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.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Pop-Up Library in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com
1/10

The Crystal City Shops shopping center at 2100 Crystal Drive hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning for one of its newest tenants: an Arlington Public Library branch.

The temporary, pop-up library is located near TechShop, a high-tech workshop that’s popular with startups, students, hobbyists and tinkerers. Dubbed “The Connection,” the compact, one-room library has adopted a tech and tinkerer theme, with free WiFi internet, books about coding, puzzles and games for rent, and gadgets like GoPro cameras and iPads for online magazines.

There will be weekly programs like book clubs, a lecture series, storytelling for children and strategy gaming, according to the library.

“The Connection is a temporary pop-up project designed to integrate the Library into the daily lives of Arlington residents,” the library said in a media advisory. “The pop-up library will serve residents east of Route 1, which runs through Crystal City and poses a physical barrier to access for many people to the nearest community library.”

That nearest library — Aurora Hills, near Pentagon City — is also slated for interior renovations.

Today’s ribbon cutting was scheduled for 10 a.m. and, wasting no time for pomp and circumstance, the ribbon was cut at right 10:01 a.m. Attendees included local residents, representatives from property owner Vornado, Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz, Arlington Public Library director Diane Kresh and other county officials.

The pop-up library is expected to be open at least until next summer, though it could remain open beyond that if it receives additional funding in next year’s budget. It is currently scheduled to be open 38 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday.

Arlington Mulls Regulating Airbnb Rentals

By ARLnow.com

Airbnb logoArlington County is moving toward regulating short-term housing rentals booked through websites like Airbnb and Craigslist.

Airbnb, which has become an alternative to hotels or vacation rentals for many, is growing in popularity, prompting county staff and the County Board to initiate a public process that is expected to lead to regulations on such rentals.

Nearly 1,000 properties in Arlington were listed on Airbnb this month, according to a county press release. The number was closer to 1,600 earlier this summer, said County Manager Mark Schwartz.

While Airbnb is allowing residents to earn extra income by renting out their homes, some say Airbnb renters can make for lousy neighbors. Officials say they’ve heard from both residents concerned about Airbnb and from Airbnb hosts who want the service moved out of legal limbo in Arlington.

“We have several goals for regulating short-term residential rentals,” Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey said in a statement. “We want to protect the character of Arlington’s neighborhoods, ensure public safety for our community, reduce barriers for those who already are or may want to use their homes as short-term rentals in a legal and responsible manner and provide a mechanism for enforcement.”

In October, the Board is expected to pass a Request to Advertise for public hearings on a Zoning Ordinance amendment related to short-term rentals. A final vote on the new regulations could take place as early as December.

One complicating factor: the Virginia General Assembly is considering legislation that would prevent local governments from restricting or collecting hotel taxes on short-term rentals.

“We do not know at this time, what the new legislation will include, and thus the impacts on local government ability to regulate short-term rentals,” County Manager Mark Schwartz told the Board. “We do know that there has been a demand from the community, including short term rental hosts, asking for rules on how to operate legally. By acting prior to the end of December 2016, the County can help inform the state’s ultimate decision.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Smiling backyard deer (Flickr pool photo by Wolfkann)

New Restaurants Coming to Rosslyn — A bunch of new restaurants and a cafe are coming to Rosslyn as part of the under-construction Central Place project. Fast casual eateries Sweetgreen, Nando’s Peri-Peri and The Little Beet are signing deals with developer JBG. A Compass Coffee is also set to open and negotiations are reportedly underway with Cava Grill. [Washington Business Journal]

Sidewalk Cafe for Pike Beer Garden — The Arlington County Board last night approved a use permit that will allow the future beer garden at the corner of Columbia Pike and Walter Reed Drive to operate a 32-seat outdoor cafe. The outdoor seating will “enliven the restaurant space and provide greater activity on this corner” of Columbia Pike, county staff wrote. County Board members expressed enthusiasm for the business, from the owner of nearby Twisted Vines, with Jay Fisette calling it “a fabulous use for this site.” [Arlington County]

Neighborhood Conservation Projects Approved — Last night the County Board approved $4.7 million in funding for six neighborhood conservation projects. The projects include a neighborhood sign for the recently-renamed Arlington Mill neighborhood; street improvement projects in Yorktown, Waverly Hills and Lyon Park; new LED streetlights in Arlington Heights; and a vegetation and sidewalk project in Boulevard Manor. [Arlington County]

Guas Appears on ‘Chopped Junior’ — Chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery in Courthouse was back on national TV last night, starring as a judge on the Food Network show “Chopped Junior.” [Patch]

WERA Anniversary Nears — Arlington’s own community radio station WERA will be celebrating its first anniversary in just over two months. The low-power FM station is “having an impact,” with some ninety producers generating local programming. Fundraising for the station, however, has been sluggish. [InsideNova]

Fmr. Sen. Warner to Endorse Clinton — At an event in Alexandria this morning, five-term former U.S. Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) is expected to endorse the presidential ticket of Hillary Clinton and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.). It will be the first time Warner has endorsed a Democrat for president. [Politico]

Flickr pool photo by Wolfkann

Arlington Under Flash Flood Watch Thursday and Friday

By ARLnow.com

Flooding and rain on 10/15/14

(Updated at 1:10 p.m.) Arlington County and much of the D.C. area could see upwards of 3-6 inches of rain between Wednesday night and Friday morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the area that’s now in effect from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Friday, warning of the potential for streams and creeks to flood.

