Author: Katie Pyzyk

Fewer People Show Up on Tax Deadline Day

By Katie Pyzyk

The expected rush of residents paying their county taxes at the last minute didn’t happen as originally thought. County Treasurer Frank O’Leary predicted around 2,600 people would show up on Wednesday to pay their vehicle personal property tax and installment two of the county’s real estate tax in person, but the number was actually 2,201.

That day alone brought in almost $6.5 million for the county, making the total amount collected from walk-ins during the final week $30.7 million. Compare that with 2009, when 2,799 people showed up on the final day and paid nearly $11.8 million, with the final week totaling $35.8 million.

O’Leary notes that printing trouble last year caused the tax bills to be sent out 10 days late, so the deadline was extended by 10 days, to October 15. That made comparisons to 2010 invalid so 2009 numbers are used for comparisons instead. The 2009 numbers were also adjusted to take into consideration the new technology system this year.

Technology upgrades and an extra register made the process move smoothly. O’Leary also credits “alternative” payment methods such as online tax payments with making things easier.

He said, “My promise that no customer would wait more than six minutes for service was easily fulfilled.”

Overall, the number of people choosing to pay in person has declined by more than 1,200 people, or nearly 17%, since 2009. O’Leary also noticed that immigrants, who make up the majority of walk-in payments on the due date, didn’t arrive in the same volume as previous years.

Workers in the Treasurer’s Office plan to analyze information gathered by the new technology. O’Leary says it will help to better determine who pays, when, and how.

Ireland’s Four Courts Makes a Comeback

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 2:55 p.m.) More than three months ago, fire ravaged Ireland’s Four Courts (2051 Wilson Blvd) in Courthouse. But like a phoenix, the pub is about to emerge from the ashes.

The February fire gutted the kitchen, back halls and roof, forcing the pub to resort to a limited menu of mostly cold foods. Only being able to open a portion of the restaurant meant they were bringing in about 40 percent of the usual business.

The damage was more significant than anticipated, requiring many repairs in order to reopen. General Manager Dave Cahill (who hails from Limerick, Ireland) says that prompted the decision to redevelop and modernize the entire pub. Some of the changes include new hardwood and tile floors, new wood paneling and paint on the walls, a new main bar, a redone party area and the addition of a deck in the back. There are also new beers on tap, new glassware to be used with each specialty beer and an expanded scotch and whiskey list.

Four Courts also hired a new chef — Joel Lucas — who had previously worked at McCormick & Schmick’s and Chef Geoff’s. He’s been developing an updated menu. Lucas and Cahill said they will still serve the standard Irish dishes that Americans are familiar with, like corned beef and cabbage. However the revamped menu will include new items, several of them reflecting Ireland’s seafood offerings, such as scallops or salmon.

Lucas pointed out that the pub features “from scratch cooking” and fresh produce grown locally in Virginia. Customers will also see gourmet cheeses made at Cahill’s family farm in Ireland topping some dishes.

Despite all the changes, Cahill stresses that Four Courts will still have the same feel of a traditional Irish pub, but with a fresher look. He and Lucas have spent a lot of time and money studying pubs in Ireland, trying to mimic specific points of authenticity in both ambiance and fare.

“We want people to feel like they’re actually in a pub in Ireland when they come here,” Cahill said.

Tomorrow, Ireland’s Four Courts will start serving its expanded menu. A full grand re-opening is scheduled for August 31. The Four Courts website has the pub’s new hours and menu. More photos, after the jump.

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Surveillance Photos from Morning Robbery Released

By Katie Pyzyk

  Arlington Police are asking for your help with finding a man who robbed a Ballston bank this morning.

A man entered the Presidential Bank at 901 N. Stuart Street at 10:11am and demanded money from a teller.  He fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect is described as a black male with facial hair, in his late 40’s, 5’6” with a medium build. At the time of the robbery he wore a white short-sleeved polo shirt, light colored pants, a white baseball cap and dark shoes. The suspect also had a light colored towel draped over his shoulder.

Anyone who has information about this robbery or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Arlington County Police Department Tip Line at 703-228-4242, or Detective Gary Skeens at 703-228-4166. Det. Skeens can also be reached by email at [email protected].

Lubber Run Amphitheater Reopens Tonight

By Katie Pyzyk

After a two year hiatus, the Lubber Run Amphitheater returns to use tonight.

The site sat unused for two years while the county pondered what to do with it. A study said it would cost $3.5 million to renovate, and supporters feared it could take years to raise enough money for the amphitheater to reopen.

But concerned citizens formed the Lubber Run Amphitheater Foundation and worked with the county to come up with another plan. They agreed on a set of improvements that would only cost around $100,000. Some of the upgrades include a new stage, new lighting and the addition of handicap accessible parking spaces.

Tonight’s concert by Mary Ann Redmond is the first in a series of summer events at the site. It is free and begins at 8pm. To encourage you to brave the heat, free cookies and fans are promised. Click here for the full list of events at Lubber Run Amphitheater.

