News

Twenty-eight Arlington companies make 2023 Inc. 5000 list

By James Jarvis
Twenty-eight Arlington-based companies made the 2023 Inc. 5000 (via Inc. 5000)

A total of 28 Arlington-based companies are featured in this year’s Inc. 5000 list, which ranks the nation’s fastest-growing privately owned companies.

Several Arlington-based firms that made the list specialize in technology such as AI, machine learning, cybersecurity and cloud computing. Others perform various professional services for the federal government, including information technology, financial consulting and engineering.

For the second year running, Piedmont Global Language Solutions took the top Arlington spot at No. 424 — 37 places up from last year. The firm specializes in translation and language training and is located in Ballston on N. Glebe Road.

Although the numbers have fluctuated in recent years, Arlington added five more companies to the list compared to last year. Thirty Arlington companies made the list in 2021 and 2020, and 34 in 2019. Notably, only 10 of the companies on this year’s list were also featured in 2022.

Below is the list of all Arlington-based companies included on this year’s Inc. 5000 list.

  • 424. Piedmont Global Language Solutions (PGLS), 1,363% — A Ballston-based company founded by a first-generation Somali-American that provides language services and training.
  • 691. Echo Five Group, 853% — A government services company located at 4717 Old Dominion Road.
  • 938. Black Cape, 628% — A veteran-owned software company that offers machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions to help government and commercial clients. The company is based in Ballston.
  • 1,205. C3 Integrated Solutions, 489% — An IT firm that offers cyber-security to government contractors. The company announced in November 2022 it would merge with Massachusetts-based Steel Root. C3 is based in Clarendon.
  • 1,233. MarginEdge, 478% — A restaurant management software company located along Fairfax Drive in Ballston.
  • 1,391. Green Powered Technology, 420% — A veteran-owned green energy technology firm that provides policy analysis and support services in sustainable energy for businesses and government agencies. The company is based in Courthouse.
  • 1,549. PhoenixTeam, 370% — A technology company that “specializes exclusively in the design, delivery, and care of mortgage technology solution in the federal and commercial spaces.” The company is based in Ballston.
  • 1,807. Simatree, 309% — A human resources business consulting firm located in Ballston.
  • 1,827. HUNGRY, 307% — A corporate catering company located along Fairfax Drive in Ballston.
  • 1,867. Competitive Innovations, 301% — A technology services and consulting firm serving federal government agencies. The company is based in in Buckingham.
  • 1,874. Elite Strategy Global, 300% — A security consulting and risk management firm located in Ballston.
  • 1,952. Interos, 287% — A financial technology firm based in Ballston involved in supply chain risk management. The company is the first private Arlington startup to reach a billion dollar valuation in 2020.
  • 2,098. Lovelytics, 267% — A data visualization company located in Courthouse that helps clients gather, organize and visualize their data. The company was featured last year by ARLnow for doubling its staff.
  • 2,242. Allied Title & Escrow, 247% — A real estate company headquartered in Clarendon.
  • 2,343. Blake Willson Group, 236% — A veteran-owned business located in Courthouse that provides technology services, such as accounting, IT and cybersecurity , t0 the federal government.
  • 2,647. Nuvitek, 203% — A digital platform company in Rosslyn that provides cloud computing services to the federal government.
  • 2,721. Spartan Shield Solutions, 197% — A veteran-owned accounting and finance outsourcing firm
    Financial Services located in Clarendon.
  • 2,899. Fors Marsh Group, 182% — A research and communications firm based in Ballston.
  • 2,967. Level Access, 176% — A business management consulting company located in Courthouse.
  • 2,989. Organizational Development Resource Group, 174% — A woman-owned company based in Rosslyn that provides “professional services to the federal government.”
  • 3,117. Clarendon Partners, 166% — A woman-owned financial consultancy firm located in Clarendon.
  • 3,177. Matlock, 162% — A woman-owned software company headquartered in Clarendon that provides information technology services for the federal government.
  • 3,614. Aminad Consulting, 135% — A management consulting firm that provides “dedicated to generating realistic and implementable change” for federal agencies, specifically the Department of Defense. The company is based in Ballston.
  • 3,772. Bullpen Strategy Group, 126% —  A public affairs advocacy and strategic advisory firm that has offices in Rosslyn.
  • 3,901. 540.co, 120% — A company that describes itself on its website “we are a forward-thinking company that the Federal Government turns to in order to…#GetS***Done.” It’s based in Crystal City.
  • 4,205. STEMBoard, 106% — A woman-owned engineering firm that provides “professional services and technologies” to the federal government and businesses. The company is headquartered in Clarendon.
  • 4,712. Royce Geo, 85% — A tech company that provides geospatial intelligence, training and data modeling for the defense and intelligence community. The company is located in Ballston.
  • 4,852. Erickson Immigration Group, 79% — A law firm that “focuses exclusively on providing legal guidance on strategic corporate immigration.” The company is located in Courthouse.

