Reston Golf Course In Serious Danger: Claim

RESTON, VA -- Is a developer grooming Hidden Creek Country Club to be the site of the next big Reston housing development? That's what one local activist group is claiming.

To be fair, Wheelock Communities was forthright when it was announced that they would purchase the golf course near Lake Anne last October, stating: "Over the next few years, Wheelock will be working in partnership with the club members and the Reston community to explore potential changes to the property that could provide the Reston community with additional public amenities, environmental benefits and new housing choices."

Signs are growing that the developer is quickly moving in that direction, local activist group Rescue Reston claims. Wheelock continues to argue that the golf course is not economically viable, and in work group sessions with community groups, Wheelock has continued to push the idea of redevelopment even in the face of significant public resistance. And then there was its purchase of Charter Oak Apartments -- right next door to the golf course -- back in February.

Rescue Reston notes that if Wheelock would be able to pull it off, it would be the steal of the century.

That's because Wheelock ponied up $63.75 million for a little more than 12 acres at Charter Oak Apartments, which comes out to $5.15 million per acre, but they only paid $14 million from 162.6 acres of Hidden Creek Country Club, or just five figures per acre. Hidden Creek was so much cheaper because it is not eligible for development, so if Wheelock could convince the county to rezone it for housing, there would be a massive increase in the value of the property, Rescue Reston noted.

Reston has two golf courses, both of which have been the subject of fights between the community and developers. A plan to redevelop Reston National Golf Course was abandoned in recent years after a significant public backlash and a long legal fight. And despite losing the battle, developers have continued to target the golf course in future development plans.

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