summerbration at Reston Station: Scott Kurt & Memphis 59. Friday, June 7, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm at Reston Station (parking is free with validation).

RTC: Reston Concerts on the Town: Hard Day’s Night (Beatles Tribute Band). Saturday, June 8, from 7:30 pm to 10 pm at the RTC Pavillion.

Sunday Art in the Park Concerts: Ellington’s Caravan: A Duke Ellington Tribute Band. Sunday, June 9, from 7 pm to 8 pm at Reston Town Square Park (RTC).

Sunset Concerts: World Music from Mystic Warriors. Wednesday, June 12, 7 pm at Lake Anne Plaza.

SAVE THE DATE

🏃‍♂️‍➡️ 5K and 1 Mile Race/Run: Get your fitness on with Dad at the Potomac River Running Run with Dad 5K and 1 Mile Run at South Lakes, Saturday, June 16.

🚴 Big event 2: Include a major event at some point in the future.

RESTON ASSOCIATION

Two Reston Pools Renovated and Re-Opened: It’s a slow news week at RA. Lake Thoreau Pool has reopened, and Shadowood is re-opening, too.

EVENTS | NOTABLE DATES

Movies in the Park: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 plays at the Lake Newport soccer field on Saturday, June 8, at 8 pm.

Shadowood Pool Grand Re-Opening: Celebrate the ribbon cutting and enjoy the extensive pool renovations on Saturday, June 15, from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm.

THANKS!

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