News

Safeguards are being put in place to ensure that county staff do not accidentally issue demolition and construction permits allowing the Melwood redevelopment to move forward before a planned historic-preservation analysis is done.

And that’s a process that could take a year.


Around Town

A new nightlife attraction with karaoke and Chinese cuisine is open in Crystal City.

Lantern Restaurant & Bar opened at 320 23rd Street S. late last month, debuting a nearly 5,500-square-foot space decked out with high quality sound systems and LED lights. The venue is currently taking reservations, owner Shen Zhao told ARLnow.


Around Town

A new cafe with cozy seats, neon signs and a playful disco theme is now open in Crystal City.

Coffee Republic opened last week at 3130 Potomac Avenue, on the ground floor of Azure National Landing apartments. The shop sells espresso drinks and food in addition to organic coffee beans and grounds.


Around Town

Flight Wine Shop has landed in Crystal City.

The local wine retailer celebrated a grand opening over the weekend at 269 19th Court S., on the ground floor of The Grace apartments. The new shop is a spinoff of D.C.’s former Flight Wine Bar, which spent a decade in Chinatown before closing in late 2023.


News

A stretch of 12th Street S. in Pentagon City will be off-limits to drivers for about a year as the county extends a bus rapid transit corridor.

Closing the street during the expansion will be safer and allow the work to be completed more quickly, county staff said during a March 11 briefing of the county’s Transit Advisory Committee.


News

A D.C. man is facing several charges after the alleged theft of an electric bike in Crystal City.

Police were dispatched to the neighborhood shortly after 4:30 p.m. this past Thursday after a caller reported seeing a man stealing a locked e-bike and then walking away with it while an alarm sounded.


News

An Arlington request for $8 million to support construction of a key segment of the Cross Potomac Trail has gotten the ax.

Staff from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) determined that the project does not meet the criteria for funding through the Commuter Choice initiative.


News

County Board members on Saturday (Feb. 22) approved zoning changes needed for Melwood and Wesley Housing to move forward with a controversial mixed-use project near Crystal City.

The 4-0 vote, with one abstention, allows for plans to build a five-story building with 105 committed-affordable units to move forward. It came after nearly five hours of public comment and Board discussion.


News

The civic association representing residents living adjacent to the planned Melwood development project near Crystal City is taking a last stab at slowing down the approval process.

“It is time to take a pause and do better for this neighborhood,” said Stacy Meyer, vice president of the Aurora Highlands Civic Association, in a letter to County Board members. “We need the County Board to listen to its residents who have been very clear about opposing this project.”


News

Police are on scene of a shooting at a Crystal City apartment building.

Two people were wounded and taken to local hospitals, including a teen boy with critical injuries, according to Arlington County police. The shooting happened during a party at the Crystal Towers Apartments at 1600 S. Eads Street, according to initial reports, prompting numerous people to flee.


Around Town

A post office on Crystal Drive is relocating, but not very far.

The current United States Postal Service office inside the Crystal City Shops at 2180 Crystal Drive is closing, but a new post office is expected to open less than a quarter mile away at 320 23rd Street S.


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