From NWS:

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT…

* FROM 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING

* A POWERFUL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OVER THE MIDWEST WILL BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN TO OUR AREA TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT.

* WIDESPREAD RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE EXPECTED… WITH LOCALIZED SPOTS POTENTIALLY GETTING UP TO A FOOT OF RAIN. ADDITIONALLY… THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE NORTHERN BLUE RIDGE AND CATOCTIN MOUNTAINS HAVE AN INCREASED RISK FOR GREATER TOTALS.

* HIGH POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS… AS WELL AS URBAN AREAS. ADDITIONALLY THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE HARDEST HIT LOCATIONS TO SEE SEVERE FLOODING AND FLASH FLOODING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

THESE NEXT FEW DAYS WILL BE A DANGEROUS TIME… REQUIRING MORE THAN THE USUAL AWARENESS… PLANNING AND PREPARATIONS.

IF YOU ARE NEAR STREAMS OR DRAINAGE DITCHES… KEEP AN EYE ON THEM AND BE READY TO QUICKLY SEEK HIGHER GROUND. WATER MAY RISE RAPIDLY.

CLEAR OUT STORM DRAINS.

THOSE PRONE TO BASEMENT FLOODING SHOULD PREPARE. COMMUNITIES PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD PREPARE.

CONTINUE TO CHECK IN ON THE FORECAST FOR UPDATES.

WARNINGS WILL BE ISSUED FOR AREAS WHERE FLOODING IS IMMINENT. ENSURE YOU GET WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE THROUGH YOUR MOBILE PHONE AND OR NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION IF A WARNING IS ISSUED FOR WHERE YOU ARE OR IF FLOODING IS OBSERVED.

ENSURE YOUR KIDS DONT PLAY NEAR FLOOD WATERS.

REMEMBER IF YOU COME ACROSS WATER CROSSING A ROAD… TURN AROUND DONT DROWN!

Via Twitter:

County Board Member’s Twitter Account Hacked During Board Meeting

By ARLnow.com
1/2

Arlington County Board member Katie Cristol’s Twitter account was hacked and started tweeting out dozens of spam links during Tuesday afternoon’s Board meeting.

The spam barrage started shortly after the meeting got underway at 3 p.m. As of 5:30 p.m. the tweets had not yet been deleted.

Kristol is perhaps the Board’s most active member on Twitter, often tweeting out community information and brief summaries of Board meetings.

Update at 6:25 p.m. — The hack has been fixed, Cristol tweeted.

Cosi in Courthouse Has Closed

By ARLnow.com
1/6

The Cosi restaurant in Courthouse has closed.

Lunch-goers hoping for a Cosi sandwich or salad found instead a locked door. A sign posted on the door said the restaurant is closed.

“We truly appreciate your patronage and we apologize for any inconvenience,” the sign said.

It was not immediately clear if the closure was permanent or temporary, although the restaurant’s interior appeared to be in the process of being cleared out and a number of items from the restaurant were placed in and around the dumpsters behind the building.

The Cosi is located at 2050 Wilson Blvd, just steps from the Courthouse Metro station.

Update at 5:45 p.m. — A Cosi in Reston Town Center has also closed.

Update at 4:40 on 9/28/16 — The restaurant is permanently closed and its parent company has filed for bankruptcy. “It is never an easy decision to close a restaurant,” Cosi Marketing Coordinator Devin Dourney told ARLnow.com in an email. “The decision to close this restaurant was based on its financial performance and market density. At this time, we do not have any plans to reopen this restaurant.”

Police: Drunk Man Tried Repeatedly to Fight Officers

By ARLnow.com

Police car (file photo)A 23-year-old Arlington man has been accused of trying to fight and bite police officers during a drunken bender over the weekend.

Arlington County Police say they responded to the 1700 block of 15th Street S., in the Pentagon City area, early Sunday morning for a report of a “domestic dispute.” When they arrived on scene, the man — who was involved in the verbal altercation — became combative.

“One of the parties involved took a fighting stance, approaching officers and trying to strike them,” police said in a crime report. “After a brief struggle, the subject was taken into custody. While an officer was placing a seatbelt on the suspect, he attempted to bite the officer. Then while in booking the subject became combative again, causing multiple injuries to an officer.”

