Ballston | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published March 19, 2013 at 9:15AM | Updated March 19, 2013 at 12:21PM

Water Change Underway — The annual, temporary switch from chloramine to chlorine as the tap water disinfectant is beginning, as part of a flush of the water system. During this time, Arlington residents may notice a change in the taste and smell of their drinking water. The water system’s “spring cleaning” is scheduled to run through April 29. [Arlington County]

Ballston Garage to Get $3.5 Million in Repairs — The Arlington County Board on Saturday awarded a contract of up to $3.5 million for structural repairs to the eighth level of the Ballston Public Parking Garage. The eighth level of the garage was added in 2006, but the concrete was found to be deficient for long-term use — prompting claims that resulted in the county settling with the original contractor for an undisclosed sum. Kettler Capitals Iceplex, which is located on the top level of the garage, will remain open during the construction, which is expected to take 5-6 months. [Sun Gazette]

Feature

Arlington Pet of the Week: Buster

By ARLnow.com

Published March 13, 2013 at 12:00PM

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Buster, a boisterous four-year-old cockapoo who is defying the odds. This Ballston pooch has proven that living with epilepsy doesn’t have to mean living life sick as a dog.

Here’s what Buster’s owners had to say about him:

Around Town

Ballston Bocce Park Under Construction

By ARLnow.com

Published March 7, 2013 at 11:15AM

Construction is underway on a tiny park near Ballston Common Mall.

The park, adjacent to the Ballston Parking Garage at the corner of Glebe Road and N. Randolph Street, features a pair of bocce courts and enhanced green space. The park is intended to be temporary; the county plans to eventually replace it with a longer-term use.

News

Metro Train Avoids Hitting Man on Track at Ballston Station

By ARLnow.com

Published March 4, 2013 at 10:45PM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 2:49PM

The incident happened around 9:45 p.m. A 44-year-old man “intentionally placed himself on the track” in an apparent suicide attempt, according to Metro spokesman Dan Stessel.

“The train operator applied the emergency brake and was able to stop prior to any significant injury,” Stessel continued. “The male has lacerations to his hands and will be transported for evaluation. We are single tracking around the incident with about 10 minute delays.”

News

Video: Realtor Accused of Stealing Homeowner’s Clothes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 4, 2013 at 2:05PM | Updated December 23, 2021 at 1:58PM

Photo of Stephen [Redacted] caught on surveillance footage (courtesy photo)

Stephen [Redacted], of Silver Spring, Md., was arrested and charged with burglary and possession of burglarious tools after a homeowner on the 4100 block of 11th Street N. approached police with the video. The homeowner — we’ll call him William (not his real name) — spoke exclusively to ARLnow.com last month on the condition of anonymity.

According to William, the incident took place on Saturday, Feb. 9, while he and his wife were out of town, participating at an out-of-state athletic competition.

Traffic

Steel Plates on Wilson Blvd in Ballston To Be Removed

By ARLnow.com

Published March 4, 2013 at 10:55AM

The plates were installed near the intersection of Wilson Boulevard and N. Randolph Street early last year after residents of the nearby Archstone Ballston Square apartments complained about noise coming from a Dominion Virginia Power vault cover, underneath which sits electrical equipment for their building, according to the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services (DES). The vault cover (located in the left-hand westbound travel lane) was broken and causing loud noises when cars drove over it.

The plates were to be installed over the vault cover as a temporary measure until it could be fixed. However, as of last month, the cover still wasn’t fixed and the plates were causing problems for drivers. In addition to producing a bumpy ride, one driver says the plates damaged his car.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 4, 2013 at 9:15AM | Updated March 4, 2013 at 4:39PM

‘Mussel Bar’ to Open in Ballston — Mussel Bar & Grille, from restauranteur Robert Wiedmaier, is set to open at 800 N. Glebe Road in Ballston this summer. The small gastropub chain has existing locations in Bethesda and Atlantic City. Wiedmaier is also known for BRABO in Old Town Alexandria and Marcel’s and Brasserie Beck in D.C. [Washington City Paper]

Deputy County Manager to Retire — Deputy County Manager Marsha Allgeier is planning to retire, and the county is now searching for her successor. Allgeier has worked for Arlington County since 1998. [Sun Gazette]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 25, 2013 at 10:15AM | Updated February 25, 2013 at 11:32AM

SUV Runs Off Memorial Bridge — An SUV drove off the Memorial Bridge and plunged into the Potomac around 10:00 last night. The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. A bridge barrier was damaged and the bridge was closed by police until the early morning hours. [WJLA, Washington Post]

‘Ballston Southern Gateway’ Plan Approved — The Arlington County Board on Saturday approved an addendum to its North Quincy Street Plan, which is designed “to transform the southern gateway of Ballston from an automobile-oriented area into a more pedestrian-friendly, great urban place.” The plan calls for higher residential and commercial buildings in the area around the Harris Teeters and the Mercedes Benz dealership. [Arlington County]

News

Four Orange Line Stations Closed This Weekend

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 21, 2013 at 11:50AM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 2:49PM

Starting at 10:00 p.m. on Friday the East Falls Church, West Falls Church, Dunn Loring and Vienna stations will be closed. Crews will be working on signal system integration with the new Silver Line extension. Trains will still operate on a normal weekend schedule between Ballston and New Carrollton.

Free shuttle buses will replace trains between Ballston and Vienna. Express buses will run only between the Vienna and Ballston stops; local buses will serve all stops in between Ballston and Vienna. Customers taking the express buses should expect to add an additional 25 minutes of travel time and those using the local buses should add up to 50 minutes of travel time.

News

Two Arrested for Brawl at Union Jack’s

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 20, 2013 at 3:45PM

According to police, on Friday, Feb. 8, the two groups were involved in a verbal altercation inside the bar which escalated throughout the night. Both parties left and while one group of four was trying to walk away, the other group allegedly followed and started a physical altercation.

One of the victims was knocked down and had his head kicked, resulting in a subdural hematoma, or bleeding on the brain. He spent four days in the hospital and was released to the care of his mother, who lives out of state. At the time he was released, the victim had not yet regained hearing in one of his ears.

Around Town

New Ballston Sandwich Shop to Open in April

By ARLnow.com

Published February 20, 2013 at 9:55AM

A new sandwich shop is expected to open in Ballston in April.

Which Wich, which is replacing the former Daily Grind coffee shop at 4300 Wilson Blvd, has set Monday, April 22 as a tentative opening date, according to company spokesperson Hala Habal.

News

Board to Consider Long Range Plan for N. Quincy Street

By ARLnow.com

Published February 19, 2013 at 1:50PM

The current Harris Teeter supermarket and Mercedes-Benz dealership near Ballston could eventually be replaced with high-rise buildings under a new land use plan that’s up for County Board consideration this weekend.

On Saturday, the Board will consider an addendum to its 1995 North Quincy Street Plan. The amendment modifies the plan for the area around the Mercedes dealership and adds a plan for a parcel of land bounded by Carlin Springs Road, Glebe Road, N. Thomas Street and the Hyde Park Condominiums. The latter parcel includes the Harris Teeter store and its surface parking lot.