🏗️ A new owner is rewriting the future of Reston Crossing. The new plan is bigger, denser, and more ambitious than before.

👀 Fairfax may turn unused police training land into a $166 million data center, bringing in millions in new revenue. But not everyone agrees on how the land should be used.

🤖 Nearly 1.6 million jobs in Virginia could be impacted by AI, and it won't be equal. A closer look at the data reveals clear winners, losers, and a shift already in motion.

Scroll down and enjoy!

—Chris Colgan

Grab your kite and head to the Washington Monument Grounds for a full day of free activities, live music, performances, and kite competitions. Don’t miss the high-energy Sakura Taiko Fest with drummers from across the country.
📍 Location: Washington Monument Grounds, Washington, DC
📅 Date: Mar 28 | 10 AM – 4 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→

A spring event made for grown-ups. Sip hard cider, hop on a wagon ride to the orchard, and hunt for raffle-filled eggs in this fun, laid-back outdoor experience.
📍 Location: Great Country Farms, Bluemont
📅 Date: Mar 28 | 12 PM – 4 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $29
MORE INFO→

Spend your Sunday night laughing with David Spade’s sharp, fast-paced stand-up. Known for SNL and film, he brings his signature humor and takes on everyday life to the stage.
📍 Location: Capital One Hall, Tysons
📅 Date: Mar 29 | 7 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $80+
MORE INFO→

NOT ENOUGH? SEE 10+ GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND→

Driving the news: A new owner is reviving plans to transform the Reston Crossing office park into a large mixed-use neighborhood near the Reston Town Center Metro station — nearly seven years after the original project stalled.

Details:

Why it matters: This project would bring more housing, jobs, and walkable infrastructure to the Reston area, helping meet demand while boosting local businesses and transit use.

For residents, it means easier access to housing near Metro and more neighborhood amenities without long commutes.

The big picture: The redevelopment reflects a broader shift: aging office parks are being reworked into mixed-use communities as demand for traditional office space softens.

Between the lines: The original 2019 plan failed due to market shifts and complex infrastructure needs. Bernstein’s updated approach folds in nearby properties to create a more unified district, improving the odds of execution.

The bottom line: Reston Crossing is getting a second chance. And this time, the vision is bigger, more connected, and aligned with how people want to live near transit today.

DIVE INTO THE PROJECT→

Driving the news: Fairfax County leaders are considering selling 42 acres of police training land in Chantilly to a data center developer in a deal worth $166.8 million.

Details:

Why it matters: This deal gives Fairfax County a chance to upgrade public safety infrastructure without raising taxes.

It also adds a new commercial revenue stream, easing pressure on homeowners who currently fund most of the county’s budget through property taxes.

By the numbers:

Between the lines: The county is using this deal to diversify its tax base. Data centers bring high revenue with relatively low public service costs compared to residential development.

The bottom line: Fairfax County is betting that turning underused public land into a data center site can fund better police training while strengthening long-term revenue.

KEEP READING→

Artificial intelligence could reshape more than a third of Virginia’s workforce. The impact will vary widely depending on where you live, what you do, and how early you are in your career.

Driving the news: A new report finds 35% of jobs in Virginia could be affected by AI, placing the state among the most exposed in the country. Northern Virginia stands out as the most impacted region, while Southside faces the least disruption.

Details:

Other high-exposure roles include:

By industry, the most exposed sectors are:

Regionally:

Why it matters: This shift could reshape local economies across Virginia. Regions tied to tech and government may see faster changes, while rural areas could experience slower disruption.

That creates an opening for smaller communities to stabilize and adapt while larger metros adjust.

For local leaders, it’s a chance to attract talent, invest in training, and build resilience before changes accelerate.

The big picture: High-paying, highly educated roles like software development face just as much exposure as entry-level service jobs.

That puts pressure on both ends of the workforce at the same time.

What’s next: Workforce planning becomes critical. That includes:

Regions that act early could better manage the transition.

The bottom line: AI will change how Virginians work, but not all at once and not everywhere equally.

Northern Virginia may feel it first, but the ripple effects will reach every corner of the state.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Reply and let me know what you liked the most and what you’d like to see in next week’s newsletter. See ya!