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.
The Arlington County Board has agreed to trade public access to the “View of DC” observation deck in exchange for a $14 million investment in a nearby park.
The deal unanimously passed yesterday (Monday) despite concerns from some community members about deprioritizing views in Rosslyn, as well as a 5-2 vote from the Arlington Planning Commission asserting that the decision is not in accord with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.
Kinhaven School is set to return to its original home on Fairfax Drive following the Arlington County Board’s approval of a childcare center permit.
Formerly housed within Central United Methodist Church in Ballston, Kinhaven moved in 2017 to St. George’s Episcopal Church at 915 N. Oakland Street in Ashton Heights after its original site was redeveloped into a 144-unit affordable housing complex. That complex, at 4201 Fairfax Drive in Ballston, officially opened earlier this year and includes a new space for the church and room for a childcare center.
Indecent Exposure Suspect Tased — “The female victim observed the suspect outside a business exposing himself. A responding officer located the suspect on scene and made contact with him, during which the suspect became non-compliant with the officer’s commands and fled the scene on foot. The officer located the suspect again in the 2800 block of S. Quincy Street and issued additional commands. The suspect remained non-compliant and the officer deployed their Taser.” [ACPD]
Ballston Booster Gets New Job — “District Dogs founder Jacob Hensley has tapped the former longtime head of the Ballston Business Improvement District to step in as CEO of his doggy day care business. Hensley officially hands the leash to Tina Leone on Monday, though he plans to stay on as the company’s owner and be actively involved in the business and its franchising operations.” [Washington Business Journal]
RAMMY for Local Restaurant — “While six Arlington restaurants were nominated for awards this year, only one brought home a Rammy. Clarendon’s Colada Shop was named the Hottest Sandwich Shop in the DC region. CEO Daniella Senior founded the Cuban sandwich chain in 2016, growing it to five locations around the DMV.” [Patch]
Award for County Official — “Samia Byrd, director of the Arlington County government’s Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, has been named recipient of the 2024 Moeser Outstanding Service Award from the Virginia chapter of the American Planning Association.” [Gazette Leader]
Olympic Specials and Events — “We can’t all fly to Paris to vie for gold medals during this summer’s Games, which run from July 26-Aug. 11. Arlington-area organizations and restaurants understand. They’re offering opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities to compete locally in mental and physical gymnastics — or at least to enjoy good food and drink while rooting for the true Olympians.” [Arlington Magazine]
Local Team Is Second in State — “The Arlington Senior Babe Ruth age 13-16 All-Stars finished second in the recent state baseball tournament, losing to Manassas, 9-0, in the championship game.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Tuesday — There is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 pm, with otherwise mostly cloudy skies and a high near 89, accompanied by southwest winds at 3 to 5 mph. Expect a 70% chance of precipitation on Tuesday night, with showers and thunderstorms. The night will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 74. New rainfall amounts of a quarter to half an inch. [NWS]
Certified recovery residences with up to eight people might soon be allowed in single-family Arlington neighborhoods.
With limited exceptions, the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance currently allows no more than four people to live in a single-family home unless they are “related by blood, marriage or adoption.” But a county staff report recommends changing county code to provide explicit support for recovery residences, which offer drug- and alcohol-free housing to people with substance abuse disorders.
