George Mason University | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published May 6, 2021 at 7:30AM

GMU Computing School Clears Hurdle — “George Mason University’s new School of Computing, the first of its kind in the commonwealth, has received the all-important thumbs up from Virginia education regulators… The computing school, as well as the new Institute for Digital Innovation, will eventually have a physical home in Arlington, in a 360,500-square-foot building on Mason’s Virginia Square campus.” [Washington Business Journal]

Marymount Women’s Golf in NCAA Tourney — “After winning the Centennial Conference and Atlantic East Conference championships earlier this season, the Marymount University women’s golf is officially headed to the NCAA Division III Championships after yesterday evening’s selection show. The championships are scheduled to take place May 11-14.” [Marymount University]

Events

Arlington Agenda: May 3-9

By Vernon Miles

Published May 3, 2021 at 3:35PM

Patterns at Gallery Underground (photo via Gallery Underground)

Our Arlington Agenda post is back for the first time since the pandemic started.

As a reminder: Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County. If you’d like your event considered, fill out the event submission form to submit it to our event calendar.

You’re Invited: Master’s and Certificate Virtual Open House

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Published March 24, 2021 at 4:45PM

Thinking about taking the next step in your career? The Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University offers flexible part-time or full-time options for graduate certificate and master’s degree programs designed to teach applicable, real-world knowledge for in-demand careers.

Join our upcoming Master’s and Certificate Virtual Open House for prospective students on April 7. The online session will provide an overview of the Schar School’s top-ranked master’s degree programs and graduate certificate programs, student services, and admissions requirements.

News

Demolition of Mid-Century Building Underway To Make Way for GMU’s Arlington Expansion

By Matt Blitz

Published March 11, 2021 at 11:30AM | Updated March 11, 2021 at 5:13PM

Demolition starting at the site of the GMU campus expansion in Virginia Square (photo courtesy Chris Myers)

(Update 5:15 p.m.) Demolition has begun on the exterior of the old Kann’s Department Store to make way for George Mason University’s Arlington campus expansion.

A University spokesperson confirmed to ARLnow that demolition of the interior began in November and the exterior demolition began this week. It’s expected to be completed in the fall.

Schools

W-L Senior Advances to Final Round of National Science Competition

By Jo DeVoe

Published March 5, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated March 5, 2021 at 5:44PM

(Updated 5:45 p.m.) Washington-Liberty High School senior James Licato is trying to clean up micropollutants in the Potomac River, and he came up with a solution that vaulted him to the finals of a major science competition.

Licato is one of 40 finalists in the Society for Science’s Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021, the nation’s oldest science and math competition for high school seniors. He developed a sandy substance, using zeolites, that acts as a microscopic net, catching the micropollutants that wastewater treatment facilities miss.

Fund Your Security-Related Degree With Scholarships From Diana Davis Spencer Foundation

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Published March 1, 2021 at 1:15PM

If you are considering pursuing a graduate degree in an in-demand security field, now is the perfect time. The Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University has been awarded a $450,000 gift from the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation for the school’s highly ranked security studies programs.

The gift, intended to develop and prepare future national security leaders, will be available in scholarships for eligible students studying one of the Schar School’s four master’s programs this fall 2021:

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 26, 2021 at 7:30AM

Looking through the bus tunnel between N. Moore Street and Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Early Morning Fracas in Va. Square — “At approximately 1:09 a.m. on February 24, police were dispatched to the report of a fight in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined that the suspect entered a business and allegedly began selecting merchandise. The victim refused the suspect service citing restrictions on the sales of alcohol during the overnight hours. The suspect and victim became engaged in a verbal dispute that escalated to a physical altercation, during which the victim was able to recover the merchandise. The suspect re-entered the business… at which point a witness intervened.” [ACPD]

Developers Selected for GMU Expansion — “George Mason University has picked a team of developers to manage the construction of the Amazon-induced expansion of its Arlington campus… The university hopes to finalize a development agreement with Edgemoor and Harrison Street by December and start construction by spring 2022. It plans to open the building by summer 2025. The Arlington campus, is located on Fairfax Drive just west of Clarendon.” [Washington Business Journal]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2021 at 8:00AM

GMU Forms Coalition for Arlington Expansion — “George Mason University has gathered a powerhouse coalition of business executives and public sector leaders to help guide its tech-centric Arlington campus. The President’s Innovation Advisory Council, GMU announced Monday, will be chaired by Aneesh Chopra, president of CareJourney and the nation’s chief technology officer during the Obama administration.” [Washington Business Journal]

Arlington Real Estate Prices Rise — “Year-over-year median per-square-foot prices were up in eight of nine major jurisdictions across the inner D.C. region, according to new figures… The District of Columbia led all comers, with its per-square-foot sales price standing at $521, up 16 percent from $449 in January 2020. Arlington ($465, up 16.5 percent from $399) and Alexandria ($360, up 4.1 percent from $346) ranked second and third.” [InsideNova]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 12, 2021 at 7:30AM

Planning Process for Pentagon City Underway — “Amazon.com Inc.’s vision for Pentagon City is decidedly futuristic, anchored by a helix-shaped building that looks straight out of a sci-fi novel. Arlington County’s existing plans that guide the neighborhood’s growth, meanwhile, date back to the days of disco… The open question is how much more development the tech giant will inspire.” [Washington Business Journal]

SUV Overturns on GW Parkway — From WTOP yesterday morning: “NB George Washington Pkwy before the Key Bridge, crash involves one on its side with the left lane only squeezing by.” [Twitter]

News

Rents Have Dropped By Nearly 15% in Arlington Since March

By Matt Blitz

Published January 20, 2021 at 2:30PM

A recent national report has revealed that rents in Arlington have dropped by 14.8% since last March, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by ApartmentList.com.

Arlington has had the seventh-largest decrease compared to other (much larger) markets, like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. D.C. had the fifth-largest decrease.

News

Site Work Underway for GMU Expansion Project in Virginia Square

By ARLnow.com

Published November 17, 2020 at 3:45PM | Updated November 17, 2020 at 4:19PM

Fencing around the former Kann's Department Store building to be torn down on the GMU Arlington campus

(Updated at 4:20 p.m.) Initial preparations are underway for a major transformation of the George Mason University campus in Virginia Square.

Fencing is currently going up around the former Kann’s Department Store on the GMU Arlington campus, next to the FDIC office complex, in preparation for demolition. The aging, mid-century brick building, at 3401 Fairfax Drive, is set to be torn down starting in early 2021.