Arlington is ‘the most sought-after city by U.S. renters’

By ARLnow.com
Apartment buildings that make up The Highlands development (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington is “most desired city by renters” in the United States for the second month in a row, according to a rental website.

From RentCafe.com’s August Rental Activity Report:

Arlington, VA, is August’s most sought-after city by renters looking for an apartment for rent on RentCafe.com, the same as last month. Apartment listings in the city attracted a significantly higher number of engagements compared to this time last year.

Specifically, traffic on Arlington listing pages more than doubled year-over-year, while renters favorited 72% more apartments and saved 38% more personalized searches. This continued (and growing) interest from apartment seekers in Arlington listings also helped the city keep its top spot for another month.

Arlington was followed on the top of the list by a trio of midwestern cities: Kansas City, Minneapolis and Cincinnati. Neighboring D.C. ranked No. 15, falling two spots.

The popularity comes at a cost, however. One- and two-bedroom rents were up 6% year-over-year as of May, according to a report from another rental website, Zumper, which ranked Arlington County as the 10th priciest rental market in the U.S.

At least some of that rising demand is being met by new development. Large apartment projects are underway or planned in neighborhoods including Pentagon City, Crystal City and Courthouse.

August 2023 rental activity rankings (via RentCafe.com)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
First night of the 2023 Arlington County Fair (photo courtesy anonymous)

Tax Delinquency Rate Reaches New Low — “It took some elbow grease to get there, as it always does, but the Arlington County Treasurer’s Office again has achieved another in a long string of record-low tax-delinquency rates. ‘Amazing,’ Treasurer Carla de la Pava said in announcing the annual rate of 0.157 percent during a celebration held Aug. 15.” [Gazette Leader]

Body Found Under Chain Bridge — “An investigation is underway after a man’s body was pulled from the Potomac River by first responders on Wednesday evening. DC Police, alongside DC Fire and EMS, conducted an extensive search of the area underneath the Chain Bridge in Northwest after receiving a report of an individual seen submerged in the water below.” [WUSA 9, Twitter]

Car Chase from D.C. to Arlington — From Dave Statter: “An unusual sight at 3 am. @DCPoliceDept
chasing a car taken in a carjacking into VA. Twice! 2 round trips! This is trip #1 from I-395S to 110N to Memorial Bridge to Ohio Dr to Buckeye Dr.” [Twitter]

Pedestrian Plays I-395 Frogger — From Dave Statter: “I was talking with a reporter about Saturday’s mayhem & the scary things I see on I-395. This is one of them. It happens fairly often. See people on bicycles doing the same thing.” [Twitter]

Regional Housing Costs Still Rising — “Even though the median home-sales price across the nation dropped year-over-year in the second quarter of 2023, a majority of metropolitan areas – including the D.C. region – saw increases. The median home-sales price of $629,000 across the Washington area in the April-May-June period rose 0.4 percent from $626,700 a year before.” [Gazette Leader]

It’s Thursday — There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with mostly sunny skies and a high of 88. Light winds will become south at 5 to 10 mph in the morning. On Thursday night, a slight chance of precipitation continues until 2am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 72, accompanied by south winds at 6 to 9 mph. [Weather.gov]

DCA to change its roads, add parking and build a new rental car facility

By Jo DeVoe
1/4

National Airport is set to get some sweeping changes intended to make it easier to get around, park and rent a car.

