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Arlington County Board Considering Banning Firearms From Public Property

By Vernon Miles

The County Board last night unanimously approved consideration of a new ordinance that would effectively ban carrying firearms on county-owned property.

The move is the first step towards making the ordinance part of county policy, though it will still need to undergo a public hearing and a vote at the Board’s next meeting.

According to a staff report:

The proposed ordinance would restrict the possession, carrying or transportation of any firearms on specified locality property. Buildings and other property will be posted to notify the public of the restrictions. The proposed ordinance provides for a Class 1 Misdemeanor penalty for violations.

The ordinance would ban carrying or transporting firearms in buildings owned, leased or used by the County as well as in parks, recreational or community facilities owned or used by the County. Staff clarified that in buildings only partially used by the County, the restriction would be in effect for parts of the building the county government was operating out of.

“The legislation also authorized these prohibitions in public streets where there is a permitted event, whether or not the event actually received its permit,” the staff report said. “We believe this added authorization allows the County to enforce this prohibition on public streets during an event operating under a Special Event Permit.”

Those not affected by the ordinance would include:

  • Military personnel acting within the scope of their official duties
  • Sworn or retired law enforcement officers
  • Private security personnel hired by the County
  • Historical reenactors and those possessing inoperative, unloaded firearms when such persons are participating in or traveling to/from special events that involve the display or demonstration of these firearms
  • Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs and intercollegiate sports where the sport includes the use of a firearm

The move comes after the General Assembly approved legislation allowing localities to adopt certain prohibitions on firearms. The first advertisement for the proposed ordinance was at a County Board meeting Wednesday night, with a full public hearing scheduled for Sept. 12.

The legislation is nearly identical to similar legislation passed recently in Alexandria and is shaping up to face similar opposition. County Manager Mark Schwartz vowed to craft the ordinance to be in-line with policies in neighboring jurisdictions.

During the public comment yesterday, there were roughly 60 speakers, with County Board Chair Libby Garvey noting that an unusually high number of speakers who were not Arlington residents.

(more…)

Many Still Without Power After Wednesday’s Storms

By ARLnow.com

More than 1,000 Dominion customers are still without power following a round of strong storms Wednesday afternoon.

At the peak of the post-storm outages, the company reported more than 10,000 customers in the dark in Arlington County. As of 11:45 a.m. Thursday, that figure was down to 1,070. The outages are scattered throughout the county, with some concentrated in certain neighborhoods.

On its website, Dominion estimates that power will not be restored to all Arlington customers until 11 p.m. tonight. The company said that more than 52,000 lost electricity in Northern Virginia due to the storms, creating a backlog for power crews.

Among those still affected are Courthouse pub Ireland’s Four Courts and hundreds of residents of Lyon Park and Ashton Heights, where a large tree fell on power lines.

Dominion is not the only utility company experiencing service outages in Arlington. Comcast is also reportedly working to restore service to customers throughout the county.

While not on par with Wednesday’s storms, another round of thunderstorms are likely later today. The National Weather Service cautions that damaging winds and localized flooding are possible.

WETA Expansion Gets Green Light from County Board

By ARLnow.com
1/3

A proposal to expand public television station WETA’s Shirlington headquarters has been approved by the Arlington County Board.

The station is planning to construct a four-story addition between the existing office building, at 3939 Campbell Avenue, and its parking garage. The 17,000 square foot addition would then house the WETA studios that produce the national PBS NewsHour broadcast, allowing the current NewsHour studios to be razed and used to expand Jennie Dean Park.

In addition to housing more than 100 NewsHour employees, the addition will have a giant, outward-facing TV screen on the ground floor, adding some flair to Shirlington’s street life.

An even larger project may eventually come to the current WETA site, after the Board’s approval of a new Shirlington land use plan study on Saturday. The study suggests that WETA’s above-ground parking garage is a prime candidate “for demolition and redevelopment.”

More on the expansion approval, from a county press release:

The Arlington County Board has approved WETA’s plan to expand its Shirlington headquarters and an incentive grant to will keep the public television station in Arlington for at least another 5 years.

“WETA was born in Arlington,” Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey said. “Its headquarters lies on Campbell Avenue, named for Elizabeth Campbell, an educator and activist who worked tirelessly to create a public television station here that was educational and good for children. She then guided it for four decades. WETA is a big part of Shirlington’s success and an important part of our community. I’m thrilled that this respected educational and cultural institution, and its 292 jobs, will be staying in Arlington for years to come.”

The Board voted unanimously to approve the expansion, the performance-based incentive grant, and purchase and lease-back agreement for WETA’s 27th Street S. studio site…

WETA, the non-profit local PBS station, will add a four-story studio and office building to its existing six-story headquarters at 3939 Campbell Avenue, opened in 1989. The addition, with its state-of-the-art television studio, will be built in a private courtyard between the existing building and WETA’s above-grade parking garage, connecting the two existing structures. A large media screen will be installed at the building’s ground level on S. Quincy Street.

