News

JUST IN: Police Investigating Another Carjacking at Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com

A spate of armed robberies at the Pentagon City mall parking garage is continuing.

Arlington County Police say a woman was carjacked by a man with a gun last night around 10:15 p.m. The approximate address given was that of the mall’s parking garage on Army Navy Drive.

More from an ACPD crime report:

CARJACKING, 2020-01300253, 800 block of Army Navy Drive. At approximately 10:15 p.m. on January 30, police were dispatched to the report of an armed carjacking. Upon arrival, it was determined that as the victim arrived at her vehicle, the suspect approached her from behind and demanded her keys. The suspect brandished a firearm, stole the keys and fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle prior to police arrival. The suspect is described as a black male, skinny build, approximately 5’10”-6’0″, wearing a black sweatshirt. The victim’s vehicle is described as a gray Toyota Corolla with Virginia license plate VWG1216. The investigation is ongoing.

The parking garage has been the scene of a string of robberies since last summer.

Most recently, on Jan. 23, a male victim in a Mercedes was carjacked by a gun-toting man around 2 p.m. In July, a would-be armed robber was shot and killed with his own gun.

NBC 4 reported last Friday that the crimes have left shoppers “on edge.” Mall management did not respond to the station’s request for comment.

Arlington’s Health Department Is Preparing for a Coronavirus Outbreak, Just in Case

By Vernon Miles

With the Virginia Health Department investigating a second possible case of coronavirus in Northern Virginia, Arlington County is preparing for the worst-case scenario: a local outbreak.

Kurt Larrick, assistant director of the Arlington County Department of Human Services, said in an email that the Arlington County Public Health Department is taking several steps to monitor the disease.

Per an email from Larrick:

  • ACPHD staff continue to update hospital and healthcare communities with guidance on how to identify and respond to possible cases.
  • ACPHD will arrange appropriate lab testing
  • If there are any cases in Arlington, ACPHD staff will follow CDC guidance about identifying and monitoring close contacts of a case.
  • Staff are available 24/7 to provide this support.

Larrick said the department has a new page on the coronavirus outbreak that includes the latest info, who’s at risk, and what people should do to protect themselves and others.

“The Virginia Department of Health is a good resource,” Larrick said. “They plan to provide updates every Thursday and/or as warranted.”

Several health tips are available on the County website, mostly the usual of “wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds” and to stay home if you’re feeling sick. Also, you should probably avoid traveling to China.

While coronavirus is in the spotlight, the truth is that standard influenza is likely to kill more Americans this year.

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Small Apartment Fire in Waverly Hills — “At approx 2 p.m. units were called to the 2000 blk of N. Woodrow St. Firefighters quickly extinguished fire in kitchen with minimal fire spread. Occupants escaped unharmed, not expected to be displaced. No firefighter injuries. Cause of the fire is under investigation.” [Twitter]

Parents Anxiously Waiting for APS Schedule — “Some Arlington parents are frustrated school leaders have not confirmed when school will start this fall. ‘We all like to plan ahead,’ said Arlington parent Meghan Thomas who is trying to plan her family’s summer travel and her kids sports schedule. ‘It is very frustrating not knowing right now what the August schedule is going to be.'” [WJLA]

Home Maintenance in Historic District May Get Easier — “Residents of Maywood soon may find it less onerous to make rudimentary changes to their properties. County Board members in coming months are expected to approve a change in rules governing the community’s local historic district, shifting some of the workload from the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) to county historic-preservation staff.” [InsideNova]

More on ARLnow’s Anniversary Party — “On Wednesday night, Jan. 29, a large crowd gathered at Bronson Bierhall in Ballston to help… celebrate ARLnow’s 10th anniversary. ‘We have had the privilege of continuing to serve the community for 10 years, and I’m just blown away,’ [founder Scott] Brodbeck said about the party.” [Patch]

County: Replacement of Bridges Lost in Last Year’s Flooding is Budget Dependent

By Vernon Miles

The return of several bridges lost in last summer’s flooding will depend on the upcoming Arlington County budget, officials tell ARLnow.

