News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Construction in Clarendon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Lee Name Stays on Arlington House — “A 19th-century general has survived a 21st-century battle. Efforts during the recently concluded session of the U.S. Congress to remove Robert E. Lee’s name from the National Park Service’s Arlington House memorial failed to make much progress. And if it didn’t find success when Democrats controlled both houses of Congress, such a proposal is more unlikely now that Republicans control, albeit narrowly, the U.S. House of Representatives.” [Sun Gazette]

One Week for Comment on Parkway Plan — “The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposed plan and environmental assessment to improve the southern portion of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Mount Vernon Trail. The project would improve safety and address maintenance needs along the parkway and the trail. Comments will be accepted through January 18th.” [National Park Service]

More Clarendon Fisticuffs — “3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 1:14 a.m. on January 9, officers in the area were approached by the witness reporting a late assault. The investigation determined approximately an hour prior, the female victim was inside an establishment when she became involved in a verbal dispute with three unknown female suspects, during which she was assaulted. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries considered non-life threatening.” [ACPD]

Civic Group Links Up with UK Community — “The Arlington Heights Civic Association (AHCA) recently approved a Friendship Community Relationship between the association and Bibury Parish, a community located in Gloucestershire, England… Bibury Parish is the home of the Village of Arlington, which appears to have been the namesake of Arlington House and, subsequently, modern-day Arlington County.” [Sun Gazette]

Metrobus Twitter Account Restored — “Twitter suspended the account of the D.C. area’s largest bus transit system on Tuesday for unknown reasons but restored it over six hours later. Metro officials said they weren’t told why the social media company suspended the account.” [Washington Post]

It’s Wednesday — Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 47 and low of 34. Sunrise at 7:28 am and sunset at 5:07 pm. [Weather.gov]

Sheriff candidates call for more screening and 24/7 in-house medical care at county jail

By Jo DeVoe
1/4

(Updated at 5:55 p.m.) All three candidates looking to replace Sheriff Beth Arthur, who retired at the end of last year, say they have ideas for changing how the jail is run.

They each say their ideas could help save the lives of those detained in jail, which is overseen by the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office.

In the last seven years, seven men have died while in jail, six of whom were Black, which led the Arlington branch of the NAACP to begin pushing for greater transparency from the office as well as changes to jail operations.

In most cases, the cause of death was ruled to be a “natural cause” — such as heart disease caused by high blood pressure — although opiate withdrawal was a complicating factor in one such case. One man died because of a mix of drugs in his system and another died by suicide.

“I’m concerned because the status quo is not working,” candidate Wanda Younger, who recently retired from the Sheriff’s Office after 31 years of service, said when she announced her campaign to the Arlington County Democratic Committee last week. “I will work with the County Board and state legislators to ensure there is 24-hour mental health and medical care for those detained.”

She later told ARLnow that outcomes would improve at the jail with this 24/7 supervision, as well as new leadership and more deputies on staff. The Sheriff’s Office, like the Arlington County Police Department, has been experiencing attrition that has made it harder for the department to perform basic duties, she says.

“I am committed to changing the lives of the staff, changing the lives of the detainees and changing your lives,” she said in her speech.

Jose Quiroz, who took over as the interim Sheriff yesterday (Monday) after Beth Arthur retired, says he wants to implement biometric screening — something the Sheriff’s Office has been discussing but has yet to purchase.

Inmates in the jail’s infirmary, which consists of 12 beds, would wear devices to monitor their vital signs , notifying staff of a medical emergency such as a substance use withdrawal. Depending on funding, he says, he would eventually like all inmates to wear such devices.

“We’re in 2023, technology is advanced — let’s use that to our advantage,” he tells ARLnow, adding that jails in some less urban, less wealthy jurisdictions from Alabama to Montana are already using this technology.

James Herring, a police officer with Arlington County, says the county should bring medical care in house. He suggested staffing the jail with psychiatrists and therapists who report to the county as well.

“We need to shift from a system that only treats people when something goes wrong to a system that” identifies problems before they arise, he said, adding that the jail should conduct baseline physicals and mental health checks, Herring told us after announcing his candidacy last week.

That may be more expensive, but it would give the Sheriff’s Office “full control and full knowledge” over what’s going on.

