Author: ARLnow.com

Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. Started by a Pentagon City resident who has spent the past several years working in local TV news, ARLnow.com seeks to distinguish itself with original, enterprising, up-to-the-minute local coverage.

JUST IN: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for portion of Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Updated at 6:35 p.m. — The Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been extended to southern portions of the county.

Earlier: A northern section of Arlington may get brushed by an intense thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for part of Arlington as a storm approaches from the northwest.

More from the National Weather Service:

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
538 PM EDT FRI JUL 14 2023

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING […]

* UNTIL 630 PM EDT.

* AT 538 PM EDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE, MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT…DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, ROCKVILLE, BETHESDA, BOWIE, OLNEY, COLLEGE PARK, GREENBELT, LANGLEY PARK, BELTSVILLE, FORESTVILLE, FALLS CHURCH, LARGO, CORAL HILLS, BLADENSBURG, PIMMIT HILLS, MCLEAN, FEDEX FIELD, FORT TOTTEN, ROSSLYN AND UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.

LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS AND CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURE’S LEADING KILLERS. REMEMBER, IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER, YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM, AND MAY LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS.

Pair of projects to improve pedestrian accessibility in parts of Arlington

By ARLnow.com
Portion of S. Irving Street set for sidewalk improvements (via Google Maps)

The pedestrian experience is set to improve in nearly a dozen spots across the county.

The Arlington County Board this weekend is expected to approve two projects for accessibility improvements, along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and in three residential neighborhoods.

The Metro corridor contract, for up to nearly $1.4 million, is the second phase of an existing effort to bring the streetscape up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The planned improvements include “new sidewalks, curb and gutter, curb extensions, handicap accessible ramps, storm sewer pipes and inlets, paving, pavement markings and signage.”

From a county staff report:

The Rosslyn – Ballston Corridor ADA Improvements Project – Phase 2 sites are located along the Rosslyn – Ballston Corridor. This project reconstructs multiple intersections within the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor where existing sidewalks, curb ramps or street intersections do not comply with standards of the ADA.

The project undertakes redesign and construction in batches with the highest priority problem areas reconstructed to achieve ADA compliance. The project incorporates a “second set” of improvements previously designated under P14D. It spans multiple neighborhoods, including Buckingham, Ballston-Virginia Square, Clarendon, Courthouse, Rosslyn.

The other project is part of another ongoing effort, the county’s Neighborhood Complete Streets (NCS) program.

It would bring improvements to three residential neighborhoods, including curb extensions to resolve several blocks of sidewalk obstructed by decorative streetlights.

From a staff report, the project would:

Construct one block of missing sidewalk on 14th Street North from North McKinley Road to North Ohio Street, in the Highland Park Overlee Knolls neighborhood;

Construct two improved intersections, with updated curb ramps and reduction of pedestrian crossing distances, on 8th Road South in the Arlington Mill neighborhood;

Construct eight curb extensions to relocate existing Carlyle Streetlights currently obstructing the sidewalk and provide an accessible path along three blocks of existing sidewalk on South Irving Street, in the Arlington Heights neighborhood

“The Neighborhood Complete Streets program was approved by the Arlington County Board at its January 2016 meeting,” says the report. “The program was intended as a replacement to and evolution of the prior Neighborhood Traffic Calming (NTC) program, which built approximately 175 projects designed to slow vehicle speed. The NCS program was designed to holistically address inadequacies in the complete streets paradigm, outlined in the Master Transportation Plan.”

“A complete street is one that provides facilities for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and motorists to each move comfortably and safely through the community,” the report notes. “Project requests were to be solicited from community members, prioritized based on objective data, and selected with consultation and oversight from the [Neighborhood Complete Streets Commission], following a public engagement period.”

Photo via Google Maps

Climate protest draws group of elder demonstrators to Rosslyn bank

By ARLnow.com
1/5

A climate change protest temporarily shut down a Rosslyn bank this morning.

The relatively small demonstration drew a handful of older protests and a few of grad-school age to the Wells Fargo at 1500 Wilson Blvd.

The organizers, ThirdAct Virginia, touted it as a protest of elders demanding climate action alongside youth climate activists. It featured rocking chairs outside the bank and a sit-in inside. Just over a dozen people participated, most of them older.

The issue, according to organizers, is Wells Fargo’s role in the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a planned 300-mile natural gas pipeline which would run through parts of Virginia. Construction on the pipeline was again halted by a federal court this week, despite being fast-tracked by Congress in the recent debt limit deal.

