Poor regional coordination and outdated technology led to inconsistent messaging during Arlington’s boil water notice earlier this month, county staff say.
Confusion began after D.C. Water was the first to issue a boil water notice the night of July 3, due to potential contamination caused by algae blooms in the Potomac River.
Arlington County is collecting feedback on a narrow walking and bicycling path along Arlington Blvd near Rosslyn.
The portion of the Arlington Blvd Trail between Dark Star Park and the N. Rhodes Street overpass is currently only a few feet wide in some places, sandwiched between Arlington Blvd and N. Fairfax Drive. A project page describes the trial as “an important bike connection” that is “surrounded by a frequent-trafficked road and a highway where vehicles drive at high speeds.”
Entering a Metro station only to see your train leaving the station may soon be a thing of the past.
Digital display boards featuring arrival times will be installed outside several Arlington Metro stations in the next year or two, WMATA spokesperson Jordan Pascale tells ARLnow.
Board Declines Gaza Resolution — “It’s now 0-for-4 (at least) for those asking the Arlington County Board to pass a resolution in support of a Gaza ceasefire or take other steps to intervene in the ongoing Mideast conflict between Israel and Hamas. Until they take a stand, county leaders are guilty of ‘material complicity,’ said Aasim Rawoot, who led a delegation to push for a ceasefire resolution at the July 22 County Board meeting.” [Gazette Leader]
Beyer Skips Israeli Leader’s Speech — From Rep. Don Beyer: “Amid the backdrop of American elections, Republicans in Congress have again turned to PM Netanyahu for assistance, which he is happily providing. I will not be a prop for their political theater, and I will not attend his address today.” [Twitter]
New County Auditor — “At the July 2024 Recessed Board meeting, the Arlington County Board appointed Mr. Wayne Scott as County Auditor. The County Auditor conducts independent performance and operational audits of County departments, programs, and services.” [Arlington County]
New County Board Clerk — “The Arlington County Board appointed Mr. Mason Kushnir to serve as its Clerk. He will act as the Board’s official record keeper, managing all Board meetings, work sessions, and changes to the County Code.” [Arlington County]
Arlington Couple Arrested in Md. — “In the early hours of July 21, 2024, Calvert County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two individuals outside the Tiki Bar located on Solomons Island following a disturbance that escalated into a confrontation with law enforcement officers.” [Southern Maryland News Net]
Photos from Iwo Jima Event — “Marines from Marine Barracks Washington performed Tuesday in a sunset parade at the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, Va. This 45-minute performance… is an annual summer series, performed each week. This year’s series started June 11 and will run through Aug. 13.” [Stars and Stripes]
Dunkin Scholarship Recipients — “Five students in Arlington County are among the winners of the 2024 Dunkin’ Regional Scholarships. Dunkin’ and its DC area franchisees awarded $125,000 in academic scholarships to 50 high school and college students.” [Patch]
It’s Thursday — Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms, increasing in likelihood after 5pm, with otherwise cloudy skies and a high near 85. Precipitation chances are 60%, with new rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with potential for higher amounts in thunderstorms. For Thursday night, shower chances dwindle after 11pm, with skies turning from cloudy to partly cloudy and a low of 69. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
Extra emphasis on road safety, environmental resiliency and facilities upgrades is included in the final draft of Arlington’s latest 10-year Capital Improvement Plan.
The Arlington County Board yesterday (Tuesday) approved a $4.5 billion Fiscal Year 2025-2034 CIP, outlining planned investment in county infrastructure and assets. Changes between the original proposal presented in May and the final draft include:
The county has designated a pair of affordable housing complexes as “revitalization areas” in an effort to help them secure more funding.
The new designation, which the Arlington County Board approved on Monday, affects renovation projects at Arna Valley View in Long Branch Creek and sites C, D and E of the Marbella Apartments project near Rosslyn. It is meant to help with a funding application at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Program.
The Arlington County Board has approved a $4 million land purchase to build a new Columbia Pike fire station.
Fire Station 7 is slated to be built on two parcels of land next to Serrano Apartments at 5519 Columbia Pike — near Bailey’s Crossroads and about two miles away from the former Fire Station 7 in Fairlington that shuttered in 2019.
After succumbing to falling trees for the second time in nearly 50 years, the quaint footbridge linking the Barcroft and Arlington Forest neighborhoods is on the brink of its second rebirth.
On Monday, the Arlington County Board approved the transfer of a small parcel of land, owned by Dominion Energy and located between 416 S. Abingdon Street and 500 S. Abingdon Street, to rebuild a recently fallen footbridge that has provided safe passage to residents crossing a stream known as Grandma’s Creek since the 1940s.
Overturned Vehicle in Ballston — “A crash on N. Randolph Street in Ballston this evening appears to have damaged at least three cars, including one that overturned in the middle of the road.” [Twitter, Twitter]
Local Man Arrested for DUI Crash — “An Arlington man is in custody following an early-morning crash on Interstate 66 in Fauquier County Sunday… Initial investigation found a white 2009 Hyundai struck the rear of a tractor trailer, and a third vehicle struck debris from the crash.” [Rappahannock News]
Early Voting Location Added — “Arlington County Board members on July 22 approved a third satellite-voting option leading up to November’s election. Ratifying a request of the Arlington Electoral Board, local leaders endorsed a proposal to add the Long Bridge Park aquatics center in Crystal City as an early-voting satellite site. It will join Madison and Walter Reed community centers in hosting early voting starting in mid-October.” [Gazette Leader]
Beyer Introduces Nurse Bill — ” Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced the National Urgent Recruitment for Skilled Employees (NURSE) Visa Act, legislation that would address the nationwide nursing shortage by making visas available to foreign nurses working in areas where the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has determined there is a nursing workforce shortage.” [Press Release]
Reevesland Farmhouse Vote — “Arlington County Board members on July 22 formally transferred ownership of the historic Reevesland farmhouse, a move that will allow for the Boulevard Manor-area property to be converted into a group home for individuals with intellectual challenges.” [Gazette Leader]
Clarendon Road Closure This Weekend — “The Arlington County Police Department will close N. Irving Street, between Wilson Boulevard and 12th Street N. from approximately 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 27 to 2 a.m. on Sunday, July 28 to accommodate the Ballroom on the Block Festival.” [ACPD]
Potomac Yard Dog Death Investigation — “In an investigation update issued on Friday evening, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) said a third dog owner has come forward and said their pet died shortly after a stay at the Potomac Yard PetSmart boarding facility.” [ALXnow]
It’s Wednesday — Expect scattered showers before 8am, transitioning to possible showers and thunderstorms later in the morning and afternoon. The day will otherwise be mostly cloudy, reaching a high near 85 and with a southwest wind around 5 mph. Precipitation chance is 70%. Wednesday night, more showers and possible thunderstorms are expected. The night will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 74, a south wind of 3 to 5 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Arlington County police are investigating a smash-and-grab robbery in Pentagon City.
The incident happened just after 3 p.m. Monday, on the 1200 block of S. Fern Street, a block from the Metro station.
A large fire department response responded to an underground utility fire in Crystal City this afternoon.
The fire, on the 2400 block of Crystal Drive amid office and apartment buildings, followed reports of an “explosion” heard and felt in the area shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Arlington County’s run as the fittest “city” in America continues for a seventh consecutive year.
New rankings released Tuesday by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) again placed Arlington in the top spot, with Washington, D.C. and Seattle rounding out the top three.
