ARLnow.com | ARLnow

Plans for New CVS on Highlander Motel Site Appear to Be Advancing

Published December 16, 2019 at 5:15PM | Updated December 16, 2019 at 6:25PM

No work is happening yet, but there are signs that plans to replace the Highlander Motel in Virginia Square with a new CVS store are getting closer to fruition.

A permit application was filed last month for the property at 3336 Wilson Blvd for a new building, to house CVS. Thus far no permits have been issued.

News

First Phase of Amazon’s Permanent HQ2 in Pentagon City Approved

By ARLnow.com

Published December 16, 2019 at 11:35AM | Updated December 16, 2019 at 12:05PM

Rendering of Amazon HQ2 building at Metropolitan Park (via Arlington County/ZGF Architects)

(Updated at noon) The Arlington County Board voted unanimously over the weekend to approve the first phase of Amazon’s permanent Pentagon City headquarters.

The vote on the 2.1 million square foot office-and-retail development along S. Eads Street was not met with the same degree of protests that greeted the vote on Amazon’s $23 million local incentive package in March, though union carpenters showed up en masse to protest what they say are labor violations at Amazon’s under-construction, temporary office space in Crystal City.

News

New Seating, Bus Bays Coming to Ballston Metro Station Entrance

By ARLnow.com

Published December 16, 2019 at 10:15AM | Updated December 16, 2019 at 4:22PM

Existing Ballston Metro plaza in 2024

The Arlington County Board has approved a nearly $5.5 million contract to revamp the area around the Ballston Metro station.

The project — a refinement of an earlier plan, which we last reported in 2014 — will build nine bus bays, covered bus shelters and new seating areas.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published December 16, 2019 at 6:00AM

County Board Approves Legislative Priorities — “The Arlington County Board today finalized its 2020 General Assembly Legislative Proposals… Arlington’s proposals include requests that the General Assembly renew without a sunset clause the .25 percent transient occupancy tax on hotel rooms that funds travel and tourism promotion in Arlington.” [Arlington County]

Groups Call for County-Owned Power Company — “Eighty years after the idea was first broached, several progressive groups are embarked on a likely uphill effort to have the Arlington government develop its own energy utility. The Arlington Green Party is the latest to sign on to the effort, which was proposed by Our Revolution Arlington.” [InsideNova]

Around Town

Show Your South Arlington Pride With This New Shirt

By ARLnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 6:35PM

The third installment in ARLnow’s 2019 local apparel collection has arrived and it’s the perfect gift for the South Arlington resident in your life who likes geographically specific shirts.

Whether you live in Crystal City, Pentagon City, Shirlington, Fairlington, Green Valley, Glencarlyn, Arlington Mill, Forest Glen, Barcroft, Alcova Heights, Arlington Heights, Penrose, Foxcroft Heights, Arlington View, Columbia Heights, Arlington Forest (the southern portion), Douglas Park, Columbia Forest, Claremont, Long Branch Creek, Arlington Ridge, Aurora Highlands, or in a van down by the river — did we cover all options? — this shirt proudly declares that living below Route 50 is totally cool.

Weather

Dense Fog Advisory Issued for Arlington, Region

By ARLnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 5:10PM

If you’re outside, on the road, or looking out of a window tonight, you won’t be able to see very far in front of you.

The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for Arlington and the region, warning about hazardous driving conditions due to low visibility.

Traffic

Deer Strike Injures Driver During Foggy Evening Commute

By ARLnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 5:00PM

A woman has been injured after striking a deer along Spout Run Parkway tonight.

The crash happened between the GW Parkway and Lorcom Lane, during a foggy evening commute.

Around Town

Open Road and Salt to Open Next Week

By ARLnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 1:30PM

The dining space at Open Road on N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new watering hole for Rosslyn office-dwellers and residents is planning to open next week.

Open Road and Salt will both open on Tuesday at 1201 Wilson Blvd in Central Place Plaza, according to owner Metropolitan Hospitality Group.

Traffic

TRAFFIC ALERT: Pole Down After Crash on I-66

By ARLnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 1:00PM | Updated December 13, 2019 at 1:57PM

Crash and downed pole on WB I-66 (courtesy David Johnson)

Expect heavy traffic on westbound I-66 in Arlington due to a two-vehicle crash near the Washington Blvd exit.

The crash felled a light pole, which then fell across the right-hand lane of the highway. Police are on scene, awaiting a highway crew to move the pole and tow trucks to remove the crashed vehicles.

News

County Seeking to Impose Bigger Speeding Fines

By ARLnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 11:05AM

Arlington County is taking steps that would allow it to impose a supplemental $200 fine for speeding on certain designated, residential streets.

The County Board will consider a request to advertise the addition of an “Additional Speeding Fine Zone” to its traffic ordinance at tomorrow’s Board meeting.

News

Police Investigating Stabbing of Taxi Driver in Westover

By ARLnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 9:20AM

File photo

A taxi driver was stabbed by a man in Westover earlier this week, according to Arlington County Police, in a seemingly random attack.

The alleged stabbing happened around 2 a.m. Tuesday, on the 1600 block of McKinley Road. Police say the assailant — the passenger in a cab — stabbed the driver after he completed his trip.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published December 13, 2019 at 7:30AM

Labor Rule Violations Alleged at Temporary HQ2 Projects — “A union is charging that employers at six construction projects that will house Amazon employees or operations in Northern Virginia have evaded federal and state taxes by misclassifying workers, failing to carry workers’ compensation coverage and avoiding overtime pay.” [Washington Post]

Beyer Voting Yes on Impeachment — “The facts allow for no other interpretation: President Trump violated his oath of office to faithfully execute the laws. In order to cover up his offenses, he engaged in unprecedented obstruction of Congress’s oversight power and role as an equal branch of government.” [Press Release]