The Virginia Department of Health has lifted its remaining recreational water advisory for the Potomac River.
Today’s announcement ends restrictions that had been in place for more than a month following a massive sewage spill that sent millions of gallons of raw waste into the river.
Problems with missed collections appear to have persisted in the months since Arlington changed its trash contractor last summer, resulting in almost $1 million in withheld payments.
The county withheld more than $855,000 from its invoices to Bates Trucking and Trash Removal between August and January, Katie O’Brien, spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Services, told ARLnow.
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…)
The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input on big-picture plans for GW Parkway’s vistas and foliage — a topic that has previously sparked significant controversy.
A virtual public meeting on “long-term care of historic scenic views,” featuring a presentation and an opportunity for questions, is scheduled for 6 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday). Respondents can also comment online through Saturday, April 11.
A new restaurant and private event space is coming to Courthouse, replacing a rooftop bar and restaurant that closed there after less than a year in business.
Rooftop Recess permanently closed in late December after just seven months at 2424 Wilson Blvd, property owner Raghav Dumera told ARLnow. Now, Dumera and his family — who also own and operate Delhi Dhaba Indian Restaurant on the property’s ground floor — say they are in the early stages of planning “The Willow” in the same spot.
*Mamistad Groups meet IN PERSON-only the introductory Zoom call is virtual. :)
Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for.
Cafe franchise Paris Baguette is planning a new location in Crystal City, and a previously announced Clarendon spot is set to open in a couple weeks.
Signs for the French-inspired eatery have appeared at 2000 S. Bell Street in Crystal City, on the ground floor of Valen apartments. The location is expected to open this summer, targeting a debut “in the third quarter of 2026,” according to property owner JBG Smith.
County leaders are considering criticisms of a proposal to exclude new tax revenue from a sharing agreement with Arlington Public Schools.
Despite some pushback at a Saturday meeting, County Board members largely defended County Manager Mark Schwartz’s proposal, noting current fiscal pressures.
Arlington has some of the most expensive three-bedroom apartments in the D.C. area, with a median asking price of $3,700 last month.
That equates to $44,400 on an annual basis — 17% higher than the median cost for a two-bedroom Arlington apartment and 55% higher than renting a one-bedroom unit, according to data provided by Zumper to ARLnow.
County officials now have real-world data on how Arlington Transit’s electric buses operate in winter’s chill.
Frigid temperatures in late January created unique challenges for the county’s fleet, draining batteries more quickly than normal and sometimes requiring a midday recharge, said Ryan Jones, a transportation planner who briefed the county’s Transit Advisory Committee on March 10.
Big Gusts Last Night — An intense line of storms Monday evening produced a 68 mph wind gust at Reagan National Airport — the strongest recorded there since 2019, according to the Capital Weather Gang. Temperatures dropped more than 20 degrees in under 30 minutes. Several trees came down in Potomac, Md. and a power pole was reported down in Alexandria. [CWG/X, WWG/X]
Monday Trash Runs Today — Arlington suspended curbside collection Monday due to the severe weather. Uncompleted Monday routes will run with regular Tuesday routes today. [Arlington DES/X]
Attempted Purse Snatching — A woman was entering a residential building in the 1800 block of Columbia Pike around 3 a.m. Saturday when two women approached and attempted to steal her purse, according to police. The victim ran away after a brief struggle and no injuries were reported. [ACPD]
Hurtt Keeps GOP Chair — Matthew Hurtt was the only candidate to seek the Arlington County Republican Committee chair’s post before the recent filing deadline, and will continue serving in that capacity through early 2028, party officials said Monday. Committee members will gather Monday, March 23 to plan strategy for upcoming elections. — Scott McCaffrey
Tysons Casino Bill Advances — The Virginia Senate voted 22-16 Friday to accept a revised casino bill that would allow a temporary facility near a Silver Line Metro station in Tysons without a voter referendum. Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) opposed the measure. All gaming revenue from the temporary facility would go to Fairfax County Public Schools. [FFXnow]
Kennedy Center to Close — The Kennedy Center’s board voted Monday to shut down operations for two years following this summer’s July 4 celebrations. The board also replaced Trump ally Richard Grenell with Matt Floca as CEO and executive director. [Associated Press]
Gas Prices Surging — The average price of regular gas in Virginia is $3.52 per gallon and rising amid the conflict with Iran, with the 26.9% national increase over the past month the largest since Hurricane Katrina, according to CNN. [Washingtonian]
D.C. Sheds 22K Fed Jobs — D.C. lost over 22,000 federal jobs in 2025 as a result of DOGE-driven workforce cuts, carrying $3.66 billion in annual pay, according to new OPM data. The city’s budget had anticipated the losses, projecting 40,000 fewer federal jobs by 2029. [WTOP]
It’s Tuesday — Mostly sunny skies today with increasing cloudiness, a high near 40 and west winds of 12–15 mph, gusting to 26 mph. Colder tonight with skies clearing and a low around 27. [NWS]
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