“Ms. Arthur started as a budget analyst,” he said. “We got what you’d expect to get when a budget analyst takes over.”

(more…)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Possible Mystery Machine sighting on N. Glebe Road (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Apple Store Temporarily Closed — The Apple Store in Clarendon is closed at least through Friday, according to posted hours on the company’s website. No reason for the closure was given but construction is ongoing at The Crossing Clarendon shopping center, where it’s located. [Apple]

Local Civic Figure Dies — “A Democratic activist for over 40 years, Amy [Appelbaum] campaigned for local candidates, donated to many causes, and marched for the Equal Rights Amendment and reproductive rights. She was employed for two decades as an aide to state legislator James Almand and served on the Arlington Board of Equalization for Real Estate Assessments for ten years. Amy was recognized as a ‘Person of Vision’ by the Arlington County Status of Women Commission in 2004 for her community volunteer work.” [Legacy]

Plaudits for Retiring Sheriff — “‘Truly the gold standard for sheriff in Arlington is Beth Arthur,’ Faust said. ‘All I can say is ‘wow, what a career.” Faust praised Arthur’s ‘undying commitment – always fighting for the staff, always fighting for those who were in her care.'” [Sun Gazette]

One More Week for Initial Budget Feedback — “Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz is asking for your feedback on the FY 2024 annual budget. Weigh in online through Jan. 17.” [Twitter, Arlington County]

It’s Tuesday — Overcast throughout the day. High of 45 and low of 33. Sunrise at 7:28 am and sunset at 5:06 pm. [Weather.gov]

Arlington selects two developers to lead affordable housing effort for Crystal House grounds

By Jo DeVoe
Crystal House (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington County has selected two developers — Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing and D.C.-area developer EYA — to oversee the construction of affordable housing within an apartment complex in Crystal City.

They’re committing to provide 844 units, of which 655 will be committed affordable units and the remaining will be market-rate, in the Crystal House Apartments at 1900 S. Eads Street, near Amazon’s second headquarters.

After a site plan for the project was approved in 2019, Amazon put up $381.9 million so that the nonprofit Washington Housing Conservancy could purchase the 16-acre site in late 2020, stabilize rent for the 828 existing units and build more than 500 new units. The purchase was part of its commitment to create and preserve affordable housing as rents rise amid its growing HQ2 presence. Amazon later donated the land and development rights to the county.

APAH and EYA are committing to provide 100-plus more committed affordable units than for which the county planned.

“While this is a large development for APAH, the scope and phasing are consistent with our capacity and the need for more affordable housing in the region,” APAH Director of Resource Development and Communications Garrett Jackson tells ARLnow. “EYA has successfully completed several similarly-scaled public-private projects with municipalities and housing authorities including the Brownstones at Chevy Chase Lake and the Lindley with the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission, Capital Quarter with the District Housing Authority, and the 45-acre Westside Shady Grove with Montgomery County.”

Jackson said both APAH and EYA have experience developing housing in partnership with localities in the D.C. area.

“Specifically, APAH co-located the Arlington Mill Residences, 122 homes, adjacent to the Arlington Mill Community Center over one shared garage. Presently, APAH is building 150 units of senior housing in Fairfax County on what was previously a Fairfax County stormwater detention facility,” he said. “EYA and APAH are currently working together on a public-private partnership in the Fort Totten neighborhood in the District that shares many of the same characteristics as the Crystal House project.”

“The Crystal Houses development will create a mixed-income community, ranging from people making 30% of the area median income and up. It will be multigenerational, with one 80-unit development set aside for senior housing. There will be 371 units with two bedrooms or more, of which at least 102 will be three bedrooms and “rare 4-bedroom affordable units,” Jackson said.

“We will provide permanent supportive housing units onsite, all affordable units will offer free Wi-Fi, we will offer residents services for affordable units, and we will develop two parks for the approved site plan,” Jackson said. “EYA is also exploring homeownership.”

Services will be provided in partnership with Arlington County Department of Human Services, Arlington Food Assistance Center and Our Stomping Ground, which helps adults with disabilities live independently.

(more…)

Crime report: Fights lead to shot fired in apartment building, bar patron arrested in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com
Arlington police and Virginia State Police on the Clarendon nightlife detail (file photo)

Arlington County police are investigating after someone fire a gunshot at an apartment building in the Shirlington area.

