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.
A rendering of planned development at 2000 Clarendon Blvd (file photo)
Current Bush Construction building (photo via Google Maps)
A new residential tower is planned for the current site of a low-rise office building in Courthouse.
The Bush Construction building at 2000 Clarendon Blvd is slated to be redeveloped as a residential tower, with 14 floors of apartments or condos, a rooftop terrace, ground floor retail and five levels of underground parking and storage.
The developer is scheduled to present its plan to residents of the next-door Odyssey condominium building tonight at 7:30 p.m. So far no formal plans have been filed with Arlington County, according to a Dept. of Community Planning, Housing and Development spokeswoman. There’s also no word yet on when the project is expected to start.
A presentation emailed to Odyssey residents shows a tan-colored tower with outdoor patios for certain units, a rooftop terrace with an indoor lounge, and a second-floor outdoor pool and patio area.
An argument between two men about the value of a college education ended with one of the men being slashed across the face.
The malicious wounding incident happened Friday night around 8:30 at the Gunston Middle School soccer fields. Police say two men were having a verbal argument when one of them brandished a pocket knife and cut the victim across the face, from the corner of the mouth to the ear.
The slash caused “a fairly large laceration,” according to police, and resulted in significant bleeding due to a cut minor artery. The victim was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where he received 60 stitches.
The suspect fled the scene and the investigation “is ongoing.” The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, about 6’3″ and 220 lbs. At the time of the incident was wearing a pink Nike polo shirt and blue jeans, police say.
The argument started when the men began debating the “worth and importance of a college education,” police say. The suspect became angry during the argument, at which point he pulled out the pocket knife. A crime report did not specify whether the suspect was arguing for or against the value of higher education.
Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County. If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form.
Career Seminar*
Link Locale (3140 Washington Blvd)
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
If you haven’t refreshed your resume in a while, come hear about the newest trends. You’ll learn you how to position your resume to make a career change, what style of resume you need and what types of language and bullets get noticed.
NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore will discuss space and 3-D printing technology. While aboard the International Space Station earlier this year, Wilmore became the first astronaut to 3-D print something in space.
Join Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the 38th Chief of Staff of the Army, for a special Twilight Tattoo program that will recognize former Army Chiefs of Staff and their outstanding service in support of the United States Army.
Free Australian football program for boys and girls aged 5 to 15. The program teaches the rules and skills of the great game of Australian football through fun and safe games and activities.
Uncle Sam and the nation’s most patriotic crawlers gather to celebrate Independence Day in Clarendon. Rock your red, white, and blue and get ready for a day full of Star Spangled shenanigans and festivities with thousands of your closest friends.
Sunday
Pops for Pets
Lubber Run Amphitheater (200 N. Columbus Street)
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
The Arlington Philharmonic will host the second annual Pops for Pets free concert to celebrate the mission of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. Guests are invited to bring their picnic baskets, family, friends and dogs.
First Week of Summer — This is the first full week of summer and the first full week of summer break for Arlington public school students. High schools, middle schools and elementary schools let out for the summer on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week, respectively. School will begin again on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day. [Arlington Public Schools]
Bus Enforcement Begins on Memorial Bridge — Police will reportedly begin enforcing the 10-ton load limit on the corroding Memorial Bridge today, effectively banning “most buses.” [Patch]
Realtors: Presidential Election Will Have Little Impact — The upcoming 2016 presidential election won’t have much of an impact on the real estate market, most local realtors interviewed by the Sun Gazette said. According to one: “It affects the market some because we have turnover, but nobody leaves Washington. Those who leave office become lobbyists and buy bigger houses. If there is a change in parties, those coming to town rent.” [InsideNova]
Arlington to Reach Out to the ‘Casual’ Cyclist — Arlington County is working with a Vancouver-based communication firm on a video documentary project that will reach out to and encourage casual cycling as a means of transportation. The idea seems to be to deemphasize the Lycra-clad image of “Capital ‘C'” cycling in favor of more casual, fashionable and lower-speed cycling. However, in the comments of the linked article on the county’s Mobility Lab blog, some “lifestyle” cyclists don’t seem to like the idea of dividing cyclists into two different groups. [Mobility Lab]
There are all sorts of dads, but one enduring vision of fatherhood is of being a Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor type. If you don’t have a home that you can improve, perhaps Father’s Day weekend is the perfect time to look for one.
4500 Four Mile Run Drive
2 BD / 2 BA Condominium
Agent: Afarin Kovach, Fairfax Realty Of Tysons
Listed: $320,000
Open: Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
3072 S. Abingdon Street
2 BD / 2 BA Townhouse
Agent: Stephen Toop, United Brokers Va Ltd.
