As development around the Crystal House Apartments begins to pick up speed, some current residents are raising concerns about the property’s management.
A recent change in management companies has not resulted in improvements, several renters said at last week’s meeting of the county’s Tenant-Landlord Commission.
Public opinion won the day on two contentious issues as School Board members finalized an $844.6 million budget last week.
The new spending package, approved last Thursday, is up 2.2% from the fiscal year ending June 30. It includes funding for continuing the Integration Station early-childhood program and retaining library aides as full-time positions.
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…)
Though still unsure about the necessity, Arlington’s County Board chair is preparing to move forward with a task force on governance-change options.
Takis Karantonis detailed the timeline to ARLnow. It is likely the panel will be established after the Board returns from its August recess.
Mental health shapes how we lead, love, work, parent, communicate, and show up in the world—yet too often, these conversations stay hidden.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, join local nonprofit Rock Recovery for Strength Not Stigma—an unforgettable evening of honest conversation, community, and impact.
A local couple has been recognized as the 2025 Foster Parents of the Year for Arlington.
Drew and Melanie Bond have fostered more than a dozen children, and adopted two, in addition to raising their four birth children.
Join the Pentagon MMA Kick-a-thon Fundraiser and Fight for a Cause! 🥊
Get ready to kick with purpose! Pentagon MMA is proud to once again host our Kick-a-thon Fundraiser in support of the incredible work of the Arlington Free Clinic.
Brandishing in Va. Square — “At approximately 3:13 p.m. on May 15, the male victim flagged down an Arlington County sheriff’s deputy to report a person with a gun. It was determined the male victim was inside his vehicle when he became involved in a verbal dispute with the male suspect in another vehicle. The suspect subsequently exited his vehicle and allegedly brandished a firearm before re-entering his vehicle. The sheriff’s deputy detained the suspect and arriving officers took him into custody.” [ACPD]
More Military Parade Details — “The Army will place large metal plates at key points on the streets of Washington to better protect the pavement from the movements of 25 M1 Abrams main battle tanks set to roll through the capital on June 14… Overall the parade plans call for about 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters to follow a route from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, to the National Mall.” [Associated Press, Washington Post]
New 911 System — “Arlington County is implementing the Priority Dispatch System (PDS) in the Emergency Communication Center (ECC) for emergency medical, fire and police call handling. This advanced dispatch protocol marks a significant step forward in ensuring efficient, high-quality, and consistent emergency response across various calls for service in the County.” [Arlington County]
Seat Belt Enforcement Push — “The Arlington County Police Department… is urging drivers to buckle up ahead of a national Click It or Ticket high-visibility seat belt enforcement and education effort. The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs from May 19 to June 1, 2025. ” [ACPD]
Crime in Clarendon — “Clarendon Tonight: A reported robbery and assault between the old Silver Diner building and the Wells Fargo Bank. There was also a fight there earlier in the evening.” [Dave Statter/X]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and temperatures reaching 76°F, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 13 to 16 mph and gusts up to 26 mph. During Monday night, the weather will be mostly clear with a low of about 52°F, and a northwest wind ranging from 7 to 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
Dual third-place team finishes were highlighted by a number of winning relays and individuals for the Bishop O’Connell Knights at the Virginia State Catholic School track-and-field high-school championship meets.
“The teams each scored more than 100 points and it was an exciting day for O’Connell,” Knights’ coach Jim Connor told ARLnow.
Arlington’s long and proud history in high-school crew was embellished at this spring’s second weekend of the state-champion regatta.
That’s when two varsity eight girls and boys shells from Arlington schools finished first in the premier races at the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association competition on the Occoquan Reservoir.
The winningest season in program history included multiple first-time achievements for the Marymount University Saints women’s lacrosse team.
The Division III squad’s overall record of 17-3 was its best (most wins and fewest losses in a season). Being the top seed in a conference tournament also was a first, as well as winning the title. The Saints’ 12-game winning streak was their longest ever, and Marymount scored its most goals in a season.
Bri Lencz created many positive memories on the George Mason University women’s softball field during four years of high school. And now, the Bishop O’Connell senior will become a member of that college team next year.
Lencz made the commitment several months ago to play Division I college softball for George Mason.
