Alex Koma | ARLnow

Plans to Guide Transformation of Rosslyn’s Streets Taking Shape, With Another Open House Set Tomorrow

Published March 12, 2019 at 10:00AM

Plans are coming together for a major transformation of Rosslyn’s streets, as county officials advance a series of proposals designed to someday make the neighborhood a bit more friendly to cyclists and pedestrians.

The county is holding a public meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) to unveil a newly revised design for the future of Rosslyn’s street network. Known as the “Core of Rosslyn” study, planners have been working since 2017 to finalize a redesign of the neighborhood that comports with the “Rosslyn Sector Plan” the County Board adopted in 2015.

Around Town

Lee Highway Studio ‘Art House 7’ Looks to Expand, Double in Size

By Alex Koma

Published March 11, 2019 at 4:00PM | Updated March 11, 2019 at 5:01PM

An art studio for kids along Lee Highway is looking to double in size as part of its new expansion plans.

Art House 7, located at 5537 Lee Highway in Yorktown, is looking for the County Board’s permission to earn the necessary zoning changes to make the move. The studio has offered classes and summer camps on everything from painting to pottery-making since it opened in the space in 2015.

News

Amazon Could Avoid Paying Any Business License Taxes in Arlington, Even Without Incentive Program

By Alex Koma

Published March 11, 2019 at 1:30PM | Updated March 11, 2019 at 1:53PM

Arlington officials have pitched Amazon on a program to help the company slash its business license tax burden when it sets up shop in Pentagon City and Crystal City — but the county is also admitting that Amazon could avoid that particular tax altogether.

Should an incentive package designed to bring the tech giant’s new headquarters to Arlington win county approval this weekend, Amazon will still be subject to all manner of local levies. In particular, officials are counting on real estate tax revenues from the company to generate an extra $342 million for county coffers over the next 16 years.

News

Plans Drawn Up for New, Six-Story Senior Living Center Along Lee Highway

By Alex Koma

Published March 11, 2019 at 10:00AM

A design sketch of the proposed Artis Senior Living Center on Lee Highway.

A new senior living center, perhaps the first to be built in Arlington in decades, could soon be on the way for a property along Lee Highway.

McLean-based Artis Senior Living has filed plans with the county to build a six-story facility with 175 units on a 2.79-acre property near Cherrydale. The building would be divided into two wings, surrounding a landscaped plaza and a new public park near the site, located at 2134 N. Taylor Street.

News

Digital Screens Displaying Local Artwork Set to be Installed at Five Arlington Metro Stations

By Alex Koma

Published March 11, 2019 at 9:00AM

Passengers board at the Rosslyn Metro station (file photo)

Arlington Metro riders might soon notice some digital screens displaying local artwork popping up at five stations sometime this spring.

WMATA plans to install the new screens at a dozen stations across the Metro system over the coming weeks, including several stops in Arlington itself: Crystal City, Ballston, Pentagon City, National Airport and Rosslyn.

Opinion

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By Alex Koma

Published March 8, 2019 at 5:30PM

You might’ve spotted some snow flurries today, but this weekend figures to feature a major warm-up.

Though temperatures may remain a bit chilly through Saturday, the forecast includes rising temperatures up to the 50s by tomorrow afternoon. By Sunday, things could even make it to the 60s and 70s.

News

Weeknight Lane Closures for Ballston Quarter Pedestrian Bridge Construction Bumped to Mid-March

By Alex Koma

Published March 8, 2019 at 2:30PM

Construction on the Ballston Quarter pedestrian bridge in mid-March (Image via Arlington County)

Construction work on the Ballston Quarter pedestrian bridge will prompt yet more road closures tonight (Friday), but the more extensive work set for weeknights is on hold for a bit.

For the second straight week, workers plan to close Wilson Blvd between N. Randolph and N. Stuart streets starting at 8 p.m tonight through Sunday at 6 p.m.

Around Town

Acme Pie Company Taking Over Former Twisted Vines Space on Columbia Pike

By Alex Koma

Published March 8, 2019 at 1:30PM

Sol Schott, owner of Acme Pie Co.

For the last few years, pie chef Sol Schott has relied on the kitchen space at Columbia Pike’s Twisted Vines Bar and Bottleshop to whip up his wares — now, his Acme Pie Company is taking over the storefront.

Schott told ARLnow that he signed a five-year lease this week for the space at 2803 Columbia Pike. It’ll be the first brick-and-mortar location for his baking business, after he spent years selling his pies wholesale and offering them up at local farmers markets.

Around Town

TTT Mexican Diner, Buena Vida Plan to Open in Clarendon’s Old La Tasca Space Later This Month

By Alex Koma

Published March 8, 2019 at 10:00AM

A rendering of the TTT Mexican Diner in Clarendon (courtesy of Street Guys Hospitality)

Two of the three restaurants moving into the space formerly occupied by La Tasca in Clarendon now expect to open their doors later this month.

The TTT Mexican Diner and Buena Vida, set to occupy the first and second floors of the building at 2900 Wilson Blvd, are now set to open on March 18.

News

County Board Chair Dorsey Kicks Off Re-Election Bid, Joining Cristol in Run for Another Term

By Alex Koma

Published March 7, 2019 at 4:30PM

County Board Chair Christian Dorsey is making a run for re-election, joining fellow Board member Katie Cristol in a bid for another four years in office.

Dorsey formally announced his bid at the Arlington County Democratic Committee’s monthly meeting last night (Wednesday), according to the group’s website. The county’s elections office also now lists Dorsey as a candidate for the Board, which has two seats on the ballot this fall.

News

New Open Space Plan Sparks Bruising Fight Over the Future of Arlington’s Athletic Fields

By Alex Koma

Published March 7, 2019 at 3:30PM

People playing soccer at a field at Barcroft Park (via Arlington County)

Arlington’s lengthy, detailed public space planning documents might seem dry and technical at first glance, but an impending update to those plans has sparked a bitter fight in the county.

Though the sparring centers largely around reams of statistics and data, the debate cuts to the heart of a key question for leaders in the 26-square-mile county: how should Arlington divvy up its limited amount of public land?

News

National Progressive Group Launches Fundraising Effort to Support Challengers to Favola, Lopez

By Alex Koma

Published March 7, 2019 at 1:30PM

Nicole Merlene, left, is challenging Sen. Barbara Favola. JD Spain is challenging Del. Alfonso Lopez.

One of the country’s leading progressive activists and researchers is launching a new fundraising push for primary challengers to two Arlington lawmakers.

Sean McElwee, a co-founder of Data for Progress, announced yesterday (Wednesday) that his organization would be launching “The Progressive Virginia Project,” an effort to raise cash for four candidates in Virginia’s statehouse races this fall. Among the group set to benefit from the fundraising is Nicole Merlene, who is challenging state Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31st District) and J.D. Spain, who is looking to unseat Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-49th District).