The Arlington County Board is considering a proposal for a childcare center on the third floor of the newly constructed Saint Timothy and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church (STSA) in Green Valley.
However, the proposal, introduced by the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) in April, has raised concerns among nearby residents worried that the childcare center’s size and rooftop playground will create traffic and noise issues.
County staff have proposed a compromise for a Columbia Pike property that officials originally considered acquiring via eminent domain and demolishing.
An agreement with the conservator for the property at 1802 Columbia Pike is scheduled to go before the Arlington County Board on Monday.
Thieves have been increasingly targeting the Ballston area Target store, making it a frequent destination for police dispatches lately.
Arlington crime reports for July so far contain some 20 theft offenses for the 700 block of N. Glebe Road, where the store is located. The police department identifies crimes by block number and generally does not identify which specific businesses were the victim of crimes.
Empathy Sign Creator Talks — “‘If we can’t show empathy within the Beltway, it’s hard to have hope,’ says a local man who started hanging hand painted signs that read ‘Empathy’ throughout the D.C. area three years, not as a political act, but a way of giving back. Living with a rare form of cancer, hanging the signs is this former teacher’s way of saying thank you to the medical professionals and community that help keep him alive.” [Instagram]
Yorktown Baseball Standouts Drafted — “Right-handed pitcher Nate Knowles was chosen in the fourth round (124th pick overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays. Then catcher Jacob Friend was selected in round six (179th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds. The Division I college players had standout junior seasons in 2024, Knowles for the College of William & Mary and Friend at Davidson College.” [Gazette Leader]
Uncertainty About Compass Union Vote — “Compass Coffee and workers at seven locations in Washington, D.C., and Virginia, comprising five potential bargaining units, will face a period of extended uncertainty following a union election Tuesday. The union, Compass Coffee United, led at all bargaining units, with 22 votes cast in favor of the union and none cast against it. About 101 voters were challenged and their ballots were impounded by the NLRB without being opened and counted.” [Restaurant Dive]
Fresh Market Opening Nearby — “A national grocery chain originally inspired by open food markets in Europe is plotting an expansion in the D.C. area. The Fresh Market has landed deals to open stores at Reston Station and West Falls, the mixed-use development currently under construction on Falls Church City’s former high school campus, the Washington Business Journal first reported.” [FFXnow]
It’s Thursday — Isolated showers and possible thunderstorms after 5pm, partly sunny skies, and a high near 89 with north winds at 8 mph. Precipitation chance at 20%. Thursday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, followed by isolated showers until 11pm, partly cloudy skies, and a low around 69 with north winds at 7 mph. Precipitation chance at 30%. [NWS]
Knowles picked by Rays, Friends selected by Reds
What interesting timing.
In the face of growing election doubts within the Democratic Party, Arlington progressives are planning a push for voter turnout in what is historically a Democratic stronghold.
Arlington tends to heavily favor Democrat in presidential elections. President Joe Biden received 80.7% of Arlington votes in 2020, while Hillary Clinton carried 75.8% of the county’s votes in 2016.
Arlington County is eyeing a $1.1 million real estate purchase to expand Douglas Park.
Buying and deconstructing a home for sale at 4030 16th Street S. — listed in the Public Spaces Master Plan as a priority expansion site for Douglas Park — would add a S. Randolph Street entrance to the five-acre recreation area south of Columbia Pike. The property has a total footprint of 13,346 square feet, or about 0.31 acres, according to a county report.
Flood Watch Today — A Flood Watch is set to take effect at 2 p.m. today as “thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could have intense rain rates exceeding 2 inches per hour. If locally repetitive or prolonged thunderstorms develop, flash flooding could occur in flood prone urban and suburban areas.” [National Weather Service]
New County Comms Honcho — “Erika Moore has been named Arlington County’s next Assistant County Manager for Communications and Public Engagement. In this role, she will provide vision and leadership for how the County continues to intentionally expand and diversify its outreach efforts and community input opportunities around all aspects of the County government operations.” [Arlington County]
Veep Weep for Youngkin — “The Arlington County Democratic Committee took to social media to mock Gov. Youngkin for not being selected as Donald Trump’s running mate… ‘Sorry, Glenn – you are stuck being in Virginia,’ the posting said.” [Gazette Leader]
New Restaurant Week Participant — From the Arlington Chamber of Commerce: “Exciting News! Crystal City Restaurant is participating in Arlington Restaurant Week October 14 – 21! Get ready to enjoy a week of great food at special prices.” [Twitter]
Exciting News!
