The Arlington real estate market is expected to see a modest rise in sales and prices in 2026, despite economic challenges that may hamper growth.
In the single-family sector, Arlington’s projected 3.8% rate of price growth is on the higher end for jurisdictions in a new 2026 market forecast, released Dec. 29 by the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) and Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University.
Arch Construction Imminent? — “President Donald Trump said in an interview Wednesday that construction of his long-teased Triumphal Arch is expected to begin “sometime in the next two months.” That would put the start date ahead of July 4, 2026 — as the White House ramps up preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary next year.” [Politico, WJLA]
Roosevelt Bridge Rescue — “Below Grade Rescue: Inbound Theodore Roosevelt Bridge #DCsBravest responded/located a person beneath the bridge within construction scaffolding. A rope rescue operation was conducted by special operations units. One adult male transported serious/non-life threatening.” [DCFEMS/X, WJLA]
Venezuela Operation Reaction — “I’ve always opposed American attacks on Venezuela and I oppose them now. You don’t need sympathy for Maduro to grasp that attacking another country for unclear, shifting rationales without domestic support or a clear plan for the day after won’t make us safer. The Administration lied to Congress and launched an illegal war for regime change and oil. Foolhardy and wrong.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X, Press Release]
More on Hall’s Hill Fire — “The smoke was also visible from nearby Fire Station 8, located just off Langston Boulevard. Firefighters saw the smoke and rushed to Jones’ home on North Emerson Street, quickly working to put out the flames. The quick response was especially meaningful for Jones. In 2016, the Arlington fire station was nearly relocated to a less populated area. Jones and others in the community fought to keep it in place.” [WUSA 9]
Va. Dems Plan Amendments — “Some of the furthest-reaching actions the Virginia General Assembly is likely to take this year could happen in the first few days after the legislature convenes: votes on four proposed amendments to the state constitution affecting same-sex marriage, abortion access, voting rights and redistricting.” [Washington Post]
New Va. Laws — “Starting Thursday, technology companies must limit social media use among children under 16 in Virginia… The Virginia social media law that passed last year will require platforms like Instagram and TikTok to limit use among minors under 16 to one hour a day in an effort to address concerns about the effects on youth mental health.” [Washington Post]
Companies Say Tow Fee Too Low — “Michael Reynolds, of the A-1 Associates towing firm, said his company was forced to move out of Arlington prior to the pandemic “because it was too expensive to operate,” adding that Arlington now has only one towing business that does trespass towing. Reynolds told the board that tow fees provide for many things, including real estate, location and cost, and hiring qualified employees.” [WTOP]
Crash on 14th Street Bridge — “Another right lane driver just had to get to left side exit 10C on I-395N just before the 14th Street Bridge. They got there, but also sent a pickup truck across three lanes to the other side of the highway, and apparently hitting another vehicle in the process.” [Dave Statter/X]
Snowy Owl Spotting — “DC bird spotters are heading to Hains Point right now after a Snowy Owl was spotted on the shore at National Airport. Don’t have my big lens today sadly.” [Andrew Leyden/X]
It’s Monday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 45 and a southeast wind shifting to the south between 5 and 10 mph in the morning. Winds may gust up to 18 mph. By Monday night, skies will be mostly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 35. The south wind will decrease to about 6 mph. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
A pair of teenage suspects is facing charges after police say they crashed a car they had just stolen near Ballston.
The incident happened around 11:15 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, along the 600 block of N. Tazewell Street. According to police, the teens were trying door handles before finding an unlocked vehicle, getting in, and tampering with the ignition. They then “began driving out of the parking space when they struck an unoccupied, parked vehicle resulting in minor damage.”
A mayoral candidate in the city of Reims, France is promoting a stronger Sister City relationship with Arlington in his campaign.
Éric Quénard is the Socialist Party candidate who will lead a center-left coalition in the 2026 mayor’s race in Reims, one of Arlington’s five sister cities. His campaign reached out to ARLnow to uplift his desire for tighter ties between the two locales.
The unexpected departure of a major pro-transit voice in the Virginia General Assembly has created a void that an Arlington legislator appears primed to fill.
Del. Adele McClure (D-2), who sits on the House Committee on Transportation, has provided a key voice in various recent discussions on transit. In the 2026 General Assembly session, she could step into the shoes left behind by former Del. Mark Sickles (D-17), who is leaving his elected post to become Virginia’s next Secretary of Finance.
A Democrat is taking over for a Republican on the Arlington Electoral Board in the new year.
David Leichtman, a veteran political activist, will succeed electoral board vice chair Richard Samp, a Republican whose term expires Dec. 31.
