Crystal City | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published May 25, 2022 at 7:30AM

"End Road Work" sign in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Welcome to Our Summer Interns — Two interns have joined ARLnow for the summer. Mavis Chan of the University of Missouri will focus on local news reporting while Pia Kramer, graduate of Virginia Tech and Arlington’s Washington-Liberty High School, will focus on audience engagement.

Passengers Spend Hours on Planes at DCA — “Thais Austin wanted to get home to the District after a weekend visit with family in Jacksonville, Fla. Instead, she said, she and other passengers were stuck on the Reagan National Airport taxiway for three hours Sunday night, unable to exit their plane… Hundreds of passengers on at least a half-dozen other flights reported similar delays after thunderstorms downed trees, flooded roads and left thousands without power in the Washington region.” [Washington Post]

News

Police: Dozens of cars stolen or stripped of airbags over the past three weeks

By ARLnow.com

Published May 19, 2022 at 3:05PM

Airbag stolen from vehicle at the Dorchester Towers apartments on Columbia Pike in 2022 (courtesy photo)

Arlington is in the midst of a rash of vehicle-related crimes.

In just the past three weeks or so, 28 cars have been stolen and 35 airbags have been stolen, according to the Arlington County Police Department. That’s in addition to numerous break-ins and other auto crimes during that same time period.

News

Overflowing trash cans are causing a mess, but the county is looking to clean up

By Matt Blitz

Published May 19, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated May 19, 2022 at 11:07AM

An overflowing trash can in Pentagon City (photo courtesy of Rebecca/@rdc20132)

Overflowing trash cans are becoming a more common sight in Pentagon City and Crystal City, but the county is pledging to clean up the mess.

In recent days, several local residents posted photos on social media of neighborhood trash cans and recycling bins filled beyond the brim with soda cans, food wrappers, pizza boxes, coffee cups, and doggie bags. The problem, as noted, seemed to happen more on weekends.

News

Demolition begins on former Jaleo in Crystal City as redevelopment plan advances

By Brandi Bottalico

Published May 18, 2022 at 3:55PM

Demolition began on the former Jaleo building in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Demolition of the former Jaleo restaurant building in Crystal City began this week, as the site plan review process for a redevelopment on the block kicked off earlier this month.

The proposal by JBG Smith is making its way through the county approval process to turn the 2250 Crystal Drive and 223 23rd Street S. buildings into two apartment towers with ground floor retail and an underground parking garage.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 18, 2022 at 8:45AM

Reuben Tucker (@blurredriff) plays guitar in Long Bridge Park at sunset (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Decal Fee Officially Dead — “Arlington County Board members on May 14 followed through on a promise made last month and eliminated the ‘decal fee’ that has been imposed for decades as part of residents’ car-tax bills. And while the action will save residents a collective $6 million this year, it’s something of a rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul situation, as higher assessments on used vehicles in these inflationary times likely will eat up all the savings for some vehicle owners.” [Sun Gazette]

Wild Rosslyn Press Conference in the Works — “WHAT: Jack Burkman to give press conference from wheelchair, after losing more than 65 ibs, and all his hair. WHEN: Monday May 23, 2022 High Noon. WHERE… N Colonial Terrace, Arlington VA 22209.” [Twitter]

Around Town

New cafe hoping to open this summer on Crystal City’s restaurant row

By Matt Blitz

Published May 11, 2022 at 10:35AM

Crush Cafe is hoping to open soon in Crystal City in a former dry cleaners and shoe repair shop (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new cafe and lounge is hoping to open in Crystal City within the next couple of months, the owner tells ARLnow.

Crush Cafe at 546 23rd Street S. comes from Yoseph Abegaz, who owns Flirt Lounge next door. It’s filling a space that was once occupied by a dry cleaners and shoe repair shop. The location was first rented last June and a building permit to alter the interior was first applied for in September.

News

Ground officially breaks on $29 million Transitway extension to Pentagon City

By Matt Blitz

Published May 10, 2022 at 9:45AM | Updated May 10, 2022 at 4:09PM

Ground breaking ceremony for Transitway extension to Pentagon City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

Ground was officially broken yesterday morning on the first phase of the $29 million extension of the Crystal City-Potomac Yard Transitway.

At a brief ceremony on Monday (May 9) near the site of a future Crystal City bus station, at the intersection of 12th Street S. and Long Bridge Drive, local officials gathered for remarks and photos with golden shovels to christen the first phase of the long-planned transit project.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 9, 2022 at 7:30AM

An airplane on approach to Reagan National Airport at twilight near Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Firefighters Rescue Cat from Tree — From the Animal Welfare League of Arlington: “We are so grateful for @ArlingtonVaFD! Yesterday, Charlie the cat snuck out of his house and got spooked, climbing 2.5 stories up a nearby tree on a very stormy day. ACFD came to the rescue and brought Charlie back down to the ground and to safety.” [Twitter]

Suspicious Package at Pentagon Metro — From Pentagon police: “At 9:46am, @PFPAOfficial was alerted to a suspicious package at the Pentagon Metro Visitors Screening Center. Explosive Ordnance Detection Unit is… investigating. Bus and rail service is bypassing the Pentagon. Personnel are asked to please avoid the area. […] At 1251 @PFPAOfficial gave the all clear. Bus and rail service have resumed. The incident is currently under investigation.” [Twitter]

Events

County Board member among dozens set to rappel down a Crystal City hotel this week

By Matt Blitz

Published May 2, 2022 at 10:30AM

Hilton Crystal City on Richmond Highway (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Dozens of people, including a County Board member, are expected to rappel down the side of a tall building in Crystal City this week.

More than 70 volunteers associated with the non-profit New Hope Housing will be rappelling down the 14-story Hilton Crystal City at 2399 Richmond Highway on Thursday and Friday to raise funds and awareness for the organization.

News

VDOT unveils concepts for pedestrian, cyclist crossings along a lowered Route 1

By Brandi Bottalico

Published April 29, 2022 at 3:55PM | Updated April 29, 2022 at 4:11PM

A look at what a pedestrian bridge over Route 1 would look like (via VDOT)

VDOT is not turning back on its recommendation to lower the elevated parts of Route 1 in Crystal City, but it is considering new options for separated pedestrian and bike crossings near the Metro station.

The state transportation agency on Thursday provided an update on Phase 2 of its study, which is focused on how to make the “urban boulevard” vision for Route 1 from 12th Street S. to 23rd Street S. a reality.

Around Town

Day of discounts planned this weekend as part of National Landing small biz grant program

By Matt Blitz

Published April 28, 2022 at 11:45AM

Restaurant row in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A grant program is providing cash to local businesses to help with expenses — and offering one day of discounts to those businesses this weekend.

The “Love Local” relief program is giving $100,000 to more than 30 Crystal City and Pentagon City retail shops, salons, and restaurants. The grants are to provide “financial and promotional support covering wages and operator-related expenses.”

Around Town

Work has begun on a new pedestrian plaza in Crystal City

By Matt Blitz

Published April 26, 2022 at 12:55PM

Work has begun on Century Center on Crystal Drive (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Work has begun to create a new Crystal City pedestrian plaza with office, retail, and restaurant space.

The Century Center office complex — at 2450 Crystal Drive and 2461 S. Clark Street in Crystal City — is undergoing major renovations. The project will result in a new pedestrian and retail plaza between Century Center’s two buildings.