Listed: $464,900
Open: Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
1417 S. Buchanan Street
4 BD / 2 BA Single Family Detached
Agent: Keri Shull, Optime Realty
Listed: $519,900
Open: Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
2074 N. Oakland Street
4 BD / 3 Full, 1 Half BA Townhouse
Agent: Michael Burns, Re/max Allegiance
Listed: $859,000
Open: Sunday from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
3024 N. Quincy Street
4 BD / 3 BA Single Family Detached
Agent: Ruth Boyer O’Dea, American Realty Group
Listed: $949,000
Open: Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
5011 14th Street N.
4 BD / 3 BA Single Family Detached
Agent: Keri Shull, Optime Realty
Listed: $999,900
Open: Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Police investigate a minor accident involving a food truck
Food truck passengers crowding the entrance in front of Boston Market
Food trucks in Courthouse, including one that backed into a car at low speed
A minor parking mishap attracted a crowd of restaurant owners in Courthouse yesterday.
Just before lunchtime, the “KBBQ Taco Box 2” food truck accidentally struck the front bumper of a parked car on the 2000 block of Wilson Blvd, as the truck was trying to squeeze into a tight parallel parking space. There was no damage evident — but police were called and a citation issued, as a small crowd of restaurant owners and mangers gathered.
As it turns out, the car belonged to a delivery driver for the Afghan Kabob House across the street, and this was the latest skirmish in an ongoing battle between brick-and-mortar restaurants and food trucks in Courthouse.
The war started last month with the emergence of an unlikely leader on the restaurant side. Bar Concepts, a restaurant consulting company, had been brought in to operate the back bar area of the recently reopened Summers Restaurant. Though Summers is not exactly known as a haven for Courthouse office dwellers seeking a quick grab-and-go bite to eat, Alan Beal, COO of Bar Concepts, zeroed in on food trucks — at least those that parked along Wilson and Clarendon Blvds — as the enemy of local restaurants.
Beal swiftly organized a coalition of about a dozen Courthouse area restaurants who say that the trucks “are running amok” and having “a serious impact on these brick and mortar restaurants” by parking directly in front of their establishments. The collective effort was on display Thursday as owners took turns complaining about parking enforcement to police.
Food trucks, they said, were reserving precious street parking spots in front of restaurants by having workers park cars on the street as early as 6:00 a.m. Some weren’t even feeding the meter, they said.
There’s nothing illegal about reserving street parking spaces in such a manner, the cops said, though they did encourage the owners to call when they did spot a violation like an expired meter. There is also a two hour limit on parking, which is enforced, but there’s a loophole: trucks can simply pull into into another open space after two hours, provided it’s at least 25 feet away from their existing parking space.
With little recourse other than calling in the meter maids, the owners seemed to agree to double down on an unofficial group tactic: encouraging employees to park on the street, thus taking away available parking spaces from the trucks. One owner could be heard telling several employees to be sure to park on the street during their shifts. Another ran across the busy four-lane road when a spot opened up, driving his Mercedes from a small private lot behind his restaurant, making a U-turn and pulling into the open spot, thus boxing out the food truck hoard.
Beal — who was in D.C. during the fender bender fracas — insists that he doesn’t oppose food trucks, only their parking choices. He said trucks park directly in front of businesses, billowing smoke, creating crowds that block the sidewalk and taking away customers. He has been documenting the woes on a YouTube channel.
“No one opposes food trucks, they’re good for consumers and good for the economy,” he said via phone. “The problem is where they’re parked.”
Purposely blocking parking spots, for hours on end, only hurts restaurants by keeping the spots from potential customers, according to Beal. “It is kind of unethical,” he said of food trucks, or anyone else for that matter, reserving street parking spots for commercial gain.
Beal said he has been having constructive conversations with the county about solutions that could work for both restaurants and food trucks. That potential solution — which had until then not been revealed to the media — is creating and enforcing specific areas for food trucks to park in a given area.
Cara O’Donnell, spokeswoman for Arlington Economic Development, said the county is hoping to implement a “street vending zone” pilot program in Rosslyn within a few weeks.
The following op-ed article is written by Kate Roche, president & CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
Arlington currently faces trying economic conditions. Approximately 50 percent of the County’s tax base comes from business. Thus, these challenges affect Arlington as a whole and matter not just to businesses, but to all County residents.
