Garbage fire in the middle of Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Garbage fire in the middle of Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Garbage fire in the middle of Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Garbage fire in the middle of Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Bad news for those going to the Eden Center this afternoon: you’ll have to contend with a smoldering pile of garbage in the middle of Wilson Blvd.
Firefighters from Arlington and Fairfax County were dispatched to the intersection of Wilson Blvd and Roosevelt Blvd — near the Eden Center and the border of Falls Church and Arlington — around 1:30 p.m.
Refuse in the back of a garbage truck reportedly caught fire, leading the driver to dump the load across the street.
As of 1:45 p.m. firefighters were working to douse residual fire within the stinky, steaming trash pile. Wilson Blvd was blocked in both directions as of publication time.
Dumping the flaming garbage appears to be standard procedure so that the truck itself does not go up in flames. Similar trash fires previously happened locally in May 2019 and August 2021.
Officers are on scene assisting @ffxfirerescue at Wilson Blvd and Peyton Randolph Dr for garbage that caught on fire inside of a trash truck. The roadway is closed in both directions as crews work to clean up the road. Please avoid the area. #FCPDpic.twitter.com/ecbgf1s4pr
JBG Smith is asking Arlington County to relieve it of restrictions that it says present serious obstacles to putting up new rooftop signs.
The real estate company is specifically asking the county to remove language restricting the number and size of signs allowed on two office buildings in the Crystal Park development it owns in Crystal City. The proposal is set to go before the County Board this Saturday.
Not everyone is comfortable with the language change, however. Two area civic associations told the county that the restrictions should stay, fearing this would pave the way for more signs going forward.
Currently, Crystal Park offices are governed by a document that “ties certain approved signs to specific tenants, some of which no longer occupy the premises, limits installation of rooftop signs to a single, prescribed rooftop sign and contains outdated requirements for approved signs,” land-use attorney Kedrick Whitmore wrote in an application to the county.
This hamstrings JBG Smith, he continues.
“Collectively, these restrictions complicate the ability to re-design existing signage for new tenants and present obstacles to achieving new rooftop signage,” Whitmore wrote.
JBG Smith is requesting the county remove restrictions for Crystal Park 1 and 3 office buildings, located at 2011 Crystal Drive and 2231 Crystal Drive. Instead, it asks the county evaluate new signage only in accordance to the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance.
In 2012, the zoning code was updated, providing new clarifying parameters for signs and only requiring staff review. This change did not apply to a smattering of older developments throughout Arlington governed by more restrictive agreements.
County staff say this change would make it easier for JBG Smith to compete for tenants.
“As commercial buildings mature and market themselves for new tenants, it is imperative that building owners be able to avail themselves of sign permissions available to other similar buildings so as to not place themselves at a competitive disadvantage,” the report said.
The county notes that other building owners have made similar requests and had the support of staff, as this “allow[s] for fair administration of building signage.”
The report says Crystal City and Aurora Highlands civic associations told the county they do not support JBG Smith’s request because it could allow for more signs.
The other reason, leaders told the county, is that the current provisions were decided through negotiated community benefits during the site plan review process.
“The community accepted less in the way of other benefits to limit the number and size of signs, so they believe that changes to allow more signs would not be fair,” the report says.
The county says it found no evidence that the more restrictive language was related to community benefit packages.
“Rather these were common site plan conditions approved in the absence of comprehensive sign provisions of the [zoning ordinance], which are now in place,” the report said.
Eric Cassel, the president of the Crystal City Civic Association, told ARLnow this morning that, as of now, the issue is “relatively minor.”
“JBGS downgraded the proposal significantly and we are not spending resources to oppose it,” he said.
Scene of hit and run crash in Lyon Village (courtesy photo)
Scene of hit and run crash in Lyon Village (courtesy photo)
Scene of hit and run crash in Lyon Village (courtesy photo)
Scene of hit and run crash in Lyon Village (courtesy photo)
An arrest has been made following a July crash in Lyon Village in which the driver allegedly fled the scene with two small children.
The crash happened around 10 p.m. on N. Bryan Street, in the aftermath of severe storms.
