Small Town Says Game ON For Big Change

In a town once known for its small dairy farming industry, Herndon’s proximity to the rail line helped foster its economy. As history is known to repeat itself, Herndon once again hopes to ride the local rails to economic success. Its Phase II Silver Line Metro stop – the Herndon stop – should help elevate the Town of Herndon on many levels. At least that is what Mayor Lisa Merkel and the Herndon Town Council expect as they tout Herndon’s new tagline “Count ON US.”

RE+View magazine: WHAT IS NEW IN HERNDON?
Mayor Merkel: In Herndon, we are cultivating that hometown feeling. We are embracing the opportunity to have mass transit. We’ve developed a vision and plan for our downtown. We now have the best of both worlds.
We have just rebranded and are proud of our new position statement:

“A next generation small town pulses on the edge of Fairfax County. Turn off the highway and find yourself in a place that welcomes innovators, risk-takers, history seekers and family-keepers. This is where the roots of history help to grow the ideas of tomorrow.”  

RE+View magazine: WHAT IS HERNDON'S IDENTITY?
Mayor Merkel: Since we are a four-square-mile town, people identify with the town strongly.
With the metro redevelopment, people were concerned that [Herndon] would become too dense. 

The council has worked hard to make sure that we embrace this great opportunity but also hold on to the small downtown feeling. Herndon is still going to be a walkable urban place. Our trails are great, and we have already [installed lights on] much of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. When you are on the W&OD, you are in Herndon when you reach the lights.

Now, everyone has a car or two or three. Smart planning for Metro includes taking advantage of the trails and bike share.  Eventually, we think you can live in the town of Herndon and be a one-car family.

RE+View magazine: WHAT WILL THE SILVER LINE METRO DO FOR HERNDON?
Mayor Merkel: We like to say we have come full circle as a rail town with the Silver Line coming.  Bus routes are being added now. We want to get you off the train and have you come easily into our downtown.

RE+View magazine:  WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE FOR HERNDON?
Mayor Merkel:…For our Downtown Master Plan to come to life. We have really committed ourselves to this plan, which envisions development for multi-family, retail, restaurant, office use and more. We have spent four to five years on this one.
We want to be known as the Next Generation Small Town.

You can live in the Town of Herndon and have the benefits of living in the DC area, live near an international airport, use mass transit and have a one-quarter mile walk to get to reliable transit choices. 

With four square miles, we can easily walk to each others' houses. You can talk to your mayor. Have a problem with your snow removal or water service, we are right here! You are dealing with us, and that’s unique in Northern Virginia

HERNDON PLACES TO PLAY
The Herndon Festival with a bike valet
Friday Night Live Concerts
The Labor Day Festival
Historic Train Depot
Next Stop Theater Company
ArtSpace Herndon

ACCOLADES
Best Place to Raise Kids, Bloomberg Business Week
One of America’s Friendliest Towns, Forbes.com
Best Places to Live Money Magazine, CNNMoney
Best Places for the Rich and Single, Money Magazine, CNNMoney