The incident happened Saturday night on the road that leads from Shirlington to Fairlington, during an apparent argument inside the building. No one was hurt and police are still investigating in an effort to find a suspect.

From today’s ACPD crime report:

SHOT FIRED, 2023-01070239, 4500 block of 31st Street S. At approximately 10:07 p.m. on January 7, police were dispatched to the report of trouble unknown after receiving reports of an argument and possible shot fired inside a residential building. Responding officers located damage to the ceiling of a hallway which was consistent with the discharge of a firearm. No injuries were reported. There is no suspect description. The investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.

Also in today’s crime report, a Maryland man was arrested early this morning in the Clarendon bar district following a fight inside an establishment.

Police say the suspect left the area, returned, and then led police on a foot chase that ended in a struggle with officers and an arrest.

More from ACPD:

ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2023-01090007, 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 12:19 a.m. on January 9, police were dispatched to the report of disorderly conduct. Upon arrival, it was determined a fight had occurred inside an establishment. While officers were investigating the circumstances of the incident, the suspect left the scene. A short time later, police were contacted again when the suspect returned to the area. As an officer approached the suspect to continue the investigation, he attempted to flee on foot but was stopped by another officer and a struggle ensued, during which the suspect was non-compliant, actively resisted arrested and assaulted an officer. With the assistance of additional officers, he was taken into custody. During a search of his person incident to arrest, suspected narcotics were recovered. [The suspect], 25, of Columbia, MD was arrested and charged with Obstruction of Justice, Assault on Police, Drunk in Public and Possession of Schedule I/II Controlled Substance.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Stay classy, Clarendon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Anti-Missing Middle Rally — “Hundreds of people gathered in Arlington Sunday afternoon to protest a Missing Middle housing proposal that opponents complained is ‘deeply flawed’ and is getting rushed through the county’s approval process.” [Patch]

New Deputy Police Chiefs — “Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn is pleased to announce the appointment of Captain LaTasha Chamberlain and Captain David Giroux to the position of Deputy Chief of Police… The appointments follow the retirements of two long-term Deputy Chiefs. Deputy Chief Daniel Murray, the agency’s longest tenured member, retired in January 2023 following 45 years of dedicated service and Deputy Chief Michael Dunne retired in June 2022 following 38 years of dedicated service.” [ACPD]

CA Challenger Announces Bid — “Her name never passed his lips, but incumbent Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Deghani-Tafti was in the crosshairs of challenger Josh Katcher as he formally kicked off his bid to unseat her. ‘We are falling short – we are failing to execute on the process of 21st-century criminal justice,’ Katcher said during remarks Jan. 4 at the Arlington County Democratic Committee.” [Sun Gazette]

State Sen. Challenger Announces — “Attorney James DeVita on Jan. 4 launched a bid to unseat state Sen. Adam Ebbin in what, owing to redistricting, will henceforth be called the 39th Senate District. ‘Politics should be about ideas,’ DeVita said at the monthly meeting of the Arlington County Democratic Committee, pressing issues ranging from decriminalization of drug possession to green energy to tackling hunger and homelessness.” [Sun Gazette]

Wakefield Football Coach Departs — “Darrell Weeks, the Wakefield High School head football coach for the 2022 season, has stepped down. Weeks informed his players of that decision the afternoon of Jan. 4. Wakefield finished 0-10 during the fall season. Weeks desired to return as the Warriors coach, but said he decided to leave when he was not allowed to hire or keep couple of top assistant coaches he wanted on his staff for the 2023 campaign.” [Sun Gazette]

Trade Group Leaving Arlington — “Health care trade group Healthcare Distribution Alliance is kicking off the new year with new digs in downtown D.C. The organization is leaving its longtime home in Arlington for 13,000 square feet at 1275 Pennsylvania Ave. NW… HDA has been headquartered at 901 N. Glebe Road for roughly two decades, having last renewed its lease there in 2014.” [Washington Business Journal]

Reckless Driver Causes Crash — From Dave Statter: “#caughtoncamera: Nothing like going across I-395S from the left lane to the right to get to the exit you missed & then driving off from the 3 car crash you created. A brilliant move!” [Twitter]