The expansion will allow WETA to vacate its aging television studio on 27th Street S., which the County is purchasing for the expansion of Jennie Dean Park.

The Board approved a $2.27 million Economic Development Incentive (EDI) grant for WETA. Under the grant agreement, WETA is committed to retain its 292 jobs and more than 88,000 square feet of occupied commercial space in Shirlington for at least 15 years and to invest at least $15 million in constructing the new studio. The EDI grant is performance-based, with WETA eligible to receive up to $112,500 annually over 15 years if it meets the jobs and base facility targets. WETA must repay the grant if it does not reach its performance targets. Staff estimates that the 15-year net tax benefit for the County will be approximately $4.8 million. The Board also approved the purchase, for a price of $8 million of WETA’s 27th Street S., studio, and a lease-back agreement that will allow WETA to lease the studio for up to five years.

Morning Poll: Should Plastic Shopping Bags Be Taxed?

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington County Board appears likely to consider a tax on plastic shopping bags later this year.

At the Board’s Saturday meeting, a volunteer from the group EcoAction Arlington spoke in favor of a five-cent tax on plastic bags, similar to that which has been implemented in D.C. and other cities, during the public comment period.

In response, Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz noted that state authorization for such a tax — a five cent tax on plastic bags from grocery stores, convenience stores and drugstores — was recently signed into law by Gov. Ralph Northam, but will not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2021. In the meantime, county staff are “working on” a proposal to bring to the Board in the fall, he said.

“We look forward to having a conversation,” Schwartz said.

The volunteer, Whitney Beer-Kerr, said that a per-bag tax helps to cut down on such bags — which take centuries to decompose — winding up in waterways and landfills. Revenue from the tax can also be used on a variety of environmental initiatives.

On the other hand, a key alternative to plastic grocery bags — reusable shopping bags — are being discouraged by stores for employee health reasons during the pandemic. And Schwartz said that charging extra money for plastic bags could raise “equity questions.”

Paper bags, however, remain a viable and more environmentally-friendly alternative, County Board member Katie Cristol said during the meeting.

What do you think?

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Changes at Prosecutor’s Office — Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti has announced a reorganization of her office to implement a “vertical prosecution” model. The new structure “requires that one prosecutor be assigned to each case from start to finish; it permits the assigned attorney to work early and closely with law enforcement, victims, witnesses, and defense attorneys.” The office has also recently stopped its courtroom involvement with certain types of minor traffic offenses. [Press Release, Twitter]

Man Pleads Guilty to Arlington Carjacking — “A Washington, D.C. man pleaded guilty today to his role in an armed robbery and carjacking that led to a high-speed police chase and resulted in injuries to two police officers. According to court documents, Jovan Doir Johnson, 30, together with another individual, obtained a stolen vehicle at gunpoint in Arlington and then used it to rob a 7-Eleven in Lorton.” [Dept. of Justice]

Board Approves CIP, Bond Referenda — “The Arlington County Board today voted unanimously to adopt a scaled-down $277.5 million one-year Capital Improvement Plan that focuses on continuing or completing projects already underway and beginning a 10-year program to improve the County’s stormwater infrastructure and flood resiliency… In a related action, the Board unanimously approved bond referenda totaling $144.454 million to be put before the voters on the November ballot.” [Arlington County, Washington Post]

Board to Hold Closed COVID Meeting — “Notice is hereby given that the County Board of Arlington Co., VA, on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 5:30pm, or as soon thereafter as matters may be heard, in accordance with and for the purposes authorized by law will meet to discuss matters related to the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.” [Arlington County]

Pandemic May Cause Hunger Crisis — “Up to a quarter of a million people in the Washington area could be thrown into hunger because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the Capital Area Food Bank, even as the amount of donated food and the number of distribution sites plummet precipitously.” [Washington Post]

Flickr pool photo by Vincent

Four Arrested, Charged With Violent Car Thefts

By ARLnow.com

Four men have been arrested following a car chase and a pair of alleged carjackings.

The violent incidents happened Tuesday afternoon and evening. Police say three of the men, who are all 18 years of age, first knocked a man unconscious in a Ballston parking garage and stole his Honda Civic.

While driving the stolen car, they later rear-ended a BMW on S. Glebe Road, in the Crystal City/Potomac Yard area, and then “began performing donuts in the roadway” before getting out, striking the female driver of the BMW in the head and stealing her car, according to police.

The stolen BMW was found crashed in D.C. The Civic was spotted by Fairfax County police and the four men were subsequently taken into custody after a brief car chase, Arlington County Police said.

