News | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published February 21, 2020 at 7:30AM

Demolition in progress at Amazon HQ2 site (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Ballston-Based E*TRADE Acquired — “Morgan Stanley and E*TRADE Financial Corporation have entered into a definitive agreement under which Morgan Stanley will acquire E*TRADE, a leading financial services company and pioneer in the online brokerage industry, in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $13 billion.” [BusinessWire, Wall Street Journal]

County Wants Feedback on Capital Projects — “As part of this year’s budget season, you’re invited to share your input on capital priorities for Arlington County Government. Where should we make investments? Which types of projects top your list? We want to know what you think. Your input will help guide development of the County Manager’s Proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Fiscal Years 2021 – 2030, which will be presented to the Arlington County Board in May.” [Arlington County]

‘Good News Budget’ Gives County Staff Raises, Has No Tax Rate Increase

By ARLnow.com

Published February 20, 2020 at 4:30PM | Updated February 20, 2020 at 8:25PM

(Updated at 5:15 p.m.) Amazon is moving in at a quickening clip and Arlington County’s budget-makers are breathing a sigh of relief.

After a few years of tight budgets, involving tax rate hikes and a handful of county staff layoffs, “this is a good budget year,” County Manager Mark Schwartz said today, ahead of presenting his proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget to the Arlington County Board.

Democratic Presidential Hopeful Pete Buttigieg Coming to Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published February 20, 2020 at 2:55PM | Updated February 20, 2020 at 6:11PM

(Updated at 6:10 p.m.) Pete Buttigieg, Democratic candidate for president and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is making another appearance in Arlington — and this time it won’t be in a resident’s backyard.

Buttigieg will be holding an upcoming Northern Virginia town hall meeting in Arlington, at the Washington-Liberty High School stadium, the campaign confirmed Thursday evening.

What’s ‘Missing Middle Housing’ Anyway?

By ARLnow.com

Published February 20, 2020 at 1:30PM | Updated October 17, 2022 at 10:49AM

Arlington County is in the midst of a “Missing Middle Housing Study,” to determine whether legalizing additional housing types in certain areas could “address the shortage of housing supply in Arlington.”

So what is “missing middle housing” anyhow?

New Streets Coming With New Marriott Redevelopment in Rosslyn

By Vernon Miles

Published February 20, 2020 at 10:05AM

Rendering of the formerly proposed buildings for the Key Bridge Marriott site (via Arlington County)

The redevelopment of the Key Bridge Marriott in Rosslyn will come with some changes to the local streetscape.

The plan is to redevelop the current site into three separate buildings: a condominium building, a hotel, and an apartment building.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 20, 2020 at 7:30AM

HQ2 Employment Up 50% in Two Months — “Less than two months into the new year and Amazon.com Inc. says it has more than 600 employees at its second headquarters — a fairly significant staffing jump considering there were some 400 employees there as of late December.” [Washington Business Journal]

Construction Progress at DCA — “It’s happening: Reagan National’s nightmarish Gate 35X at Terminal C will soon be demolished. Construction is underway for Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s Project Journey, which will bring a new concourse to the north end of the airport and add new security checkpoints for Terminal B/C.” [NBC 4, DCist]

Police Make Another Vehicle Break-In Arrest

By ARLnow.com

Published February 19, 2020 at 3:45PM

File photo

A D.C. man has been arrested and charged in another series of vehicle break-ins in Arlington.

The arrested happened early Saturday morning, near the Wellington Apartments at the corner of S. Scott Street and Columbia Pike.

Redevelopment Plan for Courthouse ‘Landmark Block’ Appears Ready to Move Forward

By ARLnow.com

Published February 19, 2020 at 1:45PM

Redevelopment is slated for the "Landmark Block" containing Summers Restaurant and other buildings in Courthouse (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A long-awaited redevelopment in Courthouse appears poised to take the next step forward this year.

The “Landmark Block” is a full block of low-slung commercial buildings across from the Courthouse Metro station, which include the former Cosi, Boston Market and Jerry’s Subs restaurants, and the current Summers Restaurant and Mattress Warehouse. According to a presentation by Arlington’s planning division to the County Board yesterday, county planners expect developer Greystar to file redevelopment plans this year.

Crash, Road Rage Incident Leads to Arrest of Alexandria Man

By ARLnow.com

Published February 19, 2020 at 11:25AM

A 69-year-old Alexandria man is facing a felony charge after police say a minor, two-vehicle crash led to a physical altercation along Lee Highway.

The crash happened shortly before noon this past Friday — Valentine’s Day — near the intersection of Lee Highway and N. George Mason Drive. In its aftermath, numerous people called police to report a physical fight in the street.

Nestle Sponsors Child Care Scholarship in Arlington

By Vernon Miles

Published February 19, 2020 at 10:15AM

Arlington County is planning to partner with Nestlé and the Arlington Community Foundation to create a child care scholarship program.

The Shared Prosperity Child Care Scholarship Program is paid for by a $200,000 donation from Nestlé, the multinational food and drink company that recently expanded its U.S. headquarters in Rosslyn. Nestlé’s baby food subsidiary Gerber is also located in Rosslyn.

New Agreement Could Bring National Guard Drug Analyst to Arlington Police Department

By Vernon Miles

Published February 19, 2020 at 9:30AM | Updated February 19, 2020 at 9:59AM

Arlington County Police cars (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Arlington County Police Department and the Virginia National Guard are planning a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) that could add state-level counter drug support to Arlington’s local law enforcement.

At the Saturday (Feb. 22) meeting, the County Board is scheduled to review the MOU that would add a new National Guard analyst to the police department’s Organized Crime Section.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 19, 2020 at 7:30AM

NPS Seeking Funds for GW Parkway Upgrades — “[National Park Service] officials are pursuing funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program to support the [GW Parkway’s] North Section Rehabilitation Program. That program will rebuild a 7.6-mile section of the parkway from Spout Run Parkway to Interstate 495, address serious deterioration of the roadway and implement significant safety improvements.” [InsideNova]

Update on Cupid the Cat — “‪We want to send a HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated so far to Cupid’s recovery! We have been overwhelmed by all of your support, and are so grateful for your kindness and generosity. We’re happy to report that today Cupid is doing really well after his surgery yesterday! He has a good appetite, is getting lots of rest and just wants to spend as much time as possible snuggling with our staff.” [Facebook]