Author: Dan Egitto

Dan Egitto is an editor and reporter at ARLnow. Originally from Central Florida, he graduated from Duke University and previously reported at the Palatka Daily News in Florida and the Vallejo Times-Herald in California. Dan joined ARLnow in January 2024.

Around Town

Arlington composer’s short film ‘Forevergreen’ is heading to the Oscars

By Dan Egitto
A shot from the Academy Award-nominated film "Forevergreen" (courtesy of Isaac Wardell)

Arlington will have some representation at the Oscars this weekend after a film scored by a local resident was nominated for “Best Animated Short.”

Composer Isaac Wardell, who lives in the Westover area, will be donning a tux and heading to the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, for his work on the film “Forevergreen” — a 13-minute short about an orphaned bear cub and a fatherly evergreen tree.

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Around Town

Sprouts Farmers Market plans September opening along Langston Blvd

By Dan Egitto
A "coming soon" sign at the planned Sprouts Farmers Market at 3115 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A new grocery store off of Langston Blvd is expected to open later this year.

Sprouts Farmers Market is targeting a September opening at 3115 Langston Blvd, the former home of a Giant supermarket that closed two years ago, in March 2024.

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Watch for potholes and report them to county, staff urge after snowy winter

By Dan Egitto
A pothole on 10th Street N. near Courthouse in 2025 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A cold and snowy winter has produced large numbers of potholes in Arlington, though perhaps not as many as some might expect.

About 190 pothole fill requests have been filed in Arlington since Feb. 1, Peter Golkin, a spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Services, told ARLnow. About 50 were pending as of Wednesday.

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Proposed cuts to Arlington rescue units prompt backlash from firefighter union

By Dan Egitto
Firefighters respond to a house fire in August 2025 (courtesy of Pat Kehs)

Arlington County’s firefighter union is speaking out against a proposal to remove four vacant firefighter positions from the payroll.

The current county budget draft proposes to consolidate the Arlington County Fire Department’s two heavy rescue companies, relocating them under a single roof at Fire Station 1 (500 S. Glebe Road). This would reduce ACFD’s total authorized staffing by four full-time employees.

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Around Town

Pizzeria Paradiso coming to Water Park in Crystal City this spring

By Dan Egitto
The planned Pizzeria Paradiso Pronto (and former Crush Pizza) at 1611 Crystal Drive (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

It’s a changing of the guard for pizza restaurants in Crystal City.

The regional pizza chain Pizzeria Paradiso is expected to open a new fast-casual spot in National Landing Water Park this spring, replacing Crush Pizza and Wine at 1611 Crystal Drive.

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Shirlington is getting wider sidewalks and more outdoor dining

By Dan Egitto
Renderings of planned changes in Shirlington (courtesy of Federal Realty Investment Trust)

A set of pedestrian-oriented upgrades to sidewalks, lighting and seating is getting underway in the Village at Shirlington.

Construction work, which was proposed in May 2025 and is intended to “improve connectivity, enhance public spaces, and preserve the property’s historic character,” is expected to last through November.

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Bill could bring Virginia’s first self-driving cars and trucks by 2028

By Dan Egitto
Virginia State Capitol in Richmond (staff photo)

Even if self-driving vehicles become legally possible in Virginia, they’d have to get through several more rounds of discussion and possible regulation before they could hit the road.

Sen. Saddam Salim (D-37), the chief patron of legislation in Richmond supporting autonomous trucking and ride-hailing services in Virginia, told ARLnow that his bill would establish a path forward for businesses like Waymo, but it would by no means be the final word.

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New proposal would convert former TSA headquarters into two residential buildings

By Dan Egitto
A planned office-to-residential conversion project at 601 and 701 12th Street S. (via Arlington County)

A long-delayed redevelopment of two office buildings in Pentagon City appears to have pivoted to an office-to-apartment conversion project.

A site plan application, filed last week at the vacant Transportation Security Administration office buildings at 601 and 701 12th Street S., would abandon plans to demolish the existing structures and rebuild.

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What would it take for Arlington to get Waymo robotaxis?

By Dan Egitto
A Waymo spotted in the Safeway parking lot on Langston Blvd (courtesy Jennifer Galloway)

The day might be coming when self-driving lifts will roam the streets of Arlington — but a couple legislative decisions would have to happen first.

Waymo, Google’s self-driving taxi arm that has been expanding in several other metro areas, has had its eye on the D.C. area for a while.

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Around Town

Bagel Uprising plans new Ballston location, starting friendly rivalry with Call Your Mother

By Dan Egitto
The planned Bagel Uprising location at 901 N. Glebe Road (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Some friendly carb competition appears to be coming to Ballston as a second bagel spot has announced plans to open on Glebe Road.

Bagel Uprising, based in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, plans to open its second location at 901 N. Glebe Road in May, co-founder Chad Breckinridge told ARLnow. That’s just half a mile from D.C.-based bagel chain Call Your Mother’s planned location at 4000 Wilson Blvd.

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Watchdog who raised alarm on sewage spill has long history of Potomac advocacy

By Dan Egitto
A view of Rosslyn over the frozen Potomac River in winter (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

One of the fiercest advocates for action and advocacy after last month’s mass sewage spill has a long background in fighting for the Potomac River.

Potomac Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks was one of the first at the scene of the burst Potomac Interceptor pipe in Montgomery County on Jan. 19.

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Joyce Motors redevelopment gets underway in Clarendon

By Dan Egitto
Demolition work at the Joyce Motors site (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Demolition has begun at the Joyce Motors site in Clarendon, and another nearby project may be getting underway soon.

The home of the longtime auto shop at 3211 10th Street N. has been fenced off and demo work was in full swing today (Tuesday) as crews broke and hauled debris under a towering crane.

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