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

A new era of housing questions for Arlington one year after passing Missing Middle

By Dan Egitto
Supporters and opponents of the county's Missing Middle Housing proposal brought dueling signs to the Arlington County Board meeting on Saturday, March 18, 2023 (staff photo)

A year after the passage of Arlington’s “Missing Middle” ordinance last March, the jury is out on the long-term implications of the zoning change.

Challenges include a substantial slowdown in Missing Middle applications and continued opposition from some residents.

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Around Town

Inspired by his kids, single dad opens new play area in Ballston Quarter mall

By Dan Egitto
Junior Playland (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

There is a new play area for kids inside Ballston Quarter with plenty of pint-sized attractions.

Located on the first floor of the mall, near the about-to-close Macy’s, Junior Playland has everything from a pink-and-blue carousel to a party room to a make-believe “village” with a hospital, restaurant and police station.

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News

Neighbors split over approval of more affordable housing at Crystal House complex

By Dan Egitto
A rendering of additional affordable housing at 1900 S. Eads Street (via Arlington County)

A planned apartment complex is set to have even more affordable housing.

Speakers at an Arlington County Board meeting on Tuesday were divided in their thoughts about the Board’s unanimous vote to approve 88 units of additional affordable housing at 1900 S. Eads Street, in the Crystal City area.

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Around Town

New restaurant and bar coming soon to former Rebellion on the Pike space

By Dan Egitto
Rebellion on the Pike (file photo)

A new restaurant and bar is expected to replace the closed Rebellion on the Pike in a few weeks.

Cornerstone, at 2900 Columbia Pike, will offer a family friendly atmosphere around dinnertime and a place to grab a drink later in the night, co-owner Pete Fejeran tells ARLnow.

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Schools

School placed on lockdown after gun confiscated from student

By Dan Egitto
Langston High School Continuation Program (via Google maps)

(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) An Arlington school went into lockdown Wednesday after a student reportedly brought a gun to school.

All students at the Langston High School Continuation Program and New Directions secondary program are safe and the lockdown lasted about 30 minutes, Principal Kim Jackson-Davis said in an email to families Wednesday afternoon.

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Around Town

Mediterranean restaurant planned at former Bar Ivy in Clarendon

By Dan Egitto
The patio of 3033 Wilson Blvd in March 2024 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A new Mediterranean restaurant with live entertainment and an expansive patio is on track to replace the former Bar Ivy in Clarendon.

Láylí is slated to open at 3033 Wilson Blvd within the next few months, offering an “immersive mezze and cocktail garden experience,” applicant Walid Zeytoun told ARLnow.

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Around Town

Vape shop is latest to shutter at this Cherrydale site where businesses keep closing

By Dan Egitto
3800 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A Cherrydale vape shop has closed less than a year after opening.

L.A. Leaf opened last spring, stocking a variety of CBD and vape products. Now, however, the store’s interior is empty and its phone number is answered with a dial tone.

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News

Several Langston Blvd intersections could get $1.5M in traffic signal and safety upgrades

By Dan Egitto
A map of the Langston Boulevard Intelligent Transportation Systems project (via Arlington County)

Traffic signal upgrades and more pedestrian-friendly crosswalks may be coming to several Langston Blvd intersections.

The Arlington County Board on Saturday is slated to consider a $1.5 million contract for improvements to the intersections of Langston Blvd at N. Adams Street, N. Cleveland Street and Spout Run Pkwy.

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Around Town

BurgerFi in Rosslyn to offer free fries and drinks for its grand opening this month

By Dan Egitto
The Rosslyn BurgerFi (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

(Updated 3/14) A BurgerFi is opening in Rosslyn.

The Florida-based burger chain plans to hold a grand opening later this month, with free drinks and fries deals, for its new location at 1735 N. Lynn Street. It will be the franchise’s first foray into Arlington.

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Around Town

Trader Joe’s continues to make progress on likely Crystal City store

By Dan Egitto
The bare interior of one portion of 2450 Crystal Drive (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Trader Joe’s is seeking an alcohol license at a Crystal City location but is keeping mum about its plans.

The grocery store chain applied for the right to sell beer and wine at 2450 Crystal Drive on March 1 and is still awaiting approval, according to Virginia ABC.

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News

U.S. House passes budget with $5.9M for Arlington, focused on housing and recreation

By Dan Egitto
Bridge 31, or the Trollheim Bridge, on the Mount Vernon Trail (courtesy Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail)

Federal funding is on track to bring more housing for many of the county’s most vulnerable residents as well as trail improvements and new playground equipment.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved on Wednesday $5.9 million in funding for Arlington initiatives in its annual budget. A little more than half of that funding — $3.3 million — is for housing for low-income residents, domestic violence survivors and chronically unsheltered people.

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