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.
Overnight utility work in Rosslyn (courtesy George Brazier)
Roosevelt Bridge Project Starting — “A key connection between D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, is about to go through a 3-and-a-half-year rehab, with traffic shifting as soon as next week. The Roosevelt Bridge over the Potomac River, which supports almost 100,000 vehicles a day, has been classified as in poor condition for some time, according to the D.C. Department of Transportation.” [NBC 4]
Beyer Bill to Benefit Fired Feds — “Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., who represents more than 72,000 federal workers, is introducing legislation to make it easier for government employees removed under the Trump administration to rejoin agencies and to deter a future president from undertaking a mass firing of the workforce.” [Government Executive, Press Release]
Arlington and N. Va. Lauded — “It could be better (nobody’s perfect) Northern Virginia is probably the country’s best-executed version of suburban growth and I feel like nobody talks about it.” [Matthew Yglesias/X]
Arlington PitchFest Recap — “On April 30, 2025, 17 small business owners from Arlington and across Northern Virginia took the stage at the BizLaunch PitchFest Finale, held at Amazon’s Visitor Landing at HQ2. The event marked the culmination of the BizLaunch Transformational Challenge, a months-long program designed to equip entrepreneurs with critical skills to strengthen and scale their businesses.” [Arlington County]
ACFD Heat and Recovery Study — “Arlington Fire and GW presented a research study yesterday at the GW University research symposium on new technology to help prevent heat injuries and improve recovery for firefighters while performing fireground activities.” [ACFD/X]
Marymount Fashion Show Tomorrow — “This is not Paris Fashion Week. It’s a scene from Marymount University’s annual Portfolio in Motion (PIM) spring fashion show, where everything similarly happens by design… For the first time, PIM will make its 2025 debut at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, on May 3.” [Arlington Magazine]
More on Arlington’s ‘Green’ App — “On Earth Day and all year long, Arlington County is urging its community to “get green” and help the planet and they’re doing that with the Get Green Arlington app. The app allows residents to find green initiatives and track their daily impact on their neighborhood and planet.” [DC News Now]
It’s Friday — Showers and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, with otherwise mostly sunny conditions and a high near 87. Expect southwest winds of 10 mph, gusting up to 18 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. Friday night, the storm threat continues until 2am, with a 40% chance of precipitation, followed by partly cloudy skies and a low of 66. [NWS]
Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 2pm, with mostly sunny conditions and a high near 87. Expect southwest winds of 10 mph, gusting up to 18 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. For Friday night, the chance of showers and thunderstorms continues until 2am, followed by partly cloudy skies and a low of 66. South winds will be around 6 mph, with a 40% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C. S. Lewis
Address:2811 Franklin Road Neighborhood: Lyon Village Type: 5 BR, 3 (+1 half) BA single-family detached – 2597 sq. ft. Listed: $1,995,000
Noteworthy: Gorgeous designer-appointed cottage nestled on a quiet street in Lyon Village.
Lyon Village Cottage, designed by Deborah Blair, is a stunning five-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home that has been thoughtfully customized from top to bottom. A charming white picket fence and professionally landscaped garden welcome you. Enter through a sunroom with a custom-painted cement floor, Stark sisal rug, and solid brass dog hooks. Inside, Farrow & Ball paints pair with color-finished hardwoods, solid brass and crystal doorknobs, and artisanal finishes throughout.
The open main level offers a cozy living room with fireplace, a dining room with hand-blocked Galbraith & Paul linen light fixtures by Urban Electric, and windows dressed in Belgian linen-cotton blend treatments. Handmade wool rugs and a stair runner by Elizabeth Eakins/Holland & Sherry ground the space. The kitchen includes stainless steel appliances and a handmade antiqued UK-style freestanding pantry. A powder room and laundry complete this level.
Upstairs, three bedrooms feature Stark wool carpeting, window treatments by Carleton V and Elizabeth Eakins, and ceiling fixtures by Colleen & Co. A Visual Comfort fixture lights the hall, and the bathroom includes a custom Hwang Bishop light.
The lower level, with a private entrance, includes a full kitchen, bathroom, wallpaper by Sanderson and Cowtan & Tout, and a Stark wool rug. Above the garage, the carriage house offers a peaceful retreat with a morning kitchen, full bath, Skyler Samperton wallpaper, and Cowtan & Tout details.
The oversized garage includes a Tesla EV charger and arbor wrapped in wisteria. The backyard features a slate patio, lawn, irrigation system, and mature plantings—just two blocks from Clarendon’s shops, dining, and Metro.
Person holding cash (photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash)
There is increasing evidence to support worries about the local and national economy.
The 7.9% drop in the S&P 500 from Jan. 20-April 25 was the worst stock market performance to start the first 100 days of a presidential term since Richard Nixon, per reports earlier this week. Yesterday brought two additional data points: an estimated 0.3% drop in U.S. GDP during the first three months of the year, and a 60% year-over-year jump in Arlington’s unemployment rate.
Arlington’s congressman says that all adds up to an “increasingly grim picture.”
“The economic warning lights are all flashing red,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said in a press release sharply critical of the Trump administration.
Northern Virginia business leaders are also worried about the local economic outlook, despite optimism earlier this year, the Washington Business Journal reported Wednesday.
Given everything going on with the economy, we’re wondering how that’s affecting local residents and — specifically — their spending decisions.
In March, 65% of poll respondents said they were “very worried” about the local economy given the impact of DOGE cuts to the federal government. Two months later, are those worries — and new tariff and economic concerns — translating to a tighter grip on one’s pursestrings? Let’s find out.
