RA Headquarters Referendum: $15 million a small price to pay for extra filing space and Internet access

Hey, remember that time the Reston Association sent us a fancy "ballot" in the mail and whatnot, urging us to approve spending up to $15 million for a shiny new headquarters building from which a squad of trained flying Ebola-negative monkeys would be dispatched clutching DRB violations and pool passes in their talons? Well, along with taking the issue straight to the heart of the blogosphere, the RA has been holding meetings to answer questions about the referendum, including one earlier this week:

One of the biggest questions of the evening that many were interested in hearing about was why RA needs such a large amount of square footage.

RA President Robin Smyers said the association hired a real estate services firm to conduct a space analysis to help decide what amount of space is practical or necessary. She said the firm found that much of their current space is being "double used." For example, there are files filling up rooms meant for meetings, she said. Smyers said the current building is also maxed out in terms of infrastructure so they are not able to get a better Internet connection or update the space.

So the new building will apparently have some of those new fangled "filing cabinets" we keep hearing about, plus something a bit faster than the current 28.8k baud modem so people can update their Facebook status at near T1 speeds. Sweet! Unfortunately, those sticks in the mud at ARCH, who have the unmitigated gall to question something they ultimately will have to pay for, still aren't convinced.

Jerry Volloy, former CEO of RA and current president of the Association of Reston Clusters and Homeowners, said members of ARCH still do not think RA has made their case for the increased amount of space. He said using federal and private standards for the amount of space needed for employees, plus an additional 5,000 square feet would still result in RA only needing 20,000 square feet total, which is about the size of RA's current space.

Smyers said the space analysis determined they will need about 15,000 square feet more in order to have adequate meeting space for their board and committees, community use and space for growth. She said RA also needs more reception space for members, especially during times when many come in to pay for summer programs and assessments and long lines force them to move into other areas of the building.

Fortunately, Bob Simon was at the meeting and has, as they say in the movies, a plan.

Bob Simon said he called RA's landlord who told him that he would be willing to extend RA's lease at their current building. Simon said then RA could build in the redeveloped Lake Anne while they stay in the current space. "Let's go to Lake Anne, where we belong," he said. Smyers said the landlord has not offered RA the option to extend its lease, which ends next spring. She said they have been advised to move out of the building.

Advised by whom, exactly?

Simon and others also said they would like to know more about the firm RA is working with and what buildings they have looked at. Smyers said because of a confidentiality agreement RA is not allowed to disclose what properties are being considered. "It's not that we don't want to tell you," Smyers said. "We want to make sure the negotiations are confidential so that we can get the best deal for our members. As soon as we can let you know, we will."

Right after the ballots are counted at the check's in the mail. Right?

Anyhoo, two more public meetings are slated, one at 10am Saturday, the other at 7pm on Monday, assuming people can squeeze into that room full of files. If the referendum does not pass on the April 10 deadline, the RA will "likely lease a space in a different building."

We've got some room in our basement for those files if that helps.