DCA’s convenience for Arlington residents is a major selling point but the airport has its downsides, including traffic jams of sometimes epic proportions.

Prompted by such issues, and a projected increase in travelers, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), which operates National Airport and Dulles International Airport, has spent several years mulling how to reduce traffic and meet future demand.

It proposes to realign roads and improve signage, while building a new public parking lot. Immediately south would be a new multi-use facility for a rental car center, with more parking and corporate office space.

“The proposed improvements are needed to address congestion along the Airport roadway network that affects safety, while also addressing space constraints for employee and public parking, rental car facilities, and the Airports Authority administrative offices,” a report says.

The proposed new multi-use center and roadway configurations at National Airport (courtesy MWAA)

MWAA proposes changes to several roads and ramps that unfurl from the airport access road connecting drivers to Crystal City and Route 1.

This includes realigning West Entrance Road to “allow for clear, concise wayfinding that would help reduce the need for drivers to make quick decisions and maneuvers in short periods of time,” the report said.

Another change includes widening a ramp for northbound traffic traveling onto the GW Parkway so drivers have more merging distance. Rapid-flashing beacons and other signage would be added to improve safety for those crossing the onramp via the Mount Vernon Trail.

A new pedestrian path from the Mount Vernon Trail to the airport would replace an existing tunnel that will be displaced during the work.

One road would connect to the future public parking lot in what MWAA calls a “connector garage and ground transportation center.” This is sandwiched between existing garages and the future proposed multi-use center. Just south of the building, there will be a new staging area for ride-share cars.

The airports authority projects it will take some nine years to make all these changes. It underscored, however, the need for them in a presentation during a meeting last night (Tuesday).

The litany of issues at DCA in need of addressing (courtesy MWAA)

Despite the Covid-era drop in travel rates, the airports authority says travel is rebounding and passenger rates may exceed pre-2020 levels by this year or next year.

It predicts current public and employee parking will not meet this future demand. Currently, its 8,909 public parking spaces across three facilities and 3,200 employee spaces across several lots are at capacity or hard to access.

The rental car center, meanwhile, is small, “operationally inefficient” and also projected not to meet future demand. By building a new center, with room for corporate offices, MWAA can move out of leased space in Crystal City and into a rent-free facility.

MWAA nixxed two other alternatives before landing on its current proposal. One would have relocated the multi-use center farther south.

One other option would relocate the multi-use center farther south (courtesy MWAA)

Another option would not have included any parking in the multi-use center. MWAA concluded neither would reduce traffic congestion, enhance safety or improve wayfinding.

(more…)

Arlington police looking for serial flasher

By ARLnow.com
File photo

Arlington County police are looking for a man who exposed himself to at least two women Monday morning.

The first incident happened around 8:30 a.m. on the 3500 block of S. Ball Street, in the Crystal City area near Potomac Yard. The second happened just over an hour later on the 400 block of 12th Street S. in Pentagon City, near the Lenox Club apartments.

“At approximately 8:41 a.m. on August 14, police were dispatched to the report of an exposure,” police said in a crime report. “Upon arrival, it was determined the female victim was walking in the area when the male suspect in a parked vehicle engaged her in conversation. During the conversation, the suspect exposed himself and fled the scene in his vehicle.”

“At approximately 9:52 a.m., police were dispatched to the 400 block of 12th Street S. to another report of an exposure,” the crime report continues. “It was determined the female victim was walking in the area when the suspect, matching the reporting parties description from the incident prior, engaged her in conversation from his parked vehicle and exposed himself.”