Four Mile Run at Bon Air Park (staff photo by Vernon Miles)
Restaurant Files for Bankruptcy — “An affiliate of Epic Smokehouse has filed for bankruptcy petition, more than a decade after Wayne Halleran and Joon Yang, former staffers at The Palm in Tysons, teamed up open the barbecue restaurant across from the Costco in Pentagon City.” [WBJ]
Busboys and Poets to DCA — “Busboys and Poets is planning a new outpost at Reagan National Airport as part of a first-ever licensing agreement… The roughly 90-seat restaurant, slated to open as soon as next spring, will be a scaled-down version of the restaurant and cultural hub.” [WBJ]
Chick-fil-A Renovating at DCA — “Big news, Chick-fil-A fans! Our location will be TEMPORARILY closed starting today, April 30, for a fresh new remodel. Don’t worry—we’ll be back soon and better than ever, ready to serve your favorites with an upgraded look!” [Reagan Airport/X]
Local Teacher Charged in Fairfax — “A now-retired Fairfax County Public Schools teacher is facing criminal charges for allegedly assaulting a student and a colleague. Detectives began investigating Mary Simons, 63, of Arlington after Child Protective Services received a tip on March 28 alleging that she had assaulted a student while teaching at Parklawn Elementary School.” [FFXnow]
Robbery in Ballston — ” At approximately 12:09 p.m. on April 29, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim was inside a stairwell of a parking garage when two male suspects entered the stairwell, assaulted him, stole clothing items and subsequently fled the scene on foot. The victim sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.” [ACPD]
ID Change for ANC Drivers — “Beginning May 7, 2025, all individuals over the age of 18 who are authorized to drive onto Arlington National Cemetery in a vehicle should be prepared to present a REAL ID at the security checkpoint… Visitors who arrive by vehicle and park in the Welcome Center parking garage, walk, take the Metro or use a ride share service to ANC will not be required to present a REAL ID” [Arlington National Cemetery]
Home Listings Up — “The number of newly listed homes for sale in Northern Virginia in March was up 25.7% compared to March of last year, indicating more existing homeowners are deciding it is time to sell, whether by choice or need.” [WTOP]
Gov. Visits DEA in Arlington — “At @DEAHQ, Suzanne and I stood before the Faces of Fentanyl: sons and daughters, friends and neighbors, lives cut short by a single pill. Operation FREE has seized nearly 800 lbs of fentanyl to date—enough to kill every Virginian 10x over. We’ll never stop fighting to save lives.” [Gov. Glenn Youngkin/X]
It’s Thursday — Expect a partly sunny day with a high around 80 and a southeast wind of 6 to 10 mph. There’s a chance of showers and storms starting in the afternoon. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 66 and a 40% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Expect a slight chance of showers from 2pm to 5pm, followed by possible showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. The day will be partly sunny with a high around 80 and a southeast wind of 6 to 10 mph; precipitation chance stands at 20%. On Thursday night, showers and thunderstorms could occur before 11pm and showers may continue until 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 66 and an 8 mph southeast wind, with a 40% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Address:2600 3rd Street, N Neighborhood: Lyon Park Type: 6 BR, 6 (+1 half) BA single-family detached Listed: $1,999,000
Noteworthy: Stunning Modern Home only 2 years old!
Experience modern luxury in this nearly new home located in Arlington’s desirable Lyon Park, just blocks from Clarendon. Built two years ago, this spacious 4,700+ sq ft residence offers six bedrooms and six-and-a-half baths across a sleek, contemporary layout. The exterior boasts striking curb appeal with a glass-paneled garage, stacked stone façade, flagstone walkway, front roof deck, and a fenced front yard.
Inside, a grand two-story foyer with custom chandelier and a dramatic staircase opens into a bright space with 10-foot ceilings, oak flooring, crown molding, and designer window treatments. The chef’s kitchen features quartz countertops, Thermador appliances, soft-close cabinetry, under-cabinet lighting, reverse osmosis water system, and a large island that flows into the family room with a 42-inch gas fireplace and mounted TV.
The main level includes a bedroom suite, elegant powder room, and a mudroom with built-ins. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a private balcony, walk-in closet, and a spa-style bath with freestanding tub, triple-head shower, heated Toto bidet, and more. Three additional bedrooms include ensuite baths, plus a laundry room and private rooftop deck access.
The lower level provides a retreat with 9-foot ceilings, a walk-out recreation room, wet bar, wine display room with French doors, gym/studio space, and guest suite. Outdoor living includes a covered rear porch and a spacious, fenced backyard. A two-car garage with epoxy flooring and EV charging completes this exceptional home — ideally located near the Clarendon Metro, Downtown D.C., The Pentagon, and National Landing.
Police on N. Park Drive investigating shots fired call near Ballston on April 30, 2025 (staff photo by Jared Serre)
Several schools were secured this morning after a report of shots fired in the Buckingham neighborhood near Ballston.
It happened just before 9:15 a.m. At least two 911 callers reported hearing gunfire and seeing a group of teens running from the area, according to scanner traffic.
A rescue operation on Langston Blvd earlier this year (via ACFD/X)
A driver pinned after a crash caused their vehicle to flip has been extricated by firefighters.
The crash happened around 8:45 a.m. on Langston Blvd and N. Lexington Street, near Sloppy Mama’s BBQ. It’s unclear what caused the crash, which involved at least two vehicles, but it left one of the cars — a Subaru — on its roof and its driver reportedly pinned against the dashboard.
