Green Valley | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published December 15, 2021 at 7:30AM | Updated December 15, 2021 at 9:26AM

A decorated tree in the plaza in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Extra DUI Enforcement Starts Today — “The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign… From December 15, 2021 – January 1, 2022, motorists nationwide can expect to see increased messaging about the dangers of driving under the influence, coupled with increased saturation patrols to identify and apprehend impaired drivers.” [ACPD, WJLA]

Historic Board Takes Up New Restaurant — “A proposal to turn the former Green Valley Pharmacy into an eatery will breathe new life into a structure that has been vacant for several years… Members of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) this week will consider a proposal to permit several exterior adjustments to the former Green Valley Pharmacy, which was operated by Leonard “Doc” Muse from 1952 until his death in 2017.” [Sun Gazette]

News

Toddler returns home from hospital after severe collision in Westover

By Jo DeVoe

Published December 8, 2021 at 11:15AM | Updated December 8, 2021 at 5:34PM

The hedge next to the alley on N. Longfellow Street has been cleared (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 5:30 p.m.) The child who was struck by a driver a few weeks ago while riding his scooter in Westover has returned home, police say.

A Cadillac sedan struck the child in the afternoon on Nov. 17 as the driver exited a county-owned alley onto N. Longfellow Street. The boy was reportedly pulled from under the vehicle and was conscious when medics arrived to rush him to a local hospital.

Schools

APS targets two overcrowded schools in latest boundary change proposal

By Jo DeVoe

Published December 1, 2021 at 2:00PM

The Arlington School Board during a recent meeting (via APS)

The Arlington School Board will vote on boundary changes tomorrow (Thursday) targeting two overcapacity schools in South Arlington.

This fall, Superintendent Francisco Durán launched a “limited” fall 2021 boundary process to relieve overcrowding at Abingdon Elementary School, Gunston Middle School and Wakefield High School.

News

NEW: Two severe crashes prompt countywide look at alley safety in Arlington

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 23, 2021 at 3:45PM

The alley at N. Longfellow Street, where a child was struck by a car, before the hedges were trimmed (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Prompted by two critical crashes in two weeks, Arlington County is taking a look at a common thread between them: alleys.

Last week in Westover, a car struck a toddler, who is now recovering from serious injuries, while exiting an alley onto N. Longfellow Street. Neighbors say the alley is frequented by cyclists and pedestrians, including students from nearby schools, but has dangerous blind spots.

News

BREAKING: Motorcyclist killed in school bus crash in front of Drew Elementary

By ARLnow.com

Published November 10, 2021 at 3:00PM | Updated November 11, 2021 at 3:35PM

Fatal crash involving a school bus and a motorcyclist in front of Drew Elementary (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) Arlington police and firefighters are on scene of a fatal crash involving a motorcyclist and a school bus with children on board.

The crash happened around 2:45 p.m. on S. Kenmore Street in front of Drew Elementary, in the Green Valley neighborhood.

News

Green Valley residents express concerns about updated arts plan

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 9, 2021 at 3:55PM | Updated November 9, 2021 at 4:14PM

(Updated at 4:10 p.m.) A public art plan slated for consideration this weekend has angered some Green Valley residents, who say it essentially erases a portion of the historically Black community.

After multiple years of community engagement and study, county arts staff have drafted an update to the Arlington’s Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) — first adopted in 2004 — to reflect changing county values, such as equity and sustainability, and more modern public art practices. The updated strategy for bringing art into public spaces is slated for a County Board vote this Saturday.

News

Construction underway on Coptic Orthodox church in Green Valley

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 3, 2021 at 2:00PM

Construction is underway for St. Timothy and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in Green Valley (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Construction is advancing on a permanent home for Saint Timothy and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in Green Valley.

The Arlington-based church — which goes by the abbreviated STSA Church — currently rents space at George Mason University’s Virginia Square campus at 3351 Fairfax Drive.

News

New literacy program at Drew Elementary is helping kids read by teaching science

By Matt Blitz

Published October 28, 2021 at 2:00PM | Updated October 28, 2021 at 2:47PM

Students at the inaugural session of the Dyslexic Edge Academy at Drew Elementary School (Photo courtesy of Krista Gauthier)

(Updated, 2:50 p.m.) A new, free literacy program has come to Drew Elementary School thanks to the local non-profit Sliding Doors, Virginia Tech, and the local NAACP branch.

The Dyslexic Edge Academy launched this week with 11 first graders at Drew Elementary in Green Valley. The goal is to help those students who struggle with reading by focusing on their strengths.

News

County to Ask Public What Arts Programming Should Replace Inner Ear Studios

By Jo DeVoe

Published October 13, 2021 at 9:20AM

A look inside Inner Ear Studios in Green Valley (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Once the epicenter of D.C.’s punk scene, Inner Ear Recording Studios it is set to be razed by Arlington County to make way for an outdoor entertainment space.

The new open space, comprised of two parcels of land — 2700 S. Nelson Street and 2701 S. Oakland Street — would be part of the county’s efforts to implement an arts and industry district in Green Valley.

News

County Hoping to Wrap Up Green Valley ‘Town Square’ Project By End of Year

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2021 at 11:30AM

Construction at John Robinson, Jr. Town Square in Green Valley in October (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

It’s behind schedule, but John Robinson, Jr. Town Square in Green Valley should open by the time the calendar turns to 2022.

Formerly known as Nauck Town Square before it was renamed last year after a long-time Green Valley civic leader, the new public park is intended to be a central hub of activity in the neighborhood. It will feature an outdoor stage, a plaza, tables and other seating areas, at a construction cost of around $5 million.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 4, 2021 at 7:30AM

Inner Ear Records Its Last Track — “For the neighbors who first pushed for an arts district, it’s a cruel consequence of their idea — particularly because they wanted to complement, not end, Zientara’s longtime presence on South Oakland Street… ‘Losing a small, yet significant, arts-related business is antithetical to this vision,’ Robin Stombler, acting president of the Green Valley Civic Association, wrote in a letter about Inner Ear to county lawmakers earlier this year.” [Washington Post]

ACFD Rescues Worker in Ballston — “Our Technical Rescue Team responded for an injured individual located several stories below street level. Utilizing a crane on-site for access, the team packaged the individual into a stokes basket to bring topside to an ambulance for transport to an area hospital.” [Twitter]

News

More Gunfire Reported Near Drew Elementary

By ARLnow.com

Published September 30, 2021 at 1:20PM

Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

Arlington police are investigating more gunfire on the same block near Drew Elementary as another shots fired incident this past weekend.

The shots were fired around 12:30 a.m. this morning, on the 3200 block of 24th Street S., police say. Officers responded to the area and found evidence of gunfire but no one who was shot.