HC Green Areas: Please Comment

Hi Folks-
Below is a HC beautification suggestion from one of our HC resident, Eric L. Many have had ideas along these lines in the past but Eric has formalized them here. Let us know what you think... could be fun and can only improve the fabulous HC! Perhaps we could address this at the September 16th HC board Mtg.
-Sara

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Hickory Cluster Garden Adoption & Competition
Hickory Cluster is great, but it can be better. One area that seems neglected and far from fulfilling their potential are the cluster gardens. The size and number of these gardens (and associated common areas) are unique to Hickory - and a huge asset. Nevertheless, but with a few notable exceptions, the gardens today are over grown and look unkempt.

I’d like to propose a three-part idea to change this:

Garden Adoption
Each garden can be ‘adopted’ by one to four homes, creating a garden team. Small plaques would be made to show identify which homes (Teams) have adopted which gardens.

Seed Money
Each garden team would get a small amount (for example, $200) from the Hickory Board to get started. The teams could add to this amount - and possibly develop fun and creative fund raising (e.g., a garden BBQ or dinner party fund raiser?).

Spring and Fall Garden Competitions & Party
Twice a year a competition would be held for the best cluster garden. A panel of independent judges would be assembled (e.g., Robert Simon?) to tour cluster and rate each garden on a set of criteria. Afterwards, there would be a cluster BBQ/party where the results would be announced and award given out.

I see the Hickory Garden Competition both raising the beauty of the neighborhood, and further fostering a great sense of Cluster community.

- Eric L.
11520 Maple Ridge

Wiehle Avenue Metrorail Station - Community Meeting

Please note the following community meeting being hosted by Supervisor Hudgins regarding the Wiehle Avenue Project:

Wiehle Avenue Metrorail Station - Community Meeting: Currently under consideration is a pending land use application to amend the zoningclassification in order to implement the mixed-use environment, including 2,300+ space multi-deck parking garage along with office, hotel, residential and retail space. There will be a community meeting on the Wiehle Station on Thursday, September 10, 7 p.m. at South Lakes High School.

Any questions please contact:
Goldie A. Harrison
Legislative Assistant
Hunter Mill District
12000 Bowman Towne Drive
Reston, VA. 20190
(703)478-0283
hntrmill@fairfaxcounty.gov

Dulles Metrorail is Coming

Construction Progress More Visible

Stay Informed and join now to receive construction related email or fax alerts. Please sign up for our Information Network by visiting www.dullesmetro.com.

Hotline For emergency construction related issues, please call our 24 hour/7days a week Hotline at (877) 585-6789.

Want to Know More? To set up a briefing for your homeowners association, civic group, or business please email outreach@dullesmetro.com or call (703) 448-5550.

Construction Progress More Visible
Construction activities are officially underway along the entire alignment of Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.

Dulles Connector Road/I-66 Interchange
Caissons and piers, which will support foundations for at-grade andaerial track work, are being built. You will continue to see more of these develop along the Dulles Connector Road median in the coming months.

Dulles Connector Road
During the week of Aug. 10, overnight work will close the eastbound Dulles Connector Road (Route 267) ramp to northbound Route 123. Drivers will be directed to detour by using the ramp to southbound Route 123 and using the traffic signal to access the northbound lanes.

Route 123
Early preparation of the eastern portion of the 2,400-foot tunnel has begun at Route 123 and International Drive, including construction of a concrete plant. This month, other equipment and facilities essential to the tunnel construction will be put into place. Preliminary foundation work is taking place for the Tysons Central 123station at Route 123 and Tysons Boulevard.

Route 7
The ramp from southbound Route 123 to Route 7 will close temporarily overnight Aug. 7-8. Construction crews will permanently remove traffic signals and reconfigure the traffic plan. After Aug. 8, the ramp will only reopen for westbound Route 7 only. Eastbound Route 7 fromsouthbound 123 will remain closed. Please use southbound International Drive to access eastbound Route 7. The two-way Frontage Road along the north side of Route 123 between International Drive and Route 7 is subject to nighttime closures to support ongoing utility relocations. Business access remains open during this work. Work has begun on the western portion of the tunnel at the northwest cloverleaf at Route 7 and Route 123 along the Frontage Road. Dulles International Airport Access Highway (DIAAH) and Dulles Toll Road (DTR)Construction has started in the median of the DIAAH near the future Wiehle Avenue station. Ongoing Work Utility relocations and occasional lane closures will continue alongthe Route 7 service roads, portions of Route 123, the DIAAH and theDTR. Access to all businesses will be maintained throughout this work. Ramp closures are scheduled at night in order to avoid peak traffic hours. Motorists should stay alert and be prepared to alter their travel along these roads.

White Roofs Catch On as Energy Cost Cutters

Is it time to replace the membrane roof? Nice NYT article about the energy cost benefits of a white roof. Thanks to Eric for the link!