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Army Plans New Security Fence Separating Arlington National Cemetery, Ft. Myer

Published November 19, 2018 at 4:45PM

A proposed fence at the Selfridge Gate at Arlington National Cemetery (via the National Capital Planning Commission)

The Army is now set to build a two-mile-long, eight-foot-high security fence along the border of the Arlington National Cemetery and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

The National Capital Planning Commission, a regional planning body focused on projects on federally owned land, unanimously signed off on designs for the new fence at a meeting last month. The project, commissioned to replace a four-foot-high fence currently separating the base from the cemetery, will also include a five-foot-wide walking trail along the perimeter of the burial ground and a new parking lot to replace some spaces to be eliminated by the construction.

Metro Plans Lengthy Yellow Line Shutdown Starting Next Week

By Alex Koma

Published November 19, 2018 at 3:45PM

Yellow Line Metro bridge over the Potomac (Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman)

Metro is planning a full Yellow Line shutdown starting next week, and is warning riders of hefty delays along the Blue Line the two-week-long construction work.

The rail service hoping to complete major renovation work on the Yellow Line bridge over the Potomac River, prompting the closure. In all, the work will run from Nov. 26 through Dec. 9.

Though Parking Concerns Persist, County Board Approves Plan for Four Mile Run Valley’s Future

By Alex Koma

Published November 19, 2018 at 11:45AM

A rendering of proposed changes along S. Four Mile Run Drive (via Arlington County)

Arlington officials have, at long last, approved a new planning document to guide the Four Mile Run Valley’s future, one of the last remaining steps for the county to take in the years-long debate over the area’s development.

The County Board unanimously signed off on new “area plan” for the Nauck valley on Saturday (Nov. 17), sketching out the county’s strategies for fostering the preservation and growth of industrial and arts-focused businesses in the area.

With Amazon On the Way, Arlington Hopes to Attract West Coast Tech Firms

By ARLnow.com

Published November 19, 2018 at 9:45AM

Arlington and Virginia economic development officials have landed the big prize — Amazon — and now are hoping that the e-commerce and cloud computing giant’s arrival will help them lure other West Coast tech firms.

Victor Hoskins, Arlington Economic Development Director, said Friday at the DCA Live Big Growth Summit in Crystal City that he and state officials have taken trips to Silicon Valley and other West Coast locales in an effort to convince companies to consider moving or opening offices in Arlington.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 19, 2018 at 8:45AM | Updated November 19, 2018 at 9:14AM

New Elementary School at Reed Site Approved — “The Arlington County Board today approved a new elementary school for up to 732 students at the Reed site, 1644 N. McKinley Road, in the Westover neighborhood. The Board voted unanimously to approve a use permit amendment for Arlington Public Schools to renovate and expand the existing Reed School/Westover Library to create a neighborhood elementary school.” [Arlington County]

Here’s Where Amazon is Coming, Exactly — Amazon will be leasing office space at three JBG Smith buildings in Crystal City: 241 18th Street S., 1800 S. Bell Street and 1770 Crystal Drive. Amazon also agreed to buy two JBG-owned land parcels in Pentagon City that are approved for development: PenPlace and the remaining portion of Metropolitan Park. [Washington Business Journal]

County Readies Renewed Legislative Push to Change Name of Jefferson Davis Highway

By Alex Koma

Published November 16, 2018 at 10:45AM

Arlington officials are gearing up once more to ask state lawmakers for permission to change the name of the county’s section of Jefferson Davis Highway, and adopt Alexandria’s new chosen moniker for the road.

