Alex Koma | ARLnow

County Allows APS Parking at Buck Property, Though Site’s Future Still Uncertain

Published June 18, 2018 at 1:45PM | Updated May 29, 2019 at 1:35PM

The former Buck property at 1425 N. Quinn Street (photo via Google Maps)

Someday, the Buck property near Ballston could be home to a new school, or for other county-owned facilities or offices — but for now, it’ll merely be used for parking for some school employees.

The County Board voted unanimously Saturday (June 16) to allow the school system to use 48 parking spaces at the site for at least the next two years. The School Board approved a similar initiative on May 30, clearing the way for Arlington Public Schools to park its “white fleet” at the site (1425 N. Quincy Street) and free up some space at the county’s Trades Center.

News

Arlington’s Metrobus Service Set for Route Changes Starting Next Month

By Alex Koma

Published June 18, 2018 at 9:45AM

Metroway bus at station (file photo)

Metro is making some changes to a handful of its bus routes around Arlington, in a bid to make service more efficient and save a bit of money.

WMATA’s Board of Directors approved a series of changes to Metrobus routes across the region on Thursday (June 14), including adjustments along six routes in the county. All of the alterations will take effect on July 1, and they mark the latest in a slew of recent changes to Metrobus service in Arlington.

Around Town

PETA Urges Arlington Residents Not to Set Off July 4 Fireworks, Avoid Scaring Local Pets

By Alex Koma

Published June 17, 2018 at 2:45PM | Updated June 18, 2018 at 9:45AM

A fireworks booth at the corner of Columbia Pike and Glebe Road

July 4 is just around the corner, and PETA is urging people looking to celebrate Independence Day in Arlington to abandon any plans to set off fireworks and avoid frightening local pets.

The animals rights group announced in a news release Monday (June 11) that its workers will start handing out leaflets across the D.C. area to spread the word about the lesser-known impact of fireworks on our four-legged friends. PETA notes in the release that animal shelters often become flooded with lost pets in the immediate aftermath of the holiday, after being startled by the sudden explosion of fireworks.

Opinion

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By Alex Koma

Published June 15, 2018 at 6:00PM

A heat wave is just around the corner, just in time for the weekend (and Father’s Day).

The forecast is set to be gorgeous for the next two days, before things get especially steamy Sunday.

News

County Scores $83 Million in Funding for ART Facilities, Pentagon City Improvements

By Alex Koma

Published June 15, 2018 at 3:45PM

Metroway bus at station (file photo)

Arlington is now in line to receive nearly $83 million in funding to help the county afford four major transportation projects over the next six years, including the construction of two bus maintenance facilities and a major expansion of transit options in Pentagon City.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority announced its new Six Year Program today (Friday), outlining the regional body’s plans to shell out a total of nearly $1.3 billion for transportation projects through 2024. The NVTA collects a select set of regional taxes, then identifies which construction efforts around the region are most likely to reduce in congestion before doling out money to help localities fund them.

News

New Arlington Ridge Townhomes Could Prompt Extension of S. Queen Street

By Alex Koma

Published June 15, 2018 at 1:45PM

Plans for a new section of S. Queen Street in Arlington Ridge (via Arlington County)

Some new condos could be on the way in the Arlington Ridge neighborhood, prompting county officials to weigh a proposal to extend S. Queen Street and make the new development possible.

After branching off from 23rd Street S., the 2400 block of S. Queen Street currently ends in a cul-de-sac and is lined with a series of townhomes as part of the Forest Hills development. But according to a report prepared for the County Board, a developer approached county officials with plans to build 12 additional town homes on some vacant land behind the neighborhood early this year.

News

New Ballston Quarter Pedestrian Bridge Delayed Until 2019

By Alex Koma

Published June 15, 2018 at 10:45AM

A rendering of the new Ballston pedestrian bridge (via Forest City)

The developer behind the renovated Ballston Quarter mall is pushing back its plans to open a new pedestrian bridge over Wilson Blvd, as part of a host of proposed changes to the project.

Forest City had originally hoped to open the overhauled bridge connecting the mall to 4201 Wilson Blvd and the Metro station in time for stores to begin opening this fall. Yet work on the bridge is “currently behind schedule and is now expected to be completed in the winter or early spring of 2019,” according to a report prepared for the County Board.

Traffic

Planners Want Your Feedback on Some Major Rehab Work on the GW Parkway

By Alex Koma

Published June 14, 2018 at 5:00PM

Traffic on the GW Parkway (file photo)

Some major renovations are on the way for the GW Parkway as it runs from Rosslyn to I-495, and transportation planners want to hear from you about how the highway can improve.

The National Park Service, which maintains the road, is accepting public comments on the project from now through July 14. The effort is a long way from kicking off — the NPS has yet to even find funding for the construction — but officials are dubbing it a “major rehabilitation” of that section of the highway as it nears “the end of its design lifespan.”

News

County Picks Three Troublesome Intersections for Improvements

By Alex Koma

Published June 14, 2018 at 4:15PM

6th Street S. at S. Adams Street (via Arlington County)

Three troublesome intersections across Arlington are now set for some improvements, as part of the county’s “Neighborhood Complete Streets” program.

The county revealed yesterday (Wednesday) that it has chosen a trio of intersections for “pilot projects” of the program, which is designed to fund a whole host of local road projects in areas plagued by frequent accidents. In the coming months, workers will start construction at:

Schools

School Board Weighs Draining Reserves to Meet Some Parent Demands at Career Center

By Alex Koma

Published June 14, 2018 at 1:45PM | Updated June 14, 2018 at 3:26PM

Arlington Career Center (photo via Google Maps)

(Updated at 3:25 p.m.) There may be a way to satisfy parent demands for equitable amenities at a new high school program near Columbia Pike — but it comes at a cost.

The School Board is nearing a vote on a new Capital Improvement Plan, which will guide the next 10 years of school construction, and that means time is running out for officials to tinker with plans for the Arlington Career Center. The site will eventually be home to an additional 1,050 high school students, but the Board has yet to settle on just how it will move forward with building on the property.

News

With a Low-Turnout Primary Win Under His Belt, de Ferranti Looks to November

By Alex Koma

Published June 13, 2018 at 1:45PM

Matt de Ferranti scored a decisive, 20-point win in his bid to become the Democratic nominee for the Arlington County Board — but with that success comes the daunting task of figuring out how to beat an incumbent who twice put up double-digit margins of victory four years ago.

De Ferranti, an advocate for Native American education, didn’t have much trouble overcoming cybersecurity professional Chanda Choun in yesterday’s primary. He earned more than 7,000 of the roughly 11,500 votes cast, and lost just two precincts to Choun, even though both were first-time candidates.

News

Overhaul of Tricky ‘Clarendon Circle’ Intersection Could Start This Fall

By Alex Koma

Published June 13, 2018 at 10:45AM

"Clarendon Circle" intersection on 1/26/17 (file photo)

Arlington could soon kick off work on improvements at one of the county’s trickiest intersections for pedestrians and cyclists.

The County Board is set to approve a $2.5 million contract for the overhaul of the “Clarendon Circle” — the area where Clarendon, Washington and Wilson Boulevards all meet, just past the Metro station.