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On January 24, 2023, the Board of Supervisors accepted the Block J proffer for up to 60K feet of developable space for an arts center. Block J updates will be posted as the project moves forward.
The proposed arts center would be the result of a proffer from Boston Properties in the next phase of development at Reston Town Center (Block J). The proffer would provide a site for an arts center that houses a performing arts venue, as well as other arts-related amenities, that can be accommodated in 60,000 square feet.
Facilitated by architectural firm Grimm + Parker, an exploration of community expectations was carried out between February and April 2022 to determine the desired program of spaces in the arts center. Grimm + Parker used the information gathered to create concept options to consider. Following determination of the optimum program space elements, Grimm + Parker also provided rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) cost estimating to help inform the County’s response to the proffer opportunity.
See meeting information, presentation materials and related documents provided below.
Project Description
In July of 2018, the Board of Supervisors approved Proffer Condition Amendment and Development Plan Amendments PCA 86-C-119-07/DPA 86-C-119-03 and 86-C-121-08/DPA 86-C-121-05 and Planned Residential Community Application PCA 86-119-02. As part of this approval, a proffer identified Block J, located near the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and Town Center Parkway in Reston, as the potential location for a community-based arts center.
The goal of this feasibility study was to evaluate community needs and requirements and to initiate preliminary programming, conceptual design, and ROM cost estimates for the potential use of the Block J site for an approximately 60,000 square foot arts center. All feasibility study evaluations and determinations were completed prior to proffer-related deadlines in summer 2022.
Project Location
The Block J project site is located in the Hunter Mill Magisterial district, adjacent to Sunset Hills Road, in the southeastern corner of the proposed development site. Other potential site locations may also be assessed as development agreements evolve moving forward.
Overall development site shown
Project Phase
This feasibility study was conducted as a pre-design development stage task and was required to assess community needs and requirements for an arts center to be located on the Block J site.
Project Benefits
The Reston Arts Center feasibility study was conducted to identify and catalog community arts center needs and requirements through community and focus group meetings.
Using community input, the study provided preliminary programming, building and site concepts, and cost estimating that served as a basis for decision-making and assessment of the Block J arts center opportunity.
Feasibility study findings are also a benchmark for the evaluation of potential public private partnership opportunities for the project in the future.
Finally, the pre-design framework established under this feasibility study provides a foundation for Reston Arts Center design and construction tasks, as directed in the future.
Timeline
Feasibility study activities were conducted from January 2022 through mid- July 2022. Additional programming, design, and construction activities will move forward based on the feasibility study phase outcomes and county leadership direction. See Feasibility Study highlights and timeline below.
Community outreach meetings, initiated to understand community needs for a proposed arts venue in the Reston Town Center area, were held from February to April 2022. In addition, big picture design and rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimating efforts to determine the feasibility of the Boston Properties proffer option on the Block J site were completed in early June 2022.
On June 13, 2022, RCC Board of Governors held its Annual Public Hearing for Programs and Budget. This meeting included the Reston Arts Center Feasibility Study report to the community on program spaces and estimated cost.
On July 28, 2022, with the agreement of Boston Properties and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development extended the decision deadline for the Boston Properties’ Reston Art Center proffer option at Reston Town Center to January 31, 2023.
In October 2022 and November 2022, town hall meetings were conducted by Supervisor Alcorn’s office to further discuss the Reston Arts Center proffer option and its alternative.
On January 24, 2023, the Board of Supervisors accepted the Block J proffer for up to 60K feet of developable space for an arts center.
Community Outreach
February – April 2022
Preliminary Programming / Design Concepts / ROM Cost Estimating
April – June 2022
Community Reengagement / Proffer Determinations
June - July 2022
Building Design and Construction
To Be Determined *
* Based on feasibility study outcomes.
What to Expect
Block J updates will be posted as the project moves forward.
Project Cost and Funding Source
Estimated costs for the proposed arts center were determined as part of feasibility study evaluations.
Community Meetings were held as follows:
February 14, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
RCC Hunters Woods Community Room / Community Engagement Kickoff Meeting
In-person Meeting
February 28, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
RCC Hunters Woods Meeting Rooms 1-4 Focus Group – Performing Arts
In-person Meeting
March 14, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
RCC Hunters Woods Meeting Rooms 1-4 Focus Group – Visual Arts
In-person Meeting
March 28, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Focus Group – Arts Education; FCPS; Equity/Opportunity Neighborhood
Zoom Meeting
April 4, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Focus Group – General Wrap Up
Zoom Meeting
June 13, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
RCC Hunters Woods Community Room Delivery of Feasibility Study Results
In 2019, Reston Community Center undertook a comprehensive community survey conducted by the University of Virginia’s Center for Survey Research that included a set of questions about the potential for this arts venue as it related to Reston Community Center resources. The Power Point slides here represent a detailed discussion by UVa researcher Dr. Kara Fitzgibbons of the survey results and the related levels of statistical confidence in them. To see the full survey report, visit Reston Community Center Community Survey 2019 Report.
Following the onset of the pandemic in 2020, a SurveyMonkey set of questions was offered to the public to gauge whether views about Reston Community Center or the arts venue may have been dramatically altered by the experience of COVID-19. That SurveyMonkey obtained input from 267 respondents and the summary of results is also provided indicating that views continued to align with the 2019 Community Survey.
