Author: Katie Pyzyk

Police Ask for Sexual Assault Victims to Come Forward

By Katie Pyzyk

The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit asks for the public’s help in solving a crime. The department is trying to catch a sex offender and would like victims or witnesses to come forward.

The suspect has been known to find his victims through contact on internet sites and online advertisements. He is described as a black male, 35-45 years old, 5’7″-5’9″ and 160-180 pounds.

An incident two weeks ago is the latest in what may be a string of crimes by the same suspect. The victim told police she had been hired by the suspect from an online advertisement to perform sexual acts in a Crystal City hotel room. When the suspect arrived at the room, the victim asked him to leave. The victim was forced to stay in the room against her will and perform unwanted sexual acts. She was able to escape and immediately went to the police.

Anyone who believes they have been a sexual assault victim or witness to a crime by this suspect is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department at 703-558-2222, or directly contact Detective Sandra Lafley at 703-228-4052. Detective Lafley can be emailed at [email protected].

Progress at Site of Arlington Mill Community Center

By Katie Pyzyk

Work on the new Arlington Mill Community Center in South Arlington is progressing.

Crews are currently in the process of installing sewer and water lines, along with other infrastructure along Columbia Pike, South Dinwiddie Street and Arlington Mill Drive. Excavation has begun on the area that will be the garage; work on the garage foundation and walls will start soon. A new traffic light also will be installed at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Dinwiddie Street.

Although 9th Street has been reopened for residents of Park Glen Condominiums and to access the nearby trail, Arlington Mill Drive will be closed for the remainder of the project.

The five-story community center is still on track to open next year, along with the 122-unit affordable housing complex being built on the site. Together, the buildings will form one of four mixed use “Neighborhood Centers” developed within the Columbia Pike Special Revitalization District.

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Less Pollution, More Revenue from Water Plant Upgrade

By Katie Pyzyk

The massive upgrade of Arlington’s Water Pollution Control Plant, which is almost finished, is apparently already causing environmental benefits in the Chesapeake Bay. Plus, it has created a new source of revenue for the County.

Tests show the $568 million expansion and modernization of the WPCP has reduced the amount of harmful nitrogen it deposits into the Chesapeake Bay. That means the County will receive tradable credits that can be sold through the state’s Nutrient Credit Exchange Program. Earlier this week, the County Board voted to participate in the program, and also approved Arlington’s membership in the Virginia Nutrient Credit Exchange Association.

“The County has made a huge investment in expanding and upgrading the Water Pollution Control Plant, and it is great to see that – even before the upgrade is completed – the effort is producing significant benefits for the Bay and creating a new source of revenue for Arlington,” said County Board Chair Mary Hynes. “This expansion is proving to be a worthwhile investment for our County and the region.”

The County could receive between $22,000 and $410,000 each year for its utility fund by participating in the exchange. Because it’s a new member, Arlington would have to wait the required three to five years before receiving money for its credits. There is an annual membership fee of $3,125 for the program.

The WPCP treats 30 million gallons of wastewater each day. Most of its renovations are slated to be finished this summer. A refurbishment of the fence around the facility will start this spring and end in the fall.

Improvements Coming to Tricky Clarendon Intersection

By Katie Pyzyk

A widely disliked Clarendon intersection will be revamped in the next couple of years. The County has released preliminary plans for the area sometimes referred to as Clarendon Circle.

Based on a study of the intersection at Washington, Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards, the plan provides safety improvements for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Eight other nearby intersections would also be affected by the changes in traffic flow.

The study offers numerous suggestions and sketches of possible redesigns. Some ideas included adding lanes to Washington Blvd, removing left turn lanes, adding bike lanes, adding curb extensions near Liberty Tavern and Sam’s Diner and moving traffic more toward the Silver Diner’s property.

The geometry of the intersection, which is often described as “awkward” and “confusing,” would be normalized by the revamp. The overall size of the intersection would decrease, and better traffic signals and signs would be installed.

County staff examined the study’s suggestions and narrowed down the ideas into one design proposal. Feedback is currently being accepted on the initial proposal via an online survey.

The first round of public forums addressing the improvements will be scheduled soon and will continue throughout the spring. A finalized plan and ground breaking is expected sometime in 2014, at the latest.

