April 11, 2011 | ARLnow.com

Federal Decision May Further Delay BRAC Moves

Published April 11, 2011 at 3:55PM

On Friday, VDOT announced that the Federal Highway Administration had decided to require the environmental assessment for the ramp. VDOT argued that it should have instead been granted a categorical exclusion for the project, “since the ramp will be built entirely within existing I-395 right of way, will improve air quality by making transit and carpooling more convenient for Mark Center employees and will not have substantial impacts to natural, cultural, recreational, water quality, or historic resources.”

About 6,400 Department of Defense employees are scheduled to be relocated to Mark Center by the end of the year as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC). VDOT says that “near-gridlock conditions will occur on Seminary Road, Beauregard Street and I-395” unless the ramp and other infrastructure is built to accommodate the extra traffic. With the environmental assessment, it could be 2015 or 2016 before the ramp opens.

News

Crystal City Office Building Placed on Lockdown

By ARLnow.com

Published April 11, 2011 at 2:55PM | Updated April 11, 2011 at 9:03PM

There were some tense moments in Crystal City this morning as Arlington County and Pentagon Police surrounded an office building after receiving a false report of a man with a gun.

Police were originally dispatched to the scene for a report of an intoxicated military service member who was said to be brandishing a handgun in an office on the 2200 block of South Clark Street. One floor of the building was evacuated, employees sheltered in place on other floors and elevators were locked down.

News

Woman Injured, Dog Killed by Truck Near W-L High School

By ARLnow.com

Published April 11, 2011 at 12:57PM | Updated April 27, 2011 at 9:16PM

Update at 9:15 p.m. on 4/27/11 — The victim has succumbed to her injuries.

Update at 2:15 p.m. on 4/12/11 — The driver has been charged with reckless driving.

News

Head of Signature Collection Firm Indicted on Felony Charges

By ARLnow.com

Published April 11, 2011 at 12:20PM | Updated April 11, 2011 at 12:44PM

Wilmoth was the president of Signature Masters, the firm that was contracted to collect signatures for last year’s unsuccessful attempt to change Arlington’s form of government. The petition drive was sponsored largely by Arlington’s police and fire unions.

Two of Wilmoth’s signature collectors, Cheryl Simmons and William Cockerham, pleaded guilty to election fraud charges in February. State law specifies that petition signatures must be witnessed by someone who is at least eligible to register to vote. As convicted felons, neither Simmons nor Cockerham were eligible.

News

Rosslyn, Courthouse CaBi Stations To Open This Week

By ARLnow.com

Published April 11, 2011 at 11:42AM | Updated April 12, 2011 at 4:14PM

It’s official: four Capital Bikeshare stations will open in Rosslyn and Courthouse on Wednesday.

The long-anticipated CaBi roll-out along the Orange Line will eventually result in 30 stations and 200 bikes added by the end of 2011, according to Arlington County. Crystal City and Pentagon City are already home to 14 CaBi stations.

News

Major Items on Board Agenda This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

Published April 11, 2011 at 11:16AM

First, the board is scheduled to vote on its FY 2012 budget, which has been the subject of numerous work sessions, public forums and community discussions. Then the board is scheduled to vote on the controversial East Falls Church development plan, which is several years in the making.

A significant amount of citizen input is expected for both items.

Around Town

Urgent Care Clinic Coming to Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Published April 11, 2011 at 10:11AM | Updated April 11, 2011 at 10:30AM

An urgent care clinic is coming to to South Fern Street in Pentagon City.

The clinic may be named “Pentagon Health,” according to building permits in the windows. It’s located between a Dunkin’ Donuts and a UPS Store, across from Costco, and just down the street from the future location of the current Eads Street Post Office.

Around Town

Pike’s Club 31-11 Becoming Deewa Restaurant?

By ARLnow.com

Published April 11, 2011 at 9:09AM | Updated April 11, 2011 at 9:53AM

A company has applied for a state liquor license to serve beer and wine at a new restaurant at 3111 Columbia Pike. The restaurant will be called “Deewa,” according to the filing.

The name suggests the new restaurant may have an ethnic theme. “Radio Deewa” is the Voice of America broadcast aimed at residents of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Opinion

Morning Poll: Housing Grants

By ARLnow.com

Published April 11, 2011 at 8:27AM | Updated April 11, 2011 at 9:16AM

That increase includes an extra $630,000 for the county’s housing grant program, which serves just over 1,000 households per year; an extra $467,000 for permanent supportive housing programs, which will serve just over 100 households per year; and an extra $162,000 for ‘general relief’ emergency housing assistance, which will serve 250 households per month.

Arlington County officials place great emphasis on safety net programs, which are serving those in need during tough economic times. But some are questioning whether the increases are sustainable or even appropriate given the county’s tight finances.