Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. The ARLnow staff byline is used for the Morning Notes and reporting done by an editor or other member of our full-time staff.
Looking for a new place to live? Homes and condos will be on display all across Arlington this weekend.
Check out our real estate section for a full listing of open houses this weekend. Here are a few highlights:
The Arlington County Board on Saturday is set to consider a lease renewal for county government headquarters at 2100 Clarendon Blvd in Courthouse.
Under the proposed agreement with property owner Vornado, according to a staff report, rent on the 235,000 square foot facility would actually go down, at least initially, though it would then rise 2.5 percent per year through the end of the lease in October 2033.
Superintendent Presents Proposed Budget — Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy presented his proposed, $617 million budget to the School Board last night. The budget includes $9.2 million for student enrollment growth and $8.7 million for teacher and staff pay increases. [Arlington Public Schools]
Wakefield Girls Advance to Regional Finals — With a semifinal win in Leesburg, the Wakefield High School girls basketball team has advanced to a regional championship game for the first time in the program’s history. They will play defending champs Edison tomorrow (Saturday) at Edison. The boys team, meanwhile, lost in the regional semifinals; both teams will also advance to the state tournament. [InsideNova, Facebook]
(Updated at 5:30 p.m.) A new $1.2 billion budget proposed by Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz would boost core services — road paving, streetlight maintenance, public safety, schools and Metro — while raising property taxes to the highest rate since 2001.
The proposed FY 2018 budget is being presented to the County Board this afternoon (Thursday).
Vornado Scraps Development Proposals — Ahead of the closing of its merger with JBG, Vornado has indefinitely put on hold a number of development proposals, including: all but one building of its proposed RiverHouse development in Pentagon City; a revamp of the shops at 1750 Crystal Drive that was to include a new 12-screen multiplex; and a pair of retail pavilions at 2101 and 2201 Crystal Drive. [Washington Business Journal]
Arlington a ‘Best City’ to Go Car-Free — According to a new list in Forbes, Arlington County is one of the top 25 U.S. cities for one to live without a car. Arlington was also one of nine places whose walkable neighborhoods were profiled in the magazine. [Forbes]
The sale of Pershing Manor fell through, prompting the owners of the controversial mansion to put it back on the auction block.
The property at 3120 N. Pershing Drive, which has been criticized by neighbors for its ostentatiousness, initially sold at auction for $2.2 million in December, ARLnow.com was told. The deed, however, was never transferred.
The second season of the Real Housewives of Potomac is promising all sorts of drama, including a storyline about Oz restaurant in Clarendon.
(Updated at 1:30 p.m.) Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette will not seek re-election this year, capping two decades of service on the Board.
Fisette, who first took office in 1998, is currently the longest-serving Board member. In a phone interview today, he said he has been weighing for months whether to run for another term.
Police say “numerous items of value” were stolen from the cars, which were parked on the 1800 block of N. Quinn Street.
More from this week’s Arlington County crime report:
This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Etta, a Persian rescue cat who lives with her rescue brother and sister. Here is what her owner, Joni, had to say about her:
Good Morning My Fellow Arlingtonians! As you can see, I am enjoying a glorious, sunny afternoon on the porch with mom and dad. I found my parents — although they like to say they found me — at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter and I was quite the mess! My previous owner passed away and her heirs didn’t want me because I was not a “show quality” Persian. But one glorious day, I knew I found my forever caregivers. They came and went but voila, two days later, I packed up and off we went to my forever palace! First thing’s first, a trip to the vet for a “well baby check-up” and then a much needed trip to the groomers to get rid of my matted fur and raccoon eyes. Persians require a lot of grooming which includes a daily eye cleansing and brushing but as you can see, I am sporting my Lion Cut! I live with my brother Nelson and sister Isabella (they are rescues as well) whom I chase around and frolic with… I also love to test out my dads gourmet cooking and enjoy learning about the stock market each morning.
It’s February on the calendar but the weather forecast for the next three days looks more like May.
Arlington — and indeed much of the country — is experiencing what could be described as an early spring, despite what the groundhog said. Blooms are forming on trees, outdoor restaurant patios are open and it’s not uncommon to see shorts and short sleeves being worn outdoors.
Airbnb Reg Changes Proposed — The Arlington County Board is considering more updates to its new Airbnb regulations. The Board on Saturday is expected to advertise two potential changes: first, eliminate the loophole that allowed Airbnb hosts to get out of paying hotel taxes if they host fewer than four guests at a time. Second, set a $60 annual fee for the permits required to be an Airbnb (or VRBO, HomeAway, etc.) host in Arlington. [Arlington County, Arlington County]
Letter: Short-Term Rentals Pose Risks — A pair of letter to the editor writers in the Sun Gazette argue that allowing Airbnb and other short-term rental services in Arlington involves major risks to safety and the potential for abuse of affordable housing. [InsideNova]