In an unrelated car-related incident, an unattended vehicle was reportedly stolen on S. Eads Street this afternoon in the Crystal City/Pentagon City area — a crime similar to one reported near the Pentagon City Costco parking lot last month.

More from an ACPD press release:

Four suspects are facing charges following a series of auto-related crimes in which the vehicles were taken by force. Destiny Morris, 18, of Annandale, VA, Denali Goodridge, 18, of Washington D.C., Treshawn Taylor, 18, of Alexandria, VA and Ayinde Mason, 18, of Washington D.C. have been charged with carjacking. Additional charges are pending.

At approximately 2:37 p.m. on July 21, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force in the 4600 block of Fairfax Drive. Upon arrival, it was determined medics responded to the report of a man down. When the victim regained consciousness, he reported having been assaulted by three unknown male suspects while walking through the garage after parking his vehicle. Following the assault, the suspects stole the victim’s Honda Civic and personal belongings before fleeing the scene in his vehicle. The victim was transported by medics to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

At approximately 6:06 p.m. on July 21, police were dispatched to the report of a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Potomac Avenue and S. Glebe Road. Upon arrival, it was determined the victim was stopped at a red light when she was rear ended by the suspect vehicle, which was determined to be the Honda Civic previously reported stolen from the 4600 block of Fairfax Drive. The victim pulled over, called police and exited her BMW to assess the damage. The suspect then proceeded past her and began performing doughnuts in the roadway before driving back towards the victim and parking in front of her vehicle. Four suspects then exited the vehicle and surrounded the victim. One suspect struck the victim in the head, got into her vehicle and fled the scene with the Honda Civic following behind.

A lookout was broadcast to area law enforcement agencies for the stolen vehicles. The Metropolitan Police Department recovered the unoccupied BMW after it crashed, and the occupants fled the scene. The Honda Civic was located in Fairfax County and, following a brief pursuit by Fairfax County Police Department, the suspects were taken into custody.

This incident remains an active criminal investigation and the arrestees are suspects in additional auto offenses in Arlington. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Safety Tips and Crime Prevention Measures

The Arlington County Police Department is sharing the following tips to help keep you safe when using and parking your vehicle:

  • Park in well-lit, high traffic areas
  • Exit your vehicle and continue to your destination promptly after parking
  • Be aware of your surroundings when entering and exiting your vehicle
  • If in doubt, don’t get out of your vehicle — drive away and park someplace else
  • Never leave your vehicle running unattended, even if you are making short trips
  • Limit your use of devices that may distract you, such as cell phones and headphones
  • Don’t leave items unattended or visible in your vehicle

The department’s efforts to prevent crime in Arlington County are enhanced by the active involvement of the public. If you observe suspicious activity or are the victim of a crime, contact police immediately by calling the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 911 in an emergency.

BREAKING: Thousands Without Power in Arlington After Storm

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Update at 7 p.m. — Outages in Arlington are now down to just over 3,000 power customers, according to Dominion’s website. Affected neighborhoods include Pentagon City, the Columbia Pike corridor near Penrose Square, the area around Wakefield High School, Lyon Park, Virginia Square, and Old Glebe.

Earlier: The worst of this afternoon’s severe storm has passed, leaving thousands without power in Arlington in its week.

While rain, lightning and thunder continues, the clean-up is getting underway. Dominion reported more than 10,600 customers without power in Arlington as of 4:30 p.m., with outages scattered throughout the county but concentrated in residential North Arlington.

The storm packed strong winds, with Reagan National Airport recording a 58 mile per hour gust.

Police and firefighters are responding to numerous reports of downed trees and wires, as well as sparking electrical transformers, including at:

  • 13th Street S. in the Douglas Park neighborhood
  • N. Utah Street in Waverly Hills
  • N. Irving Street near Clarendon
  • N. Manchester Street near Wilson Blvd
  • S. Utah Street in Fairlington

The power outages have also resulted in a number of calls for stuck elevators, including in Pentagon City. Multiple people are stuck in elevators in parts of the county, according to scanner traffic.

Among those currently without power: Rocklands BBQ in Virginia Square.

Arlington Seeking Online Feedback, Offering Virtual Walking Tour of Rosslyn Redevelopment

By ARLnow.com
1/20

A major redevelopment project is coming to Rosslyn and Arlington County is soliciting online feedback about it.

With the pandemic nixing in-person meetings, the county is piloting a virtual walking tour of the project, which will redevelop the former Art Institute building at 1820 N. Fort Myer Drive (also known as the Ames Center) into two new residential towers.

The current plan is for the new development — across Fort Myer Drive from the Rosslyn Metro station — to include 740 residential units, 574 parkings space, and about 8,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. It will also remove two pedestrian bridges, while adding a central plaza and pedestrian walkway that would act as an extension of the 18th Street corridor.