Police say the man fled in a silver SUV.

“The investigation is ongoing,” ACPD said.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
As seen at the Clarendon Metro entrance (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Ballston Quarter ‘Still Struggling’ — “The mall is ‘still struggling, still [at] significant risk,’ said Shawn Venstrom, who represented Chicago-based property owner Brookfield Properties at a July 19 hearing of the Board of Equalization. At the moment, ‘there is no retail demand for this type of center,’ Venstrom said, noting that the mall’s leasable space is only three-quarters occupied and customer traffic remains down due to an ongoing slog in getting employees back in the office post-COVID.” [Gazette Leader]

County Fair Opens Today — The Arlington County Fair is kicking off today at 5 p.m. It will run through Sunday night, with indoor and outdoor activities. [ARLnow]

Amazon Donation Event — “Today, Amazon employees teamed up with the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) to host an in-person, Back-to-School Shop to support students (PK-12) from underserved and historically underrepresented communities. The free back-to-school shopping experience helped APAH’s Virginia-based students, and their families, obtain clothes, school supplies, and other essential items that reflect the students’ personal style as they prepare to return to school this year.” [Instagram]

It’s Wednesday — Sunny with a high temperature near 86°F today, accompanied by a gentle west wind at 7 mph. As night falls, the sky turns partly cloudy, and the low temperature approaches a mild 69°F. The northward wind of 5 mph eases, becoming calm later in the evening. [Weather.gov]

Community activist facing additional charges amid search for more sexual assault victims

By ARLnow.com
Elder Julio Basurto speaks during a County Board meeting in 2021 (via Arlington County)

A noted local community activist is facing more charges in connection to a second alleged sexual assault.

Arlington County police say that Julio Basurto would drive up to Clarendon’s nightlife district early in the morning and offer women a ride, then would sexually assault the victim in his car.

He’s facing charges in two incidents — in May of this year, as previously reported, and now in October 2021, as just announced. Police also said today that they’re seeking victims from four other possible incidents ranging from September 2021 to September 2022.

More from ACPD:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is announcing additional charges have been obtained stemming from an incident that occurred on October 10, 2021, and are seeking possible additional victims.

At approximately 9:55 a.m. on October 10, 2021, police met with the adult female victim who reported a sexual assault inside an unknown vehicle. The investigation determined that during the early morning hours, the victim exited a nightlife establishment in the 3100 block of Wilson Boulevard when the suspect approached in a black vehicle and the victim entered. The suspect proceeded to sexually assault the victim during the ride before she was able to exit the vehicle. Julio Basurto, 42, of Arlington, VA was subsequently identified as a suspect and in July 2023, he was charged with Abduction with the Intent to Defile, Object Sexual Penetration and Unlawful Filming.

Based on information obtained during the comprehensive criminal investigation, detectives believe there may be additional incidents which occurred during the early morning hours on the following dates and are seeking possible victims:

  • September 20, 2021
  • October 3, 2021
  • October 14, 2021
  • September 4, 2022

Anyone who may have experienced a similar incident or who has had past inappropriate encounters with this suspect is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s tip line 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).

Prior to his arrest in June, Basurto was frequently quoted by local news outlets — including ARLnow — as a community activist, often going by his church title: “Elder Julio Basurto.” He was outspoken on local issues from drug overdoses in schools to conditions in affordable apartment complexes.

Basurto worked as an interpreter, including for Arlington Public Schools, according to his LinkedIn profile. He served on an APS advisory committee, received an award from a prominent local nonprofit for his tenant advocacy, and was highlighted by a County Board member on his website’s endorsements page.

Basurto previously had no criminal record in Arlington beyond traffic violations over the past few years, according to court records.

Amazon is vacating temporary office space, teeing up at least one redevelopment project

By Jo DeVoe
1/3

(Updated at 10:20 a.m.) With half of its planned HQ2 now open in Pentagon City, Amazon is planning to leave most of its leased spaces in Crystal City.