Lane Closures on Route 50 Begin Sunday

By Katie Pyzyk

Various lane closures due to work on the new Courthouse interchange could cause some additional traffic headaches starting this weekend.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will be closing up to two of three lanes in each direction of Route 50 from 10th Street to N. Rhodes Street. Those closures will take place at night, from 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., starting on Sunday and running through Thursday, February 2. Daytime closures from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. will begin on Monday and continue until Friday, February 3.

VDOT warns drivers that although late night closures don’t officially begin until 9:00 p.m., preparations for the road work could start as early as 7:00 p.m. Drivers should use extra caution in the area and be aware of construction crews.

The $39 million project to redesign the interchange at Route 50, Courthouse Road and 10th Street was launched to improve accessibility and safety in the area. Aesthetic improvements will also be added.

The project’s second phase of utility relocation is scheduled to be finished this spring. The entire project is slated to be completed in fall of 2013.

New Commercial Tenant for Bromptons at Cherrydale

By Katie Pyzyk

A commercial tenant will soon move into a building that’s been the center of a years-long controversy in the Cherrydale neighborhood. A Subway restaurant is coming to the Bromptons at Cherrydale building (3800 Lee Hwy), now known as 3800 Lofts.

The residential space above the restaurant was supposed to be sold as condos, but multiple issues prompted the developer to convert the units to rentals over the summer.

Subway will be the first retail tenant in the building. The space, including the residential portion, sat empty for years due to problems with the building’s structural soundness, multiple lawsuits and a faltering economy.

Work has already begun on the restaurant, but there’s no word yet on an opening date.

Work on Revamped Sign Ordinance Continues

By Katie Pyzyk

Now that A-frame signs and branded sidewalk cafe umbrellas have been approved for use in Arlington, the County Board is moving on to other, slightly less pressing signage issues as it works to revamp the county’s sign ordinance.

Last week Board members held a work session with County Manager Barbara Donnellan to give input on revisions they’d like to see to the proposal before the final version is inked. The latest draft was devised based on staff input and information gathered at public sessions last year.

One proposed change that all the Board members indicated support for was reducing the number of signs issues that require the Board’s attention. The hope is that by making the ordinance more clear and specific, fewer cases will need special approval.

The county also hopes to include clear standards for illuminated signs. Before that topic can be adequately addressed, Donnellan said a lighting consultant must be hired. Suggestions for illuminated sign restrictions include requiring businesses to turn off lit signs between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Currently, there aren’t guidelines for lit signs in the ordinance because such signs weren’t widespread the last time the Board made revisions. Of particular concern are some of the signs on high rises in Rosslyn, such as on the Northrop Grumman building.

“It starts to look like a commercial district with major marketing when you come across the bridge,” said Board Member Jay Fisette. “I really don’t want to see that proliferate.”

Another topic garnering attention is the issue of allowing commercial signs on the so-called public right of way, such as medians. Right now, only political signs and real estate signs can be put up in these areas. The board splintered on this issue, suggesting solutions ranging from eliminating commercial signs on medians altogether, to imposing fees or permits for such a practice.

The Board voiced approval for listing specific times for when a sign can be put out and must be brought in. Along with that came the idea to revise how far away a sign may be placed from its advertised event. The proposal currently suggests half a mile, but the Board members prefer a quarter mile.

“We are the smallest county in the nation, only 26 square miles,” said Board Member Walter Tejada. “Half a mile is a lot of space.”

Donnellan and staff members will incorporate the Board’s suggestions into a new draft of the ordinance, and additional public meetings will be scheduled in the spring to discuss the nearly finished proposal. The goal for submitting a final revised ordinance and getting it approved is July.

“We certainly have an awful lot of work ahead of us,” Donnellan said.

Significant Delays reported at DCA

By Katie Pyzyk

Weather and an equipment outage are both causing air traffic to back up at Reagan National Airport.

A foggy condition referred to as “low ceiling,” which causes decreased visibility, is apparently combining with at least some of the airport’s approach lights being out of service.

Currently, DCA lists “excessive delays” on its webpage. Average wait times are reportedly hovering around 45 minutes. That’s better than some of the multi-hour delays being experienced in other parts of the Northeast due to the low ceiling.

