Time keeps ticking away. At least, it’s supposed to do that.
In many places around Arlington, however, you might get fooled into thinking it’s not moving. Several large outdoor clocks in public spaces just aren’t keeping up with the times.
While a broken clock overlooking Westpost at National Landing has raised some eyebrows in Pentagon City, an ARLnow investigation reveals that it’s far from alone.
Perhaps most conspicuous is the iconic large clock in Courthouse Plaza. Suspended in midair, it’s impossible to miss. But its hands remain stuck at 11:55 — and it seems that they’ll stay that way.
A representative from the property owner, JBG Smith, said it’s been broken for five years.
“Replacement parts are unavailable because the manufacturer is no longer in business,” the representative said.
Alas, it is not the only one. Right down the street, the Whole Foods Market at 2700 Wilson Blvd sports another large clock. This one is stuck at 5:10. A media relations representative for Amazon, which owns the grocery chain, received ARLnow’s inquiry about the clock, but didn’t respond by publishing time.
Over at Penrose Square, the clock tower was far from the correct time on a recent visit. It was unclear whether that one was just off pace or stuck at the same time.
The owner, B.M. Smith & Associates Inc., couldn’t be reached for comment.
And if you’re traveling south on I-395 near Shirlington, there’s a parking garage visible from the road that serves The Grove at Arlington condominium complex. Located at 2466 Army Navy Drive, it has its own large clock facing the interstate.
Unsurprisingly, it’s not working either. The complex didn’t return a call about the clock’s status.
So if you’re out and about in Arlington and see a large clock, don’t take it at face value.