Popcorn Shop Coming to Seven Corners — “A new gourmet popcorn shop is coming next year to Seven Corners Shopping Center. Coming from the team behind Jake’s Ice Cream in Falls Church, Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn is slated to open next year at 6201 Seven Corners Center next to Michael’s…  the team will continue its commitment to to hire people with disabilities.” [FFXnow]

It’s Monday — Clear and sunny. High of 45 and low of 37. Sunrise at 7:28 am and sunset at 5:05 pm. [Weather.gov]

Arlington looks to bridge digital divide with county-owned fiber network

By Jo DeVoe
Arlington County’s fiber optic network (via Arlington County)

Arlington County is surveying residents and businesses to understand how they use broadband internet service and if their access can be improved.

The results of the survey are part of a $250,000 study that could inform ways to bridge the digital divide between residents with good internet connectivity and those without it, using the county’s existing fiber-optic network, dubbed ConnectArlington.

“The Broadband study builds off past work to fill in information gaps and provide a clearer picture of the County’s broadband needs,” Erika Moore, a spokeswoman for Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, tells ARLnow.

Arlington has an extensive fiber network, which it installed seven years ago to provide connectivity for county and Arlington Public Schools facilities, support public safety needs and encourage economic development. She says this move has since saved the county money and now allows for additional uses, such as connecting traffic cameras, emergency services and colleges across the area.

Now, the county is partnering with Vienna-based consultant Televate to look at how to leverage what it has to bridge the digital divide, an issue exacerbated by the pandemic.

“Based upon gaps identified, the consultant will lay out a comparative evaluation of different service delivery models to address the County’s needs,” Moore said. “Depending upon the outcome of the study, the County may need additional analysis to further research a specific model.”

The study will also review a license agreement for leasing strands along an 864-count fiber line dedicated to economic development. The concept, intended to give local companies higher-speed internet at lower costs than big-name providers like Comcast, has languished because would-be providers found the agreement onerous. So far, only JBG Smith has agreed to lease some of the cable to help build its 5G-enabled “Smart City.”

“The likelihood of modifying the license or changing or adding other policies will be considered after the results of the study,” Moore said.

The survey, available now in English and Spanish, asks people a few dozen questions about internet use. Questions include how long respondents have used the internet and how much it contributes to their jobs, whether they use broadband for telehealth services, if they’re satisfied with the speed and cost, as well as demographic questions.

Moore says the county has studied the digital divide before but not on this comprehensive of a scale. Past research targeted low-income housing and relied on Federal Communications Commission and U.S. Census data.

This “did not provide the level of detail needed and gave no indication of service quality, bandwidth availability, provider competition, or digital literacy needs,” she said.

A coalition of local advocates for making broadband a county-provided utility say the scope seems redundant given past efforts, however.

“The county has studied the digital divide to death. We have good numbers on that,” says ArlFiber Collective leader Tim Dempsey, adding that ironically, the survey is long and only available online.

“Televate LLC, does not appear to be interested in seriously studying municipal broadband and the current course and scope of the study could very well reproduce the same work on broadband that has been done in the past, without moving us forward in any meaningful way,” ArlFiber wrote on its website. “Residents and civic groups that are interested in community broadband for all, should reach out to the County Board members and let them know.”

(more…)

County urges inclusion of child care for proposed senior living facility in Alcova Heights

By Jo DeVoe
1/2

Arlington County has accepted a site plan application for a senior living facility proposed to replace a church in the Alcova Heights neighborhood.

Sunrise Senior Living, a McLean-based senior living provider, proposes to demolish a church building at 716 S. Glebe Road to build a four-story, 60-foot-tall building with 108 assisted living units, 55 parking spaces, common and service areas, a covered porch and an outdoor garden.

Kedrick Whitmore, the land use attorney representing Sunrise Senior Living, says the development would add sorely needed assisted living facilities in Arlington County.

“This facility would provide or coordinate personal and health care services, 24-hour supervision, and assistance (scheduled and unscheduled) for the protection general supervision and oversight of the physical and mental well-being of aged, infirm, or disabled adults,” he said. “The current supply of such facilities in Arlington County is insufficient to meet the current demand.”

So far, the applicant isn’t looking to go beyond base density, and proposed community benefits include streetscape and sidewalk improvements, utility and affordable housing contributions and sustainable design, per application documents.

