Crystal City | ARLnow.com

County Scores $83 Million in Funding for ART Facilities, Pentagon City Improvements

Published June 15, 2018 at 3:45PM

Metroway bus at station (file photo)

Arlington is now in line to receive nearly $83 million in funding to help the county afford four major transportation projects over the next six years, including the construction of two bus maintenance facilities and a major expansion of transit options in Pentagon City.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority announced its new Six Year Program today (Friday), outlining the regional body’s plans to shell out a total of nearly $1.3 billion for transportation projects through 2024. The NVTA collects a select set of regional taxes, then identifies which construction efforts around the region are most likely to reduce in congestion before doling out money to help localities fund them.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 14, 2018 at 9:00AM

What Arlington Residents Think About Arlington — “Arlington residents of all ages are concerned about housing costs. Many like new urban amenities and denser development but are worried about displacing lower-income neighbors. Others point to the county’s affluence and pockets of racially homogenous communities and wonder what that says about their progressive values.” [Greater Greater Washington]

Salt Storage Facility to Be Torn Down — Arlington County is planning to dismantle the rusted-out road salt storage tank on Old Dominion Drive near 25th Road N. later this year, deeming it unsafe for use during the upcoming winter season. In its place, the county hopes to build a temporary facility that could remain functional for several years. [InsideNova]

News

Crystal City Pop-Up Library Could Stay Open Through End of 2019

By Alex Koma

Published June 12, 2018 at 3:45PM

The pop-up library in Crystal City at its opening in 2016 (file photo)

A pop-up library in Crystal City could stay open through the end of 2019, should Arlington officials give the project the green light to continue this weekend.

The County Board is set to vote Saturday (June 16) on a lease extension for “The Connection,” a one-room library located at 2100 Crystal Drive. The county’s public library system opened the small space in the Crystal City Shops in 2016 as a way to expand access to books and select tech equipment, particularly for people who feel cut off by Route 1 from accessing the Aurora Hills library near Pentagon City.

News

Video: Crystal City Metro Station Gets Unexpected Visitor

By ARLnow.com

Published June 12, 2018 at 9:50AM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 9:11AM

Seems like *everyone* wants to get aboard the @Capitals train this morning! (Crystal City Station, 8:30 a.m. today — this little guy somehow wandered into the tunnel & ended up at the station. Safely exited through the tunnel back toward DCA.) #OHDEER #ALLCAPS #WMATA #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/3ibeGuYwUe

— Metro Forward (@wmata) June 12, 2018

News

Arlington Chamber Backs County Efforts to Win Amazon’s HQ2

By Alex Koma

Published June 11, 2018 at 10:45AM | Updated June 11, 2018 at 11:06AM

Arlington’s business community is throwing its support behind the county’s efforts to land Amazon’s second headquarters.

The county’s Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 750 businesses in the area, penned a letter to the County Board Friday (June 8) expressing its “utmost support” for Arlington’s work to secure the vaunted HQ2.

Around Town

Bike Races Prompting Road Closures in Clarendon, Crystal City This Weekend

By Alex Koma

Published June 8, 2018 at 2:45PM

Bicyclists compete in the Armed Forces Cycling Classic (courtesy photo)

The return of the Armed Forces Cycling Classic to Arlington will prompt a few road closures this weekend, with Clarendon impacted Saturday (June 9) and Crystal City facing closures Sunday (June 10).

Cyclists of all skill levels will compete in the 21st annual “Clarendon Cup” Saturday. The event features professional cyclists competing in what is billed as “one of the most difficult criterium races in the USA, due to technical demands of the course and the quality of the participant.”

News

Army Navy Country Club Access Road Set for Lengthy Delay Due to County Funding Woes

By Alex Koma

Published June 6, 2018 at 1:45PM

Construction work on an access road crossing a portion of Army Navy Country Club could be pushed back by nearly a decade, as Arlington grapples with a funding squeeze impacting transportation projects.

County Manager Mark Schwartz’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan calls for engineering work on the project, which is designed to link the Arlington View neighborhood to Army Navy Drive, to start by fiscal year 2027 with construction kicking off two years later. The county has long expected to start design work for the project by fiscal year 2020, with work to begin in 2022.

News

Would Amazon HQ2’s Arrival Supercharge Arlington’s Growth Or Just Change its Timing?

By Alex Koma

Published June 5, 2018 at 3:00PM

Concerns abound about how the arrival of Amazon’s second headquarters might squeeze an already space-starved county — but could HQ2 merely speed up population growth in Arlington that would inevitably happen over time even if Amazon chooses another location?

It’s a possibility that county leaders say they’re increasingly beginning to consider, as Arlington has emerged as a top contender to earn HQ2, among its competitors both locally and nationally.

Around Town

Freddie’s Beach Bar Owner Planning to Revive Crystal City’s Cafe Italia

By Alex Koma

Published May 30, 2018 at 10:45AM | Updated May 30, 2018 at 1:00PM

Cafe Italia exterior (file photo)

(Updated at 1 p.m.) Longtime Crystal City restaurant Cafe Italia is getting new life, thanks to some former employees and one prominent local restaurateur.

Freddie Lutz, the owner and namesake of Freddie’s Beach Bar at 555 23rd Street S., says he’s planning to revive the restaurant after it closed in April.

News

Volunteers Wanted as Metro Plans ‘Full-Scale’ Emergency Exercise Sunday

By Alex Koma

Published May 30, 2018 at 9:45AM

WMATA is gearing up to test how first responders would handle a major Metro emergency in Arlington, and officials are looking for some help.

Metro is planning a “full-scale exercise” at the Crystal City Metro station (1750 S. Bell Street) on Sunday, June 3, and is looking for volunteers to make the event feel more real for participants. Check in for the event begins at 6:30 a.m., and it’s set to wrap up by 1 p.m, according to an event listing.

Around Town

Here’s How to Share Your Thoughts on Crystal City’s Future

By Anna Merod

Published May 25, 2018 at 1:45PM

The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) wants to hear your thoughts about the future of Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard.

The process, called the Future Cities Project, will engage members of the public on the area’s future. Simultaneously, the Crystal City BID will hold various public meetings throughout the summer at both the Pentagon City and Crystal City Metro stations, residential and office lobbies, shopping spaces and more. The schedule has yet to come out, but the BID will provide update in the coming weeks.

Events

Tattoo Expo Returns to Crystal City Next Week

By Anna Merod

Published May 25, 2018 at 8:45AM

Tattoo artists and lovers alike are coming to the Hyatt Regency Crystal City next week.

Cost for The Nation’s Tattoo Expo, which is being held from June 1-3, is $30 per day or $60 for a three-day pass. Children under 12 may attend for free with a paying adult. Members of the military can receive $10 off a three-day pass.