Author: Tim Regan

Arlington to Hold Design Meeting for New Lubber Run Community Center

By Tim Regan

Lubber Run Community Center (photo via Arlington County)

Arlington County will hold a “community kick-off meeting” next week where members of the public can help design the new Lubber Run Community Center.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Barrett Elementary School (4401 N Henderson Road) next Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m.

In December, the Arlington County Board approved a $3.9 million contract to plan and design a new four-story Lubber Run Community Center at 300 N. Park Drive. As planned, the new center would include a gymnasium, playgrounds, offices and underground parking.

More on the upcoming design meeting from Arlington County:

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the Community Kick-Off Meeting to design the new Lubber Run Community Center.

While youth 10 and older, teens, adults and seniors are invited to attend the kick-off, there will be free supervised recreation activities for preschool and elementary age kids at Lubber Run Community Center starting at 6 pm. –  so caregivers can come to the kickoff meeting.  If you will be dropping off a child, please RSVP so we know who to expect.

In the event Arlington County Government is closed on February 8 for inclement weather, the kick-off will be rescheduled for February 15 at the same time and place.

In December 2016, the County Board approved a contract to plan and design the new Lubber Run Community Center.  The community engagement process, led by the architectural firm VMDO, Inc., will include public meetings starting on February 8, community feedback options and other outreach for the building and park design.  All community members are invited to participate!

Over this past summer, the County Board confirmed the scope for the Lubber Run Community Center project and provided guidance as follows:

  • The Lubber Run Community Center is to be built up to four stories along with underground parking to enable more green space.
  • The new center should include a gym and accommodate relocation of the senior program from Culpepper Garden as well as continue the DPR preschool program.
  • Sports and Recreation Division staff currently located at Lubber Run and 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive will be consolidated at the new community center.
  • Office use should remain subservient to the community center use in the form and function of the overall facility.

Please share this information and sign up on the Lubber Run Community Center Project webpage to receive project updates. For more information about the approved contract see the press release here.

WMATA Considering Slashing Some Arlington Bus Service

By Tim Regan

Metrobus 5A to Dulles from Rosslyn(Updated at 10:04 p.m.) Some Metrobus routes in Arlington may soon get the ax if the transit agency’s latest budget proposal is approved.

Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld last year announced a $3.1 billion “reality check” budget that includes fare hikes, longer wait times and cuts to bus routes throughout the D.C. area.

Among other changes in the 2018 fiscal year budget, riders would have to pay an additional 10 to 25 cents more for train and bus trips.

Metro would also consider eliminating the following routes that run through Arlington:

  • 5A D.C.-Dulles
  • 13Y Arlington-Union Station
  • 15K, L Chain Bridge Road
  • 17 A, B, F, M Kings Park
  • 18 P, R, S Burke Centre
  • 28X Leesburg Pike

The proposal would also modify the 16H Columbia Heights West-Pentagon City route to “provide two-way service 7 days a week between 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. with service every 10 minutes during weekday rush hours and service every 20 minutes at other times,” Metro said. The 16G and 16K would be eliminated.

Additionally, the proposed budget could shorten the 16X Columbia Pike-Federal Triangle route by eliminating service between between the Pentagon Transit Center and the Federal Triangle Metro Station.

Metro riders gathered at the transit agency’s headquarters last night to weigh in on the proposed cuts. Some daily commuters pleaded with Metro officials not to cut their stops, according to WAMU.

Still, the agency must plug a budget gap of about $290 million, a number it said was “larger than recent years due to growing expenses to operate and maintain the system, and declining ridership.”

Riders who want to weigh in on the proposed changes have until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6 to do so. Those interested can also fill out a survey to tell the agency how they feel about the budget.

‘Neighborhood Barre’ Now Open in Clarendon

By Tim Regan
1/5

(Updated at 10:53 a.m.) A new fitness studio is now open on the ground floor of the Beacon at Clarendon apartment building.

The business, Neighborhood Barre, opened its doors at 1148 N. Irving Street about two weeks ago, according to franchise owner Eileen McCarthy.

Neighborhood Barre offers workouts that mix dance conditioning, pilates and isometric exercise techniques. This is the first D.C.-area gym for the company, which has locations in Tennessee and Alabama.