As the change in use would displace two child care programs, county planning staff are urging Sunrise to incorporate child care into the development.

“The County has a need for child care services,” county planner Leon Vignes said. “Please consider the possibility of collocating a child care use with this development to maintain an existing use.”

There are two programs operating inside the church, Children’s Weekday Program and Rainbow Road Preschool. County staff said one of the programs in operation there does not have the necessary approvals to do so, but did not specify which.

“A previously approved use permit for childcare uses affiliated with the existing Methodist church was discontinued with the operator noting the potential to resume operation,” associate planner Anika Chowdhury said in staff comments on the application. “A revelation confirmed by the applicant was that an existing daycare is currently operating at the existing church. There is no valid use permit approval on file for this operating use and a use permit is required for child care use(s) per the ACZO.”

If Sunrise were to consider incorporating a child care center, it would have to request changes to how the property is zoned, Chowdhury says.

County planner Matthew Pfeiffer, meanwhile, urged the applicant to increase the number of trees it will plant and make the architecture appear more historic.

“Recommend altering architectural style to match existing historic properties, such as Colonial Revival,” Pfeiffer said. “The most important site design aspect will be ensuring that there is a strong vegetated buffer on the western property line to screen The Alcova,” a historic property next door.

The building’s owner, Arlington United Methodist Church, sold the property to Sunrise last year, leaving a different Christian congregation that meets there, the Redeemer Church of Arlington, the child care programs and a clothing bank in search of a new home.

Sunrise has two other senior living centers in Arlington, in the Glebewood and Boulevard Manor neighborhoods.

Gun brandishing suspect allegedly tries to flee while still in handcuffs

By ARLnow.com
File photo

An 18-year-old Arlington man is facing multiple charges after a dispute led to an alleged gun brandishing and then a foot chase.

The incident started Wednesday afternoon in the Arlington Mill neighborhood, just north of Arlington’s western end of Columbia Pike. It ended with the suspect being detained near the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive — and then, according to scanner traffic at the time, leading police on a brief foot chase while in handcuffs.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

BRANDISHING, 2023-01040171, S. Harrison Street at 8th Street S. At approximately 3:38 p.m. on January 4, police were dispatched to the report of an abduction. During the course of the investigation, officers made contact with the involved parties, who are known to each other, and determined no abduction had occurred. The investigation indicates the male suspect became involved in a verbal dispute with the male victim, during which he allegedly brandished a firearm before leaving the scene in a vehicle. Responding officers located the suspect in the 1000 block of S. Edgewood Street and detained him. While the investigation was ongoing, the suspect fled from officers on foot. Officers initiated a foot pursuit and took the suspect into custody. A firearm was recovered and a search of the victim’s vehicle yielded suspected narcotics. [The suspect], 18, of Arlington, Va., was arrested and charged with Brandishing, Possession of Schedule I/II, Possession of a Firearm while in Possession of Drugs and Obstruction of Justice. He was held without bond.

Also in the latest crime report, a resident of the Penrose neighborhood found a bullet that had somehow entered their home’s bedroom.

Police radio traffic at the time suggested that the resident found a bullet hole in their roof while taking down Christmas lights — perhaps after someone within a mile or so fired a gun into the air — but an ACPD spokeswoman was unable to confirm any details of the incident to ARLnow, beyond what was in the crime report.

MISSILE INTO OCCUPIED DWELLING, 2023-01040139, 100 block of S. Cleveland Street. At approximately 12:38 p.m. on January 4, police were dispatched to the report of suspicious circumstances. Upon arrival, it was determined the victim was in his home when he located damage to a bedroom. Responding officers recovered a bullet and located property damage to a ceiling within a bedroom. No injuries were reported. There is no suspect description. The investigation is ongoing.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Pickleball under the lights at Lubber Run (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

FDIC Sues Arlington — “The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is suing Arlington County for a tax refund, alleging the county assessed its Virginia Square office buildings too high during the pandemic years, perhaps portending more such quarrels if office vacancy remains high and drives down values. The FDIC owns a handful of parcels just north of the Virginia Square-GMU Metro station.” [Washington Business Journal]

Condo Fire Near Rosslyn — “Scanner: ACFD is on scene of a fire in a unit at the Memorial Overlook condo building near Rosslyn. Sounds like most of the fire is out but they’re looking for additional flames in the ceiling and evaluating one potential injury.” [Twitter]

