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.

News

Lower speed limits, wider sidewalks planned for $261M redesign of Route 1

By Dan Egitto
Plans for a redesign of Route 1 in Crystal City (via VDOT)

A study on turning Route 1 into a bike- and pedestrian-friendly “urban boulevard” through Crystal City has concluded, teeing up big-ticket changes in years to come.

Last night (Tuesday), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) presented the Phase 2 findings of a study on plans to bring the commuter route — which is currently elevated between 20th Street S. and 12th Street S. — down to street level.

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News

JUST IN: Big jump in plans for RiverHouse as 1,200+ more homes proposed

By Dan Egitto
Development plans for the RiverHouse neighborhood (via Arlington County)

Plans for over 1,200 additional homes have been added to an already sizeable proposal to expand Pentagon City’s RiverHouse development.

JBG Smith now proposes to add a whopping 2,785 housing units to the apartment complex on S. Joyce Street — a hefty increase to a recent proposal draft that called for 1,515 more units.

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News

No snow citations issued yet despite widespread complaints

By Dan Egitto
Snow on a sidewalk in East Falls Church on Tuesday, Jan. 14 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Arlington County still hasn’t issued any citations for slippery sidewalks following last week’s snowstorm, despite widespread complaints and lingering ice.

Limited staff and logistical challenges have limited the county’s efforts to answer more than 600 resident complaints after the snowfall, Rachel LaPiana, a spokesperson for the Dept. of Community Planning, Housing and Development, told ARLnow.

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News

Snow and ice plague Arlington sidewalks three days after storm

By Dan Egitto
Snow on a sidewalk Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Lacey Woods Park along Washington Blvd (staff photo)

Three days after the last snowflakes fell on Arlington, significant stretches of walkways around the county remain encased in ice.

Along sidewalks and crosswalks in front of businesses, single-family homes, townhouse developments and at least one county park, ARLnow braved the ice and snow yesterday and today (Thursday) to document numerous failures to comply with the county’s snow removal ordinance.

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News

UPDATED: Early morning fire at Crystal City Sports Pub deemed suspicious

By Dan Egitto
Crystal City Sports Pub at 529 23rd Street S. (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Authorities responded to a fire at Crystal City Sports Pub early this morning.

The fire was reported at 5:34 a.m. Thursday at 529 23rd Street S. Initial reports indicated flames and smoke were seen coming from the building and the restaurant’s sprinkler system was activated.

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News

Thousands to help remove wreaths from Arlington National Cemetery

By Dan Egitto
Wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery in January 2024 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Traffic and delays are expected around Arlington National Cemetery this weekend as thousands of visitors remove holiday wreaths from graves.

The annual “wreaths out” event will take place beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Volunteers are expected to remove approximately 257,000 wreaths from the National Cemetery, along with about 14,000 from the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in D.C.

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Around Town

New ‘Arlington Mini Libraries’ map uses community help to locate free books

By Dan Egitto
An Arlington 'Little Free Library' in 2017 (staff photo)

An Arlington resident is seeking to create a map of every curbside library in the county, and he’s asking for the community’s help.

Constantin Kostenko, creator of the newly launched Arlington Mini Libraries project, enjoys going on walks with his children in his neighborhood near Nottingham Elementary School.

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News

New County Board member asks for help paying campaign debt

By Dan Egitto
JD Spain, Sr. at the Arlington Democrats' election November 2024 watch party in Crystal City (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Arlington County Board’s newest member is asking supporters for assistance in paying off remaining campaign debt.

JD Spain, Sr., who took out $32,000 in loans a few weeks before the Democratic primary in June, emailed supporters on Dec. 30 asking them to contribute to a “final push” for funding. As of the end of December, Spain told ARLnow, he had paid off 85% of campaign loans.

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News

More drones and police presence expected in Arlington ahead of inauguration

By Dan Egitto
Drone seen flying near former Key Bridge Marriott in 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The safety of residents is on the minds of Arlington  law enforcement following last week’s terror attack and the upcoming presidential inauguration.

There are currently no known threats in the county, ACPD spokesperson Kiyah Daniell confirmed with ARLnow. However, residents should expect to see increased law enforcement presence in Arlington around the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, Jan. 20.

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News

Flights canceled, plows activated as snow piles up in Arlington

By Dan Egitto
Pedestrians bundle up and brave the elements in Crystal City’s snowy streets on Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Snow is continuing to heap up in Arlington, bringing a flurry of closures and changes — as well as dangers for anyone caught out in the storm.

The county has activated its fleet of fancifully named snowplows, with a total of 70 currently available, county spokesperson Katie O’Brien told ARLnow. They cleared about 30% of residential streets on their first pass this morning, and the county expects to continue operations throughout the day and into tomorrow.

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