News | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published July 11, 2019 at 8:45AM

Amazon and Local Real Estate — “Amazon has yet to break ground in Northern Virginia for its second headquarters, but residents are already turning away persistent speculators, recalculating budgets for down payments on homes and fighting rent increases.” [New York Times]

Low Young Adult Home Ownership — “Arlington ties with Richmond for the lowest home-ownership rate among young adults in the commonwealth, according to a new analysis… only 16 percent of young adults living in Arlington were homeowners – perhaps not surprising given the cost of real estate in the county.” [InsideNova]

UPDATED: Arlington County Declares Emergency After Major Flash Flooding

By ARLnow.com

Published July 10, 2019 at 10:10PM | Updated July 11, 2019 at 11:26AM

Flooding along 14th Street N. near Westover in 2019 (file photo)

Update at 11:20 a.m. — Arlington County’s Solid Waste Bureau has issued the following statement about trash collection in the wake of Monday’s flooding. In it, the county apologizes for notices of “improper trash preparation” issued to flood-impacted residents “during this difficult time.”

The County continues to take special measures to assist residential curbside customers in trash collection efforts following this week’s damaging storm. We have identified areas that experienced extensive flooding and will have additional County trash collection trucks sent out daily to monitor these areas and collect items set on the curb. This will continue through Saturday, July 21 and will be extended if necessary. The County will also continue to monitor other areas and expand this service if necessary.

Arlington Investigating Cyber Attack on County Payroll System

By ARLnow.com

Published July 10, 2019 at 4:55PM | Updated July 10, 2019 at 5:22PM

Arlington County government offices/headquarters at 2100 Clarendon Blvd

(Updated at 5:20 p.m.) Arlington County has revealed a cyber attack that penetrated the county’s payroll system.

In a statement, the county says a number of employees were impacted by the intrusion, but did not specify the exact number or impacts. The intrusion appears to be the result of a “phishing” email targeting county employees and not a hack, the press release suggests.

Del. Lopez Picks Up New Challenger in Candidate Terry Modglin

By Airey

Published July 10, 2019 at 4:30PM | Updated July 12, 2019 at 3:08PM

Independent House of Delegates candidate Terry Modglin (Image via Facebook)

(Updated on 07/12/19) A new independent candidate has thrown his hat in the ring to challenge Del. Alfonso Lopez’s bid for re-election this year.

Terry Modglin is former non-profit organization executive who also served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam for four years. He’s now running against the Democratic incumbent to represent parts of Arlington and Fairfax County in the Virginia House of Delegates. This is the second candidate to run against Lopez, who recently defeated Democratic challenger Julius “JD” Spain, Sr. in the primary election.

Arlington County Considering Changes to Food Truck Rules

By Airey

Published July 10, 2019 at 1:30PM | Updated July 12, 2019 at 3:08PM

The new Miami Vice Burgers food truck

(Updated on 07/12/19) Officials are considering making it easier for food trucks to serve up grub around the county.

The Arlington County Board is set to consider a request for a public hearing on loosening some food truck regulations during its meeting this Saturday, July 13.

Arlington Pet of the Week: Cami

By Airey

Published July 10, 2019 at 12:45PM | Updated July 31, 2019 at 11:02AM

Arlington Pet of the Week Cami (photo courtesy of Chris)

Our newest pet of the week is Cami who loves playing fetch while her owner is in the bathroom.

Owner Chris says the rescue cat had this to share about her new life in Arlington:

County Considering Adding Swings, Benches, and New Trees to Henry Clay Park

By Airey

Published July 10, 2019 at 10:00AM

Henry Clay Park (Image via Yelp)

The county is planning to give Henry Clay Park in the Lyon Park neighborhood a makeover.

The Arlington County Board will consider awarding a $1,4 million contract to Falls Church-based Pivot Construction LLC for the renovations. A staff report to the Board says there will be “minimal changes” to the park layout and that the work will focus on “current facility standards, storm water requirements and Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 10, 2019 at 7:30AM

Latest Flood Stats — “As of Tuesday morning, the Department of Environmental Services had received 151 calls about damage to private property, storm drain backups, indoor flooding and roadway flooding; The County also investigated more than 30 drainage complaints.” [Arlington County]

Record-Setting Rain Rate — “The 3.30 [inches of rain] recorded between 8:52-9:52 a.m [at Reagan National Airport] was Washington, D.C.’s highest hourly precip report in records dating back to 1936.” [Twitter]

Arlington County Considering Jail Diversion Program for Mentally Ill

By Airey

Published July 9, 2019 at 3:30PM | Updated July 9, 2019 at 4:39PM

Arlington's detainee intake

Arlington County is considering a new program to divert people with mental illnesses into treatment instead of jail.

The proposed program would waive incarceration for people with mental illnesses who are convicted of non-violent misdemeanors if they agree to an intensive treatment program supervised by a judge. All the officials who spoke to ARLnow about the program supported it, but some weren’t aware the county was working on the program and said they had little opportunity to add input.

The Goddard School Plans a Pair of Childcare Facilities on Lee Highway

By Vernon Miles

Published July 9, 2019 at 1:45PM

Building at 5328 Lee Highway proposed to be converted to a Goddard School location (photo via The Goddard School)

The Goddard School — a private early-childhood education franchise — is planning to open a pair of linked childcare facilities 350 yards apart on Lee Highway.

A decision on permits for the facilities at 5328 and 5222 Lee Highway are docketed for the County Board meeting this Saturday, July 13.

UPDATED: Arlington Estimates $3.5 Million in Flood Damage to County Property

By ARLnow.com

Published July 9, 2019 at 11:15AM | Updated July 9, 2019 at 4:56PM

Pedestrian bridge washed away along Lubber Run (photo by Ashley Hopko)

(Updated at 4:55 p.m.) Arlington officials estimate that Monday’s flash flooding caused $3.5 million in damage to county infrastructure, particularly bridges in local parks.

As of last night, the an Arlington Dept. of Parks and Recreation spokeswoman said the department was aware of “at least six pedestrian bridges adjacent to the Four Mile Run stream and one storage building at Bon Air Park” which have been washed away.

Crystal City BID Pushes to Expand to Pentagon City and Potomac Yard

By Vernon Miles

Published July 9, 2019 at 10:00AM

A map of the Crystal City BID's proposed expansion (via Arlington County)

Arlington County is considering a proposal to expand the boundaries of the Crystal City Business Improvement District to incorporate parts of Potomac Yard and Pentagon City, including Amazon’s permanent HQ2 campus.

At its meeting on Saturday, July 13, the County Board is expected to authorize an advertisement for a public hearing on Sept. 21 to discuss expansion of the BID’s coverage area to include 75 new commercial properties.