The County Board will review its legislative agenda for the upcoming General Assembly session for the first time tomorrow (Nov. 17), sketching out a host of priorities they hope the county’s representatives in Richmond will fight for when the legislature reconvenes in January. The county has long hoped for the state’s permission to change the name of Route 1, but Alexandria’s move to rename its section of the road “Richmond Highway,” when combined with Amazon’s impending arrival in Crystal City, could well lend new urgency to the effort.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 16, 2018 at 9:00AM | Updated November 16, 2018 at 1:38PM

Arlington school bus on a snowy morning (file photo)

APS on Two Hour Delay — Arlington Public Schools are opening today on a two hour delay. “The Extended Day program will also open two hours late and morning field trips are canceled,” APS said. [Twitter]

Chain Bridge Closes Due to Ice — Chain Bridge was closed for much of the morning rush hour this morning due to icy conditions on the bridge. Multiple crashes were reported, though the bridge has since reopened. [Twitter, Twitter]

Public Defenders Blast Arlington Prosecutor’s Cash Bail Reforms as ‘Misleading’ and Ineffective

By Alex Koma

Published November 15, 2018 at 3:45PM | Updated November 15, 2018 at 4:35PM

Arlington’s lead prosecutor says she’s taking new steps to reform the county’s cash bail system, but local public defenders believe her new efforts will do little to change the status quo in county courts.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos (D) announced earlier this month that her office would no longer seek cash bonds for people accused of most minor misdemeanors, casting it as a bid to ensure that some defendants won’t sit in jail simply because they can’t afford to pay up as they await trial. But several public defenders, who are responsible for representing the area’s poorest defendants, say Stamos’ move prompted immediate confusion and derision in their circles.

Arlington Commits to Only Limited Affordable Housing Measures As Part of Amazon Deal

By Alex Koma

Published November 15, 2018 at 11:00AM | Updated October 17, 2022 at 11:27AM

A rendering of a new 1900 Crystal Drive apartment building near Amazon's headquarters (via JBG Smith)

Amid persistent concerns that Amazon’s army of new workers will displace low-income Arlingtonians, county leaders plan to redirect their existing investments in affordable housing to better serve the areas impacted by the new headquarters — but the county won’t be upping its financial commitment to spurring the construction of reasonably priced homes.

While critics of Arlington’s decision to court Amazon’s HQ2 have focused on everything from the headquarters’ potential impact on county schools to its transportation systems, the tech giant’s impact on housing prices has perhaps drawn the most scrutiny of all.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 15, 2018 at 10:10AM

Restaurant Owners Eye Crystal City — “Andrew Dana, owner of Parkview bagel sensation Call Your Mother and lauded Petworth pizza spot Timber Pizza Co., texted his business partner Jeff Zients on Tuesday night with one question: ‘How do we get into Amazon HQ2?’ It’s a question many restaurant and bar owners will likely be asking in the coming months as Crystal City and Pentagon City prepare to host parts of Amazon.com Inc.’s HQ2 and its eventual 25,000 employees.” [Washington Business Journal]

Last Vehicle Decal Deadline is Tomorrow — “Nov. 16 is the deadline for owners of vehicles garaged in Arlington to display the 2018-19 county vehicle decal. Decals, which signify payment of vehicle taxes, should be placed adjacent to the state-inspection sticker on the driver’s side of the windshield.” [InsideNova]

Crime Report: Police Searching for Man Who Allegedly Exposed Himself Along W&OD Trail

By Alex Koma

Published November 14, 2018 at 5:15PM | Updated February 28, 2020 at 10:45AM

Arlington County Police Department badge on ACPD's jobs trailer

Police say the man was spotted with his pants down, masturbating near the N. Ohio Street bridge over I-66 around 2:40 p.m. last Saturday (Nov. 10).

However, by the time officers made to the area, they weren’t able to find him. They’re describing him as “a white male, 20-30 years old, wearing a red or orange hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses.”

Amazon’s Arrival Brings Plans for Transportation Transformation Around New Headquarters

By Alex Koma

Published November 14, 2018 at 4:45PM

A map of proposed transportation projects around Amazon's new headquarters in Crystal City (via HQ NOVA)

For pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike, Crystal City has never been the easiest neighborhood to navigate — and Amazon’s looming arrival in the neighborhood has stoked fears that things could get worse in the area long before they get better.

But now that the tech giant has officially picked Arlington for its new headquarters, county officials are free to unveil their grand plans for allaying those concerns and fundamentally transforming transportation options along the Crystal City-Pentagon City-Potomac Yard corridor.