Arlington started its vaccination efforts with healthcare workers days after the COVID vaccine was granted Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA last December.
Despite a somewhat turbulent rollout (concerns about being too slow, vaccination sites abruptly canceling appointments and line-jumping opportunists), vaccinations in Arlington are steadily rising. As a state, Virginia ranks #12 in the country with 69% of distributed vaccines administered.
The public meetings around the Shirlington Road Bridge project have reignited a long-standing community conversation about crossing safety near Four Mile Run Drive and Shirlington Road that has gone on for at least 10 years.
The area, at the confluence of the W&OD Trail, several legs of the Four Mile Run Trail, also suffers from a bridge over Four Mile Run that only has a sidewalk on one side, with that sidewalk being extremely narrow, traffic coming off of a major interstate highway, and a very auto-centric built environment with many curb cuts crossing the sidewalks and large trucks from the concrete plant.
Yesterday, Amazon revealed a bold plan for the second phase of its HQ2 in Pentagon City.
The main attraction of the 2.8 million square foot office proposal is The Helix, “a 350-foot tall spiraling office building that recreates a climb in the Blue Ridge Mountains.” Part park, part office building, The Helix could one day be as prominent an Arlington landmark as any other building, except perhaps the Pentagon — which is just across the street.
I feel a shift in Arlingtonians’ desire to increase communication.
Whether it’s reaching out to our government officials, advocacy organizations, fellow residents, or media platforms, there is less acceptance of the status quo, and more impetus to tell someone how we feel.
Guest column by Kellen MacBeth and Michael Pruitt
Arlington County has an opportunity to develop critical policies to address the ongoing negative impacts of over 100 years of racial segregation and discrimination in our housing market.
A busy news week, with a pair of County Board meetings to report on, is set to give way to a busy news weekend, with a snowstorm bearing down on the D.C. region.
As we await the storm, here are the most-read Arlington articles of the week:
This year every campaign finance reform bill is expected to die in the General Assembly. That is extremely problematic considering we aren’t even aiming for federal standards.
Federally, candidate committees have a $2,800 limit on donations from individuals per election or $5,600 if there is a primary and general election that year, and corporations are banned from contributing at all. Nonaffiliated PACs (thanks to Citizens United) can accept $5,000 from individuals per year and corporations are able to contribute.
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Arlington is flying blind regarding the costs of future critical capital expenses, including seats to accommodate APS enrollment growth and the increase in the ratio of Arlington’s population to permeable green space available for parks and storm water absorption.
The County Manager has warned correctly that our budget is under severe stress from COVID-19 impacts, and some of these impacts may be transformational.
The Right Note is a biweekly opinion column. The views expressed are solely the author’s.
In response to School Board Member Reid Goldstein’s column yesterday, let’s talk about schools in Arlington.
Progressive Voice is a bi-weekly opinion column. The views expressed are solely the author’s.
By Reid Goldstein
Even though the bulk of the action was across the river, it was still an eventful week in Arlington.
There’s a new presidential administration and a new balance of power Congress. In one sense, local life in Arlington continues with few visible changes when the political balance of power shifts on the other side of the Potomac. On the other hand, federal policies do have a tangible local impact, and a change in administration often means changes in the job titles of local residents.
The spectacular fireworks display that unexpectedly capped off the 90-minute “Celebrating America” special on Inauguration Day had some extra oomph for local viewers.
While those in Arlington and across the nation watched the musical tribute on TV, many in the D.C. area could actually hear or see the fireworks from their homes.
