News | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published May 20, 2021 at 7:30AM

New County Infrastructure Plan Proposed — “County Manager Mark Schwartz has proposed a $1.25 billion three-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that focuses on meeting Arlington’s existing commitments, increasing infrastructure maintenance, and beginning investments in long-term plans and programs. The three-year proposal follows a one-year CIP that was adopted last summer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The County anticipates returning to a traditional 10-year plan next year for FY 2023 – FY 2032.” [Arlington County]

Rosslyn Developer Dies from Covid — “Marvin Weissberg, a herald of Northern Virginia development whose portfolio of early projects still mark Rosslyn’s modern skyline, has died. He was 94. The founder of Weissberg Investment Corp. passed away Monday at his home in Annapolis of complications from Covid-19.” [Washington Business Journal]

Advocates Say a Proposed Civilian Group Needs Power to Investigate Police Officers

By Jo DeVoe

Published May 19, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated May 25, 2021 at 12:59PM

(Updated 05/25 at 1 p.m.) The Arlington County Board voted 4-1 last night (Tuesday) to consider establishing a Civilian Review Board for the Arlington County Police Department.

Now the county will advertise a draft ordinance that, if approved in the summer, would outline the roles and responsibilities of this review board. Board member Takis Karantonis dissented.

County Board Directs Manager to Consider More Logo Designs

By Jo DeVoe

Published May 19, 2021 at 2:00PM

The County Board appears to be listening to what locals had to say about the five finalists for the new Arlington County logo.

During the County Board’s recessed meeting yesterday (Tuesday), Board members directed County Manager Mark Schwartz to arrange more opportunities to submit logo ideas, while considering rejected designs.

Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream to Open in Pentagon City This Summer

By Matt Blitz

Published May 19, 2021 at 11:30AM

Locals are going to have a new spot to cool off this summer.

A new 935-square-foot ice cream parlor is opening at Westpost, formerly known as Pentagon Row. It’s expected to open in a former restaurant space at 1201 S. Joyce Street “in late summer,” says a press release from Federal Realty Investment Trust, owner of the retail plaza.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 19, 2021 at 7:30AM

Along Four Mile Run near Shirlington (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Redevelopment Proposal Near Rosslyn — “The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) is moving forward with a proposal it previewed to redevelop part of the Marbella Apartments. APAH has filed a zoning application to replace 72 units across a pair of low-rise apartment buildings at 1300 and 1305 N. Pierce Street (map) with two 12-story buildings, delivering a total of 561 affordable units.” [UrbanTurf]

Vision Zero Plan Approved — “Arlington County Board approved a five-year Vision Zero action plan over the weekend, joining other jurisdictions throughout the region that are trying to curb traffic fatalities. The county’s goal is to reach zero traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2030. Currently, Arlington has about four traffic fatalities per year and about 55 severe crashes.” [GGWash, Sun Gazette]

Fire Station No. 8 Project Receives Additional Funding

By David Taube

Published May 18, 2021 at 2:00PM | Updated May 18, 2021 at 2:29PM

A rendering shows the new Fire Station No. 8 (via Arlington County)

A fire station project in Arlington is getting an additional $2.88 million to add environmental-friendly upgrades and more.

The County Board approved the budget increase Saturday, bringing the total project cost — including contingencies — to $27.92 million. It covers the new Fire Station No. 8 at 4845 Lee Highway, in the Hall’s Hill area, and a temporary facility to allow firefighting operations to continue during construction.

Phase Two of Construction on Red Top Cab Site Set for Fall Pending More Approvals

By Jo DeVoe

Published May 18, 2021 at 11:30AM | Updated October 21, 2021 at 2:39PM

The revised proposal for the first phase of the three-building Clarendon West redevelopment (Image via Arlington County)

(Updated on 10/21/21) Construction on the final phase of a long-awaited residential redevelopment in Clarendon could begin in the fall if the county approves new changes from the developer.

Five-and-a-half years ago, the Arlington County Board approved a three-building mixed-use development called Clarendon West from Arlington-based developer Shooshan Company. It will replace the old Red Top Cab headquarters and dispatch center, and two small commercial buildings.

No New Coronavirus Cases Reported Today in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published May 18, 2021 at 10:35AM | Updated May 18, 2021 at 2:23PM

(Updated at noon) For the second time since March 2020, no new coronavirus cases were reported in Arlington County over the past 24 hours.

The county’s cumulative case count remained at 15,272 this morning, according to Virginia Dept. of Health data. The last time there were zero new cases in a given day was in July 2020, during last summer’s lull.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 18, 2021 at 5:00AM

Lee Highway near Glebe Road at twilight (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Book: Bezos Helped Steer HQ2 to Arlington — “According to “Amazon Unbound,” a new book by Brad Stone that looks at the last decade of growth at the company, employees overseeing the HQ2 search winnowed the choices to a top three list that included Chicago, Philadelphia and Raleigh, North Carolina. When it came time to make a final choice, Bezos dismissed months of research by going with his gut and selecting Arlington and Long Island City in Queens.” [Washington Business Journal]

Democratic School Board Caucus Underway — “Voting in the Arlington County Democratic Committee School Board Endorsement Caucus opened at midnight today through a nationally recognized electronic voting platform that will allow Arlingtonians to conveniently, anonymously and securely cast their ballots from mobile devices or computers 24/7 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday (March 23)… Arlington Democrats will also offer 32 hours of in-person voting on May 18, 19 and 22, at four locations across the county.” [Arlington Democrats]

EXCLUSIVE: Neighbors Saved Driver from Car Minutes Before Flames Engulfed It

By Jo DeVoe

Published May 17, 2021 at 3:50PM | Updated May 17, 2021 at 4:56PM

A driver crashed into a tree along the 4800 block of Old Dominion Road (Photo courtesy Patrick McNair)

(Updated 4:55 p.m.) At 10:50 p.m. on Friday, Patrick McNair and his wife Danielle were getting ready to bed when they heard a crash. In a few seconds, the power went out.

Outside their home along the 4800 block of Old Dominion Drive, near Marymount University, they saw a mangled car starting to smoke.

Arlington Agenda: May 17-23

By Vernon Miles

Published May 17, 2021 at 3:30PM

Kojo in Our Community (image via WAMU)

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County and local events being held online. If you’d like your event considered, fill out the event submission form to submit it to our event calendar.

WAMU host Kojo Nnamdi will be part of a round-table discussion with a panel of experts to discuss the state of mental health in the wake of the pandemic. Kojo and the panel of experts will discuss the effects of COVID-19 on mental health and what can be done to get people the needed help.

County Board Approves Bonus for ACPD Officers

By David Taube

Published May 17, 2021 at 2:00PM

Arlington police car (file photo)

Arlington police officers are getting bonuses with the help of state money.

The County Board approved $229,961 for the one-time bonuses on Saturday from funding through the 2020 state budget bill signed into law in November. It’s part of approximately $7.5 million distributed to police departments across Virginia.