The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a land use change to allow the Reston Community Center to be included in the redevelopment of the Crescent Apartments.

Their action on Tuesday increases the non-residential uses at the Crescent site from 2,000 to 30,000 square feet in the Comprehensive Plan. With this change, the center now has the option to create a new, larger facility across the street from its current location on Lake Anne Plaza. 

“This is a really important piece of property,” said Supervisor Walter Alcorn. “This is a really important project, and I think it has the potential to really add to Lake Anne.”

Alcorn initiated this plan amendment in May following his motion at the beginning of the year to launch the redevelopment of the Crescent Apartments. 

Future Community Center Size and Scope an Open Question

However, the size and scope of a future community center remain undetermined and discussions are ongoing including how the center will absorb the cost for the project, Alcorn said during Tuesday’s public hearing.

“There is a question of the real issue that I think still needs to be figured out [that] relates to financing of the new community center that would be on this property,” he said. “The size of the center, of course, is related to how much it's going to cost. Those are issues that are ongoing.”

Center officials say a new larger facility is needed because they have outgrown their current space at Lake Anne Plaza, according to a presentation they gave at a June community meeting. A larger, modern facility would satisfy growing demand for the center’s programs and alleviate long waitlists for popular classes like pottery.

Maintaining a Presence at Lake Anne

As the center considers a move, Alcorn asked its leaders to plan for a continued presence at Lake Anne. 

“Frankly, I consider what RCC’s activities are is critical to the revitalization of Lake Anne and the maintenance of Lake Anne as a wonderful place to be for lots of reasons,” he said. “So, RCC is very much a part of that.”

The adopted plan amendment also emphasizes the need for a connection between the Crescent property, which is called Land Unit D in the plan, and Lake Anne Plaza. The new areawide guidance that was added state that "non-residential uses and civic uses located on Land Unit D must be located and designed to sustain a strong functional relationship with the core Lake Anne area with clear and direct pedestrian connections."

Other Community Serving Uses Possible

In addition to accommodating a future community center, the Comprehensive Plan’s increase in allowable non-residential development opens the door for other possible community-serving uses.

“I've heard from folks in the community about the need for additional childcare in the immediate area,” Alcorn said. “There may be some other things that this 30,000 square feet could be used for.”

He asked the county’s housing authority to explore these other uses that could be a valuable addition to the redevelopment project.

Crescent Apartments Redevelopment Proceeding

While redevelopment plans aren’t in place yet, the county’s housing department is developing a solicitation to find a partner to rebuild the apartments located at 1527 Cameron Crescent Drive. This process began with two community meetings held with the complex’s residents to identify their priorities and needs.

The five aging apartment buildings provide 181-affordable housing units — but the nearly 60-year-old buildings now require extensive renovations or replacement.

“It was mentioned, I think, by staff and the initial report that these units were built in 1967,” Alcorn said. “I was born in 1966, and I can vouch that it's probably time for these units to be rebuilt. I know that age. The folks living in these apartments have made it be known to me and many others in the community the need for improvements.” 

The redevelopment would build more affordable housing — with a goal to double the number of existing affordable units — along with market-rate units on the almost 16.5-acre site.

Under the existing Comprehensive Plan, the site may be redeveloped (without consolidation) with up to 750 multifamily units.

During the public hearing, two residents raised concerns about the traffic impacts from this redevelopment, including possible access to Baron Cameron Avenue.

Alcorn acknowledged that this issue should be evaluated as rezoning plans are worked on by the county and development partner.

“The next step would be a proposal or a procurement process that would be operated by the Redevelopment and Housing Authority,” Alcorn said. “At some point probably after that procurement process, I would ask that RHA and whomever its partner ends up being, work with the community on some of the design details, some of which have been raised tonight.”