News

New Pike Partnership Leader — “With its current head moving into elected office in January, the Columbia Pike Partnership has tapped a new executive director. Andrew Schneider, who previously led Arlington Thrive, on Nov. 21 was announced as the successor to Kim Klingler, who has headed the Columbia Pike organization since 2019.” [Gazette Leader]

Financial Issues for Rosslyn Building — “A mezzanine lender is moving to foreclose on 1812 N. Moore St., according to an offering and a legal notice, making the Nestle USA headquarters building in Arlington the most prominent example of the commercial real estate debt crisis in the region.” [Washington Business Journal]

Site Sold for Rosslyn Redevelopment — “Penzance has acquired Rosslyn Gateway, an aging two-tower office complex north of the Rosslyn Metro station, with an eye toward reviving a long-stalled redevelopment there. The D.C. real estate firm paid $52 million for the 1960s-era, 12-story buildings at 1901 and 1911 Fort Myer Drive, which together total about 255,000 square feet. The deal, which closed Nov. 14, works out to about $208 a square foot.” [Washington Business Journal]

Store Robbed, Employee Struck — “2700 block of Washington Boulevard. At approximately 5:40 p.m. on November 17, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the unknown male suspect entered the business, collected alcohol and left the store without payment. A store employee then confronted the suspect during which a brief struggle over the merchandise ensued. The suspect then entered his vehicle and reversed, hitting the employee and another parked vehicle before he fled the scene. No injuries were reported.” [ACPD]

Could County Governance Change? — “Democratic control of both houses of the General Assembly in 2024 may make it more likely that proposed changes to Arlington’s century-old governance process could find success in Richmond… The package of proposed changes adopted by the Civic Federation includes expanding County Board and School Board seats from the current five each to at least seven; changing the existing election cycle that includes at least one seat on each body being up for grabs each year; using ranked-choice elections to choose local officials.” [Gazette Leader]

Another Gun Confiscated at DCA — “Security officials prevented a Virginia man from bringing a loaded handgun onto a flight at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Sunday, according to the Transportation Security Administration.” [Patch]

It’s Thanksgiving week, one of the busiest and most dangerous times to drive.

As people head out of town for family gatherings — and gather locally for libations with friends — police in Arlington and throughout Virginia will be on the lookout for traffic and safety violations.

Reported Hit-and-Run Injures Biker — From Alan Henney: “MOTORCYCLIST STRUCK BY HIT-N-RUN DRIVER— on Washington Blvd just past the exit for w/b Arlington Blvd in Arlington. The victim was taken to hospital with a shattered hip and cuts to his face. Unknown on the description of the suspect vehicle.” [Twitter]

Arlington’s Rising Office Vacancy — “Arlington County, Virginia, has been the single most affected jurisdiction throughout the greater Washington, D.C., region when it comes to office vacancy increases over the past four years.” [CoStar]