Arlington homes, businesses, parks and some infrastructure suffered significant damage last year during the July 8 flash flooding. Among the casualties of the storm were seven bridges in parks throughout Arlington.

“There was one in Bon Air and Gulf Branch parks, and two in both Lubber Run and Glencarlyn parks,” Arlington Dept. of Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Susan Kalish said in an email.

A small pedestrian bridge at 38th and Chesterbrook, in the Old Glebe neighborhood, was also destroyed, but has since been replaced. Kalish said it was a simple wooden bridge and there was sufficient funding in the maintenance budget. None of the other destroyed bridges have been replaced.

While the six other bridges have been removed, Kalish said replacing them will be an item considered in the upcoming Capital Improvement Plan — a ten-year plan to address infrastructure issues. Discussion of the proposed CIP is scheduled to run from May to July following the adoption of the operating budget in April.

In addition to the bridges, the restrooms at Bon Air Park are also still closed, and will remain closed indefinitely, the county said in an update on Jan. 24. The update notes that following repairs “all of the [damaged] picnic shelters, volleyball courts and playgrounds are open.”

Staff photo by Ashley Hopko

VIDA Fitness Eyes March Opening in Ballston, 2021 Opening in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com
1/2

High-end D.C.-based fitness chain VIDA Fitness says its expansion into Arlington is just a couple of months away from coming to fruition.

VIDA announced today that it expects its new 29,000 square foot health club in Ballston to open in “mid to late March”

The club is located at the bottom of a new, 22-story mixed-use tower at 4040 Wilson Blvd. It will feature “over 100 state-of-the-art machines, 25 personal trainers and other high-end amenities,” as well as a spa, spin studio, “Fuel Bar” and co-working area.

The Ballston gym will be the brand’s first non-D.C. location, but it’s not the only facility VIDA, an ARLnow advertiser, has planned in Arlington. A second location, at the new “Highlands” development in western Rosslyn, is now expected to open in 2021, according to VIDA.

More from a press release:

The 29K SF premier health club facility, conveniently located next to Ballston Quarter and the Ballston Metro, will consist of three levels and will feature the lifestyle centers affiliate companies such as SweatBox, Aura Spa, and Fuel Bar.

Some of the highlights of the new location includes:

  • Over 100 state-of-the-art machines, 25 personal trainers and other high-end amenities;
  • A weight room with the latest equipment for strength work, including extensive free weights, an open layout for endless stretching;
  • Second-floor level dedicated to group fitness classes which includes yoga, pilates, barre, Zumba, Body Pump and more;
  • Aura Spa where members can indulge in one of the many signature treatments such as facials, massages, waxing, body scrubs, as well as CBD oil and cupping treatments;
  • Sweat Box – newest and most innovative workouts featuring jam-packed cardio and strength interval training;
  • A spin studio featuring 30 brand new coach by color bikes which allow you to set your bike based on your fitness level and get a personalized challenge in a fun, interactive class;
  • Luxury locker rooms featuring modern and luxury amenities, plus steam and sauna rooms;
  • Co-working area for members located by the Fuel Bar who need to take care of a little work before or after their workout session;
  • Complementary events and happy hours for members

“In our search for new locations, Ballston is a perfect fit”, said David von Storch, President, and Founder of Urban Adventure Companies. “It’s an active, health-oriented, well-educated submarket that we think will respond well to what we offer. We want to make sure that we open in locations where we believe that we can foster a new sense of community for those committed to fitness and wellness as an important part of how they live. We are excited to expand what we offer to this neighborhood. Ballston, we’re are all in!”

VIDA Fitness worked with leading architecture firm OTJ Architects on the Ballston design. The Ballston location is scheduled to open mid to late March. VIDA Fitness is also planning to open its second Northern Virginia location in Rosslyn in 2021.

Individuals interested in becoming a member or want to learn about upcoming pre-opening community events can visit VIDABallston.com for more information. The location is also planning a community Open House in early April.

