News | ARLnow.com - Part 1017

Ahmed the Clockmaker to Visit Arlington This Weekend

Published October 16, 2015 at 9:30AM

Mohamed, 14, was arrested after be brought the homemade digital clock to school in a briefcase. Social media exploded with support for Mohamed after the story broke, with supporters saying that the arrest was an example of racial stereotyping.

The Dallas Morning News reports that Mohamed will be in Arlington Saturday night for a Council on American-Islamic Relations gala. The “Champions for Justice” fundraising banquet is being held at the Marriott Crystal Gateway in Crystal City, according to the CAIR website.

Significant Delays on Silver, Orange and Blue Lines

By ARLnow.com

Published October 16, 2015 at 8:35AM

A fire at the Foggy Bottom station prompted single tracking, leading to delays of 20 or more minutes in each direction. As of 8:35 a.m., Metro says it was no longer single tracking.

Inbound and outbound trains at Rosslyn have been arriving on the same platform, leading to crowded conditions.

County Seeking Ideas for Mobile and Online Services

By ARLnow.com

Published October 15, 2015 at 5:45PM

Arlington has set up a text line and a new website to gather suggestions for digital tools that could “make it easier to communicate and do business with the County.” The website says the suggestion-gathering effort will wrap up by Nov. 15.

From a press release:

UPDATED: Road Closures, School Security Heightened Due to Shots Fired Investigation

By ARLnow.com

Published October 15, 2015 at 1:30PM | Updated October 15, 2015 at 2:06PM

File photo

Wakefield High School and Claremont Elementary are in a heightened state of security due to an investigation into shots fired across the county line.

Fairfax County Police say they’re investigating a shots fired call from the area around Skyline Towers and the Target on Route 7. The address is reportedly that of a federal law enforcement office.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 15, 2015 at 9:45AM

Church Squatter Arrested — A man who has managed to squat in the attic of an Arlington church for three years has been arrested and charged with trespassing. An air conditioning repairman discovered the man and his makeshift living space in the attic of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, near Ballston. [NBC Washington]

New Rosslyn Sushi Restaurant Close to Opening — Rolls By U, a new sushi restaurant at 1731 Wilson Blvd in Rosslyn, is getting set to open next week, after originally hoping to open last month. The restaurant will offer burrito-sized sushi rolls in addition to regular-sized rolls. [Washington City Paper]

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 14, 2015 at 9:00AM

Immigrant Group Launches Get-Out-the-Vote Campaign — The immigrant rights group CASA Virginia launched a new get-out-the-vote campaign aimed at women yesterday. “It’s time we raise the minimum wage and improve child care,” said a CASA representative, at a press conference yesterday held at the Arlington courthouse plaza. County Board chair Mary Hynes and vice-chair Walter Tejada were at the press conference and issued a proclamation calling on residents to support the campaign. [Washington Post]

Longer Parking Meter Hours Still on Hold — A plan to extend the hours of parking meters in Arlington from 6 to 8 p.m. is still on hold due to “a backlash from the public and business leaders.” Said acting County Manager Mark Schwartz: “It needs more work.” [InsideNova]

Major Clarendon Redevelopment Heading to County Board Next Week

By ARLnow.com

Published October 13, 2015 at 5:25PM

A 2015 rendering of the first phase of the Red Top Cab redevelopment (Photo via Arlington County)

The Arlington County Board next Tuesday will consider a major redevelopment of the western end of the Clarendon neighborhood.

Arlington-based developer The Shooshan Company is proposing to build three residential buildings with up to 580 units of housing and 3,477 square feet of retail space. The apartments or condos will be built on what is now mostly parking lots and offices for Red Top Cab, along Washington Blvd and 13th Street N. Two other aging, low-rise commercial buildings are also slated for demolition.

Clement: County Board Reports Should Be Posted 72 Hours in Advance

By ARLnow.com

Published October 13, 2015 at 12:45PM

Independent County Board candidate Audrey Clement (2015 file photo)

Clement is decrying the not-uncommon practice of county staff waiting to post documents related to County Board items and commission agenda items until either right before the meeting or after. While the vast majority of board reports and other documents are posted a week or more in advance, some go down to the wire, raising questions about government transparency.

In a press release, Clement proposes a rule requiring documents to be posted 72 hours in advance of any such meeting, and asks other candidates to support the rule as well. It wouldn’t come at a monetary cost, it would just require tighter deadlines, Clement said.

Outdoor Berlin Wall Exhibit in Rosslyn to Become Children’s Play Area

By ARLnow.com

Published October 13, 2015 at 11:30AM

What is now a peculiar outdoor tribute to the fall of the Berlin Wall is slated to become a play area for children.

The Arlington County Board on Saturday will consider a site plan amendment that would allow the Rosslyn Children’s Center, a childcare facility at 1401 Wilson Blvd, to move down the street to the office building at 1101 Wilson Blvd. The Board will also consider a lease agreement that would lease a small parcel at the rear of the building, facing N. Kent Street, to the center.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 13, 2015 at 9:30AM | Updated October 13, 2015 at 12:10PM

Potomac Yard Station Delayed Again — The new $268 million Potomac Yard Metro station in Alexandria is now not expected to be complete until 2020. The City of Alexandria is paying the project’s costs with a combination of local funds, developer contributions, state grants and federal funding. [Washington Post]

New Target Fills Niche — The new Target store in Rosslyn “fills an urban retail niche” as a type of “21st century general store.” Expect to see more such stores around, writes transportation planner Dan Malouff. [Greater Greater Washington]

County Looking to Replace Lee Highway Streetlights

By Heather Mongilio

Published October 12, 2015 at 5:00PM

County staff is recommending that the County Board approve a contract of over $2 million for replacing the aging lighting along Lee Highway during its meeting this coming Saturday.

“This existing infrastructure is failing and cannot be economically repaired and maintained to provide adequate and reliable lighting for all travelers in this corridor,”county staff wrote in their proposal.

County Board to Consider New Glebe Road Development

By Heather Mongilio

Published October 12, 2015 at 4:05PM

Via Arlington County

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) A new six-story residential building may be coming to Ballston.

The County Board is scheduled to vote Saturday on a proposal by developer Penrose Group to turn a parking lot, used car lot and Exxon gas station into a six-story mixed-use building. County staff is recommending that the Board approve the request.