Virginia Square | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published December 11, 2020 at 7:30AM | Updated December 11, 2020 at 10:02AM

State Dept. Staying in Rosslyn — “The Department of State will be staying put in an aging Rosslyn office building for another two decades after the General Services Administration ruled out options elsewhere in Northern Virginia for the agency’s space needs. The General Services Administration intends to seek a succeeding lease of 20 years with the owner of 1800 N. Kent St.” [Washington Business Journal]

Va. Square Development Underway — “Mill Creek Residential has begun construction of Modera Kirkwood, a 270-unit apartment community in Arlington, Va., in the heart of the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor… at 3415 Washington Boulevard.” [Commercial Observer, Multi-Housing News]

News

More Restaurants Near Metro Stations Could Get Outdoor Cafés

By Jo DeVoe

Published December 10, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated December 10, 2020 at 3:42PM

Guests will be able to sit on the patio soon.

County staff want to amend zoning ordinances to let some restaurants more easily establish outdoor cafés near the Ballston, Virginia Square and Courthouse Metro stations.

Arlington County has allowed outdoor cafés in most commercial and mixed-use districts since 1978, with the exception of a few zoned districts. The County Board is slated to review an amendment allowing cafés in one such zoning district — the “R-C” district — this weekend.

Around Town

YogaWorks Closes in Arlington, Offers Online Alternative

By James Cullum

Published November 23, 2020 at 2:45PM

YogaWorks in Arlington has permanently closed due to the pandemic, but the company is still offering online classes and workshops.

The Los Angeles-based yoga company expanded in 2017, and took over the studio at 3528 Wilson Blvd from local company Tranquil Space. YogaWorks filed for bankruptcy last month, and announced it would close all of its studios around the country.

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.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 9, 2020 at 7:30AM | Updated September 5, 2023 at 10:39PM

Study: Arlington Has Safest Drivers in Va. — The insurance website Insurify says Arlington has the safest drivers in Virginia. Drivers in the county “demonstrate exceptional dedication to their own safety and to the safety of others around them,” the website says. [Insurify]

Local Toll Lanes May Be Sold — “Transurban is selling off stakes in its US toll roads because it wants to strengthen its balance sheet… Transurban owns the 95 Express Lanes, 495 Express Lanes and 395 Express Lanes toll roads near the US capital, but traffic on the motorways has been hard hit by the pandemic… The Virginia assets have the longest concession periods of Transurban’s assets with asset lives out to 2087.” [Australian Financial Review]

News

Renderings Released for New Public Plaza in Virginia Square

By Scott Fields

Published September 22, 2020 at 2:00PM | Updated September 22, 2020 at 2:20PM

Concept A of 3901 N. Fairfax Drive plaza (photo via Arlington County)

(Updated at 2:20 p.m.) After years of stalled plans, concepts for a new public plaza and office building in Virginia Square are taking shape.

Arlington County and developer Skanska released two new concept designs for the plaza as part of a community engagement process for the planned development, located near Arlington Central Library. The county is seeking feedback on the designs, which have changed since the development was first approved in 2012.

News

Wanted Man Arrested in Va. Square After Foot Chase

By ARLnow.com

Published September 9, 2020 at 1:00PM

An 18-year-old Arlington man was arrested Tuesday morning after a brief foot chase through Virginia Square.

Police say they were initially called after a man allegedly spit on an employee inside a business on the 3500 block of Wilson Blvd. That block includes a 7-Eleven store, but the Arlington County Police Department typically does not name the business in which a crime occurs.

News

Police Investigating Robbery by Knife-Wielding Suspects in Virginia Square

By ARLnow.com

Published August 27, 2020 at 10:45AM

File photo

Arlington County Police are investigating an armed robbery in the Virginia Square area last night.

The incident happened last night at 9:30 p.m., at or near the 7-Eleven store at 3510 Wilson Blvd. Police say two suspects, including one armed with a knife, slashed a bag the victim was holding and stole items from inside, including cash.

News

Another Church Sign Vandalized, This Time in Virginia Square

By ARLnow.com

Published August 11, 2020 at 11:45AM

The latest sign defacement happened outside of St. George’s Episcopal Church, at 915 N. Oakland Street in Virginia Square. Someone spray painted over a sign with a Bible verse and the words “Black Lives Matter.”

Arlington County Police say it happened around lunchtime Monay.

News

Arlington Has Quietly Used Two Local Hotels for Coronavirus Quarantines

By ARLnow.com

Published August 11, 2020 at 11:00AM | Updated August 11, 2020 at 11:20AM

Arlington County has been working with a pair of local hotels in an effort to keep vulnerable populations safe during the pandemic.

Arlington’s Dept. of Human Services is currently renting out the Highlander Motel (3336 Wilson Blvd) in Virginia Square, and previously rented the Days Inn along Columbia Pike, to serve as a quarantine location for people with the virus or at high risk of complications.

News

Police Searching for Man Who Chased Woman Down the Street in Virginia Square

By ARLnow.com

Published August 10, 2020 at 2:00PM

Police cars (file photo)

A man allegedly chased a woman down the street and slapped her backside Saturday afternoon in Virginia Square.

The incident happened around 4 p.m., near the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Pollard Street. The man fled the scene and is now being sought on potential charges of sexual battery.

News

Arlington, Neighborhoods Top Lists of Best Places in U.S.

By ARLnow.com

Published July 29, 2020 at 9:45AM

Arlington is the No. 1 best city to live in the U.S., according to 2020 rankings from Niche.com, and two Arlington neighborhoods are No. 2 and No. 3 on the website’s new list of the Best Places to Live in America.

Arlington, which is technically a county, has topped the Niche “Best Cities to Live” list since 2016.