Inteview with Patty Nicoson, Reston Impact,

Here are some of the highlights as host John Lovaas reported them:

I just finished taping a “Reston Impact” program for Comcast Channel 28 with Patty Nicoson, the President of the Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA) and the Chair of Supervisor Hudgins’ struggling Reston Master Plan Task Force.  Patty works hard for our community and is a forthcoming guest.  About DCRA:  DCRA’s Board is about ½ developers, some of whom are also members of the Task Force.  Developers also pay a chunk of the costs of DCRA.

Our conversation touched on both of her roles.

            She defended MWAA, DCRA and Del. Plum for yielding to Gov. McDonnell’s blackmail threat to withhold the State’s minor funds for Phase 2 construction if MWAA didn’t agree to drop the Project Labor Agreement requirement to give workers a fair shake.  She said she thinks it likely the winning contractor/s will adopt one anyway.  We’ll see. 

            As to the possibility of area politicians getting more State or Federal funding that could lighten the heavy burden on toll road users, the only glimmer of hope she saw would be TIFIA guarantees which could lower borrowing costs.  I noted that higher tolls may increase ridership.

            She could not account for Supervisor Hudgins’ Reston Master Plan Task Force’s failure to complete the land-use Master Plan for the corridor.  The Plan was to have been completed nearly two years ago.  As of today, there is still no plan in sight, although the rail station and tracks are visible.  She, too, is clearly frustrated by the county delays, and suggested that perhaps the TF should proceed promptly to Phase 2 planning for the village centers, etc rather than continue to wait for Phase 1 to be completed.

            Then,a surprise!  She said Fred Selden, Fairfax County’s Chief of Planning and Zoning and a Hudgins confidant, is now telling developers to proceed with new development proposals, that the county is receptive to new projects now, without any comprehensive plan.  So, the developers effectively will prepare the framework, and shape the Plan themselves.

            Ms. Nicoson also seemed to share my frustration that the county and state have failed to put in place the infrastructure to support the arrival of rail service and the consequent development which will now be allowed as well.  She noted that there have been discussions about adding four crossings of the toll road/rail line—at South Lakes Drive, Soapstone, Town Center and one other to help accommodate growing traffic.  I pointed out that the last I heard (in remarks made by the Chief of Fairfax County Transportation Department) was that the very first such crossing was tentatively planned around 2030.  She had no later information.

            The only good news is that indeed construction of Phase 1 under MWAA direction is on time, on budget.  The Wiehle Station will be ready next year, about this time. 

John Lovaas