Interested residents and business owners came to Reston Community Center at Lake Anne on Monday to get a glimpse of what Republic Land Development has planned for the revitalization of the area.



Representatives showed what the Lake Anne of the future roughly will look like, with new housing, a revamped retail area and other added amenities.



Republic - which has developed projects such as Washington Harbour in Georgetown - was chosen by Fairfax County in July to redevelop the hillside site that currently houses the 16-acre Crescent Apartments.



Last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the interim agreement with Republic, paving the way for the process of county planning, Reston Association Design Review Board and other land use necessities necessary for a project of this scale. The interim agreement's specifics make replacing the 181 affordable housing units at Crescent and using the parking lot of the current Lake Anne Plaza high priorities.



The approval of the project design and land use permits is expected to take more than a year, says Republic president and CEO David Peter. Peter and other Republic representatives will make their initial presentation to Reston Association's design review board Tuesday night.



Some of the highlights of the plan, which could eventually bring more than 1,000 homes to Lake Anne.



* A half-circle design for Crescent itself as well as additional retail in what now is the Lake Anne Plaza parking lot, complementing Lake Anne's existing horseshoe design.



* Straightening out Village Drive so one turns into a grand entrance - "a front door" - to Lake Anne - where the lake and plaza is readily visible and inviting. Developers envision a boutique grocery store along Baron Cameron near the entrance to Lake Anne.



* Mid-rise affordable housing that will replace the 181 units of affordable housing at Crescent. There may be more than 1,000 housing units eventually between Crescent and other residential to be built at Lake Anne. Other housing will be townhouses, mid rise and one 15-story high rise, as well as an active seniors community.



* Community amenities to be built at Lake Anne include an amphitheater and an outdoor movie screening area.



* Additional retail and residential above in what now is the parking lot for Lake Anne Plaza. Retail parking will be below ground. The plans include about 50,000 square feet of office space.



* Public trails will connect Crescent with Lake Anne Plaza and other nearby areas to minimize need for cars. They would also like to connect Lake Anne and Reston Town Center with a bike sharing operation.



I am thrilled with the design," said Reston Association Lake Anne director Eve Thompson. Thompson lives at Heron House on the Plaza and also has a real estate office a few doors down.

"I think they have really taken into account the scale of Lake Anne. I think the design elements are consistent with what is here. I think it is going to be beautiful."



Former Lake Anne resident Howard Green, who still owns property there, came to the open house with a critical eye.



"I think there is a lot yet to be learned, he said. "I think in the general scope of things it is a major venture, but it looks like we have a quality developer. In the long run, the basic goal is to get more density. If we get more density, the shops on the plaza will not suffer as much. It will preserve what I consider to be an international icon. Because if this deteriorates any more, we won't have that stature."



Check out some of the renderings attached to this story.



What do you think of the plan for Lake Anne? Tell us in the comments below.