More on the protest, below, from a ThirdAct Virginia press release.

Members of ThirdAct Virginia, elders demanding climate action, and youth climate activists shut down an Arlington branch of Wells Fargo, disrupting business by staging a sit-in inside and protesting outside.

The multi-generational group, some sitting in rocking chairs outside the bank, sang songs and chanted, and waved signs and banners, demanding that the bank stop funding new fossil fuel projects including the contested Mountain Valley Pipeline that cuts across the mountains of southern Appalachia in West Virginia and Virginia.

The Friday protest is part of a series of actions across the country against the big four dirty banks (Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, and Citibank) that are the worst offenders, continuing to finance billions of dollars in new fossil fuel projects, despite surging climate disasters. A large public protest with art, music and dance is planned for later in the day outside Wells Fargo headquarters in San Francisco.

The July 14 protests are timed to coincide with the announcement Friday of the bank’s 2023 second quarter earnings results.

(more…)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Sunset in Westover (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Missing Middle Lawsuit Trial Delayed — “Arlington Circuit Court’s schedule to hear arguments in the lawsuit by 10 Arlington homeowners challenging the residential rezoning that took effect July 1 was postponed, from a planned July 11 date to September 19. The reason? A delay by the Virginia Supreme Court in appointing a substitute judge after all four Arlington judges on May 25 asked to be disqualified because they are ‘situated’ in Arlington.” [Falls Church News-Press]

AWLA Kennels Are Full — From the Animal Welfare League of Arlington: “Empty the Shelters starts at AWLA in one week BUT don’t forget – our dog kennels are full so we are honoring these adoption fees starting today! ” [Facebook]

Nearby: Liberty Barbecue Changing — “Liberty Barbecue will reopen its doors next month as The Falls with a refreshed menu, overseen by a new executive chef, and a fully renovated interior. Still located at 370 West Broad Street in Falls Church, the Liberty Restaurant Group’s newest concept will feature mid-Atlantic and Southern cuisine, with more diverse offerings than its predecessor had. Diners can look forward to more poultry, seafood and bar options, though some fan favorites will remain.” [Arlington Magazine]

It’s Friday — A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm later in afternoon and evening. Partly sunny and sultry, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. At night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. [Weather.gov]

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jul 13, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 13, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm later in afternoon and evening. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. At night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Three injured, one seriously, in crash on N. Glebe Road hill

By ARLnow.com
1/2

A portion of N. Glebe Road was closed for more than an hour during the evening rush due to a serious crash.

The crash happened shortly after 5 p.m., on the steep hill between Military Road and Chain Bridge.

“At approximately 5:11 p.m., police were dispatched to the 4500 block of N. Glebe Road for the report of a two-vehicle crash with injuries,” Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “Three patients, all adults, were transported to the hospital — 1 with serious injuries and 2 with non-life-threatening injuries.”

The roadway reopened around 6:30 p.m., after the crash was cleared and crews inspected potential damage to utility lines.

Most and least expensive homes sold in Arlington (June 2023)

By ARLnow.com

Here in Arlington, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive single-family homes sold last month (June 2023).

Most expensive single-family homes sold

  1. 3632 36th Rd N — Rivercrest — $3,750,000 (6 beds | 9 baths | 8,825 sq. ft.)
  2. 650 N Jackson St — Ballston/Virginia Square — $2,986,950 (5 beds | 5.5 baths | 6,231 sq. ft.)
  3. 5622 33rd St N — Rock Spring — $2,650,000 (7 beds | 7.5 baths | 6,739 sq. ft.)
  4. 414 N Monroe St — Ashton Heights — $2,300,000 (5 beds | 5.5 baths | 5,370 sq. ft.)
  5. 1834 N Kirkwood Pl — Lyon Village — $2,250,000 (5 beds | 4.5 baths | 4,904 sq. ft.)

Least expensive single-family homes sold*

  1. 5041 25th St S — Claremont — $560,000 (4 beds | 1 baths | 1,276 sq. ft.)
  2. 2145 S Monroe St — Nauck — $582,000 (4 beds | 2 baths | 1,360 sq. ft.)
  3. 5126 11th Rd S — Columbia Forest — $619,000 (2 beds | 1 baths | 1,056 sq. ft.)

*Minimum home value of $200,000 set to exclude certain land sales, retirement condos, properties with expiring ground leases, etc.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Cheesecake

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Say hello to the wonderful Cheesecake, the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week!

This senior girl is currently in foster with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington and is ready for her forever home.