Crystal City Restaurant is participating in Arlington Restaurant Week October 14 – 21!Get ready to enjoy a week of great food at special prices. Learn more at https://t.co/QeWrtval4z#RestaurantWeek #ARLRestaurantWeek pic.twitter.com/0CG7NviJbC
— Arlington Chamber VA (@ArlVAChamber) July 16, 2024
Arlington Ups Invasive Battle — “The Arlington County government on July 22 is expected to sign on as a member of a regional consortium to address invasive species. For a cost of $10,000 per year, the county will become a core member of the National Capital Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management.” [Gazette Leader]
New Local Heat Records — “In D.C., the high temperature climbed to 104°F on Tuesday, tying the longest streak of consecutive 101°F or hotter days, set during the Dust Bowl era of 1930. It also tied the daily record for the sizzling summer of 1988.” [Axios, Twitter]
It’s Wednesday — Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2pm, followed by more showers and potential thunderstorms, with a high near 97 and heat index values up to 107. Southwest winds at 5-9 mph, and an 80% chance of precipitation with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch. For Wednesday night, anticipate showers and thunderstorms. The low will be around 74, with southwest winds at 5-7 mph, an 80% chance of precipitation, and new rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch. [NWS]
After years of planning, the Reeves Farmhouse is poised to transfer out of county hands to become a home for adults with developmental disabilities.
The future of the historic property is scheduled for consideration at an Arlington County Board meeting on Monday. If approved, agreements would convey the property to Habitat for Humanity DC-NOVA and allocate up to $2.5 million to support renovation efforts.
County staff are seeking up to $85 million in state funding for improvements to busy Arlington roads.
A request to seek grants for three projects on Arlington Blvd, Glebe Road and an I-395 interchange is scheduled to go before the Arlington County Board on Monday.
As Arlington leaders consider ending public access to a Rosslyn observation deck in exchange for $14 million, a civic association is seeking an additional benefit.
A proposal to eliminate public access to the “View of D.C.” is scheduled to go before the Arlington County Board on Monday. Funding from the proposed deal with CoStar Group, which announced earlier this year that it is relocating to 1201 Wilson Blvd, would fund a major overhaul of Rosslyn’s Gateway Park several years earlier than previously expected, county staff have said.
Plans to Replace DCA Terminal –“The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is in the very early stages of planning a new facility to replace the Terminal 1 gates used by Southwest and other airlines at Reagan National Airport. The authority, which manages both DCA and Dulles International Airports, is scheduled to discuss a planning document for the new facility at its meeting Wednesday, per an agenda released Monday.” [Washington Business Journal]
Gunfire Investigated in Arlington Mill — “At approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 13, police were dispatched to the report of suspicious circumstances. Upon arrival, it was determined the victims were inside their residence when they heard a loud noise and upon further investigation, located property damage and a bullet fragment. No injuries were reported. The investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.” [ACPD]
Union Vote at Rosslyn Compass — “A unionization vote [for several Compass Coffee locations] is scheduled for July 16. In the runup, its workers have complained that a hiring spree is aimed at weakening their support.” [Axios, Twitter]
Kink Causes Metro Delay — From Metro yesterday: “Trains are single tracking between Crystal City & National Airport because of a heat kink outside Crystal City. Expect delays in both directions.” [Twitter]
When temperatures rise, metal rails can expand. This can create a bend/kink in the track. Please allow additional time this evening as crews work to resolve this issue. We'll provide updates as soon as they're available. Real-time service info: https://t.co/c2xBrn1Jhj #wmata https://t.co/twGw3PDog0 pic.twitter.com/KE0Ilii8oI
— Metro Forward (@wmata) July 15, 2024
Country Club Revenue Rises — “Country club revenue has been soaring nationally since the pandemic, and many Greater Washington nonprofit country clubs are seeing similar gains… Army Navy Country Club, which has facilities in Arlington and Fairfax, grew revenue 27% from $33.66 million in 2020 to $42.97 million in 2022.” [Washington Business Journal]
More Use SoberRide on July 4 — “The SoberRide initiative of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) saw a major bump up in usage for the Independence Day holiday. A total of 738 people used the service during a 12-hour period from July 4 at 4 p.m. to July 5 at 4 a.m. That’s up from 447 a year before.” [Gazette Leader]
Wizards Help Local Camp — “Drew Summer Camp, a 4-H after-school enrichment program, is up and running with programming for youth ages 4 to 12 in Arlington’s Green Valley community. The first week of the program kicked off with a donation from the Washington Wizards through community partner Leveling the Playing Field.” [Gazette Leader]
VP Pick Lives Down Avenue from Arlington — “Author, Ohio Senator, Del Ray resident and yarn bomb victim J.D. Vance has been tapped as the Vice President pick for Republican Candidate Donald Trump. Vance moved into an over $1.5 million home in Del Ray back in 2023.” [ALXnow]
It’s Tuesday — Expect isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with sunny and hot conditions marked by a high near 101 and heat index values reaching up to 108. A southwest wind will be blowing at 3 to 8 mph, and there is a 20% chance of precipitation. For Tuesday night, isolated showers and thunderstorms may occur before 2am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 78. A south wind at 6 to 8 mph can be anticipated, maintaining a 20% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