“Around 10:05 pm, a black Porsche SUV went screeching down N. Bryan St. in Lyon Village at a high speed,” a resident told ARLnow at the time. “[It] crashed into a light pole and took the entire pole down across N. Bryan, hit a stop sign which got attached to the undercarriage of the Porsche, then did a sharp left turn into 16th Street where the car came to a stop.”
“Then I heard a little girl screaming ‘Daddy, Daddy!’ It was heartstopping,” she continued. “I ran outside at the sound of the collision and heard the girl screaming. When I got there, the car was still running, all the doors were open, but no one was in it. Neighbors were pouring out of their houses to see what had happened.”
“At least three witnesses reported that the man got out of the Porsche and told his children (apparently 2 young children) ‘Run with me,’ she said. “Then they took off running down 16th Street towards Courthouse.”
Among the destinations that could be seen on the wrecked Porsche’s navigation system were Le Diplomate restaurant in D.C. and a home in Vienna, Virginia. Yesterday, ARLnow’s sister site FFXnow reported that a 42-year-old Arlington man is facing charges here and in Vienna for the crash and for allegedly making false statements to police.
From FFXnow:
The Vienna Police Department got a report on July 30 from a supposed resident who said his vehicle had been stolen out of his garage on Battle Street SE sometime between midnight on July 29 and 9 a.m. on July 30.
“A resident left his vehicle unsecured in the garage with the keys inside overnight,” police said in a summary from its recap of the week of Aug. 4. “Due to a storm and power outage, the garage door was unable to close. The following day, the resident discovered the vehicle was stolen.”
The VPD noted at the time that the vehicle was later located in another jurisdiction.
A subsequent investigation, however, linked the vehicle to a crash in Arlington County where the driver fled the scene with two children, according to an update in the VPD’s latest recap, which covers the week of Sept. 8-14.
“Investigation revealed the driver was the owner of the vehicle who made the stolen vehicle report the following morning,” Vienna police said.
Arlington County police spokeswoman Ashley Savage confirmed to FFXnow that the suspect is also facing charges here.
“As a result of the investigation into the circumstances of the crash, warrants were obtained on September 7 for [the suspect], 42, of Arlington, VA for Child Neglect (x2) and Hit and Run of Unattended Property (x2). He was taken into custody by the Town of Vienna Police Department.”
Renderings of the hotel building set to be built on the Silver Diner site (via Arlington County)
Renderings of the apartment building set to be built on the Silver Diner site (via Arlington County)
Renderings of the apartment building set to be built on the Silver Diner site (via Arlington County)
Renderings of the hotel building set to be built on the Silver Diner site (via Arlington County)
Renderings of plaza space in the Silver Diner site redevelopment (via Arlington County)
Renderings of the apartment building set to be built on the Silver Diner site (via Arlington County)
The old Silver Diner site in Clarendon (via Google Maps)
The old Silver Diner site in Clarendon (via Google Maps)
The Lot in Clarendon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The Doctors Building in 2010 (file photo)
Longtime plans to redevelop the former Silver Diner site in Clarendon are headed to the Arlington County Board for approval.
An 11-story, 290-unit apartment building with about 16,000 square feet of retail and a 10-story, 229-room hotel with a rooftop terrace and bar are proposed for the site, dubbed “Bingham Center.”
This Saturday, the Board is set to review the plans from owner TCS Realty Associates and developer Donohoe Cos., including a request for the county to vacate portions of a public alley and street. In exchange, Arlington would receive some $1.15 million in compensation, per a county report.
The new buildings would sit on a triangular parcel bounded by Wilson Blvd, 10th Street N. and N. Irving Street, across from Northside Social. They would replace the now-closed Silver Diner, the Lot beer garden, two brick structures called “The Doctors Building,” an auto repair facility and surface parking.
The 3200 Wilson Blvd property is near the Joyce Motors site which was approved for another significant development earlier this year, as well as the Wells Fargo development site that’s currently under review.