 

Airport Construction Will Bring Late Night Noise

By Katie Pyzyk

Updated at 2:57pm Communities along the Potomac River shoreline could be in for some noisy nights. Starting at 11pm on Monday, overnight construction work begins at Reagan National Airport to improve the main runway. Construction was supposed to begin tonight, but the contractor has more preliminary work to complete.

Crews will be pile driving from 11pm-6am for about the next three months so there is no interference with flights during the day. More than 200 existing piles will be replaced on a pier just south of the main runway, and the pier will be renovated.

You can find out more about the rehabilitation project here.

Myerton Again Changes Course on Housing Project

By Katie Pyzyk

Just five months after announcing its units at The Myerton would be sold as condominiums instead of rented as apartments, JBG has reversed course on the project.

Realtor Laura Rubinchuk Schwartz tells us that slow sales and a hot rental market prompted JBG to stop selling the units at 108 S. Courthouse Road. The developer had made the decision in February to begin sales instead of renting the units.

All buyers are being offered $1,000 for their time and for agreeing to a contract release.

BREAKING NEWS: Bank Robbery

By Katie Pyzyk

      

Updated at 11:06am Police are responding to a robbery at the Presidential Bank at 901 N. Stuart Street near the Ballston Metro. Reports indicate the suspect handed a bag to a teller and demanded money. Police are looking for a black male in his mid-50s, about 5’6″ and medium build, wearing a white shirt and khaki pants and a baseball cap, possibly carrying a brown bag.

There are reports the suspect headed in the direction of the Ballston Commons Mall.  Pedestrian traffic throughout the area and inside the mall may be limited as police conduct their investigation.

County Says Financials Strong, Despite Moody’s Threat

By Katie Pyzyk

Arlington County could be one of the Northern Virginia localities to lose its Aaa credit rating if lawmakers on Capitol Hill don’t resolve their stalemate over raising the debt ceiling.

The announcement focuses on reviewing 177 top rated municipalities across the country, including all of Northern Virginia. Earlier this month, Moody’s placed five Aaa rated states, including Virginia, on its Creditwatch list. At blame is the above average level of reliance on federal employment and spending in our area.

Arlington responded to the announcement by saying the county’s economy remains strong. County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman said, “Nothing has changed in terms of the County’s financial and debt management practices and fundamentals of our economic base.”

Zimmerman added that the decision by Moody’s shows how lawmakers’ inability to agree on a debt limit deal is affecting real people and endangering economic recovery.

If Arlington does get downgraded, it could be more expensive for the county to borrow money for schools, roads and other projects. But Zimmerman pointed out that Arlington’s financial reserves and additional resources would provide flexibility to respond to potential declines in revenue.

Too Hot to Handle

By Katie Pyzyk

The blistering heat and oppressive humidity return to form an uncomfortable combo today.  The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Arlington and the rest of the region. The advisory is in effect from 11am through 9pm. Temperatures could get up to 103 degrees, making heat indices linger in the 105-109 degree range.

To check out Arlington County’s tips for staying cool, places around town to go to stay cool and tips for conserving energy to avoid brownouts, click here.

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

GOP Calmly Watches Race — Many local Republican leaders are smiling over the drama erupting from the Democratic primary for the state Senate.  It’s no secret that Democrats Barbara Favola and Jaime Areizaga-Soto are engaging in a nasty war of words.  Some Democrats even report being embarrassed by the spectacle. [Sun Gazette]

New Station on Display — There will be a dedication at 2pm for the new Cherrydale Fire Department at 4100 Old Dominion Drive. Tomorrow there will be a family friendly open house from 10am-2pm.  Both free events are open to the public.

No Thanking Heaven — Despite signing a 10 year lease, there will not be a 7 Eleven store moving into the former Saah Unfinished Furniture store. The leasing agents won’t say why the deal fell through. However, quite a few neighbors expressed distaste with the idea, especially considering there’s another 7-Eleven within about four blocks. [Pike Wire]

 

Arlington Told to Pay Up Over Hot Lanes

By Katie Pyzyk

Arlington County is being told to hand over some funding, by a group blasting the county for forcing the end to the proposed HOT lane project on I-395.

Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance has released a statement blaming Arlington for the loss of transit improvement funds that would have been generated by the HOT lanes. A key factor in scrapping the HOT lanes project was Arlington County’s lawsuit against the state. The county questioned turning over the project to a foreign company, said the project was poorly designed and said the plan could cause more traffic congestion.

NVTA says Arlington, not other communities which supported the HOT lanes proposal, should have to pay for future transit improvements.  The group suggests dipping into the $60 million earmarked for Arlington highways and transit in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Six-Year Improvement Plan. NTVA also put forth the idea of stripping funds from the county’s proposed streetcar line, which would run along Columbia Pike and Crystal Drive.

Arlington County withdrew its lawsuit in February, days after VDOT announced it would no longer pursue HOT lanes on the Arlington and Alexandria portions of I-395.

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