Plans for a 141-unit redevelopment project, renovations at a Gunston Park playground and potential changes to charging standards for electric vehicles are all on the agenda at an upcoming County Board meeting.
Other items slated for discussion this month include road improvements on S. George Mason Drive and flood-mitigation efforts near Cardinal Elementary School.
Increasing power demand from a growing number of data centers, many located in Northern Virginia, has made rising utility costs a key issue for Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) in her first days in office.
In her first address to the Virginia General Assembly yesterday (Monday), Spanberger outlined her Affordable Virginia Agenda, a set of proposals addressing energy, health care and housing costs. Spanberger also issued an executive order on her first day in office that directs her cabinet members and agencies to identify policy changes that would reduce costs for Virginians in energy and other areas.
When your home no longer feels quite right, it can be hard to know what to do next.
Maybe your family needs more space, your layout no longer works, or your 1940s Cape Cod is simply ready for a modern update. Deciding whether to remodel, rebuild, or move requires thoughtful planning and a clear understanding of the costs, timelines, and trade-offs involved.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every home, lot, and family is different, which is why working with an experienced local builder can help you make a more informed decision.
Here are four key questions to ask before you decide.
For many Arlington homeowners, the neighborhood is the reason they bought the home in the first place. If your neighbors, schools, walkability, or favorite local spots make Arlington feel like home, remodeling or rebuilding may be worth exploring before deciding to sell.
If you plan to stay for the next five years, a thoughtful remodel or addition can help preserve the location and character you love while improving the home’s functionality. However, if you truly see this as your “forever home”, a larger renovation or a teardown-and-rebuild might be a better option to give you the space and comfort you need, without trying to force an older home to work around its existing limitations.
Some homeowners choose to phase renovations over time. That approach can work well, as long as you start with a clear master plan to ensure each stage supports the next and avoids costly rework later.
On the flip side, if you plan to sell soon, a smaller-scale remodel, such as a kitchen renovation, might make more sense to avoid overinvesting in a project that may not recoup its full value.
Arlington is unique because much of a home’s value comes from the land and location. This means that, in general, Arlington property values will always support just about anything you would like to do to your house or property. The real question is how much you want to invest.
A major renovation, addition, or new custom build may affect appraisal and financing differently. New construction often appraises higher initially than a similar remodeled home, but over time, a well-executed renovation can ultimately be worth more than a newly built home.
As you plan a renovation, you may reach a point where building new makes more sense than continuing to work around an older home’s limitations. A new build can provide a more functional layout, better efficiency, and stronger long-term value. On the other hand, some homeowners considering new construction may find that a thoughtful remodel and addition can accomplish everything they need while making their dollars go further.
That is why understanding the numbers early matters. (more…)
While Clarence Martin very much enjoyed both of his jobs at Wakefield High School, he recently made the decision to concentrate on just one of them.
Martin has stepped down as the head varsity football coach for the Warriors after three seasons in charge.
This Memorial Weekend: Argentine Festival USA Returns May 23
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Arlington’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee is pressing county and state leaders to do more to keep public walkways clear after winter storms.
Committee members have agreed to send a letter with a list of suggestions to County Manager Mark Schwartz, hoping to potentially improve conditions this winter or in future years.
Internationally acclaimed pianist Carlos César Rodríguez joins NCE for a luminous performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, “Elvira Madigan,” celebrated for its elegance, lyricism, and timeless appeal. Artistic Director and violinist Leo Sushansky takes center stage in Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, a cornerstone of the violin repertoire, offering a deeply personal and passionate interpretation of its sweeping romantic lines.
The program is further enriched by Florence Price’s Adoration, a work of profound beauty and spiritual warmth, and Johan Svendsen’s Romance, cherished for its lyrical charm and expressive simplicity.
Another major decline in office-building values is likely to put pressure on county leaders to raise tax rates on homeowners already facing higher bills due to increasing assessments.
The overall assessed value of existing office buildings fell 19% year over year, county officials said in announcing 2026 assessments on Jan. 16.
Northern Virginia Democrats were in high spirits at the inauguration of Gov. Abigail Spanberger this weekend, looking toward new opportunities for a variety of bills held back by the previous administration.
Legislators and political observers expect fewer vetoes and more collaboration with Democratic policymakers — including those in Northern Virginia — under Spanberger, a centrist Democrat who emphasized bipartisan solutions to issues like housing and health care costs on the campaign trail and in her inauguration speech.
