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.

Events

Jazz Fest returns next month at the Rosslyn park now slated for major renovations

By Dan Egitto
Rosslyn Jazz Fest crowd (via Rosslyn Business Improvement District)

Arlington’s premier jazz festival is returning next month, at a venue now set to receive major renovations in coming years.

The 32nd Rosslyn Jazz Fest will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Gateway Park. Featuring acts such as the two-time Grammy winner Ranky Tanky and El Laberinto Del Coco, which recently starred on NPR’s Tiny Desk series, the event promises an afternoon full of soulful grooves and lively heavy-hitters from 1-7 p.m.

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News

New pedestrian bridge and picnic shelter included in planned Douglas Park renovations

By Dan Egitto
Douglas Park (via Arlington County)

Arlington is collecting feedback on proposed renovations at Douglas Park, a month after the County Board approved a 0.31-acre expansion of the recreation area.

Renovation plans at the five-acre park — in the neighborhood of the same name — call for replacing a wooden pedestrian bridge, a picnic shelter and site furnishings including picnic tables, park benches and waste bins. The project also aims to upgrade walking paths, improve stormwater management and remove invasive plants.

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News

New 276-unit apartment proposal is third to enter pipeline under Plan Langston Blvd

By Dan Egitto
A rendering of a proposed development at 3130 Langston Blvd (via Arlington County)

New plans for a 276-unit apartment building are the latest and largest of three Langston Blvd proposals to enter the pipeline in recent months.

A site plan application filed last week would replace the longstanding Walgreens at 3130 Langston Blvd with a 12-story tower containing some 353,000 square feet of retail and residential space. This follows two other proposals along the corridor, including a 94-unit building at 1501 Langston Blvd.

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News

Arlington’s 2050 Initiative seeks community input on county’s future

By Dan Egitto
Arlington 2050 community outreach (courtesy of Arlington County)

With four months to go in the Arlington 2050 Initiative, conversations about the county’s long-term future are still underway.

While the goals of residents for the next several decades differ substantially, county spokesperson Kristen Clark told ARLnow that one clear trend has emerged across engagement efforts: “Folks want to be together.”

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News

New nine-story office building with public plaza is complete in Va. Square

By Dan Egitto
The new mixed-use building at 3901 Fairfax Drive (courtesy of Skanska)

Construction on a new nine-story office building in Virginia Square is now complete, concluding the decade-plus process of redeveloping the site near Arlington Central Library.

Thirteen years after Arlington Funeral Home closed in 2011 with the expectation of an office building taking its place at 3901 N. Fairfax Drive, developer and construction company Skanska announced last week that those plans have finally come to fruition.

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News

Arlington affordable housing, workforce development prioritized in draft federal spending bills

By Dan Egitto
A February 2024 rendering of the proposed Goodwill redevelopment (courtesy AHC)

Roughly $4.8 million for community-based projects involving Arlington is included in draft U.S. Senate appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2025.

The bills, which have now passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee, would secure additional funding for affordable housing, workforce development programs and health care for low-income families in Arlington.

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Events

Christian hip-hop artist to discuss life experiences at Ballston church this weekend

By Dan Egitto
Lecrae (via Lecrae/Instagram)

A Grammy-winning Christian rapper who made the New York Times best seller list will be speaking at Grace Community Church this Sunday.

Lecrae, known for his music’s focus on his Christian faith and authentic hip-hop beats, will be speaking about “the ups and downs of his faith journey” at Grace at 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Lead Pastor John Slye Jr. told ARLnow.

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News

New cameras to begin enforcing speed limits in Arlington school zones next month

By Dan Egitto
A speed camera on Washington Blvd, east of N. Glebe Road in August 2024 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Cameras will start enforcing speed limits in Arlington school zones next month, more than two years after officials approved their installation.

The 10 cameras will begin operating on Sept. 25, with the owners of speeding vehicles receiving a $100 fine per infraction, a county press release says. Cameras will operate when school zone lights are flashing at the beginning and end of the school day, indicating a speed limit of 20 mph.

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News

New Inc. 5000 list includes 21 Arlington businesses

By Dan Egitto
This year, 20 Arlington-based companies made the Inc. 5000 list (via Inc.)

Numerous Arlington businesses have once again made the newly released Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

A total of 21 Arlington organizations, including many consulting firms and other businesses working with the federal government, earned a spot on the national rankings released Tuesday.

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Around Town

Free car washes tomorrow at Mr Wash for back-to-school season

By Dan Egitto
Busy day at Mr. Wash on N. Glebe Road in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Mr Wash is offering free car washes tomorrow — Thursday, Aug. 15 — in honor of back-to-school season.

All 11 Mr Wash locations in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Delaware — including the Arlington spots at 4148 S. Four Mile Run Drive and 101 N. Glebe Road — are participating in the promotion. To claim the offer, customers don’t need to do anything other than visit a Mr Wash, the company said.

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Around Town

New airport donation program provides gently used toiletries to local nonprofits

By Dan Egitto
Sorting toiletries at Reagan National Airport (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A new donation program at Reagan National Airport is providing local charities with unopened and gently used toiletries that would otherwise be thrown away.

Since April, the “Donate Don’t Discard” initiative has collected 2,913 items that failed to comply with TSA restrictions and would otherwise have gone to the landfill. Instead, products such as toothpaste, lotion, hair gel and sunscreen now go to D.C.-area charities that distribute products to unhoused people, domestic violence survivors and other people in need of basic necessities.

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News

New farmers market proposed to answer food insecurity and safety concerns in Green Valley

By Dan Egitto
The Shelton Apartments and the John Robinson, Jr. Town Square in January 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new farmers market could be coming to Green Valley next year.

Documents filed with the county last week outline plans to host a market on Friday evenings at John Robinson, Jr. Town Square. A statement of justification filed by CARE, Inc. promises “a convenient, varied market of local food producers and vendors that will provide culturally relevant products, information and services to foster community spirit and improve the nutritional experience.”

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