Crystal City | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published June 30, 2020 at 7:00AM

March Planned Tonight in Crystal City — “This Tuesday (6/30) we will be gathering in Crystal City Courtyard Green to march to Pentagon City in defense of Black womxn.” [Twitter]

Petition for APS to Require Masks — “To maximize the chances of success for Arlington Public Schools (Virginia) hybrid return to school model we urge the School Board and Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán to make face coverings compulsory for both students and teachers during the days they are at school for in-person learning. Those who object to wearing masks can always choose the distance-learning option.” [Change.org]

Around Town

Bar Louie Has Closed in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published June 29, 2020 at 9:40AM

Chain gastropub Bar Louie appears to have permanently closed its location on 23rd Street S. in Crystal City.

“Space for lease” signs now cover the windows of the former after-work watering hole, which opened in late 2013.

News

Another Carjacking Reported in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published June 24, 2020 at 2:00PM

File photo

For the second time in as many days, a carjacking has been reported in Arlington.

The latest incident happened in a parking garage on the 1400 block of Crystal Drive in Crystal City, around 3:30 a.m. this morning.

News

It’s Official: Crystal City BID is Now National Landing BID

By ARLnow.com

Published June 22, 2020 at 11:15AM | Updated June 22, 2020 at 11:45AM

Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard are still separate neighborhoods — but the business improvement district that serves them has a new name today.

The Crystal City Business Improvement District has been officially renamed the National Landing Business Improvement District. The BID has a new website, a new video and a new logo, which gives a visual nod to the area’s “Metrorail lines… abundant natural green spaces and parks, and the water of the Potomac River nearby.”

News

BREAKING: County Considering Public-Private Partnership for Second Crystal City Metro Entrance

By ARLnow.com

Published June 9, 2020 at 2:00PM | Updated June 10, 2020 at 1:11PM

Location of proposed second Crystal City Metro entrance (via Arlington County)

(Updated at 3:30 p.m.) A second entrance to the Crystal City Metro station could be built and opened by the end of 2023, under a proposal under consideration by the Arlington County Board.

Developer JBG Smith, the preeminent property owner in Crystal City, has proposed a public-private partnership that would accelerate the construction of the station entrance by at least 1-2 years. The proposal is set to be discussed at this weekend’s County Board meeting and potentially voted upon in mid-July.

Events

Armed Forces Cycling Classic Cancelled, Virtual Rides Planned

By ARLnow.com

Published May 29, 2020 at 9:30AM

The Armed Forces Cycling Classic, an annual series of cycling races around Clarendon and Crystal City, has been cancelled by the pandemic.

In its place, however, organizers are using a pair of apps — Strava and Zwift — to host virtual rides this coming Saturday.

News

Local Gentlemen’s Club Reopening Friday, Sans Dancers

By ARLnow.com

Published May 27, 2020 at 2:00PM | Updated May 27, 2020 at 2:36PM

Crystal City Restaurant is opening an outdoor seating area in its front parking lot (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 2:35 p.m.) On Friday, as Northern Virginia reopens, local gentlemen’s club Crystal City Restaurant will be just what its understated name suggests: a restaurant.

CCR, as the club is known, is planning to open a new, 17’x24′ outdoor seating area recently constructed in its front parking lot. There will be six tables, 24 chairs and no dancers.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 26, 2020 at 6:00AM

Free Coronavirus Testing Event Today — “Arlington County will host a free COVID-19 testing event on Tuesday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Barcroft (4200 S Four Mile Run Drive). Tests available both by drive-up and walk-up. No doctor’s note or ID required… the public can anticipate heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area.” [Arlington County, Twitter, Twitter]

Flasher Arrested After Incident Near Ballston — “At approximately 12:12 p.m., an officer on patrol was flagged down by an individual in need of assistance. It was determined that the victim was in the area when she was allegedly approached by the male suspect who exposed himself before running away. The officer located an individual matching the suspect description and, during the course of the investigation, he was positively identified.” [Arlington County]

News

Amazon Places Massive Take-Out Order from Freddie’s in Crystal City

By Vernon Miles

Published May 14, 2020 at 3:30PM | Updated May 14, 2020 at 6:28PM

Amazon food donation to Virginia Hospital Center from Freddie's Beach Bar (photo courtesy Live Wire Strategic Communications)

(Updated 6:30 p.m.) Amazon has purchased 1,753 meals from Crystal City restaurant Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 23rd Street S.) and donated the meals to Virginia Hospital Center.

Some of the meals were dropped off this morning, a spokesperson said, noting that while all of the meals were ordered from Freddie’s, future orders are planned for other restaurants in the tech giant’s new neighborhood.

Around Town

Crystal City BID Bringing Artwork to Local Storefronts

By Vernon Miles

Published May 11, 2020 at 11:45AM

Art on Commonwealth Joe (photo courtesy Crystal City BID)

The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is working to enliven some of the local storefronts during the pandemic.

A new art initiative called #LoveNationalLanding is adding a little color to some of the local businesses across Pentagon City, Crystal City and Potomac Yard, an area that was collectively branded as “National Landing” when Amazon announced its move into the area. The Crystal City BID was also recently approved for a name change and boundary expansion to encompass the entire area.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 7, 2020 at 7:30AM

Amazon Orders Thousands of Meals from Freddie’s — “Amazon has hired Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, which is widely known as an LGBT establishment, to prepare and deliver 10,000 meals in the month of May for front line healthcare workers and first responders in Arlington and nearby Alexandria who are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement released to the Washington Blade, Amazon said it was investing $200,000 to pay for the 10,000 meals.” [Washington Blade]

VRE Ridership Down 97% — “First, the good news, such as it is: Ridership on Virginia Railway Express stabilized in April as the public-health pandemic rolled on. The bad news: The ridership decline is now averaging 97% compared to normal times.” [InsideNova]

News

County: No Plans to Close Lanes for Extra Bike and Pedestrian Space

By ARLnow.com

Published May 5, 2020 at 4:30PM

People walking in the street near Crystal City (Photo courtesy Aurora Highlands Civic Association)

Those who want to see Arlington close lanes or whole streets during the pandemic will have to keep waiting.

County officials say they don’t have the resources to close lanes in order to create extra space for social distancing among cyclists and pedestrians.