Flashbacks:
The RNGC Caddyshackpocalypse
Bollards!
Way down in Richmond way, state lawmakers are preparing a joint resolution to honor Reston founder Robert E. Simon on the occasion of his 100th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his groovy earth-toned community:
Simon will turn 100 on April 10, and a legislative joint resolution patroned by state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd) – a Reston resident – lauds his service.That's awesome, but while you're at it, folks, could we maybe also get a few ducats to cover the cost of, you know, stuff?
“Today, over 60,000 Reston residents enjoy Robert Simon’s vision for a new type of town that offers a high quality of life in a thriving metropolitan center and incorporates beautiful, natural open spaces,” notes the joint resolution.
The resolution salutes Simon’s “visionary leadership and many contributions to the commonwealth.”
The term planned community has become a hackneyed marketing phrase used to describe any number of mixed residential and commercial developments in all parts of the country for the last 30 years. May I gently suggest that Reston, VA comes up short when compared to many others. And that the pliable meaning and subsequent overuse of the term "smart growth" by both builders and the politicians (seeking greater densities and revenues)and planners in their service has similarly diluted the quality of life in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Trendiness is contagious it seems. Reston is learning the true costs of living in a higher density planned community served by an expensive metro system with inadequate provisions for public amenities of all kinds. What is "planned" about any of that?
ReplyDeleteThe cult of Bob Simon continues, unabated. Where was Mr. Simon between the years of 1968 until the late 1990s? Not sure why he is lionized the way he is by cult members. He had a good idea, started it, ran into trouble, and was either fired or walked away many years ago. He then had no input in the community for decades. Kudos for his initiative back in the day, but enough already with the worship.
ReplyDeleteDisagree. Simon was run out by greedy developers who wanted a more typical (and profitable) suburban development. He came back and has been a constant reminder of what was, what should have been, and what can maybe still be if people are smart about things.
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