To the Editor:
The debate about the proposed 23-story building for the site at the corner of Reston Parkway and Bowman Towne (sic) Drive opens up a much larger area for discussion than is being held about that particular site. Proponents of approval for the building carry the day since it can be built by right. Opponents offer a variety of objections based on rejection of the original master plan for Reston as a whole. That plan, created in the early 1960's, provided for seven village centers and one town center. Each of these was to feature plazas enclosed by high-density structures. Today only one authentic village center and the town center have been built. There are no village centers, other than Lake Anne, with plazas in Reston; nor have the high-density structures planned to support Lake Anne Plaza been built.
(Discussions for bringing light rail alongside the Dulles access road in 1966 did not result in amending the Master Plan to bring appropriate density to Wiehle Avenue, where the Metro station is to be located.)
Among the several objections to the proposed building, two stand out. The first: that densities belong at the Metro stations and taper off in proportion to the distance from these stations. This concept defeats the original, over-riding vision for Reston—densities at the plazas, the very features that best foster community. The second: that "not a single resident supports" the 23-story building. I do, (and with the delight that a world class appearance, as distinguished from adequate appearance, can be coming to Town Center).
Bob Simon
Reston Founder