David Quinton Green was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a police officer and drunk in public, according to ACPD. He was held without bond.

Photos: Clarendon Apple Store Reopens

By ARLnow.com
1/6

The Clarendon Apple Store (2700 Clarendon Blvd) has reopened after nearly six months of renovations.

The store first opened in 2001, making it one of Apple’s oldest retail locations. With the renovations, the store is now among the locations sporting Apple’s next generation store design.

The updated look isn’t too radical departure from the previous design. MacBooks, iPads and iPhones are still arranged on large tables for customer to try out; purchases are still made with the assistance of iPhone-toting employees rather than at registers.

One thing noticeably absent: any sign of an Apple logo near the entrance.

The Pentagon City mall Apple Store is up next for a redesign. The store closed on Sunday for several months of renovations.

Two New Residential Developments On Tap for Ballston and Virginia Square

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Members of the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association were given an early look at two new developments planned for the community over the next few years.

The first, from Reston-based developer NVR, would redevelop Grace Community Church and its surface parking lot at the intersection of 11th Street and N. Vermont Street in Ballston.

The 40-year-old church, which is used by Grace for meetings but not for Sunday services, would be replaced by a seven-story condo building and a block of four-story townhouses. A series of townhomes and a private driveway is planned for the parking lot.

The developers described the project as “a relatively modest in-fill development” that’s in keeping with the “urban townhouse” neighborhood that surrounds it. The development, like the neighborhood, tapers from the towers of central Ballston to the south to the lower-density townhomes and condos to the north.

Officials from NVR said the plans are preliminary and have not yet been filed with the county.

Also at Monday’s civic association meeting, local developer Eleventh Street Development presented early plans for a new apartment building in Virginia Square.

The proposed six-story, 220-unit rental complex, at the intersection of Kirkwood Road and Washington Blvd, would replace the closed Sport & Health gym, the Slye Electronics building and an automotive business.

Developer Garrett Erdle, who previously helped to develop Penrose Square on Columbia Pike, told residents that the building is at least three years away, following “a structured and lengthy” regulatory process.

Before a site plan process for the building can start, the county and its Long Range Planning Committee is expected to discuss land use planning for the parcel and the area as a whole. The special General Land Use Plan study that the development will first go through is expected to take about a year.

Residents at the meeting expressed concerns about the height of the building, parking along their already-crowded streets and a potential lack of public green space in front of the building. The developer responded that the proposal for the building is in the very early stages and that they will take public feedback into account throughout the process.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Cloudy sunrise behind the Capitol on 9/18/16 (Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf)

Average Lifespan in Arlington — Arlington and Fairfax county residents have a higher average lifespan than residents of D.C., Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, according to newly-released data. The average life expectancy in Arlington and Fairfax is 86, compared to a nationwide average of 78. [Washington Post]

Protesters Arrested Outside Pentagon — A total of 21 demonstrators were arrested during an anti-war protest outside of the Pentagon yesterday. According to Pentagon police, those who were arrested were attempting to block an employee entrance near the Pentagon transit center. [Patch]

African American History Book — Updated at 7 p.m. — Arlington County’s Historic Preservation Program has published a new, 59-page book about the history of African Americans in Arlington. The book includes the history of Calloway Cemetery. Since 1891 the cemetery, along Lee Highway, “has been the burial site for dozens of African Americans, including a slave who fought in the Union Army.” [WJLA]

Wardian’s Berlin Marathon Performance — Arlington resident Michael Wardian, 42, ran the Berlin Marathon over the weekend in 2:28:19. Wardian is currently on pace to run all five 2016 World Marathon Majors faster than anyone in history. [Twitter, Competitor]

Theater: ‘Man of La Mancha’ — The Arlington Players performance of ‘Man of La Mancha’ was “filled with exceptional performances and is quite inspiring,” writes a reviewer. “Don’t miss it.” The one-act performance is two hours with no intermission. [DC Metro Theater Arts, InsideNova]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

Police: Man Fired Gunshots in Air Near Pentagon

By ARLnow.com

Shots fired response in Pentagon City (courtesy photo)A man fired several gunshots in the air a block from a main entrance to the Pentagon reservation, according to an Arlington County Police crime report.

The shots were fired during a fight between two groups outside the Doubletree hotel on Army Navy Drive in Pentagon City.

No one was hurt and so far no arrests have been made, according to police.

From the crime report:

DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM, 160925005, 300 block of S. Army Navy Drive. At approximately 1:00 a.m. on September 25, police were dispatched to the report of shots fired. The investigation revealed a physical confrontation between two groups had ensued and one male subject discharged a firearm several times into the air. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’2″ tall and wearing a black cap, light blue shirt, and blue jeans. There were no injuries reported.

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