Wheelock Responds To Alcorn's Hidden Creek Decision

RESTON,VA — Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn's announcement Friday that he did not support changing the Reston Comprehensive Plan to allow redevelopment of the Hidden Creek Golf Course drew a swift response from the property's owners.

Wheelock Communities released a statement Friday from Dan Green, principal of Wheelock Street Capital, in response to Alcorn's decision:

"We were extremely disappointed in Supervisor Walter Alcorn’s statement this morning regarding Hidden Creek and respectfully disagree with his findings that led him to the conclusion to not support a more in-depth County led analysis as of a potential change to the Comprehensive Plan and how that might address Reston and Fairfax County objectives.

"Over the past several years, we have been engaging the community to explore the potential of Hidden Creek and develop a plan that enhances the ideals of Reston. From those community discussions arose the idea of creating a 100-acre public park in the heart of Reston, as well as a range of housing some of which helps meet the “missing middle” segment of the market that is absent in Reston, and restoring the environmental features of the property.

"From our community engagement, we had already received support from some adjacent clusters as well as many of club’s neighbors and others throughout the Reston community. This is an unprecedented show of support when an application has not yet even been filed.

"We are encouraged by this show of support and will continue to engage the community about the future of Hidden Creek and what it can mean to Reston."

In recent months, Wheelock Communities had been hosting community meetings and holding focus groups to whip up support for its plan to redevelop the golf course to include 1,000 housing units and a 100-acre park.

"The results are overwhelming," Alcorn said, during a Friday morning press briefing. "By a 5 to 1 margin, community members have told me that they do not want to see the Comprehensive Plan changed. From my point of view, the matter is now closed and I will not be supporting a change to the Comprehensive Plan for that property."

Rescue Reston, a a grassroots advocacy organization, led the fight against Wheelock's plans to redevelop Hidden Creek.

"We certainly welcome the relief from the pressure of those who wish to rip out the fabric of Reston's planning," said Connie Hartke, president of Rescue Reston. "The Rescue Reston team will remain vigilant and we encourage posting of our open space yard signs as the exclamation point to our Supervisor's message."

Also see ...

• Updated: Alcorn: Hidden Creek Redevelopment Not Happening
• Opinion: Wheelock's Mythical Grand Park
• Alcorn: Reston Master Plan Review Delayed; Budget Talks Continue
• Alcorn Elaborates On Reston Plan Review, 2020 Priorities