McCarthy, a longtime barre enthusiast, said she got the idea to open the studio after many years of trying different kinds of exercise routines.

“I had been doing barre workouts on my own,” McCarthy said. “It was a big stress reliever for me. It’s intense, but it’s not off-the-wall intense.”

The ballet-inspired barre workouts are suitable for people of any fitness level, she added.

Though she considered several other locations, McCarthy said opening a fitness studio in Clarendon was a “no brainer.”

“It’s just such a good mix of people and densely populated,” she said.

Neighborhood Barre currently offers five classes each weekday and three classes on Saturday and Sunday, but more classes are on the way, McCarthy said.

Dudley’s in Shirlington Aiming for Summer Opening After Delays

By Tim Regan
1/6

(Updated at 5:05 p.m.) Dudley’s Sport & Ale, a long-awaited sports bar coming to the former Bungalow space in Shirlington, might finally open its doors this June or July.

That’s the latest from owner Reese Gardner, who also owns Copperwood Tavern, Quinn’s on the Corner in Rosslyn and Irish Whiskey in the District.

Though the original plan was to open Dudley’s last March, work associated with the planned rooftop deck greatly delayed those plans. But the bar is still inching toward an opening date, Gardner said.

“We’re 70 percent done inside,” he explained. “It’s taking a long time, but it’s a big project.”

The long wait appears to have disheartened some eager would-be patrons. Several people have taken to Facebook to complain about the delay over the past few months.

“I have been checking for news on the opening since last spring,” wrote one person, who gave the yet-to-open restaurant a one-star review. “They should at least give updates.”

“This is the restaurant that will never open,” said another Facebook user.

When it finally opens, Dudley’s will offer a 28-seat bar, another 125 seats in the dining area, a private room and bar for events and a “stadium style” viewing area with drink-holder-equipped seat that face a giant screen. Hot dog, popcorn and beer vendors will roam the stadium seating area to dispense cheap eats and drinks, Gardner said.

Dudley’s will also have a rooftop bar with a game area, a 15-seat bar and patio seating for about 114 people.

The tavern’s menu will consist of “traditional American bar cuisine,” Gardner said. The restaurant will also serve a “blue collar breakfast” menu all day and sling 16-inch cast iron pizzas.

“It’s a cross between a deep dish and a traditional pizza,” Gardner explained. “When you make it in these cast irons, the crust gets very flavorful.”

If the remaining construction work goes off without a hitch, Dudley’s could open on the Fourth of July, hopefully at the latest, according to Gardner.

Ballston Tech Company Sees Big Growth Amid Mobile Boom

By Tim Regan

Startup Monday header

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings. The Ground Floor, Monday’s office space for young companies in Rosslyn, is now open. The Metro-accessible space features a 5,000-square-foot common area that includes a kitchen, lounge area, collaborative meeting spaces, and a stage for formal presentations.

A startup based in Ballston is growing fast thanks in part to the rising success of mobile news companies.

Another photo via Mobile PosseThe startup, Mobile Posse, licenses content from a variety of websites like ESPN, the Associated Press and Mashable and packages it into an “aggregated content feed.”

Users can download the company’s app and configure their preferences to see the kind of stories they like. A typical user might sign up to see new sports scores, news, horoscopes, trivia, weather and other conent on their phone’s home screen.

“It is literally on the home screen of my device when I unlock it in the morning,” explained Mobile Posse CEO and founder Jon Jackson. “You can schedule pieces and components of it to be proactively delivered to you.”

The company plugs into ad networks and uses ad exchanges to monetize the service. Millions of people currently get updates from Mobile Posse, meaning lots of potential revenue, Jackson said.

Last year, Mobile Posse expanded its total revenue by about 77 percent, Jackson said. It’s also hiring at a quickening pace. Though the company only moved into its Ballston offices less than two years ago, it’s already looking for a newer, bigger space to hold all of its new employees.

And, if all goes according to plan, Mobile Posse will continue to grow rapidly in the year ahead.

“Twitter and Facebook and Google are really focusing on mobile. That helps a business like ours,” Jackson explained. “It really brings buyers. The amount of time spent on a phone has really taken off. We’re really a function of that. It’s where people’s eyeballs are.”

Arlington Agenda: Jan. 30-Feb. 5

By Tim Regan

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.

Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Monday

Orange Line Living home seller seminarFree Homebuyer Seminar *
Orange Line Living (1600 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

The Orange Line Living team is hosting a Home Buying Seminar event at their Rosslyn office. Appetizers will be provided and specialists will be on hand to give an of the buying process.

Osteria da NinoWinter Restaurant Week *
Osteria da Nino Cucina Italiana and Bar (2900 S Quincy St.)
Time: Lunch and dinner service

The Shirlington restaurant is participating in this year’s Winter Restaurant Week with food and drink specials. Diners can order a three-course lunch or dinner that includes seasonal dishes such as winter lentil soup; spaghetti with pancetta, red onions and hot peppers; and slow-braised short ribs.

Arlington Central LibraryLinkedIn Q&A
Central Library (1015 N Quincy St.)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Attendees can learn the basics and some of the common pitfalls of the LinkedIn networking tool. Knowledge of Microsoft Windows and basic internet skills are required. Attendees are encouraged to bring along their resume and digital headshot.

Tuesday

Saint Ann Catholic SchoolSaint Ann Catholic School Open House *
Saint Ann Catholic School (980 North Frederick Street)
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Families interested in enrolling their kids for the 2017-18 school year are invited to take a personal tour of the school and to learn more about the admissions process. No appointment is necessary for the open house event.

Superhero Kids Aspiration Imagination Playful Fun ConceptSuperhero Training Day
Shirlington Library (4200 Campbell Ave.)
Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Kids can learn what makes a great superhero great during this event. Young attendees will be able to make their own superhero cape and mask, then try out their superpowers in an obstacle course. The training day will also include stories and treats, organizers said.

Thursday

Crystal Couture 2016Crystal Couture
2200 Crystal Drive, 6th floor
Time: 5-10 p.m.

This year’s free Crystal Couture fashion event will include a runway show and displays from nearly 50 area boutiques, shops and designers. Those in attendance can browse discounted clothing, get a free makeover and buy drinks.

Pippin-correct-copyPippin at Washington-Lee High School
Washington-Lee High School Auditorium (1301 N Stafford St.)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Washington-Lee High School is inviting the Arlington community to its musical production of Pippin. The musical is set in a piano bar in the 40s and tells the story of a young prince who longs for passion and adventure. The school will host performances Feb. 2-4 and on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.

Chris Kattan, photo via Arlington DrafthousChris Kattan at Arlington Drafthouse 
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7:45 p.m.

The comedian, actor and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member is scheduled to perform a handful of shows at the Drafthouse. In addition to Thursday’s show, Kattan, along with the House Band Sketch Group, will perform two shows per night on Friday Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4.

Friday

LionInWinterLetterSizePosterThe Lion in Winter at The Arlington Players *
Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre (125 S Old Glebe Road)
Time: 8-10 p.m.

“The Lion in Winter” is a tale that waves family rivalry, adultery, and shifting alliances into one dramatic comedy. The play centers around the conflicts of a royal family as they fight over control of the kingdom during the Christmas of 1183.

Sunday

Quinn's interiorQuinn’s Super Bowl Party
Quinn’s (1776 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

The newly opened bar and eatery in Rosslyn will throw a huge bash for this year’s big game. During the event, the bar will offer buy-one-get-one-free specials on chicken wings and will raffle off a 55-inch television.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Board Backs Goals of VDOT’s I-66 Widening Plan, With Some Reservations

By Tim Regan
1/7

The Arlington County Board over the weekend voted to endorse the goals of a Virginia Dept. of Transportation plan to widen part of I-66, but it also had a few questions.

The Board unanimously backed a resolution that outlines “areas of support and ongoing concern with [VDOT’s] environmental assessment,” according to a press release.

Under VDOT’s “Transform 66” plan, an extra lane would be built within the existing eastbound right-of-way from the Dulles Connector Road to the Fairfax Drive exit in Ballston. The lane would stretch about four miles.

The plan would also include the replacement and construction of noise walls along the interstate, a new pedestrian bridge on the W&OD Trail at Lee Highway in East Falls Church and a realignment of the Custis Trail at Bon Air Park.

Earlier this year, the Board endorsed VDOT’s plan to add tolls to I-66 inside the Beltway during peak travel times.