The existing Sunoco gas station and Arlington Temple United Methodist Church would remain and will be “rebuilt in place.” The towers will be 30 and 31 stories apiece.

The county is collecting online feedback on the project, from Arlington-based developer Snell Properties, through tomorrow (Thursday). It is expected to be considered for County Board approval this fall.

County Board Approves Five New Road Projects

By ARLnow.com
1/7

The Arlington County Board has approved road improvement projects on three arterial streets and two neighborhood streets.

The arterial street projects involve Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to bus stops and ramps, improvements to crosswalks, and other changes to S. Arlington Ridge Road, N. Carlin Springs Road and Military Road — at an estimated cost of $550,000.

More from a county staff report:

The work proposed for the intersection of South Arlington Ridge Road and South Lang Street will provide a safer pedestrian crossing to Gunston School and provide ADA compliant bus stops. The improvements at the intersections of North Carlin Springs Road and North Edison Street and North Wakefield Street will deliver ADA compliant bus stops and installation of a RRFB (rectangular rapid flashing beacon) at the North Edison Street intersection. The project planned for the intersections of 36th Road North and North Marcey Road with Military Road will include ADA compliant bus stops and realignment of the intersection for North Marcey Road for improved vehicle movement.

The Board also approved two “Neighborhood Complete Streets” capital projects, including:

  • New sidewalk, curb ramps, and paving along 13th Street S. between Walter Reed Drive and Glebe Road, in the Douglas Park neighborhood
  • Curb extensions and improved bus stops along 7th Road S. in the Arlington Mill neighborhood

The 13th Street project has the goal of a safer pedestrian experience on a street commonly used by cut-through traffic, with an incomplete sidewalk. The 7th Road S. project aims to create “pinch points” to reduce vehicle speeds, on a stretch where speeding and crashes are problematic. Both projects have an approximate cost of $600,000.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

County Launches COVID Dashboard — “Just launched: Arlington’s COVID Data Dashboard with comprehensive information on cases by age, race and zip code; trends in % pos testing; date of symptom onset; and more. Track the course of the pandemic with us, here. And stay safe and mask up!” [Twitter, Arlington County]

Shirlington Parking Challenges — “Shirlington has significant amounts of surface and garage parking, but much of it is restricted during working hours to ensure employees have a place to park. (Many, though not all, of those spaces become available to the general public after 5 p.m.) ‘There’s lots of parking – [but] what’s there isn’t allocated very well,’ County Board Chairman Libby Garvey said.” [InsideNova]

Justice Reform Discussion Tomorrow — “The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Dems) and Arlington Young Democrats will host a Facebook Live forum at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 23, in advance of a special session of the General Assembly set to begin Aug. 18 that will largely be devoted to criminal justice reform.” [Arlington Democrats]

New Chief Race and Equity Officer Discusses Role — “This position focuses on leading, coordinating and overseeing county organizations and partnering with the community to advance racial equity. To me, this entails focusing on systems and our organizational structure and really how racism presents itself — in our policies, our practices, how we interact and engage with the community.” [Arlington Magazine]

New Office Tenants in Ballston — “CropLife America, The Fertilizer Institute and the Agricultural Retailers Association have signed a 15-year lease for 25,564 square feet to co-locate in Ballston Exchange, a 776,000-square-foot mixed-use office and retail mixed-use project.” [Commercial Observer]

Other School Systems Go Online-Only — Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Montgomery County public schools are joining Arlington in going online-only to start the semester. [DCist, WJLA, Loudoun Times-Mirror, Bethesda Beat]

Flickr pool photo by Jim Webster

County Board Approves Public-Private Partnership for Second Crystal City Metro Entrance

By ARLnow.com

A second entrance to the Crystal City Metro station is closer to becoming a reality.

Developer JBG Smith will be performing preliminary engineering work on the planned second entrance, under a public-private partnership approved by the Arlington County Board over the weekend.

JBG will receive around $3.5 million for the work, which is expected to wrap up by May 2021. That will allow the new eastern Metro entrance — near the intersection of 18th Street and Crystal Drive — to open prior to a 2025 deadline.

More from a county staff report:

This Project has been included in four consecutive Capital Improvement Plans (CIP), including the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 – 2028 CIP at a cost of $90.765 million CIP. The project was also included in the Crystal City Sector Plan update, adopted in 2010. Funding includes $82.5 million of federal and state transportation grants associated with the State’s Amazon commitment for transportation infrastructure. The project also has an existing $5 million NVTA regional grant. As part of the package, the County committed to complete the Project in FY25.

Under a proposed project schedule, the new entrance could open as early as late 2023.

The Board also on Saturday approved an agreement with WMATA to support the design process for the entrance project.

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