Dan Egitto | ARLnow

Arlington parks remain No. 5 in national ‘ParkScore’ rankings

Published May 22, 2024 at 9:15AM

Walking path in Lacey Woods Park on a sunny day (staff photo)

Arlington’s parks have maintained their ranking as some of the best in the country for the seventh year in a row.

Arlington ranks fifth in the national “ParkScore” rankings released today — the same spot that it held last year, but behind its No. 3 ranking in 2022. The county’s parks have ranked among the top 5 in the nation since 2018.

News

Eminent domain fight heats up over Columbia Pike property

By Dan Egitto

Published May 21, 2024 at 3:30PM

Sandra Fortson, conservator for the owner of 1802 Columbia Pike, speaking to the County Board on May 18, 2024 (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Arlington’s efforts to take a privately owned property on Columbia Pike are attracting mounting criticism.

An Arlington County Board candidate, the Arlington View Civic Association, an anti-Missing Middle group, and the property’s conservator have all taken aim at ongoing eminent domain proceedings at 1802 Columbia Pike.

Around Town

Puppet shop seeks new location as Crystal City Underground set to close

By Dan Egitto

Published May 21, 2024 at 11:30AM

Puppet Heaven in the Crystal City Underground (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Alban Odoulamy has been selling puppets out of his shop in the Crystal City Underground for 28 years.

Opening as “La Marionette” in April 1996, that shop — now Puppet Heaven at 1750 Crystal Drive — has shifted locations over decades, but it’s always stayed in the subterranean mall. However, following last month’s announcement that all shops must vacate the shopping area, what Odoulamy says is the D.C. area’s only dedicated puppet store is one of many businesses in need of a new home.

Around Town

New restaurant and bar opens in former ‘Rebellion on the Pike’ space

By Dan Egitto

Published May 20, 2024 at 1:30PM

An empty box hangs in place of a sign a few weeks after Cornerstone restaurant opened at 2900 Columbia Pike in April (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A new restaurant and bar has opened at the former site of Rebellion on the Pike.

Cornerstone opened its doors last month at 2900 Columbia Pike, serving up hearty plates like chicken pot pie, beef chili and seafood pasta along with beers, wines and signature cocktails at its full bar.

News

More sexual health outreach needed, Arlington LGBTQ+ group tells county

By Dan Egitto

Published May 20, 2024 at 10:45AM

Doctor on a computer (Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash)

An Arlington LGBTQ+ group is calling for better county outreach related to sexual health.

Equality Arlington, which advocated for greater county spending on LGBTQ+ issues this budget cycle, applauded a new $25,000 marketing budget set aside for Arlington Public Health. The group hopes this funding can increase awareness about sexual health testing, prevention and treatment services including a county STI clinic.

News

Pair of busy Arlington intersections could be getting safety upgrades

By Dan Egitto

Published May 17, 2024 at 1:55PM

S. Carlin Springs Road and 3rd Street S. (photo via Google Maps)

Streetscape upgrades may be coming to busy intersections along George Mason Drive and S. Carlin Springs Road.

A $1.7 million contract for improved sidewalks and better traffic signals is slated to go before the Arlington County Board on Saturday. Under consideration are the intersections of S. Carlin Springs at 3rd Street S. and Arlington Blvd at N./S. George Mason Drive.

Schools

‘Grace Hopper Center’ to be Career Center’s new name as project breaks ground

By Dan Egitto

Published May 17, 2024 at 10:45AM

Arlington Public Schools officials break ground for the forthcoming Grace Hopper Center (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The new facility set to replace the Arlington Career Center will be named after a noted Navy admiral and computer scientist who lived in Arlington.

Grace Hopper Center will be the campus’s new name following a 4-0 Arlington School Board vote last night.

Events

Quarterfest Crawl in Ballston rescheduled due to expected rain

By Dan Egitto

Published May 16, 2024 at 2:55PM

Ballston Quarterfest Crawl 2021 (photo courtesy of Ballston BID)

Ballston’s Quarterfest Crawl, originally scheduled to happen this weekend, has just been pushed back to late June.

“Due to forecasted weather, Quarterfest has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 29th,” says an announcement.

Around Town

Free dog washes this weekend at grand opening of pet groomer and supply store

By Dan Egitto

Published May 16, 2024 at 10:45AM

Wag N' Wash at 2501 N Harrison St. (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Free dog washes are coming to the grand opening of a new pet supply store and “grooming salon” in North Arlington.

Wag N’ Wash, now open at the former site of Loyal Companion pet store at 2501 N. Harrison Street, in the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center, offers dog owners a chance to pamper their pups with self-service dog wash stations, professional grooming services and an array of pet products.

News

Affordable housing proposal in Aurora Highlands nears milestone, despite objections

By Dan Egitto

Published May 15, 2024 at 3:35PM | Updated May 15, 2024 at 4:22PM

Melwood's property at 750 23rd Street S. in Aurora Highlands (via Google Maps)

Plans to build an affordable housing development near Crystal City could take a key step forward next week despite a neighborhood association’s objections.

A request to advertise hearings on a possible land-use amendment for the Melwood property in Aurora Highlands is scheduled to go before the Arlington County Board on Tuesday. At issue is the possibility of shifting the site’s zoning designation from “public” to “low-medium residential” — bringing a proposal to build 104 units of affordable housing “within the realm of consideration,” a county report says.

Events

Initiative connecting veterans to AI opportunities launches in Arlington this week

By Dan Egitto

Published May 15, 2024 at 11:30AM

An event aiming to connect military veterans to AI-related opportunities is coming to Arlington this week.

The Vets in AI launch event, taking place at Microsoft’s Rosslyn office on Thursday, is one of the first forays into the D.C. area for the San Francisco-based nonprofit VetsinTech. As emerging technologies play an increasingly prominent role in both the public and private sector, Vets in AI seeks to create education, employment and entrepreneurship pathways for people with military backgrounds.

News

Temporary pickleball courts proposed as Crystal City development project faces delays

By Dan Egitto

Published May 14, 2024 at 3:55PM

223 23rd Street S. on May 14, 2024 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Temporary pickleball and beach volleyball courts could be coming to Crystal City as plans to build two apartment towers face significant delays.

A pair of 30-story apartment buildings are ultimately expected to bring 1,439 residential units and over 22,000 square feet of retail to 223 23rd Street S. and 2250 Crystal Drive. But the project approved in early 2023 won’t be getting off the ground until “construction costs and interest rates normalize” — likely next year at the earliest, developer JBG Smith told ARLnow.