Once the leases expire for temporary Amazon offices at 1800 S. Bell Street and 2100 Crystal Drive, in 2023 and 2024, respectively, JBG Smith intends to “take off-line and entitle [them] for alternate uses,” per a new report.

One of the buildings, 1800 S. Bell Street, could get the redevelopment treatment as early as 2026, the report says. JBG Smith included the property at the tail end of its near-term development pipeline for National Landing, the area composed of Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard. It appears slated to remain for office use.

JBG Smith’s development pipeline in National Landing (via JBG Smith)

Amazon has always planned to consolidate its office space and move employees to its permanent HQ2, the first phase of which — Metropolitan Park — opened in June. There is still no word from the company on when the stalled second phase, Pen Place, could begin, though the delay may only be a year or so.

The tech company’s departure from two of its three leased offices will pile on more vacancies in JBG Smith’s portfolio, according to the real estate company’s report.

By the end of 2024, the company anticipates 1.2 million square feet of office space in National Landing will be vacated. Amazon currently occupies about half that square footage.

Amazon plans to continue to occupy 1770 Crystal Drive, located near the Alamo Cinema Drafthouse, the taqueria Tacombi and the proposed second entrance to the Crystal City Metro station, at the northwest corner of Crystal Drive and 18th Street S.

Excluding Amazon, JBG Smith says its current retention rate between now and the end of 2024 is about 50%, versus an annual average of about 70%. To bring the rate up, the company will focus on filling more up-to-date buildings going forward.

“Our efforts to re-lease certain spaces will be targeted toward buildings with long-term viability,” wrote Matthew Kelly in the report. “We expect to repurpose older, obsolete, and vacant buildings for redevelopment, conversion to multifamily, or another specialty use, ultimately reducing our competitive inventory in National Landing.”

JBG Smith declined to elaborate on what other specialty uses it envisions as well as properties it plans to either retain for tenants or develop.

Its report, however, outlines when each of its commercial holdings in Crystal City was built and when it was last renovated.

Of the four built in the late 1960s, three have not been updated since the mid-2000s. Another 10 were built in the 1980s and were renovated over the course of 15 years starting in 2006.

The report also provides a timeline for forthcoming redevelopment plans. It says Crystal City is slated to get new apartments in the following places:

A new office building is slated to come to 101 12th Street S. and either offices or apartments could come to 2525 Crystal Drive. JBG Smith has studied both at the site and the report currently lists its estimated residential redevelopment potential.

A map of JBG Smith’s commercial holdings in the area, as well as its pipeline of commercial and residential development opportunities, is below. Click on the window in the top left corner to see a description of the map, the different colors, and individual addresses.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Four Mile Run running high near Dominion Hills (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Neighbors Rail Against VHC Project — “Issues related to the $250 million in new facilities that recently opened on the campus are still ‘causing great pain’ to the neighbors, said board chairman Christian Dorsey. Concerns about stormwater, noise and traffic continue to be raised by those who live near the hospital’s North George Mason Drive campus, added County Board member Matt de Ferranti… In a diplomatic response, Stanton said VHC officials are listening.” [Gazette Leader]

VHC Expanding in Fairfax County — “VHC Health is making a big push to bring its health care services closer to Fairfax County residents. With a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Wednesday (Aug. 9), the health system introduced its new Vienna practice to the community as part of a building-wide open house at 527 Maple Avenue, which also recently welcomed the gym Advanced Fitness & Sports Performance… In less than two years, the nonprofit has opened clinical offices in Annandale, Tysons, West Springfield and Kingstowne on top of the Vienna practice.” [FFXnow]

More on Ambulance Theft Suspect — “Court documents show that Caldwell was being sought on multiple arrest warrants out of Virginia in connection with charges that include shoplifting. larceny and a narcotics violation. An arrest warrant also had been issued for him in D.C. over his alleged failure to show up at a June court hearing, which stemmed from another incident involving a stolen vehicle. Authorities alleged that Caldwell stole a Cadillac Escalade from a street in Northeast Washington in April.” [Washington Post, WJLA]

