The arrest of Badar Khan Suri on March 17 (via ACLU Virginia/Instagram)
A Georgetown fellow arrested in Rosslyn last month remains in immigration custody and is getting treated as a “high-security” detainee, new court filings say.
Badar Khan Suri, an Indian citizen detained on the basis of his and his family’s ties to Palestine, has variously been denied food, a bed, clean clothing and contact with his family since March 17, his lawyers said in a federal court filing yesterday (Tuesday).
Now celebrating a decade in Ballston, an award-winning Spanish restaurant is opening an outdoor patio as its owners consider plans for a new Arlington eatery.
SER co-owners Javier Candon and Christiana Campos commemorated 10 years at 1110 N. Glebe Road over the weekend alongside about 300 supporters. Expressing gratitude for community support and regional recognition, they teased expansion plans.
Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.
Many of you have asked about best practices when it comes to buying a new condominium. Some of us only want new and are willing to pay a premium for the best in current design. There are several recommendations and insights here that will help you get what you want.
First decide what type of condominium you need… size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking needs, or separate office, followed by a list of wants such as level of building service, amenities on-site, space for dining for six, balcony, open floor plan, and natural light. (Here she goes again.) Not to be sexist about it, but females generally are better shoppers and come with a preconceived set of non-negotiables.
Identify the areas you would consider living, such as Arlington or Old Town… but not wanting to go as far as Tysons, Reston, or DC. People don’t buy condominiums in places they aren’t familiar with or already spend time in, unless relocating entirely. Many upcoming communities put up signage and a website first which makes early interest hyperlocal. Register as a VIP on the website early and you will get regular communication, time to consider the offering, and learn when pre-sale will begin.
Once open, come early in pre-sale. You’ll get the pick of the litter. This is particularly important if you want something larger and are interested in the best views. Prospects are smart and pick the best floorplans first. If you have some idea of your ideal size and price point it makes good use of everyone’s time. Once you make a selection, expect to leave a 10% deposit as this is pretty standard in the industry. The developer generally has their own contract and it’s written much in their favor but not unreasonably so. Pricing this early is usually not negotiable… the price is the price. But you can purchase with some confidence since all buyers are getting the same terms and the developer has a shared interest in protecting values through delivery while sales are ongoing.
You do not need to be fully qualified for financing to come out and look but it’s wise to have some idea of what you can afford. Most builders give incentives for paying cash or using their title company and lenders. Often your contract might even offer a short financing contingency in exchange for considering them.
Once firmly under contract, a buyer might have 12- 18 months to prepare for the move. How blissful. This is one of the best parts of buying early in pre-sale. Moving is daunting, especially if you have been in your current homes for 30 years and the thought of moving seems excruciating. Decide what to take, sell/donate, and hire a proper interior designer to space plan and create a unique home that reflects your tastes. All with the time to do it properly.
Something to note. Finishes have gotten more high end, brands carry weight, and there is less customization offered these days. Gone are the days of going to a design center. If you know you are getting a Sub Zero refrigerator included you probably won’t ask if there are other options available. (more…)
Pedestrian-only zones have been all the rage in Arlington’s southern neighbor Alexandria recently. Should that trend come to Shirlington next?
Logan, an Arlington County Community High School senior reached out to ARLnow saying they’re working on a project about turning Campbell Avenue in Shirlington into a pedestrian-only zone and wanted to see if there was interest or concerns from Arlington residents.
VHC Health's Adrian Stanton (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
VHC Health is getting close to submitting its plans for a new 146-bed facility along S. Carlin Springs Road.
The health care organization has received approval from state regulators for a facility with 96 behavioral health beds and 50 in-patient rehabilitation beds at 601 S. Carlin Springs Road.
A collaborative Summer Solstice gathering hosted by Inner Seasons and Spiritual Enhancements.
The Summer Solstice marks the peak of the sun’s power, the moment in the Wheel of the Year when light is at its fullest expression. In many traditions, this is the season of radiance, visibility, and creative fire. It is the time when nature stands unapologetically in her fullness, inviting us to do the same.
An SUV straddling a fire hose on March 26 (via ACFD/X)
An Arlington resident received a citation late last month after driving their SUV over a fire hose that firefighters were using to put out a blaze.
The Arlington County Fire Department posted photos of the vehicle straddling a hose at the intersection of 15th Street N. and N. Randolph Street on March 26.
Traffic Enforcement Event — “As Day 1 of ACPD’s high-visibility traffic education and enforcement activation for the @COGStreetSmart campaign comes to a close, remember to slow down, avoid distractions and stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.” Another enforcement event for the Street Smart campaign is scheduled for Thursday from 2:30-4 p.m. on S. Joyce Street in Pentagon City. [ACPD/X]
Charges After Fight in Bluemont — “The female victim became engaged in a verbal dispute with three known female suspects during which they allegedly assaulted the victim. The victim reported to the Office of the Magistrate, completed a criminal complaint and warrants was obtained for the suspects.” [ACPD]
More on Military Parade — “On April 4, the county was contacted by the Secret Service regarding the possibility of the parade, Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said… While the exact scope of the parade remains unclear, Karantonis said he hopes the government is sensitive to the pain and concerns of active military and veterans who may have recently lost their jobs due to decisions at the federal level.” [DC News Now]
PSA: Don’t Randomly Stop on I-395 — “Driver, likely unsure of where they were going, just stops in the middle of an interstate highway causing a three car wreck. This was last night on I-395S at Exit 8B to 110N.” [Dave Statter/X]
Environmental Awards for Arlington –“Arlington County won multiple of this year’s Virginia Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards – the only multi-winner in the state. The awards were announced Tuesday at the Environment Virginia Symposium, recognizing the significant contributions of environmental and conservation leaders.” [DC News Now]
Local Economic Uncertainty — “March car sales started off slow at Beyer Auto Group… But when President Donald Trump announced he would be implementing 25% tariffs on auto imports, that changed. “We had a mad rush of customers come into our stores to buy cars to take advantage of the non-tariff price cars in anticipation of cars prices going up, and we sold probably almost 40% of the cars for the whole month of March in the last six days of the month,” Altman said.” [WBJ]
ICE Arrest in Falls Church — “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, working with federal law enforcement partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Diplomatic Security Service, apprehended an illegally present Guatemalan national and convicted sex offender, Ander Cortez-Mendez, 21, in Falls Church, Virginia, April 2.” [ICE]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunshine today accompanied by a high of around 55 degrees with mild, fluctuating winds that will pick up to 6 mph from the southwest in the afternoon. On Wednesday night there will be some cloudiness and a slight chance of light showers after 2 am, with temperatures dropping to a low of around 42 degrees. [NWS]
Expect sunshine today accompanied by a high of around 55 degrees with mild, fluctuating winds that will pick up to 6 mph from the southwest in the afternoon. As we move into Wednesday night, there will be some cloudiness and a 20% chance of light showers after 2 am, with temperatures dropping to a low of around 42 degrees and light south wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
Microtransit service in Prince William County (via OmniRide)
A new “microtransit” program meant to shore up gaps in bus routes is expected to launch in northwest Arlington later this year.
Operating as an on-demand service, the initiative would likely use vans or other relatively small vehicles to connect passengers to fixed transit routes and key destinations.
Onelife Fitness in Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Katie Taranto)
Ballston’s fitness scene is growing stronger.
Ballston Quarter gym Onelife Fitness is planning to renovate and expand into a nearby vacant space. Meanwhile, Performance 360, a new fitness center, is gearing up to open where Hunan Gate closed in December.