James Jarvis | ARLnow

Ballston Harris Teeter construction approaches finish line, opening date still unclear

Published February 27, 2024 at 10:00AM

New Harris Teeter to occupy space next to 600 N. Glebe Road (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Signs for the new Ballston Harris Teeter are up, signaling that the first phase of the three-part project is nearing completion.

Last month, the owner applied for an occupancy permit for the new grocery store, which tenants do before they can officially move in. Inspection is still pending, per the county website.

Around Town

Bonefish Grill in Pentagon City closes permanently

By James Jarvis

Published February 26, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated February 26, 2024 at 3:28PM

Bonefish Grill in Pentagon City on Feb. 26, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Bonefish Grill in Pentagon City is permanently closed.

Situated at 1101 S. Joyce Street in the Westpost shopping center (formerly Pentagon Row), the seafood restaurant — known for its wood-grilled fish, steaks, and signature “bang bang shrimp” appetizer — has placed several “closed” notices at its entrance, directing patrons to its closest branch in Fairfax County.

News

Arlington County Board and Human Rights Commission clash over DOJ investigation letter

By James Jarvis

Published February 23, 2024 at 2:00PM | Updated February 23, 2024 at 4:05PM

Inside the Arlington County Detention Facility (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Arlington County Board and the Human Rights Commission are at odds over whether commissioners had the right to request an investigation into possible human and civil rights violations at the county jail.

Earlier this month, the commission sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, voicing concerns over reports that inmates at the jail lack adequate healthcare, a situation they argue could put them “at risk of death and severe harm.” This follows up on letters to the County Sheriff’s Office and the DOJ from the Arlington branch of the NAACP and its national organization, asking for an investigation after hearing from former and current inmates.

News

From the classroom to the Capitol, Rep. Beyer helps lead charge on federal AI regulation

By James Jarvis

Published February 23, 2024 at 11:55AM

Rep. Don Beyer (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Rep. Don Beyer is taking a leading role in Congress to address what he says is one of the most pressing issues this century: the regulation of artificial intelligence.

This year, Beyer (D-Va.) and a bipartisan group of colleagues intend to tackle a variety of AI-related issues, including the creation of deep fakes, copyright infringement and enhancing privacy protections.

News

Arlington County Board mulls ranked-choice voting expansion for 2024 general election

By James Jarvis

Published February 21, 2024 at 11:45AM | Updated February 21, 2024 at 12:26PM

Arlington Central Library November 2023 election (staff photo by James Jarvis)

With ranked-choice voting now the go-to method for local primaries in Arlington, the County Board is also considering using it for the November general election.

This Saturday, the Board plans to hold a public hearing to decide whether to use the voting method, also known as RCV, in the County Board election this fall to fill Chair Libby Garvey’s soon-to-be-vacant seat — the only one expected to be empty.

Around Town

Celtic House on Columbia Pike readies for whiskey bar grand opening

By James Jarvis

Published February 20, 2024 at 1:30PM

New whiskey bar located in the basement of Celtic House on Columbia Pike (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Celtic House on Columbia Pike is nearly ready to unveil its new whiskey bar.

Construction on the basement expansion has wrapped up and the owners are now adding finishing touches before the grand opening, expected in the next week or two, General Manager Chris Devenney told ARLnow.

Around Town

Roggenart Bistro & Café in Ballston set to open later this month

By James Jarvis

Published February 15, 2024 at 11:45AM

Roggenart Bistro and Café put up signs saying "opening soon" in the windows of the former Republik Coffee shop (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After a nearly five-month wait, Maryland-based Roggenart Bistro & Café is set to open in Ballston later this month.

Located inside the former Republik Coffee Bar at 4401 Wilson Blvd, the European-inspired coffee shop and bakery chain is planning to hold a soft opening at the end of February, aiming for a grand opening by mid-March.

News

Two apartment towers in Crystal City could be completed by spring 2025

By James Jarvis

Published February 14, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated February 14, 2024 at 4:13PM

JBG Smith's 'West' tower at 2000 S. Bell Street in Crystal City on Feb. 14, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

About a year of construction remains for two apartment towers replacing a Crystal City office building.

The final beam was placed atop the two residential towers at 2000 and 2001 S. Bell Street, formerly Crystal Plaza One, this week. Developer JBG Smith and its project manager, Balfour Beatty, announced the “topping out” construction milestone on Monday.

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County leaders says Columbia Pike’s future looks ‘bright’ as construction nears completion

By James Jarvis

Published February 9, 2024 at 2:45PM

Construction and haze along Columbia Pike (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As a 15-year-long project to rebuild Columbia Pike with wider sidewalks and underground utilities enters its last construction phase, county leaders say they are seeing early signs of a promising future.

On Thursday, the Columbia Pike Partnership held its third annual “State of the Pike,” during which Arlington County’s department heads delivered a comprehensive overview of the Pike’s housing market and local economy via Zoom.

News

Rosslyn’s newest residential tower nears completion while adjacent hotel slated for late 2025 debut

By James Jarvis

Published February 7, 2024 at 11:45AM

The Key development in Rosslyn on Feb. 6, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The facade of the new 36-story Hilton in Rosslyn is nearing completion but it could be nearly two years before the hotel welcomes its first guests.

Meanwhile, the project’s residential counterpart, Rosslyn Towers, is close to being done, with new tenants expected to move in within a few months, the developer tells ARLnow.

News

Report: Arlington’s first guaranteed income pilot boosted quality of life for poorest residents

By James Jarvis

Published February 6, 2024 at 10:35AM

Arlingtonians wait in line for holiday meals at Arlington Food Assistance Center (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Results from Arlington’s first guaranteed income pilot reveal that an additional $500 per month significantly enhanced the quality of life for impoverished families.

Parents with children under 18, earning less than $46,600 annually, reported that the additional $500 monthly helped them obtain better-paying jobs, address basic needs and improve their overall well-being, according to a new report by the Arlington Community Foundation (ACF), the local nonprofit that oversaw the pilot.

News

Young political activists in Arlington prepare for potential Trump-Biden rematch

By James Jarvis

Published January 31, 2024 at 3:35PM

Victoria Churchill speaks at Arlington-Falls Church Young Republicans event (courtesy of Victoria Churchill)

Young Arlington politicos across the partisan divide are closely watching Donald Trump’s presidential bid and its potential effect on voter turnout this cycle.

Whereas Arlington Young Democrats (AYD) is using the prospect of a second Trump presidency to mobilize the party’s base, Arlington-Falls Church Young Republicans (AFCYR) is threading the needle of supporting the likely GOP frontrunner without estranging members of their party.