The current office vacancy rate is 21.7%, over ten percent higher than the 15-year historical average. A ten percent improvement in occupancy rates (4.4 million sq. ft.) would represent $34 million annually in local tax revenues. No matter what issues are important to you as a citizen – great schools, social services, parks, art – a healthy business community is utterly essential to sustainably fund those initiatives.
As a community, we can’t keep operating the way we have been and expect to attract businesses. We have grown complacent that our strengths, our location, amazing workforce, and early adoption of transit-oriented development would entice companies to Arlington.
This may have been sufficient in the past, but Arlington faces rapidly growing competitiveness in the region as other localities copy our successful blueprint. To some degree we are a victim of our prior success, in the form of higher property costs and rental rates. Pressure on commercial real estate is accelerated by the dramatic shift in the way companies utilize space to maximize employees per square foot.
So what can Arlington do?
We can be proactive in attracting business and fostering a more welcoming culture for business:
We are encouraged by the recent high-level appointments made by County Manager Barbara Donnellan, including Carol Mitten, Steven Cover, Victor Hoskins, and Shannon Flanagan-Watson. Arlington needs to ensure that the enthusiasm and willingness to work with businesses to find solutions at the highest levels percolates throughout the County staff.
The recent funding of Arlington Economic Development by the County Board above what the County Manager specified in her base budget is another good sign. However, Arlington still remains significantly behind competing localities when it comes to funding the core components of economic development. More can be done.
Long term planning efforts should incorporate more robust economic analysis so that decision makers can better understand the trade-offs when making their decisions. For example, the County is in the process of possibly reducing previously planned density from Rosslyn without studying the effects on our long term tax base.
We must review and revamp both the site plan and permit processes for length, focus, and consistency. The site plan process is currently both overly lengthy and sometimes uncertain in terms of any type resolution. The permit process has gotten a bit better in recent years, but can still be frustratingly inconsistent.
Better communication is crucial. This includes better communication by the County with businesses, but also better communication by the County about business to the community.
The onus for better communication lies not just with the County, but also with the business community itself.
This article is the first in an ongoing opinion column authored by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce to share that business perspective for the benefit of the Arlington community. We look forward to participating in helping steward Arlington to a vibrant and exciting future.
Janitors to Rally with Candidates in Ballston — About 150 part-time janitors will rally in Ballston this afternoon for a new union contract. The rally is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in front of the National Science Foundation at 4201 Wilson Blvd. Democratic County Board candidates Katie Cristol and Christian Dorsey are expected to attend the rally to lend their support, according to a press release from the 32BJ SEIU union.
Arlington Man Killed in D.C. Pedestrian Crash — An Arlington man, 31-year-old George Mina, has died several days after being struck by a car on Wisconsin Avenue NW in D.C. Mina, a pediatric phlebotomist, was struck by the driver of a Jaguar while crossing Wisconsin at Veazy Street NW on June 10. A rally for pedestrian safety was held in the area last night, with advocates calling for D.C. to implement pedestrian safety measures currently in use in Arlington. [NBC Washington]
No Opponent for Commonwealth’s Attorney — A potential independent candidate for Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney came up just a couple of verified petition signatures short of the 140 he needed to qualify for the ballot. Criminal defense attorney Frank Webb said he will drop his bid to get on the ballot. Incumbent Democrat Theo Stamos is now running unopposed. [InsideNova]
WW2 Vets Boogie at DCA — Video posted on YouTube shows a group of World War II veterans, in a Reagan National Airport terminal last month awaiting their honor flight back to Kentucky, dancing to a live rendition of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” [Patch]
Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market within the past week. This feature is written and sponsored by Team Cathell, “Your Orange Line Specialists.”
The season of graduations and weddings hasn’t slowed Arlington’s real estate market.
It continues at a strong pace with 88 new listings this week and 88 properties sold. That is better than would normally be expected as we slide into the summer.
The prices for both new listings and ratified contracts ranged from $145,000 to about $2 million. The average days on market has held steady at 32.
Mortgage interest rates this week dipped a few basis points to about 4.125% for 30-yr fixed rate. This week’s fresh inventory brought so many great properties it was difficult selecting only eight.
Click on the link below to see all active listings in Arlington.
Update at 5:00 p.m. — In addition to the Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Arlington is also now under a Flash Flood Warning.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 700 PM EDT
* AT 440 PM EDT… DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THUNDERSTORMS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY MD AND FAIRFAX COUNTY VA PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING SOUTHEAST AND WILL MOVE THROUGH THE ARLINGTON… FALLS CHURCH… AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BETWEEN 445 PM AND 530 PM. RAINFALL TOTALS WILL BE FROM FROM 0.75 TO 1.25 INCHES… WHICH WILL PRODUCE FLASH FLOODING IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS.
