The Falls Church Planning Commission will soon change from being a final decision-maker to an advisor for some new development projects in the city.
The shift in responsibility comes in response to new state laws, which took effect July 1 and aim to speed up the creation of new housing across the commonwealth. Under the new rules, many localities must move from planning commission approval of projects to staff approval of development plans.
The Rosslyn Business Improvement District is seeking to bolster its neighborhood’s public amenities with a new pop-up park that opened yesterday (Wednesday).
NOW, which the Rosslyn BID installed, is a new half-acre public park located around a pair of offices at 1401 Wilson Blvd and 1400 Key Blvd. Slated for eventual redevelopment, the revamped site includes urban gardens, a terraced event space and “pet relief area.”
Investigation: DCA Too Busy — “Now the FAA’s failure to act on warnings that too many planes were being squeezed into the airport has emerged as a crucial focus of investigations into the crash, which killed 67 people. The crescendo of arriving and departing planes during the busiest periods — including a scheduled peak around the time of the crash — reduced the margin of error for air traffic controllers and pilots to dangerous levels.” [Washington Post]
Va. Sens. Calls for Fewer Flights — “What do you tell 67 families who have lost their loved ones? What do you tell America’s flying public? We have fought against adding more flights at DCA for years because safety has to be the first and top priority. While many risk factors must be reevaluated, Congress needs to start by rolling back the additional flight slots it forcibly crammed into last year’s FAA Reauthorization Act.” [Press Release]
Another Robbery in Ballston — “At approximately 10:48 p.m. on September 16, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business, grabbed cigarettes from behind the counter and walked towards the exit of the store without payment. When confronted by an employee, the suspect struck the employee before fleeing the scene on foot with the merchandise.” [ACPD]
Award for Parks Department — “Arlington County’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has won the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management. This win celebrates not only DPR’s dedication and innovation, but also the staff, partners, and community members who make Arlington’s parks a place where everyone can thrive.” [Arlington County]
Va. Dems Outraise GOP — “Spanberger raised $14 million during July and August and has $12.2 million left in the bank, compared with $5.2 million raised by Earle-Sears, who has $4.9 million in cash… Democrats out-raised Republicans overall on a Nov. 4 ballot that also includes lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates.” [Washington Post]
Arlington > LA Weather — “Los Angeles more humid than DC this month! It’s been a great September — even with yesterday’s… dreariness.” [CWG/X]
It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly cloudy day to eventually clear up and become sunny, with temperatures reaching a high near 82°F and a mild north wind at about 5 mph. As for Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to a low around 62°F. A gentle west wind of around 5 mph will begin after midnight. [NWS]
A firefighter was hospitalized after battling a house fire in Ballston Wednesday evening.
The fire broke out in the attic of a home at the corner of Washington Blvd and N. Stuart Street.
Gas-powered leaf blowers could soon meet their downfall in Arlington.
The County Board is considering a possible ban on the controversial contraptions, which local environmental advocates have criticized for their loud noise levels and low fuel efficiency.
Leaders are hoping to receive a key federal authorization by the end of next year to redevelop Terminal 1 at Reagan National Airport.
In an updated timeline released today (Wednesday), the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) set November 2026 as the goal for receiving environmental approval for the nine-gate project.
Former Vice President Mike Pence will be joining George Mason University’s Arlington-based Schar School of Policy and Government this fall.
Pence — the VP during President Donald Trump’s first term — has been named a professor of practice, meaning he will contribute to undergraduate courses starting in spring 2026, according to a release from GMU.
A new AI chatbot is helping residents find answers to various questions about Arlington County government operations, elections and more.
“AVA” — Arlington Virtual Assistant — is connected to four county websites: the general site (arlingtonva.us) plus specialized sites for library services, elections and Arlington Transit.
Falls Church officials hope that 2026 will be the year they start making decisions about the city’s portion of the 20-acre Gordon Road Triangle.
Much of the city’s portion of the industrial area is occupied by the Robert L. Goff Operations Yard on Gordon Road. It is likely the city would work to find private partners to fund on-site renovations to — and new facilities on — the well-worn facility, rather than try to cover all those costs itself.
Dems Early Voting Rally — “Kick off Early Voting with Senator Mark Warner and the Arlington Democrats this Friday at 8am! We’ll rally at Courthouse Plaza, then go cast our ballots.” [Arlington Democrats/Bluesky]
GOP Endorses Rives — Arlington Republicans have endorsed the candidacy of James “Vell” Rives IV in the School Board race that also features candidates Monique “Moe” Bryant and Major Mike Webb. “I’m happy to have their endorsement — school issues go beyond party politics this year,” Rives said, adding he also hoped to get support from across the political spectrum in his fourth bid for a School Board seat. –Scott McCaffrey
Art Studio Tour Next Week — “The 2025 Arlington Visual Art Studio Tour is coming soon! The eighth annual AVAST tour will take place on September 27 and 28 at over 25 locations throughout Arlington.” [AVAST]
Coffee With a Cop Returns — “The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is proud to join communities nationwide in celebrating National Coffee with a Cop Day on Wednesday, October 1. To mark the occasion, our Community Engagement Division is hosting two informal engagement opportunities for Arlingtonians to connect with the officers that serve them.” [ACPD]
Eagle Scout Project at VHC — “A Langley High School senior’s Eagle Scout project rejuvenated a calming space at VHC Health’s Sid and Reba Dewberry Cancer Center in Arlington, where patients can find some respite as they undergo treatment.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — Showers and potential storms are likely throughout the day, with temperatures reaching a high near 70°F and north winds of 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. There is a 60% chance of precipitation, and new rainfall amounts may vary between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. The chance of showers decreases Wednesday night, with a cloudy low of 63°F and north winds of 6-8 mph. [NWS]
A rewrite of the county’s current tenant-relocation guidelines aims to provide more privacy protections to impacted renters.
County staff have tweaked some proposed changes recommended by the Tenant-Landlord Commission, which had sought more specific information about people required to move out of apartments because of redevelopment.
The Arlington County Police Department is holding a planned training in a building in Crystal City later today (Tuesday).
The closed training exercise will happen from around 6 p.m. to midnight on the 1800 block of S. Bell Street, according to an ACPD press release. An 11-story tower on this block is currently teed up for an office-to-apartment conversion project, with public hearings scheduled for later this fall.