Police Investigating Armed Robbery of Cherrydale Business

By ARLnow.com
Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

Arlington County Police are investigating an armed robbery that happened last night in Cherrydale.

The robbery happened around 9 p.m., on the 3500 block of Lee Highway, which is home to a Dunkin Donuts store. Police say a man armed with a gun forced an employee to open a register and stole cash.

The large police presence on the street after the robbery was noted by a local resident.

No injuries were reported. At last check, the suspect remains at large.

More on the robbery from today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ARMED ROBBERY, 2020-01290273, 3500 block of Lee Highway. At approximately 8:54 p.m. on January 29, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined that the suspect entered a business and approached an employee behind the counter. The suspect displayed a firearm and threatened the employee, demanding they open the cash register. He stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the register, then forced the employee upstairs, where the suspect forced entry to a secure office, causing damage. Nothing additional was reported stolen from the office. The suspect fled prior to police arrival. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 25-26 years old, 5’8″-6’0″, wearing a jacket, gray pants, black boots, black gloves and a black mask. The investigation is ongoing.

ACFD Hosting Members of Saudi Fire Department

By ARLnow.com

A trio of representatives from a Saudi Arabian fire department will spend six weeks with Arlington County firefighters, learning how ACFD fights fires, manages personnel and investigates incidents.

The “cultural exchange” is being arranged by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, according to department spokesman Capt. Justin Tirelli. ACFD is one of a number of U.S. fire departments hosting firefighters from Saudi Aramco, the largely government-owned national oil company of Saudi Arabia.

The goal of the exchange is to help Saudi Aramco’s firefighters — the company has its own fire department, staffed by both Saudi nationals and expats from the U.S. and elsewhere — improve their training and readiness, while also making professional connections with their American counterparts.

“They’re coming over to see how we do things,” said Tirelli, noting that the exchange is conducted as a professional courtesy and ACFD will not be compensated for the training.

“We consider it a good opportunity for our folks to broaden their perspective and improve their learning,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re representing the best values of American culture, and I don’t think you can do that without learning about other people’s culture and perspectives.”

Two senior officers from the Saudi fire department will be embedded with ACFD battalion chiefs, Tirelli said, while one senior inspector from the department will work with Arlington fire and building inspectors. The trio is expected to arrive in Arlington in late February.

The exchange is happening despite recent tensions between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, stemming from the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and the killing of three U.S. Navy sailors by a Saudi serviceman in Florida, among other incidents. ACFD, meanwhile, responds to calls at sensitive sites, including the Pentagon and other government facilities in the county.

Tirelli pointed out that Saudi Aramco is not a military organization and that “their mission is to protect facilities that impact the world.”

“The people who work at those facilities include a lot of Americans,” he said, adding that there have been no incidents from previous exchanges between Saudi Aramco and other U.S. fire departments, “only positive interactions.”

The Arlington County Fire Department conducts similar exchanges with firefighters from Arlington’s sister city of Aachen, Germany. Due to staffing shortages there are no plans for any ACFD members to go to Saudi Arabia, Tirelli said.

Lawmaker Who Wants to Return Arlington to D.C. has I-66 Reverse Toll Bill Rejected

By Vernon Miles

A proposal to add new “reverse tolling” on to I-66, put forward by a delegate who suggested that Arlington should be returned to D.C., has been struck down in the House of Delegates.

The goal of HB 677, the bill proposed by Del. Dave LaRock (R), was to toll rush hour traffic heading both eastbound and westbound on I-66, instead of just tolling those heading in the peak direction.

LaRock, whose district encompases parts of Frederick, Loudoun and Clark counties, proposed implementing the new reverse tolling upon completion of the under-construction eastbound I-66 widening project. Revenue collected would be directed to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

More from the bill:

The Department of Transportation shall, upon completion of the Interstate 66 widening project from the Dulles Connector Road to Fairfax Drive, activate tolling on Interstate 66 east of mile marker 67 for vehicles using (i) the westbound lanes during the morning hours in which the eastbound lanes are tolled or (ii) the eastbound lanes during the evening hours in which the westbound lanes are tolled.

