Arlington Planning Commission is set to discuss Missing Middle housing in a blockbuster pair of meetings this week.
The first is happening tonight at 7 p.m., in the County Board room at Arlington County government headquarters (2100 Clarendon Blvd). County staff are set to give a presentation before the floor is opened to public comment from dozens of speakers.
(Updated at 11:10 a.m.) A theft suspect in a U-Haul managed to flee from police in Pentagon City last week.
The theft happened just before 4 p.m. at or near the Pentagon Row shopping center. The suspect, a woman, reportedly stole a large quantity of clothing and beauty items before fleeing in a rental truck driven by second suspect, a man.
RCA Building Trades Hands — “A joint venture led by McLean’s Jefferson Apartment Group has acquired the former RCA building in Rosslyn for $55.5 million, more than a year after gaining county approval to replace it with a multifamily high-rise… With the acquisition complete, demolition is anticipated to begin in February or March, a JAG spokesperson said in an email.” [Washington Business Journal]
Google Maps Leading Drivers Astray? — From Dave Statter: “@googlemaps still tells drivers to make the dangerous move from SB Boundary Channel to I-395S Exit 8C. Many do.” [Twitter]
A man tried to steal a gun from an Arlington gun store last week but was chased down by a store manager as he tried to flee.
The incident happened Thursday around 6:30 p.m. at Nova Armory, which is now located at 2607 Wilson Blvd in Clarendon.
Arlington County police are investigating the death of a man found unresponsive in a park along Columbia Pike.
Police were called around 10 p.m. Friday night for a man lying on the ground and not moving near the intersection of Columbia Pike and Four Mile Run Drive, which is also in proximity to the bike trail.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are scheduled to cross the river into Arlington next week.
“On Monday, December 12, as part of the First Lady’s Joining Forces initiative, the President and the First Lady will travel to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia to participate in a United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots sorting event, in celebration of Toys for Tots’ 75th Anniversary,” the White House announced Friday afternoon.
Four people suffered minor injuries Wednesday night during a pellet gun drive-by shooting.
The incident happened on the 3200 block of Columbia Pike, just east of S. Glebe Road, around 6 p.m. It involved 3-4 male suspects in a white SUV, including the shooter of the airsoft gun, who is believed to be in his 20s.
A pedestrian bridge in the Rosslyn area is closed after inspectors founds something worrisome.
The bridge over Route 50, connecting N. Fairfax Drive and Fort Myer Drive in the Radnor-Fort Myer Heights neighborhood, was found to have deteriorating concrete in sections, according to Arlington County. The span is closed while crews work on repairs.
County Preps for Winter Weather — “Area meteorologists have predicted a somewhat below average total for seasonal snow accumulation in the region. That would be the sixth time in the past seven winters. Did we mention the historical chance for a white Christmas is at 7%? Regardless, Arlington County continues with almost year-round planning and training for the possibility of a sudden bad blast of winter. County crews are ready once again to hit the roads with a fleet of almost 50 trucks as well as contractors on call.” [Arlington County]
Large Water Main Break in Courthouse — From last night: “Emergency Water Main Repairs: Crew working on 12-inch main at 2410 North 14th Street. Some 200 customers could be affected. Estimated time for completion: 12/9/2022 4:00 AM. Traffic diverted around work site.” [Twitter]
Plans to redevelop a local YMCA may have too many apartment units and not enough community benefits, county planners say.
The YMCA is proposing to tear down its existing facility on N. Kirkwood Road in Virginia Square and build an 87,850-square-foot facility with indoor swimming pools, pickleball and tennis courts, a fitness space and a conference and lounge area, as well as 203 parking spaces. To finance the project, the nonprofit is building a separate 7-story, 374-unit apartment building.
A woman was groped, followed and pulled to the ground by an unknown suspect in the Lyon Park area, police say.
The incident happened last night (Wednesday) around 5:30 p.m.
In February of this year, a hoax call about an armed suspect inside Yorktown High School holding hostages triggered a lockdown, evacuations and a massive police response.
That incident is now informing one of Arlington’s legislative priorities for the upcoming Virginia General Assembly session. The Arlington County Board and School Board are calling for a law that specifically names and criminalizes false calls to police, describing a life-threatening situation, with the intent to trigger a police response. It is widely known as “swatting” because of the SWAT teams it sometimes elicits.
