News

Return-to-office mandates at Amazon and in the federal government could provide an economic boon to Arlington, experts say.

As President Donald Trump’s executive order to end many remote-work arrangements sent shockwaves through federal workplaces last week, Amazon employees this month also began working five days a week at HQ2.


News

A Wakefield High School alum is raising awareness about free programs to help disadvantaged students launch careers in high-demand fields.

Deontae Murphy, a 2011 Wakefield graduate who now works for Amazon Web Services, spent three days last week speaking to more than 100 Arlington students in small group sessions. Mostly speaking to those in underrepresented groups, he shared details about free training programs, certifications and tuition assistance that can lower the cost of higher education and open doors to tech careers.


News

Utility work at the planned second site for Amazon’s HQ2 has concluded.

“All construction operations have concluded,” contractor Clark Construction told local residents in an email Friday. “Your engagement and support has helped us to efficiently carry out these community enhancements. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation.”


Around Town

A new Mexican restaurant with an emphasis on authenticity is the latest business to arrive at the ground floor of Amazon’s HQ2.

Taqueria Xochi (pronounced “so-chee”) plans to host a grand opening on Tuesday (Nov. 19) at 1450 S. Eads Street in Crystal City. With its entire menu coming from family recipes by co-founders Geraldine Mendoza and Teresa Padilla, the restaurant aims for truly Mexican cuisine — not Tex-Mex.


Schools

Amid ongoing construction delays, plans have changed for Arlington Community High School’s (ACHS) relocation in 2026.

The high school — currently located in an office building in Ballston — was originally set to relocate to PenPlace, the planned second phase of Amazon’s HQ2 campus in Pentagon City.


Events

Amazon’s HQ2 Community Day is back on the calendar.

Three months after an excessive heat watch postponed festivities indefinitely, the event is now scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21 — promising a variety of activities for adults and kids alike.


News

Amazon has announced plans to return employees to working in person five days a week.

The company, whose Arlington employees currently work from HQ2 at least three days a week, is “going to return to being in the office the way we were before the onset of COVID.”


Events

Amazon and Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream have partnered to serve free banana splits outside HQ2 this afternoon (Friday).

From noon to 2 p.m. today at Metropolitan Park, 510 14th Street S., the community is invited to celebrate National Banana Split Day with a free scoop of chocolate, vanilla or strawberry ice cream and customized toppings. This is in addition to the free bananas passersby can ordinarily snag near HQ2.


News

The demise of an anticipated development project at a busy Columbia Pike intersection has left a social and economic void in South Arlington.

It has also left many fingers pointing at an unnamed grocery tenant — which evidence suggests may have been an Amazon Fresh — for its role in the project’s failure.


Events

Amazon’s HQ2 Community Day scheduled for this weekend has been postponed.

Originally slated to run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, parts of the event would fall in the window of an Excessive Heat Watch.


News

Amazon has committed an additional $1.4 billion to expand housing options in areas near its offices, including Arlington.

The funding, announced ahead of an affordable housing summit today (Monday) at HQ2 in Pentagon City, brings total investment in the company’s Housing Equity Fund up to $3.6 billion.


News

Utility work for HQ2’s stalled second phase is continuing this month, but Amazon is still keeping mum about a construction timeline.

Several sidewalk and crosswalk closures are scheduled for the next few weeks in the area of the planned PenPlace site in Pentagon City, contractor Clark Construction said in an update to neighbors.


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