The bill was “passed by indefinitely” in the Transportation Systems Subcommittee and state Senate staff confirmed that there was no similar bill on the Senate side, meaning the proposal is dead for the time being.

It isn’t the first time LaRock has put forward a reverse tolling bill. Two years ago LaRock tried to simultaneously refund some toll revenue to commuters and implement a reverse toll.

LaRock made headlines recently for proposing that deep-blue swaths of Northern Virginia — namely Arlington and Alexandria — be given over to D.C., claiming that the progressive values of Northern Virginia were not in keeping with the rest of the state.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Public-Private Partnership for Pentagon City Planning — “County Board members on Jan. 25 approved a memorandum of understanding with the coalition of property owners in [Pentagon City], which will guide planning efforts and allocate $1.5 million – about two-thirds of it from the county government, the rest from landowners – to complete it. County Board Chairman Libby Garvey said the aim was a coordinated strategy for redevelopment of the target area, which totals about 85 acres.” [InsideNova]

APS Investigating Swastika Incident — “School officials launched an investigation this week after a student drew a swastika on a piece of paper and handed it to a classmate at a Northern Virginia middle school. The incident took place Tuesday at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Arlington, according to a letter that Principal Keisha Boggan sent parents Wednesday. The hate symbol was later reported to Arlington County police.” [Washington Post]

Industry Supporting Glass Drop-Off Program — “Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) members are partnering to create a circular economy for high quality recycled glass in Northern Virginia. O-I Glass, Inc. (O-I Glass) and Strategic Materials are teaming up to create strong markets for glass in the region through a new glass recycling drop-off program.” [Press Release]

Thanks, Arlington — Thank you to everyone who came out to our 10th anniversary party at Bronson Bierhall in Ballston last night. It was a packed house and we are incredibly grateful to have that kind of support from members of the community, local institutions like the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, local government, and our advertisers — who help support ARLnow and keep our local news free for all. We also met a few commenters and a few soon-to-be commenters last night (you know who you are). Finally, a big thank you to our current and former employees, whose tireless work has helped us reach this anniversary while growing to serve other communities in Northern Virginia.

County Board Approves Higher Speeding Fines, But There’s a Catch

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington County Board voted last night to approve tacking on an extra $200 to speeding tickets in certain residential neighborhoods.

Those hoping the fines will lead to people driving slower on residential streets will have to wait awhile for it to take effect, however.

The zones for the $200 additional fine have yet to be established and will only be created after county staff document speeding issues on a given segment of road. That documentation includes a data collection process and written confirmation from the police department that “speeding has been observed through enforcement activities.”

Only once that process concludes, and signs are posted on the street, will the speeding fine zone be established. More from a county staff report:

Once the evaluation concludes that a road segment is suitable for implementation of the “$200 Additional Speeding Fine Zone,” a “$200 Additional Speeding Fine” sign will be attached to the speed limit signs along the road segment to alert drivers of the posted speed limit and the additional penalty for speeding. A speeding citation issued within a “$200 Additional Speeding Fine Zone” is subject to this additional penalty.

County Board members touted the new ordinance as an example of Arlington getting “serious about pedestrian safety,” amid the county’s ongoing Vision Zero process.

More from a county press release:

The Arlington County Board today voted to establish a $200 additional speeding fine zone for residential neighborhoods that meet certain criteria. The move came in response to complaints from residents about speeding and pedestrian safety.

“Arlington is serious about pedestrian safety and serious about enforcing speeding laws,” Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey said. “The Board is taking this action to help deter drivers from speeding down residential streets, endangering people who are walking, cycling and using scooters to get around.”

The Board voted unanimously to approve the ordinance change, adopting Virginia State Code 46.2-878.2. To read the staff report, visit the County website. Scroll to Item No. 29 on the agenda for the Jan. 28, 2020 Recessed County Board Meeting.