Redevelopment Site Sold — “A pair of south Arlington hotel properties at the South Glebe Road interchange with Interstate 395 slated for redevelopment as more than 500 residential units have sold for $50 million. CC Rock Arlington Owner LLC, an affiliate of Crescent Communities and the Rockefeller Group, acquired the Green Valley site of its fully entitled future development in two transactions.” [WBJ]
PTAs Respond to Food Need — “PTAs and parent teacher student organizations across Arlington have long considered ways to help students who might be experiencing food insecurity. But in recent months, in the aftermath of the government shutdown and uncertainty surrounding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, they’ve stepped in to address the increased need.” [WTOP]
Photo: A Very Bad Idea — “Someone made a balcony bonfire tonight in Pentagon City… Fire department came [shortly] after the fire started.” [Reddit]
Robbery in Courthouse — “at approximately 3:10 p.m., the male suspect attempted to exit a store without paying for merchandise when he was confronted by employees. The suspect allegedly became aggressive, threatened employees and spat on an employee before fleeing the scene on foot.” [ACPD]
Local Civic Figure Dies — “Linda Kathleen Stalls Beverly, 76, died Thursday, December 11… She was a longtime member of Arlington County’s Civic Coalition for Minority Affairs. Linda also founded the advocacy group Concerned Parents of Arlington and co-chaired the African-American Parent Network. In 2003, she was among 14 residents to be recognized by the Arlington School Board as “Honored Citizens” for outstanding volunteer service to Arlington Public Schools.” [Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home]
Yellow Line Changes — “Metro riders on the Yellow Line can travel further into D.C. and Maryland beginning today (Wednesday). The Yellow Line has extended with service to Maryland’s Greenbelt station for the first time since 2023, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Trains on that line previously ended service at Mount Vernon Square in D.C.” [ALXnow]
Changes Coming to Golf Courses — “President Donald Trump’s campaign to reshape the nation’s capital in his image is setting its focus on Washington’s public golf courses. The National Links Trust — the nonprofit organization that has managed East Potomac Golf Links, Rock Creek Park Golf and Langston Golf Course since 2020 — said on Wednesday that the Trump administration has terminated the group’s 50-year lease with the National Park Service.” [Politico, CBS News]
It’s Friday — The weather will transition from mostly cloudy to sunny, reaching a high of around 41 degrees. In the afternoon, calm winds will shift to northwest at approximately 6 mph. During Friday night, expect mostly cloudy skies and a low temperature of around 26 degrees, accompanied by a north wind blowing at 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
Firefighters quickly extinguished a house fire in the Rock Spring neighborhood early Wednesday morning.
The fire started around 1:30 a.m. in the kitchen and extended to the rear of the house, on the 3400 block of N. George Mason Drive, according to the Arlington County Fire Department.
Four D.C. teenagers were arrested after a series of overnight break-ins at businesses in Pentagon City yesterday (Tuesday).
They’re accused of hitting a total of at least five businesses, stealing cash and electronics before being arrested while trespassing inside an apartment building on S. Eads Street, according to a press release from the Arlington County Police Department.
For nearly 65 years, Arlington County Board members rang in the new year with a Jan. 1 organization meeting.
Often drawing large crowds and extensive media coverage, the event was a chance for county leaders to lay out their priorities for the coming year after first voting in a chair to serve for the 365 — sometimes 366 — days ahead.
NYE Road Closures — “The Arlington County Police Department will implement road closures and parking restrictions in Clarendon on New Years Eve to help ensure public safety and accommodate the expected increase in foot traffic related to nightlife activity.” [ACPD]
Metro Changes in 2026 — Expect weekend closures of the Crystal City Metro station, starting in February, as a result of construction on the second station entrance project. [NBC 4]
DOJ Sues Virginia — “The Justice Department sued Virginia on Monday over its policy of granting unauthorized immigrants in-state financial aid at public colleges and universities, saying that the assistance violates federal law because it discriminates against U.S. citizens living in other states.” [NYT, Reuters]
More Kennedy Center Woes — “More musicians have canceled their upcoming concerts at the Kennedy Center after its board voted to rename the performing arts venue to include President Donald Trump’s name. The canceled performances to date include shows previously promoted for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Jan. 14.” [Associated Press, NBC 4]
Bad Flu Season — “The United States is seeing a massive surge in flu cases this winter, many of them attributed to the so-called “super flu.” An unprecedented rise in flu cases comes as other sicknesses — such as the “winter vomiting bug,” COVID and whooping cough — are slamming the United States this winter.” [Axios]
It’s Wednesday — Expect flurries and a slight chance of snow before 7am, followed by mostly cloudy skies becoming sunny later, with a high near 39 and southwest wind gusts up to 21 mph. Wednesday night brings more flurries and a low around 26, while New Year’s Day has flurries until noon, sunny skies, and a high near 33 with gusts up to 28 mph. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
Arlington County will begin its yearly post-holiday collection of Christmas trees starting next week.
A special pickup of the expired evergreens will begin next Monday, Jan. 5 and continue through Friday, Jan. 16.