New Historical Marker Planned — “Some details remain to be worked out, but plans are moving forward on the quest to honor the late Evelyn Reid Syphax with an historical marker at the Arlington school system’s headquarters. Syphax (1926-2000) was an educator, civic leader and philanthropist. Among her achievements was service on the county School Board.” [Sun Gazette]

Drug Charges After Speeders Stopped — “Remember this one? @ArlingtonVaPD with details about a car that initially appeared to flee an officer on I-395N but ended up stopping when reaching the back-up at the bridge. Two drug arrests from that encounter.” [Twitter]

Falls Church Meets Emissions Goal — “Greenhouse gas emissions in the City of Falls Church reduced by 22 percent since 2005, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Summaries. This achievement surpasses a goal set in the City’s 2017 Community Energy Plan. Despite an estimated 34 percent population growth between 2005 and 2020, the City of Falls Church reduced emissions through a cleaner electrical grid and becoming more efficient on a number of fronts.” [City of Falls Church]

It’s Friday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 53 and low of 41. Sunrise at 7:28 am and sunset at 5:02 pm. [Weather.gov]

SCOOP: New District Brewing in Green Valley on tap to close in May, looking for new location

By Matt Blitz
New District Brewing in Green Valley (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington’s only production brewery is set to close in late spring, but its owners remain hopeful about moving to a new location.

New District Brewing Co. in Green Valley is closing at the end of May, co-owner Mike Katrivanos confirmed to ARLnow. Memorial Day weekend is currently scheduled to be the brewery’s last days of operation at 2709 S. Oakland Street.

“Arlington’s first production brewery in one hundred years” was unable to renew its lease due to a rent increase and the landlord wanting them to lease the whole building, a large industrial space near Four Mile Run and the Shirlington Dog Park.

“It would have been more than two and a half times the current rent that we pay,” said Katrivanos. “Plus, an all-new build-out for the unrenovated portion of the building that we didn’t have when we initially moved in.”

Despite the brewery being profitable, those extra expenses are not tenable for New District, Katrivanos said.

“We are being priced out,” he said.

Even during rough times, New District — which opened in early 2016 — has had a consistent community presence in Arlington. That includes a beer garden at the county fair, a stand at the Columbia Pike Blues Festival, and organizing the Valley Fest, an arts and music festival in Green Valley.

The community stepped up for the brewery last year, helping it to purchase its own canning line. But then last month, an indoor dog park and bar announced it was coming to 2709 S. Oakland Street with an opening planned for August 2023. This led to some confusion since that was the same address as the well-known, local brewery, which had not yet announced its own closure.

Katrivanos clarified that this was simply a gap in communication and timing, noting that new tenant locked down its own lease before New District was informed about what was happening.

Now, with a few weeks to digest the news, the brewery is looking to the future and remains hopeful that this simply will result in a move as opposed to full-on closure.

Katrivanos said he no longer wants to rent and is looking to buy a commercial property in Arlington, where he spent much of his childhood. It’s something he’s “made no secret” about wanting to do since the brewery first opened seven years ago.

A number of years ago, New District put in an offer to buy the old WETA building on 27th Street S., not far from the brewery’s current location. But that building and land ended up being sold to the county and demolished for the expansion of Jennie Dean Park.

More recently, there was an offer to buy a building on Columbia Pike, Katrivanos said, taking advantage of code changes approved last year allowing breweries to move in. But that also didn’t pan out.

Nonetheless, Katrivanos is still optimistic they’ll find a new home for New District in Arlington and is seeking a 4,000 to 6,000-square-foot commercial property priced around $1.5 million.

If a new home isn’t secured by end of the May, a tough decision may be on tap for New District.

“Either, we’re going to have to relocate out of Arlington or, something even worse, like probably shut down,” Katrivanos said.

For the moment, though, the brewery is focused on celebrating its seventh anniversary on Thursday, January 12. There are going to be limited bottle releases, half-price growler fills, and music throughout the weekend.

With the end of May in the not-too-distant future, Katrivanos is focused on finding a way to keep New District in Arlington.

“We’ll see how the fortunes of fate treat us,” he said.

View More Stories