The project comes forward two months after the County Board approved a deadline extension request from TCS and Donohoe. They asked for more time to fix “unresolved design challenges” along N. Irving Street, particularly regarding the pedestrian experience.
The duo had proposed a loading area and hotel-serving facilities along N. Irving Street, which county staff previously noted deviates from the 2022 Clarendon Sector Plan. This plan, developed in anticipation of a handful of projects, including Silver Diner, envisions a walkable, retail-studded N. Irving Street.
Members of the Site Plan Review Committee agreed. They said the loading dock would create conflicts with pedestrians accessing a proposed plaza on N. Irving Street. They also had misgivings about the bricked-over, retail-less façade on N. Irving Street.
An early suggestion from TCS and Donohoe included adding a “living green wall,” but the county and the public said this did not address the issues of missing retail or pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.
Initial, since-updated façade changes to 3200 Wilson Blvd redevelopment (via Arlington County)
Now, the county says the developers have found a solution and there are no outstanding issues.
TCS and Donohoe moved the dock to the forthcoming extension of 10th Road N. As part of the overall Bingham Center project, Donohoe will extend this one-block-long road east of the site so that it cuts through the site and intersects with Wilson Blvd.
In addition, the developers agreed to install windows into the kitchen that abuts the future “Irving Plaza,” envisioned in the Clarendon Sector Plan. The proposed green wall has been replaced with a “decorative element” intended to enhance the otherwise un-enlivened façade.
Fallen leaves on the grass (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Pentagon Parking Redevelopment? — “Offsite Pentagon parking lots steps from Amazon.com Inc.’s second headquarters could be redeveloped with commercial mixed-use, according to proposed amendments to the Pentagon campus master plan. The three noncontiguous lots up for consideration sit on the north side of Army Navy Drive, immediately south of I-395, at Hayes, Fern and Eads streets. They’re currently used for tour bus drop-off and pick-up and parking for Pentagon permit-holders and visitors.” [Washington Business Journal]
Water Main Break in N. Arlington — Portions of northern Arlington lost water pressure briefly Monday after a sizable water main break. From Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services: “Crews are working on a broken main along the 4100 block of North River Street. The break has been isolated and pressure is believed to be restored. Traffic diverted around the work site.” [Twitter]
Cemetery Monument to VMI? — “Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked the Virginia Military Institute, the nation’s oldest state-supported military college and whose board members he appoints, to accept and place on property it owns 80 miles from campus a Confederate statue from Arlington National Cemetery that the Army has ordered to be removed by Jan. 1, according to a VMI spokesperson.” [Washington Post]
We’re No. 1 for Homebuyer Demand — “After lagging Alexandria for two months, Arlington is back on top in the latest Bright MLS T3 Home-Demand Index, released Sept. 12. Even so, the data suggest home-buyer interest in the Arlington market declined slightly from July to August.” [Gazette Leader]
Weekend DUI Arrests — “On Saturday evening, officers conducted a DUI Saturation Patrol, a detail designed to make our roadways safer by identifying, stopping and apprehending drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. During the detail, officers conducted 27 traffic stops which resulted in 3 DUI arrests, 4 other misdemeanor arrests and issued 20 traffic summonses.” [Twitter]
Development Approval Delayed — “Plans to raze Arlington United Methodist Church and replace it with an assisted-living facility will wait a month before consideration by Arlington leaders. Initially planned to be discussed at September meetings of the Planning Commission and County Board, the proposal has been pushed back to October.” [Gazette Leader]
Treasurer Prepping for Stormwater Change — “The Arlington County Treasurer’s Office isn’t waiting until the last minute in making preparations for a major switch in how property owners get charged for the county government’s stormwater efforts. ‘We are already up to our eyeballs with all things stormwater!’ Treasurer Carla de la Pava told the GazetteLeader.” [Gazette Leader]
Fall Foliage Prediction — “Using historical weather reports, tree species info, and user data, travel brand SmokyMountains.com put together 2023 foliage prediction maps of the U.S. In the Mid-Atlantic, leaves change colors by October 23. The Mid-Atlantic will likely be past its peak fall colors by the end of November.” [Axios]
It’s Tuesday — A sunny day with a high temperature near 76 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 7 to 11 mph. As for tonight, expect mostly clear skies and a low temperature of around 56 degrees. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 5 p.m.) A Falls Church man is facing charges and a tow truck driver is facing a traffic citation after an incident Sunday evening in Ballston.