Be sure to check your flight status with your airline before heading to the airport, or check the FAA’s online flight delay information page.

County Board to Hold First “Open Door Monday”

By Katie Pyzyk

The Arlington County Board kicks off its “Open Door Monday” sessions tonight.

The meeting at Fire Station No. 4 (3121 10th St. N.) is part of Board Chair Mary Hynes’ Participation, Leadership and Civic Engagement (PLACE) initiative. Residents are encouraged to attend the sessions to chat directly with a Board member about any topic. No appointments are necessary.

Board members have said they believe many good ideas for community improvement come from the public, and they want to hear what types of changes residents have in mind.

“Our challenge now is to ensure that Arlington — our home town — continues to tap into our residents’ and County staff’s talents so that Arlington remains a great place for all kinds of folks — even in these increasingly demanding times,” said Hynes.

The sessions will all be from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and will be held at different locations throughout Arlington. No meetings will be held on federal holidays.

The complete listing of planned 2012 dates and locations of Open Door Monday meetings, after the jump.

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Library Requesting High School Yearbook Donations

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 3:25 p.m.) If you attended high school in Arlington, you have something in common with Warren Beatty, Shirley MacLaine, Katie Couric and Sandra Bullock. All are immortalized in yearbooks at Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St), but the collection isn’t complete. That’s where you can step in to help.

The Virginia Room at the Central Library is asking for donations of Arlington high school yearbooks in good condition. That way, your accomplishments can be put on display for all to see, along with Sandra Bullock’s time as a cheerleader at Washington-Lee or Katie Couric’s work (quite foreshadowing) in the Yorktown Quill and Scroll Club. Hopefully, there’s no issue over the spelling of your last name like Shirley MacLaine and her brother, Warren (Beaty vs. Beatty).

In addition to the yearbooks, visitors to the Virginia Room can browse through the reference collection of the state’s historical items including maps, photos of the County from decades past and a local newspaper archive.

Judith Knudsen and John Stanton work in the Virginia Room and help visitors hunt down resources. The process will become a little easier on February 1, when the collection, including around 600 photos, will begin to be digitized and put online for public viewing.

“We’re Arlington, Virginia history, but we’re also a community archives,” Knudsen said. “We collect papers and information on individuals and also organizations.”

The high school yearbooks the library would like can be from any year between 1951 and 2010. It’s fine if the books have writing in them, but they must be without mold and mildew. Duplicates are welcome, but the Virginia Room is specifically missing the following yearbooks:

Wakefield – 1954, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1986, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Washington-Lee – 1930, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1964, 1969, 1972, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010
Yorktown – 1982, 1984, 1985, 1993, 1997, 2010
Hoffman-Boston – Missing All Except 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954
Bishop Denis J. O’Connell – Missing All Except 1977, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998
H.B. Woodlawn – They don’t have ANY yearbooks

Donations can be made in person. For more information, call 703-228-5966 or email the Virginia Room.

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Free Tax Prep Clinics Begin Next Week

By Katie Pyzyk

Tax season is officially upon us, as all businesses must mail out employee W-2 forms by next week. Arlington County is offering free clinics for those seeking help filling out tax forms.

The sessions are said to be for “people with low or moderate income,” and criteria for each session is listed below. Attendees must bring photo ID, all W-2 and 1099 forms, social security cards for each family member and information on all other income received in 2011. If it’s available, also bring a copy of last year’s tax return and bank account numbers for direct deposit.

The schedule is as follows:

  • Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St)  Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., February 2-April 17. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available.
  • Columbia Pike Library (816 S. Walter Reed Dr)  Tuesdays 1:15-7:45 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., February 3-April 14. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available
  • Arlington Department of Human Services (2100 Washington Blvd)  Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m., February 7-April 10. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available. Customers may not have an individual income that exceeds $25,000 or a family income that exceeds $45,000.
  • ECDC Enterprise Development Group (901 S. Highland St)  Tuesdays 6:00-9:00 p.m., Fridays 6:00-9:00 p.m., Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., February 3-April 14. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers may not have an income that exceeds $50,000.
  • AARP Travel Team (Only available to people unable to leave their homes) Appointments only. Call 703-960-0428 to schedule an appointment.
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