Yes, Reston National Golf Course Will be Put Up for Sale, Investment Firm Says

RESTON, VA — An investment firm has confirmed to Patch that Reston National Golf Course will be put up for sale at some point, which could spark a new legal battle over the property that ended just a year ago.

Mark Anstine, executive managing director for land services at ARA Newmark, said in an email about the property's listing on their site: "I can only confirm that the property will be coming to market for an as is sale."

The date has yet to be determined, he said.

Connie Hartke of Rescue Reston promised a vigorous fight against anyone who tries to develop the golf course.

"We expect that potential bidders will do their due diligence with the County to understand the land use designation for this property, and the community opposition they will face in any attempt to change that designation," she told Patch in an email. "Prospective bidders might also want to familiarize themselves with the unusual zoning that we have in just 3 areas of Fairfax County, with Reston being the largest of these. These are PRC (Planned Residential Community) Districts and in the recent past this has caused some confusion for outsiders. These unique PRC Zoning Districts all have green open space integral to their design."

If the golf course is put up for sale, it's likely to lead to another legal battle and resistance from Reston locals. Two years ago, 49 protesters from Rescue Reston gathered in front of the offices of Northwestern Mutual to spell out the word "No" to demand they cease from trying to develop Reston National Golf Course.

It took a lengthy and expensive legal battle to get Northwestern Mutual to give up on the 168-acre golf course, which didn't happen until last March. But Rescue Reston is once again sounding the alarm that the golf course is being advertised as a prime investment opportunity for residential development.

Photo credit Jim Kirby