Dan Egitto | ARLnow

New communications official takes the helm as Arlington recovers from staffing shakeups

Published July 30, 2024 at 1:30PM

Erika Moore (via Arlington County)

Arlington has a new top communications official.

Erika Moore, the former communications manager for Arlington’s Dept. of Community Planning, Housing and Development, is the new Assistant County Manager for Communications and Public Engagement, the county announced in a press release earlier this month.

News

Mysterious removal of ’empathy’ signs leads artist to stop coming to Arlington

By Dan Egitto

Published July 30, 2024 at 10:30AM

One of several "Empathy" signs placed along roads in north Arlington and McLean in 2022 (staff photo)

The man responsible for posting over 1,500 “empathy” signs around the area is steering clear of Arlington and some other Northern Virginia locales these days.

That’s because an unknown person or entity has been taking down the handmade markers meant to encourage greater human connection and understanding. In Arlington, in Falls Church and as far out as Annandale, the signs — which started appearing in 2022 — started going missing from utility poles sometime around March.

Around Town

Rosslyn readies for 40th annual Dark Star Park Day later this week

By Dan Egitto

Published July 29, 2024 at 9:30AM

Dark Star Park Day (photo courtesy by Anice Hoachlander and Elman Studio)

The iconic poles and concrete orbs of an art installation in Rosslyn are celebrating their 40th anniversary this week.

Members of the public are invited to celebrate Dark Star Park Day this Thursday, Aug. 1. At approximately 9:32 a.m., the park “performs a special effect” that happens only once a year.

News

Pentagon City Sector Plan re-approved, allowing RiverHouse plans to keep moving forward

By Dan Egitto

Published July 25, 2024 at 3:55PM

RiverHouse in Pentagon City at sunset (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Arlington County Board has re-approved the Pentagon City Sector Plan, restoring a document that a state court declared void for procedural reasons earlier this year.

The Board’s unanimous vote on Tuesday reaffirmed the county’s original February 2022 decision to plan for substantial Pentagon City development in coming years, particularly at the RiverHouse apartment complex. Developer JBG Smith proposes to build over 1,500 new units on the expansive property, across from the Westpost shopping center and home to three apartment towers.

News

Inconsistent boil water notices resulted from poor regional coordination, county staff say

By Dan Egitto

Published July 25, 2024 at 1:55PM

Tap water in Arlington (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Poor regional coordination and outdated technology led to inconsistent messaging during Arlington’s boil water notice earlier this month, county staff say.

Confusion began after D.C. Water was the first to issue a boil water notice the night of July 3, due to potential contamination caused by algae blooms in the Potomac River.

News

Feedback sought on current conditions of Arlington Blvd Trail near Rosslyn

By Dan Egitto

Published July 25, 2024 at 10:30AM

A portion of the Arlington Blvd Trail near Rosslyn (via Google Maps)

Arlington County is collecting feedback on a narrow walking and bicycling path along Arlington Blvd near Rosslyn.

The portion of the Arlington Blvd Trail between Dark Star Park and the N. Rhodes Street overpass is currently only a few feet wide in some places, sandwiched between Arlington Blvd and N. Fairfax Drive. A project page describes the trial as “an important bike connection” that is “surrounded by a frequent-trafficked road and a highway where vehicles drive at high speeds.”

News

Road safety, environmental impacts emphasized as County Board passes $4.5B capital plan

By Dan Egitto

Published July 24, 2024 at 3:30PM

County Board members discuss the FY 2025-2034 CIP (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Extra emphasis on road safety, environmental resiliency and facilities upgrades is included in the final draft of Arlington’s latest 10-year Capital Improvement Plan.

The Arlington County Board yesterday (Tuesday) approved a $4.5 billion Fiscal Year 2025-2034 CIP, outlining planned investment in county infrastructure and assets. Changes between the original proposal presented in May and the final draft include:

News

Affordable housing complexes near Rosslyn and in Long Branch Creek designated as ‘revitalization areas’

By Dan Egitto

Published July 24, 2024 at 1:30PM

Units in the Marbella Apartments set for renovation (via Google Maps)

The county has designated a pair of affordable housing complexes as “revitalization areas” in an effort to help them secure more funding.

The new designation, which the Arlington County Board approved on Monday, affects renovation projects at Arna Valley View in Long Branch Creek and sites C, D and E of the Marbella Apartments project near Rosslyn. It is meant to help with a funding application at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Program.

News

Land purchase for new Columbia Pike fire station approved

By Dan Egitto

Published July 24, 2024 at 11:30AM

Land at 5519 Columbia Pike, the proposed new site of Fire Station 7 (via Google Maps)

The Arlington County Board has approved a $4 million land purchase to build a new Columbia Pike fire station.

Fire Station 7 is slated to be built on two parcels of land next to Serrano Apartments at 5519 Columbia Pike — near Bailey’s Crossroads and about two miles away from the former Fire Station 7 in Fairlington that shuttered in 2019.

News

Arlington trades ‘View of DC’ access in Rosslyn for $14 million Gateway Park investment

By Dan Egitto

Published July 23, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated July 23, 2024 at 11:46AM

The Central Place office tower in Rosslyn (via Google Maps)

The Arlington County Board has agreed to trade public access to the “View of DC” observation deck in exchange for a $14 million investment in a nearby park.

The deal unanimously passed yesterday (Monday) despite concerns from some community members about deprioritizing views in Rosslyn, as well as a 5-2 vote from the Arlington Planning Commission asserting that the decision is not in accord with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

News

Recovery houses for up to eight people proposed for single-family Arlington neighborhoods

By Dan Egitto

Published July 22, 2024 at 3:55PM

Certified recovery residences with up to eight people might soon be allowed in single-family Arlington neighborhoods.

With limited exceptions, the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance currently allows no more than four people to live in a single-family home unless they are “related by blood, marriage or adoption.” But a county staff report recommends changing county code to provide explicit support for recovery residences, which offer drug- and alcohol-free housing to people with substance abuse disorders.

News

Fewer parking spots proposed for Clarendon apartment building, despite some objections

By Dan Egitto

Published July 22, 2024 at 1:30PM

The planned Joyce Motors project at 1020 N. Irving Street (via Arlington County)

A developer is seeking to build fewer parking spots at a Clarendon apartment building, despite objections from two civic associations.

A requested site plan amendment for the Joyce Motors project would remove a portion of a planned parking garage, reducing the number of residential parking spots from 155 to 119. Developer Orr Partners also seeks to build 10 fewer residential units — 231 as opposed to 241 — but increase the project’s gross floor area by 1,629 square feet.