News

Planning Comm. Takes on Missing Middle — “With less than two weeks until the expected vote on a land use rule change aimed at increasing the number of affordable missing middle housing units, Arlington County neighbors will have one of their last opportunities to provide county leaders feedback… The board is expected to vote on this proposal during their March 18 meeting. The public will have one more chance before this meeting to provide feedback during Monday’s Planning Commission meeting.” [WJLA]

Fmr. Lt. Gov. Representing Gunston Family — “Weeks after an Arlington 8th grader says he was forced to pick cotton in a class game, his family is still demanding justice, and according to family attorney Justin Fairfax, they are exploring all legal options. 7News first spoke with Keisha Kirkland and her middle school son… a week after [he] first told his family a long-term sub at Gunston Middle School forced him to pick cotton during a game in French class.” [WJLA, Twitter]

No School Board Candidate Kickoffs — “Voters hoping to get a jump-start on evaluating the three Democrats vying for Arlington School Board will have to wait a month. None of the three – Angelo Cocchiaro, Erin Freas-Smith and Miranda Turner – delivered kickoff remarks at the March 1 Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting. Cocchiaro had planned to, but contracted COVID, party chair Steve Baker told the assembled rank-and-file. Kickoffs can be expected at the April meeting, sending the race into a five-week sprint before voting in the Democratic caucus takes place.” [Gazette Leader]

County Mulls Future of Libraries — “With its newly renovated Courthouse library branch scheduled to open later this month and firm plans in place for a new full-service library to open in Crystal City in 2025, Arlington County now wants to take a look at the overall direction and vision of the county library system that could guide the library’s growth over the next few decades.” [Patch]

New County Board Candidate — Updated at 7:45 a.m. — “The March 1 Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting brought a sixth candidate for County Board into the mix. Susan Cunningham launched her bid for the Democratic nomination, saying she would provide common-sense leadership. She also attacked the county government’s Missing Middle housing proposal as ill-conceived and not fleshed out.” [Gazette Leader]

Marymount Donation for Renovation — “Marymount University said it plans to renovate a historic building that’s sat empty in recent years into a new campus center… A $2.8 million gift from the Reinsch Pierce Family Foundation is fully funding the new, 6,240-square-foot Reinsch Pierce Family Campus Hub, a university spokesman said. It will house a Barnes & Noble student bookstore, a “spirit shop” with university merchandise, Lola’s Café and space for faculty, students and visitors.” [Washington Business Journal]