THIS INCLUDES FLOOD PRONE ROADS LOCATIONS SUCH AS MILITARY ROAD AT 36TH ROAD… 18TH STREET AT UPTON STREET… 17TH STREET NORTH AT NORTH BUCHANAN ST… SOUTH TROY STREET NEAR LONG BRANCH.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND NOW. ACT QUICKLY TO PROTECT YOUR LIFE AND PROPERTY. CHILDREN SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM AND NOT PLAY NEAR FLOODED CULVERTS AND DITCHES.
Update at 4:55 p.m. — The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning through 5:30 p.m.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… CENTRAL PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… SOUTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 530 PM EDT
* AT 451 PM EDT… DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM MCLEAN TO HILLANDALE… AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON… COLLEGE PARK… GREENBELT… FALLS CHURCH… BLADENSBURG… PIMMIT HILLS… GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY… NATIONALS PARK… CORAL HILLS… LARGO… FEDEX FIELD… LANGLEY PARK… FORESTVILLE… CRYSTAL CITY… RFK STADIUM… HOWARD UNIVERSITY… MCLEAN… GROVETON… FORT TOTTEN AND BYRD STADIUM.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS… LARGE HAIL… DEADLY LIGHTNING AND VERY HEAVY RAIN. FOR YOUR PROTECTION… MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADS QUICKLY SO DO NOT DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.
THESE STORMS HAVE A HISTORY OF PRODUCING WIND DAMAGE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
Strong thunderstorms are approaching Arlington from the west.
As of 4:30 p.m. the storms were over Fairfax County, bringing with them strong winds, heavy rain and the possibility of hail. They’re expected to rumble through Arlington shortly.
From the National Weather Service:
DCZ001-MDZ013-504-VAZ053-054-182045-
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-PRINCE GEORGES-PRINCE GEORGES-CENTRAL AND
SOUTHEAST MONTGOMERY-FAIRFAX-ARLINGTON/FALLS
CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-FAIRFAX-
417 PM EDT THU JUN 18 2015
…STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT FAIRFAX AND ARLINGTON COUNTIES…THE CITIES OF FAIRFAX…FALLS CHURCH…ALEXANDRIA…AND WASHINGTON DC…
AT 415 PM EDT…A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS OVER VIENNA…MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON…FAIRFAX…VIENNA…FALLS CHURCH…SPRINGFIELD…RESTON… PIMMIT HILLS…FORESTVILLE…MANTUA…GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY… ANNANDALE…NATIONALS PARK…CRYSTAL CITY…AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE… CLINTON…CORAL HILLS…RFK STADIUM…FORT WASHINGTON…HOWARD UNIVERSITY AND MCLEAN.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM…AND MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS.
As a result of the storm, Rosslyn has canceled its “Throwback Thursday” outdoor concert today.
Tonight's #TBT Throwback Thursday concert is canceled due to forecasted thunderstorms. Hope to see you next week for Lloyd Dobler Effect!
Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a new column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.
Ticks are one of the most common ectoparasites (on the skin) found on pets.
They are of particular concern because they can transmit potentially serious diseases to both humans and their pets. While it is fortunately very unlikely for a tick to transmit a particular disease directly from a dog to a human, or vice versa, our pets can act as important sentinels of disease in our environment — i.e. if a dog has tested positive for exposure to the causative organism of Lyme disease, it indicates an environmental risk to the human parents as well.
The four most common ticks found in this part of the U.S. and the diseases they can carry and transmit are:
the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) – RMSF, Ehrlichia, Babesia and possibly Cytauxzoonosis
the deer tick/black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) – Lyme and Anaplasma
the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) – RMSF, Ehrlichia, and Babesia
(Side-by-side pictures of the ticks described above can be found here)
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, 1 in 35 dogs in Arlington County has tested positive for exposure to Ehrlichia species, 1 in 18 has tested positive for exposure to the organism that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burdgorferi), and 1 in 458 has tested positive for exposure to Anaplasma.
Many of the tick-borne diseases, including Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and RMSF, can cause abnormalities in the white blood cells, red blood cells, and/or platelets, as well as fever, enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, joint pain, and/or general malaise.
Tick paralysis is a potentially serious condition caused by a neurotoxin from the saliva of certain ticks, typically after they have been attached for at least several days. Symptoms start with weakness and can progress to paralysis and even death if the dog is unable to breath. Removal or death/detachment of the tick will result in a quick improvement of symptoms, often within hours.