Not everyone who lives in Arlington supports the project as proposed, however. Some East Falls Church residents have recently criticized the part of the proposal that would build a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge on the W&OD trail at Lee Highway. (Bicycling advocates, meanwhile, are organizing to support the bridge plan.)

In its resolution, the Board asked transit officials to “ensure a robust community process will be incorporated into the design process to achieve a context sensitive solution for the W&OD Trail changes.”

The Board also called for more cooperation on other areas of concern such as impacts on right of way, increased traffic at local intersections, noise mitigation and possible effects on stormwater infrastructure.

“Arlington supports the broad goals of this plan, including the focus on moving more people versus vehicles through the corridor. We are also committed to ensure that VDOT mitigates any impacts on our residents and neighborhoods that may result from the mandated eastbound widening,” said Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette. “VDOT has been responsive to our concerns as the project has taken shape, and we anticipate working closely with them to monitor the project as it moves forward.”

According to VDOT’s estimates, workers could break ground on the project in “mid 2018” and finish by “mid 2020.”

More from the press release:

In its resolution, the Board says it will work to ensure that the Commonwealth monitors and mitigates the project’s impacts on Arlington streets and on cultural or natural resources.

VDOT released the Environmental Assessment for the eastbound widening of I-66 from the Dulles Connector to Fairfax Drive in November. Based on a review of the technical documentation and public testimony, the Board resolution calls for VDOT to continue working cooperatively with the County on addressing the following:

  1. Impacts on right of way and other resources – VDOT anticipates that the eastbound widening will occur primarily toward the inner portion of the I-66 roadway, but temporary or permanent property easements or acquisitions will be needed along the easternmost portion of the project.
  2. Traffic analysis and impacts to Arlington streets – The Environmental Assessment identified several intersections in Arlington that will experience increased congestion as a result of the widening. Staff is concerned that the traffic analysis used for the Environmental Assessment does not include any multimodal travel, which is a primary goal of the Transform 66 project and the studies supporting it.
  3. Impacts to the regional trail network – VDOT has proposed realigning the Custis Trail at Bon Air Park and grade-separating the crossing of the W&OD Trail at Lee Highway. The Board resolution endorses these improvements and asks that VDOT ensure a robust community process will be incorporated into the design process to achieve a context sensitive solution for the W&OD Trail changes.
  4. Noise mitigation – VDOT will solicit input from property owners and renters who would benefit from noise mitigation as to the desirability of the installation of noise barriers along I-66. County staff will work with VDOT to ensure messaging to the public on the noise barrier selection process is communicated as comprehensively as possible. The Board also encouraged VDOT to work with WMATA, FTA and others to explore options for additional noise mitigation related to Silver Line and new generation of rail cars.
  5. Stormwater Management Infrastructure – In response to public testimony, the Board reinforced the important responsibility that VDOT has to ensure that existing and future stormwater infrastructure by adequately designed and maintained.

Basic Burger Owner Opens Play Venue for Kids in Courthouse

By Tim Regan
1/4

One of the owners behind a local burger restaurant has a new business venture that doesn’t revolve around food.

Basic Play, a new recreational venue, opened at 2024 Wilson Blvd on Monday. The indoor playground is located next door to its sister business, Basic Burger.

“One of the owners of Basic Burger has two little ones,” said Basic Play director Ana Castillo, who did not give the owner’s name. “Through his personal life, he’s realized there’s a limited number of businesses in northern Arlington that are dedicated to younger children.”

The play area, which is designed for kids under 40 inches tall, features soft BPA-free surfaces that are cleaned with non-toxic disinfectants after every play session.

“We strive to make sure our place is as welcoming and open to as many people as possible,” Castillo added.

Basic Play offers “open play” periods that last 50 minutes and cost $10 per session. The business also hosts birthday parties and special events.

East Falls Church Residents Wary of Plan for Lee Highway Pedestrian Bridge

By Tim Regan
1/2

(Updated at 10:31 a.m.) A proposal to build a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge in East Falls Church has prompted complaints from some nearby residents.

The Virginia Dept. of Transportation has proposed building a new bridge over Lee Highway near the W&OD trail as part of its “Transform 66” interstate widening and tolling project.

If built, VDOT says the bridge would improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The trail currently crosses Lee Highway at the busy intersection with Fairfax Drive.

