On February 29, the owners of the Sheraton Reston, Sheraton Premier and Sheraton National shared with Reston their vision for the future of their local property. Arltec would be the first original owner of an aging Reston commercial center to invest substantially in its redevelopment. Their Leap Day presentation reaffirmed four enduring principles of commercial development.
No good deed shall go unpunished. As if driven to prove the principle anew, Arltec gave the community a sneak preview of some ideas for improving their landmark Reston property. By the end of their presentation, the big question was "What's the difference between Arltec and a fire plug at the dog pound?"
Every improvement is detrimental. The owners propose mixed-use improvements for the property - it'll end up primarily a conference center, but one where people can also live, work, shop and play. Imagine the harm that will bring to the community. Everyone found something dire in its consequences. Not even one neighbor suggested that a $100 million investment might be good for the 'hood.
You can't do anything until you do everything. Before the meeting, Arltec didn't understand they were responsible for every commercial site in Reston, but they learned a few things that night. No commercial property may be improved until every other commercial property has been improved and the effects are known. Until Arltec presents a final plan for Lake Anne, Hunters Woods, Plaza America, Spectrum, Town Center, and that Mobil mystery tract at Reston & Sunrise, the plan to improve the Sheraton is DOA.
No matter where you are in the process, it's too late to change the outcome. The process of measuring Arltec's proposals against the county's planning and zoning template will begin later this year. How surprising to hear at the meeting that the community was being brought in far too late to influence the juggernaut. Witness: there's already been an article in Washington Business Journal, and Arltec's architects have already colored in their sketches. There's nothing more to do but cut the ribbon.
Where do we go from here? The next step is obvious to the rest of us, but probably not to Arltec. After all, if they're oblivious to the four principles, they can't be expected to know the one way to make everyone happy: sell the place to Teachers.
of their presentation, the big question was "What's the difference between Arltec and a fire plug at the dog pound?" 