Columbia Pike | ARLnow.com

Construction Starting on Penrose Square Public Plaza

Published January 17, 2012 at 1:00PM

Fences have gone up around the construction site — a small grass field in front of the Penrose Square apartment complex, on the 2400 block of Columbia Pike. The first construction phase of the $2 million Penrose Square public plaza is expected to be completed this fall.

“Penrose Square is the first of three squares that will eventually be located along the Pike Corridor and will be an active pedestrian center and community gathering spot within the corridor’s Town Center,” said Arlington County parks department spokeswoman Susan Kalish.

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Video: Metrobus Driver Runs Red Light on the Pike

By ARLnow.com

Published January 12, 2012 at 12:22PM

The bus is shown coming down the steep, curvy hill near the Air Force Memorial and driving right through the red light — even honking its horn as an SUV with the right-of-way drives in front of the bus’ path.

The video is one of several dozen obtained by WTOP through a public records request. Many of the videos depict collisions and near-collisions with vehicles and pedestrians, as recorded by a “Drivecam” video camera in the front of the bus.

Around Town

Photos: School for Sign Spinners

By ARLnow.com

Published January 2, 2012 at 10:43AM

Think spinning a sign by the side of the road sounds easy? Think again.

Sign spinners — they who inform passing motorists of closeout specials and condo sales — undergo training sessions to learn many of their acrobatic routines.

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Photos of Pike Bank Robbery Suspect Released

By ARLnow.com

Published December 16, 2011 at 10:15AM

Police say the man walked into the Bank of America branch on the 3400 block of Columbia Pike at about 3:20 p.m., implied he had a weapon and demanded money. He fled on foot after receiving cash.

“The suspect is described as a white Hispanic male in his early 20’s, 5’7” to 5’8” with a medium build,” Arlington County Police said in a press release. “At the time of the robbery he wore a black hooded jacket and dark pants.”

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UPDATED — Bank Robbery on Columbia Pike

By Katie Pyzyk

Published December 15, 2011 at 3:24PM | Updated December 15, 2011 at 6:44PM

The suspect is described as a male around 20 years old, wearing a black ski mask, black jacket and black pants. However, initial reports suggest he may have been taking off articles of clothing as he left. He implied he had a weapon and took off on foot.

Police officers and police dogs have been searching the area for the suspect.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published December 15, 2011 at 8:32AM

Linden Resources Profiled — Linden Resources, based on 23rd Street in Aurora Highlands, provides jobs to more than 250 people with disabilities, including disabled veterans. The company was recently profiled on WUSA9’s Hero Central segment. [WUSA9]

GOP Still Looking for County Board Candidate — A special election may be the GOP’s best chance to capture a seat on the Arlington County Board, but so far no Republican has stepped up to run in the upcoming special election to fill state Senator-elect Barbara Favola’s seat. [Sun Gazette]

Around Town

William Jeffrey’s Tavern Now Open on Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

Published December 14, 2011 at 11:45AM

William Jeffrey’s Tavern opened to the general public for the first time last night, co-owner Wilson Whitney told us. The restaurant, at 2301 Columbia Pike, offers seating for nearly 200 and a menu featuring American-style fare, 16 draft beers, and Prohibition-inspired cocktails.

Despite the high expectation of many Pike residents, Whitney warned that the restaurant is still in “soft opening” mode. With the kitchen still getting up to speed, early patrons should expect slower-than-usual service, he said.

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Six Detained at Columbia Pike Days Inn

By ARLnow.com

Published December 14, 2011 at 9:58AM | Updated December 14, 2011 at 10:51AM

Six people were detained by police at the Columbia Pike Days Inn motel yesterday after a tip about prostitution led officers to a stolen vehicle.

Officers investigating a tip about prostitution activity at the Days Inn discovered an SUV that had been reported stolen out of Pennsylvania in the parking lot, according to Arlington County Police spokeswoman Det. Crystal Nosal. Officers kept an eye on the SUV and, when several people got in and started to drive off yesterday afternoon, police swooped in in dramatic fashion, blocking the vehicle in and handcuffing the occupants.

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DEVELOPING — Pike Streetcar Cost Soars

By ARLnow.com

Published December 2, 2011 at 4:27PM

Original Columbia Pike streetcar rendering

The five-mile Columbia Pike streetcar line will run from Pentagon City to the Skyline area of Fairfax, and cost between $242 million and $261 million, according to “a new, more detailed analysis.” In 2007, officials pegged the cost at about $161 million.

“Inflation, an increase in the scope of the proposed project, additional engineering requirements, and federal requirements for higher contingency funding and escalation accounted for the increase in projected costs,” the county said in a press release. “The $50 million per-mile cost now estimated for the proposed streetcar project is comparable to the costs of similar projects across the nation.”

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NEX Gas Station Closes for Cemetery Expansion

By ARLnow.com

Published December 1, 2011 at 12:47PM

The Navy Exchange/Quarters K gas station on S. Joyce Street, near the Pentagon, closed for good about a month ago. The Navy Times reports that the station will eventually be demolished as part of the cemetery expansion plan.

The expansion is being made possible by a 2008 land swap deal between Arlington County and the federal government. At some point after 2011, the county will exchange a 4.3 acre parcel of land along Southgate Road — which runs from Henderson Hall to the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Joyce Street — for 4.3 acres of land on the present Navy Annex site along Columbia Pike.

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New ABC Store Coming to Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

Published November 29, 2011 at 9:50AM

A new Virginia ABC liquor store is coming to Columbia Pike’s emerging central business district.

Interior construction is about to get underway at the future store, which is located at 2940 Columbia Pike, next to Lost Dog Cafe.

Around Town

William Jeffrey’s Tavern Bets Big on the Pike

By ARLnow.com

Published November 18, 2011 at 3:28PM | Updated November 19, 2011 at 1:39PM

Wilson Whitney, Adam Lubar and Chris Lefborn — who own Rhodeside Grill (1836 Wilson Blvd), Ragtime (1345 N. Courthouse Road) and Dogwood Tavern (132 West Broad Street, Falls Church) — are plowing some $2 million into the elaborately-decorated, nearly 200 seat restaurant at 2301 Columbia Pike, on the ground floor of the Siena Park apartment building. They’re in it for the long haul, too, after signing a 20-year lease on the space.

“We’re really out there,” Whitney said of their investment.