construction | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published July 19, 2019 at 7:30AM | Updated July 22, 2019 at 4:18PM

(Updated on 07/22/19) Office Vacancy Rate Dropping — “The commercial vacancy rate in the County continues to improve. The vacancy rate as of the second quarter of 2019 stands at 16.6%, down nearly 5% from its historic high of 21% in 2015. Arlington Economic Development also announced it successfully closed 26 deals in FY 2019, representing 7.2 million square feet of office space and 43,000 jobs.” [Arlington County]

County Adopts New Bathroom Policy — “The Arlington County government has adopted what amounts to a […] policy for government-building restrooms and locker rooms. The policy, outlined to County Board members on July 16, will formally allow any individual to use a male or female restroom ‘that corresponds with gender identity or expression,’ county staff said.” [InsideNova]

News

Five Key Arlington Takeaways from a New N. Va. Office Market Report

By ARLnow.com

Published July 8, 2019 at 2:00PM | Updated July 9, 2019 at 9:53AM

Ballston Quarter/Liberty Center construction cranes - file photo

Driven in part by Amazon’s HQ2, demand for office space in Arlington is on the rise.

That’s according to a new quarterly Northern Virginia market report from commercial real estate services firm JLL, which says “tech demand across the Herndon-to-Crystal City corridor” is leading to more office space being leased than is being built.

Around Town

Madison Manor Park To Close for Renovations Next Week

By Ashley Hopko

Published July 1, 2019 at 10:55AM | Updated July 1, 2019 at 1:50PM

Madison Manor Park plans (Image via Arlington County)

Madison Manor Park (6225 12th Road N.) will close starting next week for renovations.

Arlington County Board members began considering updates to the park back in 2017 and finally voted in May to begin construction.

Around Town

New Crystal City Bowling Alley Strikes 2019 Opening Plans

By Vernon Miles

Published June 27, 2019 at 10:00AM

Bowlero location at 320 23rd Street S. in Crystal City under construction

A new bowling alley is delaying its plans to open in Crystal City by a year.

“The Bowlero location is undergoing construction,” Jillian Laufer, a PR rep for Bowlero Corp., said in an email. “But there are tentative plans for the center to open in spring 2020.”

Events

Continued Construction Will Keep Country Club Fireworks Viewers Off the Green

By Vernon Miles

Published June 21, 2019 at 11:00AM | Updated June 21, 2019 at 11:19AM

Fourth of July fireworks at the Washington Golf and Country Club (Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf)

Updated 11:15 a.m. — Last year’s construction at Washington Golf & Country Club meant viewers of the 4th of July fireworks — traditionally seated on the course — had to find new accommodations.

This year, Arlington’s other tradition of eternal construction work means viewers will still need to find another place to watch the fireworks.

News

I-395 and I-66 Projects Causing Contractor Shortages, Higher Costs

By Airey

Published June 13, 2019 at 3:45PM

A proposed streetscape improvement project has revealed rising construction costs in Arlington County due to ongoing work to add new lanes to I-66 and I-395 — and associated projects.

“We believe the shortage of qualified contractors resulting from the abundance of work generated by the I-66 & I-395 Express Lanes projects is contributing to the higher than expected bid prices,” according to a county staff report.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 11, 2019 at 8:35AM | Updated June 11, 2019 at 8:57AM

Polls Open for Democratic Primary — All Arlington voters can vote in today’s Democratic primary. Polls are open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. You can find your polling place and other information on the state elections website. [Twitter]

Politico Profiles Prosecutor Primary — “One sign that this era of agitated civic life is not merely a reflection of Donald Trump or Twitter is that the agitation has penetrated, of all places, into Arlington County, Virginia. In normal times, Arlington politics are polite and consensus-driven, almost proudly dull.” [Politico]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 10, 2019 at 7:30AM

Goldstein Fends Off Challenger — “Incumbent School Board Chair Reid Goldstein emerged as the victor Saturday night in the Arlington County Democratic Committee’s [School Board endorsement] caucus… Goldstein received 1,231 votes out of 1,999 ballots counted, or 61.6%… Challenger David Priddy received 763 votes.” [Arlington Democrats]

Car Runs Off Glebe Road Into Ditch — “At 1:54pm Sunday, units were called for a car off the road in 4500 blk of N Glebe Rd. Crews were able to walk 1 patient out with minor injuries. Patient was transported to local hospital while Hazmat team worked to contain leaking fluids. Please watch your speed on the wet roads.” [Twitter]

Around Town

County To Start Demolishing S. Clark Street Bridge Next Week

By Airey

Published June 5, 2019 at 10:00AM | Updated June 5, 2019 at 10:59AM

Bridge over 18th Street slated for demolition this month (Image via Google Maps)

Arlington County will begin tearing down the S. Clark Street bridge over 18th Street S. in Crystal City next week, which is expected to generate noise and traffic disruptions for the rest of the month.

Demolition work will begin Monday, June 10, according to the county’s website. The work is part of a $6 million project to tear down the elevated section of S. Clark Street and rebuild a “new open space” in what will soon become a hotspot with the arrival of Amazon’s second headquarters.

Traffic

Another Permanent Closure Coming to ‘Clarendon Circle’ Intersection

By ARLnow.com

Published May 30, 2019 at 5:00PM

Washington Blvd near the "Clarendon Circle" intersection in December 2018 (Staff photo by Alex Koma)

Construction is underway and turn restrictions are in place — now the “Clarendon Circle” intersection reconfiguration project is entering its third phase.

Starting as early as Monday (June 3), N. Irving Street, near Silver Diner, will be blocked off at the busy intersection where Clarendon, Washington and Wilson boulevards all meet. Irving Street has “low traffic volumes,” according to Arlington County, and the permanent closure will — along with the new no-left-turn from Washington Blvd to Wilson Blvd — help simplify the intersection.

News

Construction Begins on W&OD Trail Bridge Over Lee Highway

By Airey

Published May 30, 2019 at 10:00AM

VDOT has officially kicked off construction on the new Washington & Old Dominion Trail bridge over Lee Highway.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 22, 2019 at 7:30AM

Hospital Construction Starting Soon — “Around the time most local residents are firing up the grills for mid-summer barbecues, Virginia Hospital Center will be firing up the bulldozers as it moves forward with a long-awaited expansion. Hospital officials aim to have their land-swap agreement with the county government in place by the end of July, and ‘the plan is to begin construction shortly thereafter.'” [InsideNova]

Swastika in S. Arlington Park — “From a local Nextdoor group: someone drew swastikas on a sign board in Troy Park near S. Glebe Road. A parks department spokeswoman says the graffiti has been covered up and no other incidents of this kind have been reported recently.” [Twitter]