Tall Oaks Redevelopment In Reston Still 6 Months From Breaking Ground: Hudgins

RESTON, VA — The Tall Oaks redevelopment project on North Shore Drive is at least six months away from groundbreaking even though the site plan has been accepted, Reston's representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors said recently.

A newsletter from Supervisor Cathy Hudgins titled "Hunter Mill Highlights" provides an update on the Tall Oaks development, which would aim to save the shopping center at 12000 North Shore Drive that has struggled with a vacancy rate of 86 percent.

"Supervisor Hudgins received notice from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services that the Site Plan for the Tall Oaks development has been accepted," the statement reads. "The Plan number is 009550-SP-003-1. It generally takes about 3-4 months for review if all of the stars align and then bonding process begins for the project. At the earliest, it will probably be about at least six months before the groundbreaking would actually occur."

Jefferson Apartment Group purchased the property in December 2014, pitching a plan to redevelop almost half the village center's 18 acres, which would include just the shopping center portion. The project would retain one existing retail building and one office building.

The rest of Reston has been thriving, but Tall Oaks has not. It has faced stiff competition from other village centers in Reston, including four competing grocery stores within four miles. Additionally, the center suffers from poor visibility off Wiehle Avenue.

Jefferson Apartment Group hopes that its plan to redevelop the space with 156 residential units, 8,584 square feet of retail and 5,809 square feet of office will make the shopping center relevant in the region once again.

Image via Reston Association