development | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published February 3, 2020 at 7:00AM | Updated February 3, 2020 at 9:57AM

Cristol Reacts to Lawmaker’s Arlington Suggestion — After another Republican state Senator suggested, jokingly, that Arlington and Alexandria go back to being part of D.C., Arlington’s state lawmakers and County Board member Katie Cristol were not amused. Cristol tweeted: “Hmmm, is it possible their grievance is that my diverse, progressive constituents are EXACTLY what it means to be a ‘Real Virginian’ in 2020?” [Twitter, Blue Virginia]

More on Planned Pentagon City Study — “County staff have been overwhelmed by a flood of new development applications in the area since Amazon announced its intentions to set up its second headquarters. And the sizes of some of those projects have been so large that staff have begun urging developers to be patient and wait for a revision of the area’s planning documents before pursuing them.” [Washington Business Journal]

Around Town

Ballston Harris Teeter Reduces Hours Ahead of Redevelopment

By ARLnow.com

Published January 31, 2020 at 9:30AM

Sign announcing reduced hours at the Ballston Harris Teeter store (staff photo by Catherine Douglas Moran)

(Updated at 9:40 a.m.) The Ballston Harris Teeter store is set for redevelopment, but in the meantime it remains open and is reducing its hours.

Signs posted around the store say that starting Wednesday, Feb. 26 it will go from being open 24 hours a day to being open from 6 a.m. to midnight.

News

VIDA Fitness Eyes March Opening in Ballston, 2021 Opening in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published January 30, 2020 at 3:50PM

VIDA Fitness space under construction at 4040 Wilson Blvd

High-end D.C.-based fitness chain VIDA Fitness says its expansion into Arlington is just a couple of months away from coming to fruition.

VIDA announced today that it expects its new 29,000 square foot health club in Ballston to open in “mid to late March”

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 28, 2020 at 7:30AM

Lane Closures Near Ballston — Sewer relining work is closing the right-hand lane of portions of Fairfax Drive and Wilson Blvd in the Bluemont neighborhood, near Ballston. [Twitter]

Arlington’s Young Population Drives Trends — “One of the reasons Virginia’s Arlington County is consistently rated highest for health and fitness is because of its young demographic. Take Ballston, for example, where 47.7% of the adult population is between 25 and 44 years old.” [WTOP]

News

Rosslyn Marriott Redevelopment Still Moving Forward, but Some Want More From the Project

By Vernon Miles

Published January 23, 2020 at 9:10AM | Updated March 25, 2020 at 10:47AM

Rendering of the formerly proposed buildings for the Key Bridge Marriott site (via Arlington County)

A plan to redevelop the Key Bridge Marriott is moving forward, but some Arlington officials have lingering concerns about parking and impervious space at the site.

At a Transportation Commission meeting earlier this month, project representatives laid out plans to demolish a portion of the existing 582-room hotel and redevelop the 1401 Lee Highway site with three residential buildings and a smaller, renovated hotel space.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 23, 2020 at 7:30AM

Pentagon City Redevelopment on Pause — “Brookfield Properties has suspended plans to launch a major redevelopment of the Transportation Security Administration’s headquarters in Pentagon City once the federal agency moves to its new home in Springfield in mid- to late 2020… it’s a reflection of the new reality that Amazon’s HQ2 has created in the neighborhood.” [Washington Business Journal]

Vote on Add’l Speeding Fine This Weekend — “Currently, a ticket for going 10 mph over the speed limit in a residential zone is about $80. The additional fine would bring that ticket to $280. ‘People drive like maniacs around here. It’s about time they got some punishment,’ Arlington resident Jack Feegel said.” [NBC 4]

News

Arlington’s State Senators Make Gun Control Push

By Vernon Miles

Published January 22, 2020 at 3:55PM

Virginia Capitol in Richmond (staff photo)

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) With a new Democratic majority, Arlington’s state Senators have doubled down on earlier efforts to pass gun control reform and make progress on other issues — like marijuana decriminalization — that made limited progress under a Republican majority.

Some of these proposals have already faced substantial pushback, particularly from a crowded gun rights rally on Monday that drew national headlines. Democrats notched a gun control victory today, however, with the state Senate narrowly passing a “red flag” gun law that allows guns to be taken away by those judged as dangerous to themselves or others.

News

New Townhomes Coming to Buckingham

By ARLnow.com

Published January 16, 2020 at 1:30PM | Updated October 17, 2022 at 11:27AM

Trenton Square at Ballston rendering (image courtesy Resmark Companies)

(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) Construction on a row of new townhomes is expected to start this spring in the Buckingham neighborhood.

Los Angeles-based Resmark Companies and Tysons-based Madison Homes is developing “an upscale enclave of 19 single-family townhomes” at 19 N. Trenton Street, a half block from Route 50.

News

Countdown to Construction: Equipment Being Staged at Amazon HQ2 Site

By ARLnow.com

Published January 16, 2020 at 11:00AM

Construction equipment at the Pentagon City Amazon HQ2 site prior to demolition (photo courtesy anonymous)

Demolition on the Amazon HQ2 site in Pentagon City is expected to begin soon.

The 2.1 million square foot office-and-retail development along S. Eads Street, the first phase of Amazon’s permanent second headquarters in Arlington, was approved by the County Board in December.

Around Town

New Apartment Building Now Open Near Courthouse

By Vernon Miles

Published January 15, 2020 at 3:35PM

Gables Pointe 14 in Courthouse (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Just over two years after construction started, a new residential development near Courthouse has opened and is welcoming new residents.

Staff at the Gables Pointe 14 apartment complex at 1351 N. Rolfe Street said there are 370 units spread out across two towers, with one and two-bedroom options available. Sizes range from a small one-bedroom at $1,873 per month to a two-bedroom and a den apartment for $5,516 per month.

Events

Arlington County Ready to Hit the Gas on Lee Highway Transformation Plan

By Vernon Miles

Published January 15, 2020 at 10:20AM

A rendering of possible new development at Glebe Road and Lee Highway (via Arlington County)

After years of study and community conversations, Arlington County is just about ready for its plans to reshape Lee Highway to step into the spotlight.

The plan, generally, involves gradually — through zoning and other policy changes — transforming the car-oriented strips of businesses along Lee Highway into clusters of mixed-use development. It’s a goal of increasing importance as Amazon moves in and puts a strain on the county’s supply of available homes.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 10, 2020 at 7:30AM | Updated January 10, 2020 at 9:04AM

Changes to Stalled Ballston Development — “An Arlington homebuilder is reviving plans to redevelop a church in Ballston with a new proposal for a mix of townhomes and condos on the site… The site is currently home to the Portico Church, but the developer [BCN Homes] could someday replace it with 10 townhomes and 98 condo units.” [Washington Business Journal]

Beloved Former County Official Dies — “Ann Bisson, a long-time resident and former Deputy Commissioner of the Revenue for Arlington County, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2020… In addition to her work in the Commissioner’s office, Ann was very active in the community.” [Dignity Memorial]