Crystal City | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published September 20, 2017 at 8:30AM

Residents Irked at App-Directed Traffic — Residents who live just west of Crystal City are upset that map apps like Waze keep directing cut-through traffic down S. Fern Street as an alternative to S. Eads Street or Route 1. A resident who spoke at Saturday’s County Board meeting said her complaints to Arlington County staff have not resulted in any action. [InsideNova]

Army Ten-Miler to Close Roads Next Month — A number of roads around Crystal City and Pentagon City will close on Sunday, Oct. 8 for the annual Army Ten-Miler race. [Arlington County]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 19, 2017 at 8:00AM

Arlington Kicking Off Budget Process Early — Normally it is a conversation that starts later in the year, but for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2019 budget process Arlington County is holding “an earlier-than-ever-before series of roundtable discussions on budget priorities and challenges.” The first is scheduled to take place at Westover Library on Friday, Sept. 29. [Arlington County]

More Renovations for Crystal House — The second phase of an extensive renovation process at the massive, historic Crystal House apartment complex in Crystal City is complete: “Some of the amenities include two rooftop ‘sky decks’ with billiard tables, rooftop grilling and dining areas, and a fitness center with a yoga studio. There is also an Olympic-sized swimming pool, new lobbies with Wi-Fi, a clubroom, and a conference room.” [Curbed]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 18, 2017 at 9:00AM | Updated September 18, 2017 at 9:23AM

County Board Approves Construction Contracts — At its meeting Saturday, the Arlington County Board approved a pair of contracts: a $2.5 million contract to build phase two of the Washington Blvd Trail project and a $6.6 million contract to remove an elevated roadway through part of Crystal City. [Arlington County]

Firefighters Save Kittens — “A passerby heard the kittens crying from a compost box and saw one of them with its neck stuck between the posts. The Good Samaritan flagged down a nearby firetruck and the firefighters were able to free the kittens. Animal Control was then called to the scene to help locate all of the kittens and bring them to safety.” [WJLA]

News

Police: Man Seeking Attention Threatened Restaurant Patron With Scissors

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2017 at 11:35AM

File photo

The attack happened just before 5:30 p.m. on the 2200 block of Crystal Drive.

Police say the man was “in search of individuals that would acknowledge him” and “the incident occurred after the victim did not acknowledge the suspect.” The suspect was taken into custody after bystanders intervened, potentially saving the woman from being maimed.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 12, 2017 at 9:00AM

Crystal City Development Plan Filed — Developer JBG Smith has filed a site plan application for what it’s calling “North District” — a multi-block redevelopment in Crystal City that will include a new movie theater, grocery store and Metro station entrance. The residential-heavy development is bounded by Crystal Drive, Route 1, 15th Street and 18th Street S. [Washington Business Journal]

Chamber Backs Staff’s VRE Recommendation — The Arlington Chamber of Commerce says county staff is right to recommend the placement of a revamped Crystal City VRE station closer to Metro. The staff recommendation “best positions Crystal City and greater Arlington County as a regional multi-modal transit hub,” as compared to a placement option preferred by local condo residents who are concerned about train noise. [InsideNova]

News

Planning Commission Sides With Neighbors on Two Crystal City VRE Station Options

By Chris Teale

Published September 8, 2017 at 1:45PM

Crystal City VRE station (Photo via VRE)

The Arlington Planning Commission recommended the County Board vote to further study two options for the new Crystal City Virginia Railway Express station, against the wishes of VRE and county staff.

The Commission voted 6-1-1 to support option Nos. 2 and 3 for the proposed new station at its meeting Thursday night. VRE and county staff wanted an endorsement of option No. 2 only.

News

Arlington County Pursuing Amazon’s New Headquarters

By ARLnow.com

Published September 7, 2017 at 4:45PM | Updated September 7, 2017 at 7:31PM

Amazon is looking to build its “HQ2” in North America, in a metropolitan area with a population over 1 million and room to build up to 8 million square feet of transit-accessible office space in a pedestrian-friendly setting. The new headquarters is expected to come with $5 billion worth of investment and will create up to 50,000 jobs, with an average salary north of $100,000.

Other requirements include being within 30 miles of a population center and no more than 45 minutes away from an international airport.

Events

Crystal City to Hold Meeting on Pedestrian Link to Reagan National Airport

By Chris Teale

Published September 1, 2017 at 10:00AM | Updated September 1, 2017 at 12:28PM

(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) A series of public meetings will be held next week to discuss a possible new pedestrian connection between Crystal City and Reagan National Airport.

The meetings are scheduled to take place Tuesday, September 5 on the 11th floor of 2011 Crystal Drive, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. Both meetings will have the same agenda, with staff from the Crystal City Business Improvement District looking to gather public feedback on the proposed pedestrian link.

Events

Speed Pitch Event For Local Inventors Coming to Arlington Next Month

By Chris Teale

Published August 31, 2017 at 11:15AM

Top Dog Direct will hold a “Speed Pitch” event at TechShop (2100-B Crystal Drive) in Crystal City on Monday, September 18 starting at 9:30 a.m.

The company is known for products like the Sobakawa Cloud Pillow, Stream Clean stain remover, Tag Away skin tag remover, the Futzuki pain relieving reflexology mat.

Around Town

Middle Eastern Restaurant Shawarma Gyros Xpress Open in Crystal City

By Chris Teale

Published August 22, 2017 at 1:45PM

Shawarma Gyros Xpress opened earlier this month in Crystal City

A fast-casual Middle Eastern restaurant replaced a former frozen yogurt store in Crystal City earlier this month.

Shawarma Gyros Xpress opened on August 12 at 2329 S. Eads Street. It replaced Froyo To Go between Kabob Palace and Sahara Cafe and across from a CVS in a shopping plaza close to Jefferson Davis Highway. The owners of Kabob Palace are also behind the new fast-casual eatery.

Deal of the Day: 50% Off SIPtember Events in Crystal City

Published August 22, 2017 at 8:00AM | Updated August 22, 2017 at 9:30AM

In Crystal City, the month of September becomes SIPtember, with a series of events that brings the community together over fine wine, craft beers, and quality entertainment.

With today’s ARLnow Deal of the Day, tickets are 50 percent off for both the Sip & Salsa and Pups & Pilsners events. The first 50 guests at each of the September Fridays at the Fountain will also receive a special Happy Hour Deal.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 21, 2017 at 8:00AM | Updated August 21, 2017 at 10:17AM

Last-Minute Eclipse Glasses in Crystal City — PBS, which is based in Crystal City, will be giving out the remainder of its supply of eclipse glasses at the Crystal City Water Park this morning at 9 a.m. (Update: They’re all gone.) [Twitter]

W-L Grad Studying Eclipse — Arlington native Adriana Mitchell, a 19-year-old University of Arizona student and Washington-Lee High School graduate, will be studying this afternoon’s eclipse as part of “an unprecedented effort to help solve some of the mysteries surrounding our home star.” [University of Arizona]