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.

Schools

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

By Dan Egitto
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.

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Around Town

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

By Dan Egitto
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.

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News

Affordable housing proposal in Aurora Highlands nears milestone, despite objections

By Dan Egitto
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.

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Events

Initiative connecting veterans to AI opportunities launches in Arlington this week

By Dan Egitto

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.

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News

Temporary pickleball courts proposed as Crystal City development project faces delays

By Dan Egitto
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.

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News

Columbia Pike development plans fall through at beleaguered Fillmore Gardens Shopping Center

By Dan Egitto
An abandoned storefront at the Fillmore Gardens Shopping Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Plans to redevelop a Columbia Pike retail strip as a 247-unit apartment building have fallen through.

Following a year and a half of delays and recent issues with vermin and vandalism, the would-be developer has filed to abandon former ambitions and return the Fillmore Gardens Shopping Center to its former status as a strip mall.

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News

‘The Wendy’ apartment building expected to open this fall on former Wendy’s restaurant site

By Dan Egitto
The Wendy apartment building at 2025 Clarendon Blvd (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A forthcoming apartment building at the former site of a Wendy’s in Courthouse is named — wait for it — The Wendy.

The 231-unit building, which broke ground in late 2022, is expected to open this fall, according to signage.

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News

School Board votes for Arlington Career Center contract with no prevailing wage agreement

By Dan Egitto
Design of the Grace Hopper Center, now under construction (via Arlington County)

The Arlington School Board has approved construction of a new Arlington Career Center building without a guarantee of paying workers a prevailing wage.

Seeking to avoid rebidding the project and causing at least a year of delays, Board members voted 4-0 last night (Thursday) to finalize a $132 million contract that has drawn criticism from Arlington state representatives, labor groups and the local NAACP chapter.

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News

Large outdoor screens at Arlington retail centers get thumbs up from Planning Commission

By Dan Egitto
The plaza at Ballston Quarter in 2022 (courtesy of Chris Chern)

Arlington retail centers may soon be able to play movies and commercial messaging on large outdoor screens.

A proposed zoning ordinance change, unanimously recommended by Arlington’s Planning Commission on Wednesday, would affect six commercial areas in Pentagon City, Clarendon, Ballston and Shirlington. It’s part of an effort to encourage “gathering and socializing” and allow for “interesting and authentic entertainment and experiences” in Arlington’s retail centers, per a county report.

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Events

Columbia Pike summer film fest lineup announced

By Dan Egitto
Columbia Pike Movie Nights is back at Penrose Square and Arlington Mill (photo courtesy of Columbia Pike Partnership)

The Columbia Pike Movie Nights lineup for this summer has been announced.

This year’s films, screened outdoors on Friday and Saturday nights, include old-school classics like Dirty Dancing and Top Gun as well as more recent releases such as Barbie, The Color Purple and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

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News

Missing Middle, visions of growth in Arlington debated at County Board candidate forum

By Dan Egitto
A Committee of 100 candidate forum (via Arlington Committee of 100/Facebook)

Competing visions of housing and development in Arlington underpinned a County Board candidate forum Wednesday night.

In particular focus at the Arlington Committee of 100 event were divided stances on Missing Middle. Supporting the rezoning policy, which the Board unanimously approved last year, are Democrats Tenley Peterson and JD Spain.

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