It happened around 5:30 p.m. in front of the Advanced Towing lot on the 4000 block of 5th Road N.
An officer was conducting a traffic stop of a tow truck, according to today’s Arlington County police crime report, “when the suspect, who is the owner of the towed vehicle, arrived at the location and began acting disorderly.”
“When an additional officer arrived on scene and began to converse with the suspect, he allegedly lunged at the officer,” the crime report says. “The officer then attempted to detain the suspect, during which he shoved the officer before fleeing the scene on foot. Officers initiated a foot pursuit and took the suspect into custody.”
The suspect, a 25-year-old Falls Church resident, “was arrested and charged with Assault on Police, Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication.”
The tow truck driver was cited for “a vehicle being towed without being properly secured to the tow truck,” said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage.
Minutes before the incident, police were dispatched to the nearby Ballston Quarter mall for a report of a driver who parked his running car in front of the Ted’s Bulletin on Wilson Blvd to pick up food and came back to find it potentially stolen. Savage told ARLnow that call was not related to the tow truck incident.
Advanced Towing was back in the news earlier this month after ARLnow was the first to report that one of its drivers towed a car with two young children inside from in front of the Pentagon City mall.
"The Commodore" apartments in Courthouse in September 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
“The Commodore” apartments in Courthouse in September 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The forthcoming apartments dubbed “The Commodore” in Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The forthcoming apartments dubbed “The Commodore” in Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
“The Commodore” apartments in Courthouse in September 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A forthcoming apartment building in Courthouse already has a lineup of restaurants and fitness studios slated to move in.
A franchise location of Rumble Boxing and a Japanese restaurant and bar called Gingerfish are among those getting in on the ground level of The Commodore, a nearly completed apartment building at 2055 15th Street N.
Over the last two years, developer Greystar has been at work building a 20-story, 423-unit building on what is dubbed the “Landmark Block.” This block, at the corner of Clarendon Blvd and N. Courthouse Road, was once home to a collection of restaurants, including Summers.
When photographed today, the building appeared nearly complete from the outside, though separate transportation upgrades — which include pavement, sidewalk, curb and gutter improvements to public streets — are ongoing.
Work appears to be wrapping up on the building, as social media posts — playing up the apartment’s pet-friendliness — note the building is “coming soon.” Other signs of completion include the retailers that are already listed as forthcoming tenants.
Gingerfish is “by a local restaurant group with various other concepts in the Arlington market,” according to CBRE leasing agent Jared Meier.
“[Regarding] other tenants for the space, we are not at liberty to announce who they are, but I am excited to note that we are close to finalizing leases with an açai bowl operator, a yoga studio, and a taqueria,” he said.
A leasing map indicates a letter of intent has been or is being put forward for the one space, leaving just one listed as available.
The project broke ground almost two years ago, projecting a fall 2023 completion date at the time. It appears developer Greystar remains largely on schedule.
“We are anticipating first move ins for The Commodore in early October,” said Allison Rynak, the director of marketing communications for Greystar.
Meier also expects retail tenants could move in next month. The new restaurants and fitness gyms could be open for business next spring or summer, he said.
Meanwhile, work continues on another Greystar project a few blocks away. What was once a Wendy’s will become an apartment tower, ground-floor retail and a plaza at 2025 Clarendon Blvd. The two projects realize a significant part of the county’s vision for the neighborhood.
Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)
An Arlington truck driver was seriously hurt after his tractor-trailer suffered a mechanical problem and was struck from behind.
The crash, at 12:30 a.m. last Tuesday along the Beltway near Eisenhower Avenue, killed the 51-year-old driver of the Mercedes that struck the truck.
More from a Virginia State Police press release:
At 12:30 a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 12, 2023), Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash in Fairfax County.
