noise | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published April 22, 2019 at 8:45AM | Updated April 22, 2019 at 10:08AM

New Census Population Estimate — “Arlington’s estimated population was up 14.4 percent from 2010 to 2018, more than double the increase statewide and nationally, according to new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. The federal government’s recently released guesstimate of Arlington’s population as of July 1, 2018, stood at 237,521, up about 1 percent from a year before.” [InsideNova]

Fraudster’s Arlington Home Sold — “The Arlington home of real estate developer Todd Hitt — who pleaded guilty in February to eight counts of fraud — has found a buyer, according to court documents. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, approved the $1.3 million sale of the 5,500-square-foot house on North Kensington Street.” [Washington Business Journal]

News

Trees Cut Down Along I-395 For Sound Wall Construction

By Airey

Published March 25, 2019 at 3:35PM | Updated March 25, 2019 at 3:54PM

Trees are being cut along I-395 as part of construction for sound walls to reduce traffic noise from expanding HOT lanes.

Crews have been cutting down trees along I-395 to make room for sound-mitigating walls expected to help buffer noise from expanding the highway’s HOV lanes.

Drivers may notice construction crews clear cutting trees and brush along I-395 where large new concrete wall panels are being set up.

Around Town

Cannon Fire Training to Begin This Week at Arlington National Cemetery

By Airey

Published March 5, 2019 at 9:00AM

Arlington residents can expect a special morning wake-up this week as a U.S. Army regiment begins its annual cannon fire training.

News

Local Lawmakers Press for New Federal Study of Helicopter Noise in D.C. Area

By Alex Koma

Published February 1, 2019 at 11:00AM

Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th District) and other D.C.-area lawmakers are pressing for a new study of helicopter noise in the area, a persistent concern for many Arlingtonians living near the county’s copious military installations.

Beyer and four of his Democratic colleagues sent a letter to the head of the Government Accountability Office Monday (Jan. 28) calling for an examination of everything from which helicopters tend to make the most noise to which neighborhoods military aircraft pass over most frequently.

News

Beyer Urges Trump to Strike Immigration Deal With Democrats, End Government Shutdown

By Alex Koma

Published January 8, 2019 at 1:45PM

Rep. Don Beyer (file photo)

As President Trump weighs the extraordinary step of declaring a national emergency to unilaterally build a wall along the southern border, Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th District) is urging Trump to return to the negotiating table and put federal employees back to work.

Like any member of Congress representing the D.C. suburbs, Beyer is no great fan of government shutdowns, which threaten the livelihoods of thousands of constituents in his Arlington and Alexandria-area district. But this latest, 18-day shutdown (now the second longest in the country’s history) is testing Beyer’s patience more than most.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 3, 2019 at 8:35AM | Updated January 3, 2019 at 8:56AM

Chamber Backs Amazon Incentives — “The Arlington Chamber of Commerce has provided its formal stamp of approval, supporting the planned Arlington County government incentive package for Amazon. The package ‘will have positive benefits for the Arlington community as a whole,’ the business organization said.” [InsideNova]

New County Finance Director Appointed — “Maria Meredith has been named Arlington County’s new Director of the Department of Management and Finance (DMF), effective January 14, 2019. She will be responsible for approximately 50 staff involved in the County’s financial operations, including management and budget, accounting, purchasing and real estate assessment.” [Arlington County]

News

Despite Amazon Setting Up Shop Nearby, Officials Say DCA Looks Unlikely to Add More Flights

By Alex Koma

Published December 18, 2018 at 1:45PM | Updated December 18, 2018 at 6:52PM

Morning departure from Reagan National Airport DCA (Flickr pool photo by Wolfkann)

Amazon may be bringing thousands of new workers and a spate of new businesses right to the doorstep of Reagan National Airport, but don’t expect to start hearing too many more planes soaring over Arlington anytime soon.

At least, that’s the word from county leaders, airport officials and the airlines themselves. Despite the tech giant setting up shop right across from the airport in the newly dubbed “National Landing,” all parties involved believe that DCA is a bit too crowded to start welcoming passengers bound for the new headquarters.

Around Town

Expect to Hear Lots of Cannon Fire Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Published November 14, 2018 at 10:45AM | Updated November 14, 2018 at 2:36PM

If it sounds like World War II in Arlington tonight, there’s a good explanation for why.

The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will be firing off massive World War II-era anti-tank guns on Fort Myer ~~between 6-8 p.m.~~, according to the base’s public affairs office. Up to 84 rounds will be fired in order to “obtain audio recordings of the cannon fire.”

News

Despite Complaints, County Allows Westover Beer Garden to Continue Offering Amplified Music

By Alex Koma

Published October 23, 2018 at 10:45AM

Westover Market Beer Garden

The Westover Market and Beer Garden will still be able to offer outdoor amplified music after striking a new deal with county officials, offering a compromise to placate neighbors who remain concerned about the noise emanating from the establishment.

The County Board unanimously agreed to revamped permit requirements for the popular beer garden Saturday (Oct. 20), stipulating that musicians at the restaurant will only be able to play amplified music outside until 9 p.m. on Fridays, one hour short of the current 10 p.m. limit. The Board is also requiring the restaurant to submit a modified “sound management plan” by this coming March.

News

New Battle Brewing Over Noise at the Westover Beer Garden

By Alex Koma

Published October 16, 2018 at 9:45AM

Westover Beer Garden (photo via Facebook)

Arlington officials could soon tell the Westover Beer Garden to turn down the volume, with a new round of bickering over live music at the restaurant set to go before the County Board this weekend.

County staff believe musicians at the Westover Market and Beer Garden, located at 5863 Washington Blvd, have gotten a bit too loud on Friday and Saturday nights in recent weeks. With the restaurant’s live music permit up for review once more, they’re recommending that the Board restrict the beer garden from offering any “amplified music” at its outdoor patio for the foreseeable future.

News

County Funds New Study to Help Solve DCA Aircraft Noise Woes

By Alex Koma

Published June 4, 2018 at 10:50AM | Updated June 4, 2018 at 11:45AM

(Updated at 11:45 a.m) Arlington is teaming up with some of its neighbors to the north to somehow find a solution to the persistent problem of aircraft noise generated by Reagan National Airport.

County Board members Libby Garvey and John Vihstadt announced last Friday (June 1) that Arlington and Montgomery County, Maryland have agreed to both chip in funds for a consultant to study the issue starting this year.