This is what her foster has to say about her:

Cheesecake is a darling senior lady looking for a sunny space to enjoy her golden years.

Meek and mild, she spends most of her days soaking in the sun with an occasional visit for head rubs and loving pets. She has the cutest little trot when she walks around the house and will lead you to her food bowl when it’s time to eat because she knows it like clockwork. She will always take you up on a treat!

Her perfect day is lots of warm naps followed by regular check-ins for head scratches and back rubs. She’ll reward you with a squeaky meow and loving purr.

Important facts about Cheesecake: while she is a senior cat she regularly demonstrates an ability to run and jump to get into cat trees and bedding perches. Cheesecake doesn’t particularly care to be held, but will sit beside you and is an ever present roommate. She would love a home where she can spend her days relaxing while you read a good book or snuggle on the couch with her.

Is Cheesecake the companion you’ve been looking for? To learn more, read her entire profile and email [email protected] to set up a meet and greet!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with 2-3 paragraphs about your pet and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos.

VDOT seeking public feedback for possible Glebe Road improvements

By ARLnow.com
Glebe Road study area (via VDOT)

Changes might eventually be coming to the busy stretch of Glebe Road between Columbia Pike and I-66 in Ballston.

The Virginia Dept. of Transportation today kicked off the public engagement process for a study of the state-maintained stretch of arterial roadway.

The study, which will take about a year and a half, is part of a VDOT program to “develop comprehensive, innovative transportation solutions to relieve congestion bottlenecks and solve critical traffic and safety challenges throughout the commonwealth.”

A new public survey for the study is open through Thursday, July 27. It notes that Glebe Road is a “major north-south travel corridor for Arlington County, and the segments in the study area are in the County’s High Injury Network.”

Crash with overturned vehicle and multiple injuries on N. Glebe Road in April 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Earlier this year ARLnow reported that an intersection in the study area, S. Glebe Road and 9th Street S., was on tap to get some safety upgrades — potentially to include a traffic signal — in response to community concerns, particularly among cyclists.

VDOT said on its survey page that the study will only result in proposals and will not automatically lead to construction.

“This STARS (Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions) study… will consider and develop potential safety and operational improvements for all users in the study area and develop cost estimates for the preferred alternatives,” the department said.

“The study will not set construction dates for any of the alternatives,” continued VDOT. “The purpose of this study is to develop proposed improvements that localities can pursue for funding, and to consider including in their comprehensive plans.”

The portion of Glebe Road being studied has been the scene of numerous crashes in recent memory, including a crash in the Ballston area that injured multiple people in April 2022.

More, below, from a VDOT press release.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on a STARS (Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions) study assessing potential safety, multimodal and operational improvements for over two miles of Glebe Road (Route 120) between Columbia Pike (Route 244) and I-66. Glebe Road averages about 29,000 vehicles a day within the study limits.

VDOT invites residents and travelers to take an online survey regarding corridor priorities. This feedback will be used to help develop improvement alternatives that will be evaluated and presented during another opportunity for public comment scheduled this fall.

The survey, which has a translation tool for Spanish and many other languages, is available at virginiadot.org/GlebeSTARS through July 27. Comments can also be sent to [email protected] or to Mr. Bobby Mangalath, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.

The study is expected to be completed this winter. It does not set construction dates for any improvements but develops proposed improvements that localities can pursue for funding.

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT Civil Rights at 703-259-1775.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Blue skies to the north reflected in the glass at 4200 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Home Prices Still Rising — “Average sales prices in all three segments of the Arlington real-estate market nudged up in June from a year before, and sales were almost on par with what had been a cooling June-of-2022 market. The overall average sales price of $827,143 didn’t reflect it – because fewer single-family homes were in the overall mix in June.” [Gazette Leader]

Pedestrian Change Near Pentagon City — From Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services: “Tomorrow though mid-October: Columbia Pike east end pedestrian-bike path shifts to west side of S Joyce, from Army Navy Drive to the Pike. Part of Cemetery expansion work. Look for signs.” [Twitter]

Local GOP Touts Candidate Slate — “Proud of our GOP candidates in Arlington. Every Arlington voter will be able to vote for Republicans on your ballot. Juan Carlos Fierro, County Board… David Henshaw, State Senate (District 40)… Sophia Moshasha, State Senate (District 39).” [Twitter, Arlington GOP]

It’s Thursday — Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. South wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. At night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. [Weather.gov]

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jul 12, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 12, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. South wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. At night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.”
– John Barrymore

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

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