Additional signs, markings and flex posts will be coming to six Arlington Blvd intersections beginning next week, seeking to promote safety at crossings without traffic signals.
Building on the success of similar installations at N. and S. Highland Street, the project will add left-turn and through restrictions at all unsignalized intersections on Arlington Blvd between Fillmore Street and Glebe Road, along with a left-turn restriction at N. and S. Irving Street.
A Holiday Inn hotel in the Ballston area has closed and is now fenced off, apparently in preparation for a redevelopment project approved back in 2023.
Multiple tipsters contacted ARLnow this month after the hotel at 4610 Fairfax Drive closed its doors. The hotel has left IHG Hotels and Resorts’ system, a spokesperson said, although they did not say exactly when the location stopped admitting guests.
Arlington homeowners will pay an average 5.2% more in real-estate taxes this year, under the county government’s $1.69 billion fiscal year 2027 budget adopted yesterday (Wednesday).
The total budget amount is nearly identical to the fiscal year 2026 spending plan now in place, marking a rare year without some degree of overall increase. But because of ongoing declines in values of commercial properties, more of the tax burden is shifting to homeowners.
Falls Church leaders are considering a $175,000 contract with a consultant to help with an affordable housing project at Virginia Village.
That firm, whose name has not officially been announced, would develop a request for proposals sent out to housing providers that might be interested in partnering with the city on the project. The funding would also support evaluation of the proposals.
Drug Take-Back Saturday — “The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Spring National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will take place on Saturday, April 25. The Arlington County Police Department encourages community members to include their medicine cabinets in their spring-cleaning routine by safely disposing of unused or expired medications.” [Arlington County]
Coverage of Women’s Sports Bar — Under new ownership, Westover Taco has relaunched as the D.C. area’s first sports bar dedicated to women’s sports. “We’ll show men’s games if somebody wants to watch it, but we’ll prioritize women’s. When you’re hearing sports in the bar, it’s going to be women’s games,” owner Sarah White said. [Washington Post, Washingtonian]
Rosslyn Spring Market Returns — The Rosslyn Spring Market will return to the NOW Pop-Up Park (1401 Wilson Blvd) on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free outdoor event features local makers, live music from singer Jessica Allossery, a Turning the Page used book sale and a typewriter poet composing custom poems on-site. [Patch]
Kennedy Center Two-Year Closure — The Kennedy Center will close in July for a two-year renovation supported by nearly $257 million from Congress to fund repairs. New executive director Matt Floca said he recommended a single closure rather than piecemeal work: “You close the building and you do everything over a definite period of time, two years.” [NBC 4]
Va. Gets Paid Family Leave — “Virginia is now the first state in the South to create a paid family and medical leave program,” Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) said. The portable insurance program — funded by both workers and employers — allows Virginians to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for themselves or a family member, including parental leave. [Press Release]
Maternal Health Bills Signed — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed several maternal health bills yesterday — including expanded insurance coverage for mental health screenings — as the latest installment of Virginia’s “Momnibus” package. The signing came just ahead of an annual Virginia March for Life rally around Capitol Square, where more than 1,000 people gathered to support anti-abortion legislation. [Virginia Mercury]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 82, with a northwest wind of 3–7 mph. Skies become partly cloudy overnight with a low around 58. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Three possible design options for an expanded Drew Park ask respondents to prioritize between nature areas, gathering spaces and places to play and keep active.
Residents in and around Green Valley have until May 10 to submit feedback on draft concept designs for the park at 2310 S. Kenmore Street, next to Drew Elementary School. The online form asks for residents’ thoughts on each of the options — “Grow Together,” “Gather Together” and “Play Together” — along with a possible restroom facility.
A trio of teen suspects, one of whom appeared to be armed with a gun, robbed another teen on a school soccer field Tuesday.
The robbery happened outside of the H-B Woodlawn building in Rosslyn, police said, and the suspects fled with a backpack and clothing.
Members of Arlington’s Disability Advisory Commission argue that they could do more good by being an integral part of creating properties, not just reviewing them.
“We feel a frustration dealing with the county’s current planning process,” said Commissioner Bryant Atkins.
Arlington stands to be divided into two congressional districts following last night’s statewide referendum, which narrowly passed with overwhelming support from local voters.
The “yes” vote rolled up about 80% of the vote in Arlington, based on preliminary vote totals released last night by the Virginia Department of Elections. This helped the measure squeak by statewide with about 51.5% of the vote — a majority of about 90,000 votes out of more than 3 million cast, according to preliminary figures.
Final action on VHC Health’s proposed 146-bed S. Carlin Springs Road behavioral health and rehabilitation facility could come as early as September.
That somewhat aggressive planning timeline was laid out at a community-kickoff meeting for the project yesterday (Monday). Current plans anticipate the project heading to the full Planning Commission on Sept. 9 and the County Board on Sept. 19, although that timetable may slip.
Teen Charged in Officer Assault — A boy in his late teens was taken into custody Monday afternoon after police say he kicked an officer while being detained at a business in the 200 block of S. Glebe Road. The officer was not injured. Petitions for assault on police and disorderly conduct were sought. [ACPD]
Fire Station 8 Goes Green — Arlington’s new Fire Station 8 has earned LEED Gold certification, featuring an underground stormwater vault, a green vegetated roof, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and 57 solar panels. The station stands on the historic footprint of the Halls Hill Volunteer Fire Department, the only Arlington station staffed by an all-Black volunteer unit for decades during segregation. [Arlington County]
Water Shortage Risk Grows — A growing risk of water shortages looms as the Potomac River hits near-record lows. The river is “at its lowest point that it’s ever been for this particular date,” based on more than 130 years of data, said Michael Nardolilli of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. Severe drought has expanded to cover 31% of the region. [WTOP, CWG/X]
Red Flag Law Takes Guns — Fairfax County has processed 481 Emergency Substantial Risk cases and temporarily seized 947 guns since Virginia’s Red Flag law took effect in 2020. “Every one of those cases, I believe, is the opportunity to not only make our community safer, but potentially save a life,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said. [WTOP]
Airport Merch Coming — The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is preparing to launch an online store selling merchandise branded for Reagan National and Dulles airports, aimed at “AVGeeks, locals and everyone in between.” The store is in a testing phase and no launch date has been announced. MWAA’s move follows WMATA’s popular Metro-branded merchandise offerings. [WBJ]
Pentagon’s Record Budget Ask — President Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request includes a new “presidential priorities” category, earmarking $750 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense system, drones, artificial intelligence and building up the defense industrial base. The proposed 42% increase from last year would be the biggest year-over-year boost since WWII. [The Hill]
It’s Wednesday — Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms mainly between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. today, with a high near 74, a west wind around 8 mph, and a 50% chance of precipitation. Showers should taper by 8 p.m., with a mostly clear overnight low around 55. [NWS]
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Arlington has overwhelming voted yes for the statewide congressional redistricting amendment, which has now been approved by Virginia voters.
As of 10 p.m., with all Arlington County precincts reporting, the “yes” vote led by 80% to 20% for no. Statewide the race was much closer, with 51.3% for yes and 48.7% for no.
