Big Changes to Major Redevelopment — “Kimco Realty Corp. has proposed significant changes to its long-term plan for the mixed-use redevelopment of Costco-anchored Pentagon Centre… pitching in a Monday application to the county’s planning department an increase in density by more than three-quarters — taking the total envisioned square footage from about 2 million square feet to 3.5 million square feet. The mix of uses would change, too, now with substantially more residential and office but less retail than previously approved.” [Washington Business Journal]
Bill With More DCA Flights Passes — “The Senate on Thursday passed legislation to reauthorize federal aviation programs for the next five years.. The most intense regional fight was over a provision in the bill that would add five round-trip long-haul flights out of Ronald Reagan National Airport outside Washington.” [New York Times]
No Israel-Hamas Stance from Board — “Arlington County Board members are opting out of the foreign-policy business. For the moment, at least. In correspondence with the public, County Board Chairman Libby Garvey says board members have decided not to weigh in on the current Mideast situation, despite a press from pro-Palestinian activists to do so.” [Gazette Leader]
Smokecraft Files for Bankruptcy — “Smokecraft Modern Barbecue on April 29 filed for Chapter 11, listing $129,459 in assets and nearly $1.4 million in liabilities. Andrew Darneille, owner and pitmaster of the restaurant at 1051 N. Highland St., told me bankruptcy protection appeared the best option to put the business on firmer financial footing without closing and leaving his nearly 30 employees in the lurch.” [Washington Business Journal]
Focus on Va. Rights Waivers — “Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, the commonwealth attorney for Arlington County, doesn’t use the waivers at all. Dehghani-Tafti, a former public defender who won on a reform platform, said their use makes it harder for people to successfully re-enter society. ‘We shouldn’t be trying to make it easy to convict them again, we should be instead trying to give them the support and the tools that they need to not get in trouble again.'” [Bolts]
Beyer Statement on Speaker Vote — “I voted to table an attempt to remove Speaker Johnson yesterday because I strongly believe the House must govern constructively. Marjorie Taylor Greene sought to punish the Speaker for preventing a government shutdown and allowing a vote to fund assistance to Ukraine, both of which were correct decisions which I support.” [Press Release]
Couric Visits Axios in Arlington — From Mike Allen: “@katiecouric visited @axios in her hometown of Arlington, Va., for a raucous podcast convo with @JimVandeHei & me about his Just the Good Stuff, now a NY Times/USA Today bestseller.” [Twitter, Apple Podcasts]
Police Investigate Brandishing — “2400 block of Shirlington Road. At approximately 5:04 p.m. on May 7, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim, driving eastbound on 25th Street S. across Shirlington Road, and the suspect, driving northbound on Shirlington Road, were involved in a near collision. A verbal dispute between the victim and suspect ensued during which the suspect brandished a firearm before fleeing the scene in his vehicle, a white pickup truck.” [ACPD]
High School Theater Award Nods — “High school theater productions that left an impression on audiences and student critics have earned nominations for awards. Nominations were announced for the Cappies of the National Capital Area, a Tony Award-like program for local high school theater.” [Patch]
Local Students in National History Bowl — “Three Arlington students scored success in the 2024 National History Bowl & Bee Championship, held in Arlington April 25-28.” [Gazette Leader]
Geomagnetic Storm Expected — “A severe geomagnetic storm is expected to hit Earth on Friday, triggering colorful nighttime auroras, or the northern lights. People in the United States could see moderate to strong geomagnetic activity starting around 11 p.m. and lasting through Saturday.” [Capital Weather Gang, Twitter]
It’s Friday — Expect showers and thunderstorms with a high near 61 and east wind of 7-9 mph. Precipitation chance is 70%, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter inch, potentially higher in thunderstorms. For Friday night, showers and storms are likely before 11 pm, followed by a chance of showers between 11 pm and 2 am. It will be mostly cloudy with a low around 49, north wind at 6 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Emma K Alexandra