(Updated 4:45 p.m. on 3/14/23) Builders and entrepreneurs tell ARLnow they are waiting up to twice as long as they used to for Arlington County to issue permits, costing them thousands — if not hundreds of thousands — of dollars.

Permits that used to be issued the same day now take 1-3 weeks while those that took 2-3 months take double that time, they say. Meanwhile, the Arlington Permit Office’s limited hours of operation compound the delays and the high permitting fees exacerbate the costs incurred from waiting.


(Updated at 5 p.m.) Proposed infill development for the RiverHouse site in Pentagon City is coming into focus with more renderings from the developer.

Reprising long-envisioned intentions to redevelop the expansive property, JBG Smith filed plans last year proposing apartments, senior housing, condos and townhomes on the surface parking lots on the RiverHouse site. Existing apartment towers will stay and more units within them will be set aside for affordable housing.


APS Might Let Students Carry Narcan — “Would it be wise, or even legal, for Arlington Public Schools students be able to carry medication with them that helps blunt the impact of opioid overdoses in schools? Getting a final answer appears to be a work in progress. ‘We are continuing to explore the question,’ Superintendent Francisco Durán said at the March 2 School Board meeting.” [Gazette Leader, Fox 5]

Award for Lubber Run Community Center — “The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is recognizing 16 projects with its 2023 Architecture Awards. The 2023 Architecture Award program celebrates the best contemporary architecture… [including] Lubber Run Community Center, Arlington, Virginia | VMDO Architects.” [American Institute of Architects]


(Updated at 3 p.m.) Firefighters battled heavy fire at a house in the Bluemont neighborhood Tuesday afternoon.

The first dispatch went out around 2 p.m., for a fire spotted by a neighbor on the 800 block of N. Kensington Street, north of Wilson Blvd. A second alarm was quickly sounded.


A 26-year-old man from Vienna, Va. has died after crashing his Range Rover on I-66 early Saturday morning.

The crash happened around 3:30 a.m. in the Rosslyn tunnel. Virginia State Police say the driver was not wearing his seat belt and was likely traveling at an excessive speed.


(Updated at 8:45 a.m.) The Clarendon Metro station filled with smoke during this morning’s commute, prompting a large fire department and police response.

The initial dispatch went out around 8:15 a.m., for smoke in the station. The station was evacuated and trains were halted in the area.


Sullivan Redistricted Out of Arlington — “Del. Rip Sullivan has been saying his goodbyes to Arlington for months now, and at the March 1 Arlington County Democratic Committee, said it wasn’t his choice to be departing… Sullivan, who since 2014 has represented the 48th House District that is split between portions of McLean and Arlington, found himself after legislative redistricting/renumbering in the new 6th District, which will be centered on McLean and have no Arlington precincts.” [Gazette Leader]

Culinary Training Cafe Remodeled — “Kitchen of Purpose has remodeled its cafe in Arlington and expanded its menu in time for spring as it seeks to bring in new customers and raise awareness of its culinary programs. The Cafe by Kitchen of Purpose, at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. Lincoln Street, serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. When the weather gets warmer, the cafe plans to have expanded outdoor seating.” [Patch]


Update on 3/28/23 — From the Arlington County Police Department today: “Detectives conducted a thorough investigation which ultimately determined a sexual assault had not occurred at Columbia Pike and S. Four Mile Run Drive on the morning of March 6, 2023. The investigation into this incident has concluded and there is no ongoing threat to the community.”

Earlier: Police are investigating the sexual assault of a teen girl Sunday night along Columbia Pike.


The McDonald’s at 4834 Langston Blvd is once more looking to change its drive-thru to reduce backups that spill onto the busy road.

The fast food restaurant has filed a special exception use permit application to add a second ordering station and three more “standing spots” for customers. Currently, the site has one drive-thru lane and a circulating lane wrapped around it.


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