The Chair noted that speeding fines are just one of many methods the County uses to make streets across Arlington safe for all who use them, including protected bike lanes; signage; traffic signals; enforcement campaigns, and the Vision Zero traffic safety strategy, adopted by the Board in July 2019.

How a road will be designated for the $200 additional fine

The Transportation Division of the County’s Department of Environmental Services will take speeding complaints and existing traffic data into consideration when deciding which residential streets should be considered for the additional fine.

To qualify for the designation, a road must be in a residential area; must be classified as a neighborhood principal, minor arterial or major arterial street on the County’s road classification map and must have a documented speeding issue. A documented speeding issue exists when the County has speed data, collected within five years from the day of the “$200 Additional Speeding Fine Zone” evaluation, showing speeding on the segment; there is a recorded traffic evaluation produced within five years from the day of the “$200 Additional Speeding fine Zone” evaluation, that includes speeding as one of the issues and the County has written confirmation from the Police Department that speeding has been observed through documented transportation safety activities.

Once a road is found to qualify, a “$200 Additional Speeding Fine” sign will be attached to the speed limit signs along the road to alert drivers.  The fine will be added to the current fine for speeding in a residential neighborhood, which is $6 for every mile-per-hour above the 25 miles-per-hour speed limit (plus the state-mandated $66 in court fees). The County Manager said staff will widely communicate the new fine.

Background

Imposition of the fine depends on the data-supported speeding confirmation. Any additional revenue generated by the additional fine will be added to the County’s Operational Budget.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

It’s ARLnow’s 10th Anniversary — On this day 10 years ago ARLnow quietly published its first article. It has since grown to be Arlington’s local news publication of record, read by a majority of those who call our county home. Join us to celebrate this milestone tonight at Bronson Bierhall in Ballston (4100 Fairfax Drive) from 5-7 p.m. [Facebook]

County Board Approves Solar Farm Deal — “‘This is a groundbreaking partnership for the County,’ said County Board Chair Libby Garvey. ‘It will take us a long way toward our goal of 100 percent use of renewable sources for all electricity used in government operations by 2025.’ Arlington County is the first locality in the Commonwealth to enter into a power purchase agreement of this scale for off-site solar energy with an investor-owned utility company.” [Arlington County, Dominion Energy]

Local Pharmacies Selling Out of Surgical Masks — Preston’s Pharmacy at 5101 Lee Highway is sold out of surgical masks amid worries about the deadly coronavirus outbreak. The store “reported that people are calling, and coming in asking about surgical masks… they are having re-ordering issues from their supplier.” [WUSA 9]

Investors Buying Up Crystal City Properties — “In another indicator of how sought-after the real estate near Amazon’s HQ2 has become, even an NBA player with no ties to Greater Washington is an investor in the Crystal City market. Jeff Teague, a point guard for the Atlanta Hawks, bought a 935-square-foot apartment at 1200 Crystal Drive.” [Washington Business Journal]

Home Sales Way Down in Arlington — “Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. reports the median price of a home that sold in Arlington County in December was $649,000. That’s up 19% from the median selling price a year earlier. The number of sales in Arlington County was down 24% from a year ago, and, with only 148 homes on the market last month, active inventory was down 51%.” [WTOP]

Another Title for Local Girls Flag Football Team — “Congratulations to the [Arlington-based] Virginia Hurricanes 14U girls flag football team for winning the NFL Flag Football National Championship tournament at the NFL Pro Bowl event in Florida this past weekend. This is the second NFL Flag Girls National Championship title for the Hurricanes.” [Virginia Hurricanes]

Chamber Holds Hospitality Awards — “The Arlington Chamber of Commerce today honored 98 front-line workers in Arlington’s hospitality industry at the 16th Annual Hospitality Awards at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel. These prestigious awards are presented each year to hospitality workers who deliver outstanding customer service, exhibit excellence in their roles, and continuously exceed their job descriptions.” [Arlington Chamber of Commerce]

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