A tractor-trailer was experiencing mechanical issues that caused it to rapidly slow in speed while traveling east on I-495 near Exit 174. A 2003 Mercedes Benz traveling in the eastbound lane was unable to stop in time and struck the rear of the stopped tractor-trailer.
The driver of the Mercedes, Martin Warner Jr., 51, of Alexandria, Va., did not survive the crash. He was not wearing a seat belt.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 36-year-old Arlington, Va. resident, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries. He was wearing a seat belt.
Crows circle above Gold’s Gym and the Rosslyn Metro station (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Woman Detains Alleged Groper — “A woman detained a man on an electric bike who she says groped her while she was jogging. The woman says the man slapped her backside as he passed by at 14th and North Rolfe streets in the Courthouse area of Arlington, Virginia, Thursday afternoon… She finally caught up with him in Rosslyn and physically subdued him with a chokehold at Wilson Boulevard and North Lynn Street until police arrived.” [NBC 4, WJLA, Twitter]
Stolen Van Flees Traffic Stop — From Dave Statter: “A stolen Penske truck had @ArlingtonVaPD’s attention around 9:30 tonight. Spotted at Glebe & Columbia Pike an officer tried to stop it near George Mason & 50. They followed the truck into Fairfax County as it got onto the service roadway at 7 Corners where it was last seen.” [Twitter]
Murder Conviction for Pentagon Officer — “After a mistrial in February due to a deadlocked jury, an off-duty Pentagon police officer was convicted Thursday for fatally shooting two Takoma Park men on April 7, 2021, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office said… According to video surveillance footage of the parking lot, Dixon fired at the Lexus from behind, while it was leaving the parking lot. The charging documents said that Dixon fired his gun several times after the car passed him.” [MoCo360]
ACPD Scam Reminder — “SCAM ALERT: ACPD is sharing information on the Jury Duty Scam and ways to spot and avoid it. Scammers pose as local law enforcement and contact victims accusing them of failing to appear for jury duty and state a warrant for their arrest will be issued unless a fine is paid.” [Twitter]
More on Ballston Building Sale — “D.C.-based real estate firm Penzance has acquired Ballston One, a 1980s-era office tower in Arlington, for $25 million, which appears to represent a bargain. A Penance affiliate bought the 12-story, roughly 253,000-square-foot building at 4601 N. Fairfax Drive, a little less than half a mile west of the Ballston-Marymount University Metro station, on Aug. 30, per county property records… The $25 million sale price — roughly $100 a square foot — is notably less than the building’s current assessment and what it last sold for.” [Washington Business Journal]
Coming Soon: Coffee With a Cop — “In honor of National Coffee with a Cop Day on Wednesday, October 4, the Arlington County Police Department’s Community Engagement Division is inviting the public to two events to celebrate community/police relations. These morning and afternoon events are welcome to all and are a great informal engagement opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, get to know neighbors, interact with the Community Engagement Division and meet officers from different sections of the department.” [Arlington County]
It’s Monday — Partly sunny with a high temperature around 75°F and a north wind ranging from 7 to 11 mph, gusting up to 18 mph. Monday night will be mostly clear with a low of approximately 58°F and a northwest wind around 8 mph. [Weather.gov]
Large groups of teens at the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center on Sept. 14, 2023 (via Arlington County/SafetyVid)
Large groups of teens at the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center on Sept. 14, 2023 (via Arlington County/SafetyVid)
McDonald’s at 4834 Langston Blvd (via Google Maps)
The Washington-Liberty Generals narrowly defeated the Yorktown Patriots last night.
The Thursday night, cross-county game at Yorktown’s Greenbrier Stadium ended with a score of 21-18, the Gazette Leader reported. But the night’s drama did not stop there — large groups of teens leaving the game gathered at a local shopping center and a local fast food restaurant.
Police responded to at least two locations: the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center just down the street from the stadium and further up Langston Blvd at the McDonald’s.
At least three police units responded to the shopping center, where dozens if not more than 100 teens were gathered in the parking lot, prompting a call to police about rowdy behavior and cars being blocked.