Gov. Spanberger’s Journey — “In 2014, Abigail Spanberger had a decision to make. Her young family was living in Los Angeles, where she was a CIA officer working drug cartel cases, and the time had come to put in for her next assignment. She and her husband, Adam, handed a toy globe to their 5-year-old daughter, Claire, and described endless possibilities for adventure. “Where should we go?” they asked. England? Costa Rica? Kenya? Claire had another idea: Virginia.” [Washington Post]
Gov. Youngkin’s Education Legacy — “Youngkin promised supporters that he would be the “education governor” and reverse what he saw as declines under his Democratic predecessor… interviews with more than a dozen people who worked with the governor in his administration, schools and universities show a mix of opinions about Youngkin’s education legacy. Some say he made fundamental changes that improved schools, while others say he also injected politics into policy, which made it harder to fully realize his agenda.” [Washington Post]
Youngkin’s Big Regret — “Outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin doesn’t have many regrets as he prepares to leave office. But he named the inability to get an Alexandria arena deal done in 2024 as one lost opportunity. The Washington Capitals and Wizards arena would have gone in Potomac Yard as part of an entertainment district. But in March 2024, the City of Alexandria announced that the proposal wouldn’t be moving forward.” [ALXnow]
Colada Shop Open at DCA — “Colada Shop has opened its first-ever airport location, bringing its signature Cuban coffee, cocktails, and all-day bites to travelers flying through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Open from first flight to last, the new outpost delivers the brand’s warm, vibrant hospitality in an on-the-go setting.” [PoPville]
Flu Season Still Raging — “Emergency rooms and urgent care facilities are seeing an increased number of [flu] patients… This season, health officials are monitoring a variation of Influenza A — called H3N2 subclade K — which may have a mismatch with this year’s seasonal flu vaccine. While this year’s flu vaccine may not be the most effective prevention, it still provides valuable protection.” [N. Va. Magazine]
American Legion Bridge Update — “Maryland will reconsider private funding to help replace the American Legion Bridge… [Gov.] Moore agreed to ‘leverage innovative approaches like a public private partnership (P3) that will ensure Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. commuters can soon experience some much needed traffic relief from the most congested corridor in America.'” [Bethesda Magazine]
Beyer on Greenland ‘Nonsense’ — “Trump’s threat to tariff any country that doesn’t accept go along with his idiotic Greenland nonsense is so dumb. He’s already driving some of our closest allies and trading partners into China’s arms. All of this stupidity is making Americans less safe and raising prices.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X, Rep. Don Beyer/X]
Key Bridge Emergency Activity — “Update water search Potomac River beneath Key Bridge. 1 victim recovered by a diver and enroute to EMS at a nearby land location.” [DCFEMS/X, DCFEMS/X]
Sphere Coming to Md. — “Sphere Entertainment Cos. built the largest spherical building on Earth in Las Vegas. Now it wants to build a smaller one outside D.C. The company behind Sphere unveiled plans Sunday night for what it says will be the world’s first “mini-Sphere” venue off the Potomac River in Maryland, a 6,000-seat immersive experience that would open in 2030.” [Washington Post]
Sentencing for Arlingtonian’s Murder — “It has taken nearly three years for an Arlington, Virginia, family to get justice in the murder of their loved one at a Northeast D.C. motel in 2023. It was back in April 2023 that 31-year-old Christy Bautista was stabbed over 30 times, her body battered by 46-year-old George Sydnor. During his sentencing hearing, which resulted in a 40-year sentence for Sydnor, Bautista’s family ripped into another judge by name for allowing Sydnor to be free while he awaited sentencing for other violent crimes.” [WTOP, DOJ]
Weekend Snowstorm Threat — “There is an enhanced threat for a winter storm Saturday, Jan 24, 2026 bringing increased potential of significant travel impacts & closures. Confidence remains low within the 5 day lead time window, but significant impacts are possible.” [NWS/X, CWG/X]
It’s Tuesday — The weather will be sunny, reaching a high of 29 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 9 to 11 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low temperature of 17 degrees and light variable winds. [NWS]
The basketball battle for first place in the Liberty District, with three Arlington boys varsity teams included in the chase, is getting interesting.
Heading into Jan. 20 action, the McLean Highlanders were atop the standings with a 5-0 league mark, and Arlington’s Yorktown Patriots were tied for second at 4-1 and 11-4 overall.
What was once only expected to be a coating to an inch of snow could be more like 1-3 inches.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Arlington, the District and other parts of the immediate D.C. area, with snow expected to start falling early Sunday.
