A new “microtransit” program meant to shore up gaps in bus routes is expected to launch in northwest Arlington later this year.
Operating as an on-demand service, the initiative would likely use vans or other relatively small vehicles to connect passengers to fixed transit routes and key destinations.
Fatal crashes on Arlington roads dropped to a six-year low in 2024 as the Vision Zero team says its efforts have begun yielding tangible results.
Only one person died in an Arlington vehicle crash last year, the lowest number the county has seen since 2018, according to a Vision Zero annual report published last week. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of fatal collisions varied between three and five.
Over a dozen additional fruit trees and bushes have joined an orchard at a Green Valley elementary school.
The greenery, which volunteers from several local organizations planted on Saturday, expands a ring of raspberry bushes, blackberry bushes and apple, plum and pear trees around Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School.
The Arlington County Board approved funding for a pair of big-ticket infrastructure projects on Saturday.
Officials accepted a $20.7 million grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, advancing plans for a second entrance to the Crystal City Metro station. They also awarded a contract of $9.6 million to rebuild the Arlington Ridge Road bridge over Four Mile Run.
Military Parade Through Arlington — “According to a D.C. source with knowledge of the plan that’s still being developed, Trump has commandeered Saturday, June 14—the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and, as it happens, Trump’s 79th birthday—for his military parade. It would stretch almost four miles from the Pentagon in Arlington to the White House, according to the source, who stressed that local officials are just learning of it.” [Washington City Paper, Associated Press]
Bar Fights Still a Problem — “Police are addressing nighttime fighting — an increasing problem in the Clarendon section of Arlington… Arlington’s county manager proposed a budget that would provide increased funding for police overtime to staff the Clarendon nightlife detail — $321,000 is included in the plan the county board will vote on this week.” [NBC 4]
Rail on W&OD Trail? — “Transit advocates are hoping to gather support for a plan to build a commuter rail line along the W&OD Trail from Purcellville, Virginia, to the Metro station at East Falls Church. The rail line would be in the footprint of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, which first began running in 1859 and faded away in 1968.” [WTOP]
Commercial Real Estate Worries — “A monthly index tracking Greater Washington’s economic well-being fell 4.8% in February from the prior month — the biggest drop since early 2022, when interest rates began their rapid climb… the most recent decline was driven by a pullback in commercial real estate, but cancellations of federal contracts and overall investor sentiment amid the Trump administration’s efforts to slash the federal government also contributed to the weakening results.” [WBJ]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high of around 47 degrees, accompanied by northwest winds at 14 to 16 mph and gusts reaching up to 29 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low temperature of around 30 degrees, and northwest winds of 5 to 11 mph. [NWS]
Arlington County police are investigating after gunfire rang out on Columbia Pike late Saturday night.
It happened around 11:45 p.m. near the Liberty gas station on the 2300 block of Columbia Pike. Two people got into a dispute, leading to one getting of their car and firing a shot at the other person in their vehicle, police said.
The Arlington County Board has delayed making a final decision on a controversial Green Valley redevelopment proposal.
Board members voted 5-0 on Saturday to defer consideration of the 531-unit project that developer CC Rock Arlington Owner, LLC wants to put at 2480 S. Glebe Road — the current site of Hotel Pentagon and Comfort Inn Pentagon City.
Arlington Democrats are moving back onto offense while the county’s GOP continues its work to build a candidate slate for November.
A monthly meeting of the Arlington County Democratic Committee last Wednesday attracted at least 100 people to Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School.
The Little City is starting to think big for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
Much remains up in the air, including the question of how much funding the City of Falls Church will set aside. At a March Falls Church250 committee meeting, however, officials floated ideas ranging from history talks to planting a remembrance tree.
Another Democrat is entering the race for one of Arlington’s House of Delegates seats.
Sean Epstein formally kicked off his bid to unseat Del. Patrick Hope (D-1) on Wednesday. He will join Hope and Arjoon Srikanth on the ballot for the June 17 primary.
Teacher on Trip Saves Father, Son — “The St. Agnes school community in Arlington, Virginia, is buzzing about a teacher’s heroic actions during a field trip to Baltimore. What started out as a trip to learn about genetics turned into one about heroism instead, as one of their teachers plunged into the Inner Harbor to save a little boy and his father.” [NBC 4]
Arrest After Parking Lot Assault — “At approximately 11:50 p.m. on April 3, the male suspect approached the male victim outside of the business and a verbal dispute ensued. The male suspect then allegedly assaulted the victim, causing him to fall on the ground, before a witness intervened.” [ACPD]
Discussing Arlington’s Economy — “Panelists at the conference… generally engaged in painting lipstick on the calamity pig of Trump layoffs that are hitting [Arlington] with its 25,000 federal workers. Already with a 26.7 percent office vacancy rate, the county is bracing as fully 20 percent of its currently occupied office space is leased to the federal General Services Administration.” [FCNP]
Favola Questions Virginia529 Surplus — “State Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington County, says the General Assembly wants to take a closer look at the billions of dollars in surplus that the 529 plan has amassed before committing it to the military education waivers. ‘Where did it come from?’ she asked. ‘Should we be returning any of that surplus money to some of the original subscribers?'” [NBC 4]
I-395 Crash on Camera — “A crash in the noon hour on I-395N over Route 1. The striking vehicle’s front right tire took a solo ride for a bit but somehow missed striking any other cars.” [Dave Statter/X]
F.C. Officials Studying ‘Abundance’ — “Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi and Council member Justine Underhill took a whirlwind trip to San Francisco last week to participate in an event featuring New York Times columnist Ezra Klein. It was about growing a new movement centered around themes in the new book Klein and Atlantic writer Derek Thompson authored entitled, ‘Abundance.'” [FCNP]
It’s Monday — Expect rain mainly before 11am, with patchy fog from 7am to noon, and a high near 51°F. The northeast wind will blow at 6 to 10 mph and there’s a 60% chance of precipitation. Precipitation may range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch. Tonight, there’s a slight chance of showers before 2am, with clouds giving way to partly cloudy skies and a low around 35°F. Light west wind will shift to northwest at 9 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 22 mph. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
Demolition is in full swing at the Key Bridge Marriott site in Rosslyn, but it’s expected to take some time.
While a portion of the derelict hotel at 1401 Langston Blvd has already been reduced to rubble, people shouldn’t expect to see the whole structure come down at once.