But the idea deserves more thought, according to the East Falls Church Civic Association. Residents voiced concern in a letter the group sent to local officials last week.

“This VDOT project, if not paused, will create problems for holistic future pedestrian and cyclist transit development in the area, as well as create negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhood in a way that a more thoughtful design would not,” the letter reads. “Pause this project so the neighborhood and the surrounding areas can fully consider the problems we are trying to address (both present and future).”

East Falls Church Civic Association president Kelly Alexis said locals first heard of the plan in October. Since then, Alexis said she’s received emails from more than two dozen East Falls Church residents, many opposing the idea.

The problem, Alexis explained, revolves around a lack of input from the community. Though VDOT has held a series of public meetings, she said the agency hasn’t adequately weighed the concerns of the people who live nearby the proposed site of the bridge.

Earlier this month, the association met with VDOT officials to discuss the plan and identified a number of concerns. Among them are questions about whether the bridge would disrupt design aspects of the 2011 East Falls Church Area Plan or “lock-in” the alignment of the W&OD trail, which residents say forces cyclists and pedestrians onto neighborhood streets near the East Falls Church Metro station.

The plan also needs more study regarding improving pedestrian access and safety along Lee Highway on the I-66 overpass and at the Fairfax Drive and Washington Blvd intersections, residents said at the meeting.

The association has suggested several alternatives to building the bridge, such as a trail realignment under Lee Highway or rerouting the trail across Fairfax Drive at the same intersection.

“It’s not a bad plan, it’s just the wrong plan,” Alexis said. “We recognize we’re in a transportation hub, but we want to work together to create a better solution.”

Gillian Burgess, chair of Arlington County’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, said she shares some of the neighborhood’s concerns. Still, a bridge is sorely needed to “allow people on two feet or two wheels to use the trail without worrying whether that red car is really going to stop at the light,” she said.

“The neighborhood does have legitimate concerns about the de facto routing of the trail through their neighborhood,” Burgess added. “But there’s no need to delay building this much-needed improvement to this important piece of our transportation network.”

The Arlington County Board is expected to further discuss the I-66 widening plan and the pedestrian bridge at its meeting tomorrow (Saturday).

County Board to Vote on Easements for ‘Clarendon Circle’ Improvements

By Tim Regan
1/5

The Arlington County Board is considering giving its blessing to several easements needed for a long-awaited plan to revamp a tricky intersection in Clarendon.

The Board is scheduled to vote this weekend on easements needed to improve the “Clarendon Circle” intersection at Washington, Wilson and Clarendon boulevards.

If approved, the county will pay the Catholic Diocese of Arlington nearly $25,000 for permanent and temporary easements on a portion of church property along Washington Blvd, to be used for sidewalk, curb, gutter, utilities and drainage purposes.

The overall plan calls for improvements to “access and safety for those who walk, bike and drive.” The project’s goals include upgrades such as improved traffic signals and streetlights, wider center medians, shorter pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and curb extensions.

“Current travel across the intersection can be difficult due to its extreme width and the skewed alignment of its roadways,” according to a County webpage. “North Irving Street also enters the circle area in two offset locations, further complicating the traffic pattern.”

This wasn’t the only idea that Arlington County considered. Roundabouts, one-way street couplets and other alternative designs all were analyzed, but the County found those elements “would have negative impacts on all modes of transportation, especially for pedestrians.”

If all goes according to plan, the engineering design will be completed this spring, clearing the way for construction to begin next summer. Project completion is pegged for the summer of 2019.

New Cafe May Replace Mother’s Macaroons

By Tim Regan

Mother's Macaroons bakery in the Lee-Harrison shopping center (file photo)(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) A new purveyor of baked goods and caffeinated beverages is in the works at the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center in North Arlington.

The business, described only as a “coffee bakery,” is coming together in the former Mother’s Macaroons Bakery space at 2442 N. Harrison Street, according to building permits issued last month.

There has been recent construction activity in the space, a tipster told ARLnow.

Although information on the forthcoming cafe is sparse, a reader points out that a Facebook page for a coffee shop called “Chill Zone” says it’s “coming soon” to 2442 N. Harrison Street.

The website for the business does not appear to be active at this time, however.

File photo of Mother’s Macaroons Bakery in 2015

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