Author: Scott McCaffrey

A Northern Virginia native, Scott McCaffrey has four decades of reporting, editing and newsroom experience in the local area plus Florida, South Carolina and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. He spent 26 years as editor of the Sun Gazette newspaper chain. For Local News Now, he covers government and civic issues in Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church.

News

Arlington NAACP urged to stay involved in potential county governance overhaul

By Scott McCaffrey
County Board member Julius “JD” Spain, Sr. (screenshot via Arlington NAACP)

The Arlington NAACP is being urged to stay engaged as proposals to revamp Arlington’s governance further percolate over the coming year.

“Everyone has ideas,” County Board member Julius “JD” Spain, Sr., said at the civil-rights organization’s Monday (June 29) meeting.

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News

Traffic-safety advocates hail new Va. law targeting ‘super-speeders’

By Scott McCaffrey
Jessica Hart with a photo of her daughter, Allie, killed at age 5 by a speeding driver (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey).

Traffic-safety proponents on Tuesday (June 30) hailed a new Virginia law they believe will provide another tool to address reckless “super-speeders” on Virginia roadways.

Legislation adopted by the General Assembly last year goes into effect July 1, permitting judges to enroll those charged or convicted of certain speeding offenses in a new program using technology to limit vehicle speeds.

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News

Virginia’s $3.9 million investment powers National Innovation Quarter launch

By Scott McCaffrey
Anchor areas of the National Innovation Quarter (via Arlington Economic Development)

A new state grant will help the fledgling National Innovation Quarter (“National IQ”) with recruitment of regional, national and possibly international companies while nurturing startups in fast-growing industries.

The $3.9 million grant spread over two years was secured by Arlington Economic Development (AED) as part of the state government’s Growth and Opportunity for Virginia initiative.

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News

Possible townhouse designs unveiled for Seven Corners project

By Scott McCaffrey
Sutton Heights townhome community in the City of Fairfax (via EYA)

Design plans for a future townhouse community along Wilson Blvd at the border of Arlington and Fairfax counties near Seven Corners may be taking shape.

During a June 24 Fairfax County Planning Commission meeting, the development consortium of EYA and Southern Management suggested that their planned townhouses on the Arlington (eastern) side of the boundary could be patterned after EYA’s Sutton Heights community in the City of Fairfax.

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News

Doubling in size: Penrose Square expansion set to move forward with $4.27M county funding

By Scott McCaffrey
A yoga class in front of the Echo artwork at Penrose Square (courtesy Arlington Arts)

The county government is readying for major expansion of Penrose Square, with funding to start flowing in about three years — an effort bringing accolades from several Columbia Pike organizations.

County Manager Mark Schwartz has included $4.27 million in funding for fiscal 2030 in his proposed 10-year capital improvement plan (CIP) set for a final County Board vote in mid-July.

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News

County still lacks a plan for former Lee Community Center, could delay action until 2036

By Scott McCaffrey
Entrance to former Lee Community Center (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The former Lee Community Center on Langston Blvd could remain on ice for up to a decade while county officials decide what to do with it.

County Manager Mark Schwartz’s proposed 10-year capital improvement plan (CIP), released in May, calls for waiting until fiscal year 2035 or 2036 before addressing renovations and future programming at the facility. However, both civic leaders and at least one County Board member are hopeful they can shorten that timeline.

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News

No funding for new Columbia Pike library included in 10-year spending proposal

By Scott McCaffrey
The interior of the Columbia Pike library branch (photo via Arlington Public Library blog)

Arlington’s proposed 10-year capital improvement plan (CIP) includes no funding for planning or building new library facilities near Columbia Pike, despite the desires of some in the area.

Still, County Manager Mark Schwartz says he and his staff haven’t forgotten residents’ wishes for an expanded or brand new community library.

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Schools

Preschoolers bond with seniors in intergenerational painting class at Lubber Run

By Scott McCaffrey
Generations came together at Lubber Run art event (photo by Nicholas Englund, courtesy of Arlington County)

An age gap of a half-century or more didn’t dim enthusiasm during a special art program at a recent Arlington preschool program.

The intergenerational program, held June 15, brought together members of Arlington’s 55+ program to support and paint with the 3-to-5-year-olds in the Creative Preschoolers program at Lubber Run Community Center.

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Schools

Falls Church student’s plea for sidewalks wins ‘If I Were Mayor’ essay contest

By Scott McCaffrey
Willa Thom is honored by Falls Church City Council members (courtesy City of Falls Church)

A Falls Church middle school student won a region-wide “If I Were Mayor” essay competition through a plea for sidewalk improvements.

Willa Thom, representing Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, was honored for her achievement at the June 22 Falls Church City Council meeting. She had competed in the Virginia Municipal League’s Region 5, which includes much of Northern Virginia.

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News

Falls Church affordable housing proposal advances, after much debate

By Scott McCaffrey
Virginia Village properties on S. Maple Avenue, Shirley Street and Gibson Street (via City of Falls Church)

Falls Church leaders this week took a major step forward on a key affordable housing proposal, but ongoing divisions may imperil getting to the finish line.

Council members voted 6-1 authorizing staff to release a request for proposal (RFP), seeking development partners for the apartment buildings owned by the city in the 4.5-acre Virginia Village community.

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News

What $1,500 monthly rent gets you in Arlington: A tight squeeze or roommates

By Scott McCaffrey
Cavalier Club apartments are located in both Arlington and Fairfax counties (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Those with $1,500 to spend monthly on apartment rent in Arlington can expect either a tight squeeze or, more likely, finding roommates to share the burden.

A new national survey finds that $1,500 will result in an average 478 square feet of rentable apartment space in the county, the equivalent of a studio apartment.

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