“I was working at Lee Harrison Shopping Center last night and HUNDREDS of Yorktown students flooded the area,” an anonymous tipster wrote to ARLnow, claiming that they were “screaming at each other and threatening patrons.”
The crowds could be seen in traffic camera images, above, but video reviewed by ARLnow did not show any destructive behavior.
The same could not be said about a large group that gathered at the McDonald’s at 4834 Langston Blvd last night around the same time. Police responded to the fast food joint for reports of kids inside destroying things.
“At approximately 9:51 p.m. on September 14, police were dispatched to the report of disorderly conduct,” Arlington County ploce spokeswoman Ashley Savage told ARLnow. “Upon arrival, it was determined a large group of juveniles entered a business, damaged property and stole a poster. There are no suspect(s) description. The investigation is ongoing.”
Savage, responding to a follow-up question from ARLnow, noted that the damaged items were all posters — not the life-sized Ronald McDonald figure that some teens allegedly tried to steal just before the start of the school year.
On the Lee-Harrison gathering, Savage said that “police were dispatched to the report of a large group of juveniles in the parking lot allegedly acting disorderly.”
“Officers responded to the area and the group subsequently dispersed,” she added.
The crash on S. Carlin Springs Road on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 (courtesy anonymous)
Yesterday morning, while Arlington Public Schools students were on their way to school, two cars were involved in a crash on S. Carlin Springs Road.
Around 7 a.m., police were dispatched to the intersection of Carlin Springs and 5th Road S. for reports of a crash resulting in property damage, says ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage.
“Upon arrival, it was determined the drivers of the two involved vehicles were traveling north on S. Carlin Springs Road when the vehicles collided, causing one vehicle to strike a utility pole and street sign,” she said. “No injuries were reported.”
The sign struck instructs turning vehicles to yield to pedestrians.
This stretch of S. Carlin Springs Road is notable for its narrow sidewalks and little or no pedestrian buffer. The road, which includes walk zones for Carlin Springs and Campbell elementary schools and Kenmore Middle School, has a history of crashes as well as a smattering of improvements.
In the last five years, the site of yesterday’s crash has seen a handful of crashes that sustained at least $1,500 in property damage or resulted in injury or death, according to data Savage shared with ARLnow. There were two last year, four in 2019 and two in 2018, but no recorded crashes in the intervening pandemic years.
A crash at S. Carlin Springs Road and 5th Road S. on Sept. 10, 2022 (courtesy anonymous)
Zooming out, on S. Carlin Springs Road between Route 50 to 8th Road S., there have been several crashes over the years, including near Kenmore Middle School.
Since 2013, there have been four severe crashes on this stretch of S. Carlin Springs Road: two at 1st Street S. in 2013 and 2021, one at 3rd Street S. in 2022, and one at 5th Street S. in 2016.
Last year, several intersections within this stretch saw 1-2 crashes each, according to a county report.
One of those last October involved a young cyclist and driver proceeding through a green light. After this crash, some in the community re-upped their calls for a safer S. Carlin Springs Road. They said local families have described unsafe conditions for years, leading to a 2018 study of the road that generated some short-term changes in 2020 and 2021.
Intersections with several crashes, pull-out of S. Carlin Springs Road added by ARLnow (via Arlington County)
Parts of S. Carlin Springs Road are in what the county calls an “equity emphasis area,” for its high population of people of color and households with lower incomes.
The county uses this designation to evaluate transportation upgrades and ensure these areas — where crashes occur twice as frequently — receive proper attention through Vision Zero.
As part of Vision Zero — the county’s effort to eliminate pedestrian deaths and serious injuries by 2030 — this spring, the county lowered speeds from 25 mph to 20 mph on parts of S. Carlin Springs Road within 600 feet of access points for Kenmore, Carlin Springs and Campbell.
To catch the attention of drivers, the county also added more visible crosswalks, signage and street markings.
Last winter, Arlington added rapid flashing beacons at a mid-block along 7th Road S., between Carlin Springs and S. Jefferson Street, which the county says is “on a critical path” for students walking to these schools.
