Ballston | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published July 30, 2021 at 7:30AM

Bagged brush and organics in the green bin, ahead of collection day (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Beyer Lauds Vaccine Mandate for Feds — “Requiring vaccinations for the full federal workforce is the right thing to do for the health of the workforce and the nation they serve. Including all civilian federal employees and contractors in this mandate is huge, it will mean this covers a very large number of workers. This policy rightly prioritizes federal workers’ health.” [Press Release]

No Mask Mandate in Va. So Far — “Virginia recommends that even vaccinated individuals wear masks indoors in certain circumstances, but with different locations experiencing different levels of COVID-19 transmission, the state has stopped short of issuing a mandate.” [Tysons Reporter]

News

Apartment Building with Grocery Store Proposed for Ballston Macy’s

By Jo DeVoe

Published July 29, 2021 at 9:00AM | Updated July 29, 2021 at 10:16AM

A rendering of the proposed development for the Ballston Macy's department store (via Arlington County)

Plans are taking shape for an apartment building set to replace the Macy’s store in Ballston.

Insight Property Group proposes to demolish the long-time department store and vacant office building at 685 N. Glebe Road, in the heart of Ballston. In its place would go a 16-story, 555-unit apartment complex atop a planned grocery store.

News

Future Ballston Silver Diner Spot Aims for 2022 Opening

By Jo DeVoe

Published July 20, 2021 at 10:00AM

A planned Silver Diner location in Ballston, at the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Glebe Road, is moving through county approval processes and aims to open next year.

Developer Saul Centers announced in 2017 that the regional chain would open a spot within its development at 750 N. Glebe Road. Now, Silver Diner is obtaining the needed approvals to move into the ground floor of The Waycroft apartment building.

News

Man Arrested After Fleeing onto Metro Tracks in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Published July 20, 2021 at 9:00AM | Updated July 20, 2021 at 9:16AM

Arlington police car (file photo)

(Updated at 9:15 a.m.) A theft suspect in Pentagon City ran onto the tracks Sunday afternoon, causing major delays for riders.

The theft was reported around 2 p.m., from a store on the 1200 block of S. Hayes Street, a block that includes the Pentagon City mall and the Pentagon Centre shopping center.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 19, 2021 at 5:00AM

The Long Bridge Park Aquatics and Fitness Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

ACPD Hosting Community Chats — “Chief Andy Penn appreciates the important insights our residents and businesses bring to the conversation about the role of policing. He invites community members, organizations and businesses to join him for a series of Community Conversations.” [ACPD, Twitter]

Court Rejects Rouse Estate Suit — “I want to thank Arlington Green Party Chair John Reeder for challenging Arlington County Board’s decision exactly three months to the day to deny local historic designation for the site of the since demolished Febrey-Lothrop-Rouse estate… Unfortunately just yesterday Arlington Circuit Court denied Reeder standing to sue the County, arguing that he is not an aggrieved party, because his property doesn’t abut the estate.” [Audrey Clement]

News

Construction Underway in Ballston to Turn Vacant Restaurant Into Spa

By Jo DeVoe

Published July 15, 2021 at 1:30PM

The old Sichuan Wok in Ballston under construction in July 2021

A commercial building that looks like a house, but was once a restaurant, is under construction in Ballston.

Owner Arash Hosseinzadeh tells ARLnow the former Sichuan Wok building at 901 N. Quincy Street, which is nestled among large apartment and office towers, will “be converted to a day spa with many great services to offer.”

News

Dittmar Looks to Use Furnished Apartments as Hotel Rooms

By Jo DeVoe

Published July 12, 2021 at 11:00AM

Facing high rates of pandemic-era apartment vacancies, Dittmar Company is looking to recoup its losses through short-term rentals.

The Tysons-based developer and property management group is asking the Arlington County Board for permission to convert up to 75 furnished apartment units in three Arlington buildings into flexible hotel rooms.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 6, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated July 6, 2021 at 10:17AM

Motorcycle police officers lined up in Courthouse to escort a deceased member of the military to Arlington National Cemetery (photo courtesy Beth Ferrill)

Development Proposal for Ballston Macy’s — “The Ballston development pipeline continues to grow as plans come into focus for the Macy’s department store in northern Virginia. Insight Property Group is seeking Arlington County’s approval to raze and replace the Macy’s/office building at 685 N. Glebe Road with a 16-story development, delivering 555 apartments above a grocery store. The project would transfer development rights and density from the affordable Tyrol Hill/Haven Apartments off Columbia Pike.” [UrbanTurf]

‘Arlington Superwoman’ Invited to White House — “Mariflor Ventura, also known as ‘Arlington Superwoman,’ tells 7News she has been personally invited to the White House for July 4th celebrations. The Bidens have said they plan to host first responders, essential workers, and military service members and their families on the South Lawn for a cookout and to watch the fireworks over the National Mall… Ventura was first featured by 7News in April for her tireless dedication to feed, clothe and provide for hundreds of immigrant families.” [ABC 7, ABC 7]

Around Town

Tattoo Removal Business to Set Up Shop in Ballston

By Dana Munro

Published June 30, 2021 at 11:30AM

Removery, a new tattoo removal service, is coming to Ballston

Removery, a tattoo removal company based out of Austin, Texas, is planning to open a location at Ballston Quarter in early August.

The studio at 4238 Wilson Blvd, in the open-air portion of the shopping center, will offer services related to removing or changing tattoos. It will remove tattoos of all sizes and colors and change or cover up old ink jobs with the help of local tattoo artists, according to the company’s website.

Events

Street Pub with Live Music Will Take Over Wilson Blvd in July

By Dana Munro

Published June 28, 2021 at 10:45AM

People dance during a Ballston BID event on Wilson Blvd (courtesy of Ballston BID)

A stretch of Wilson Blvd in Ballston will be shut down and transformed into an open-air pub and stage next month for a new event: Bands & Brews on the Boulevard.

The Ballston Business Improvement District will turn the thoroughfare between N. Stuart Street and N. Randolph Street, near Ballston Quarter, into an event space serving drinks and featuring live music from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 24.

News

Ballston Church Set for Demolition Auctioning Off Everything from Bibles to an Organ

By ARLnow.com

Published June 24, 2021 at 2:00PM | Updated June 24, 2021 at 2:53PM

Organ keyboard offered for auction (via Capital Online Auctions)

Central United Methodist Church in Ballston is auctioning off hymnals, furniture and various equipment ahead of a planned redevelopment.

The online auction kicked off this week, after the final service in the church’s current building was held last month. Services are now being held virtually as the property at 4201 Fairfax Drive, across from the Ballston Metro station, is torn down and rebuilt as an affordable housing complex.

Events

Bimonthly Event with Carbs, Coffee and Classic Cars Kicks Off Saturday

By Dana Munro

Published June 24, 2021 at 10:30AM

Cars & Coffee, courtesy Ballston BID

A new event in the Virginia Square area, Cars & Coffee, will kick off on Saturday with live music, classic cars and free doughnuts and coffee.

This weekend, Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe will provide the treats and drinks while blues performer and Ballston local Memphis Gold will provide the entertainment.