Crash in Barcroft Neighborhood — “A suspected drunk driver was taken into custody after police say he hit a parked car before going through and fence and eventually slamming into the foundation of a home in Arlington. Officers were called to 8th Road S. at S. Buchanan Street around 12:15 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 13 for a report of a crash. At the scene, police found a wrecked vehicle… just feet away from where the Buckley family was sitting with their toddler that night.” [Fox 5]

More Bad Driving on I-395 — From Dave Statter: “After a weekend of some extraordinary madness on I-395 it’s nice to just get back to the normal, everyday madness. Or is it?” [Twitter]

Employee with Gun Stopped at DCA — “An airline employee was caught with a loaded handgun at a security checkpoint at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Friday, according to the Transportation Security Administration. The airline employee… 33, of Lorton had a 9mm handgun loaded with 16 bullets, including one in the chamber, officials said. The gun was confiscated by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police. Grandison was then issued a citation, according to the MWAA.” [Patch]

Early Voting Sites Selected — “Electoral Board members on Aug. 10 were briefed on planned hours of operation at the three venues, and raised no objections to the proposed timetable… Early voting will begin 45 days before the election on Sept. 22 at the Ellen Bozman Government Center. Voting opportunities will begin Oct. 24 at Madison and Walter Reed community centers.” [Gazette Leader]

Favola, Ebbin Among the Safest Sens — “The two state Senate seats representing Arlington in Richmond are some of the most likely to elect Democrats in the entire commonwealth. That’s the conclusion of the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), which pegs the new 39th Senate District as the third strongest Democratic fortress in the commonwealth, and the 40th Senate District as second strongest.” [Gazette Leader]

It’s Tuesday — There is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 88°F. Winds will be from the west at 7 mph. On Tuesday night there is another chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise expect partly cloudy conditions with a low around 67°F. [Weather.gov]

ACPD: Intoxicated suspect punched officer responding to reported stabbing

By ARLnow.com
File photo

Arlington County police used a Taser to subdue a man over the weekend after an officer was allegedly punched along Columbia Pike.

The fracas happened around 10 p.m. Friday near the intersection of the Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive. The incident that drew the police response was initially reported to be a stabbing but later turned out to just be a dispute.

More, below, from today’s ACPD crime report.

ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2023-08110270, 2800 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 10:04 p.m. on August 11, police were dispatched to the report of a possible stabbing. The arriving officer located three male subjects matching the descriptions provided by the reporting party and gave them commands to stop in order to conduct their investigation. Subject One was detained without incident. Subject Two assaulted the officer by punching him and was taken into custody with the assistance of an additional arriving officer. Subject Three refused to comply with the officer’s commands and, following the deployment of a Taser by the officer, was detained. Subject Three was evaluated on scene by medics and, following the investigation, was released on scene. The investigation determined a dispute had taken place but no stabbing had occurred. Subject One… 23, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Public Intoxication. Subject Two… 27, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Assault on Police and Public Intoxication.

Also this weekend, police responded to a pair of armed robberies — one Friday night in Pentagon City, the other early Saturday morning in the Long Branch Creek neighborhood.

From ACPD:

ROBBERY, 2023-08110255, 1300 block of S. Joyce Street. At approximately 8:46 p.m. on August 11, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the male and female victims arranged to meet Suspect One, who is known to them, at this location. When the male victim and Suspect One made contact, Suspect Two exited the vehicle, brandished a firearm and struck the male victim with it before stealing the victims’ bags containing clothing, electronics and personal belongings. Suspect One then brandished a firearm and took the female victim’s purse from her possession. Both suspects then fled the scene in their vehicle with the victim’s stolen property. Officers canvassed the area for the suspects yielding negative results. Warrants were obtained for Robbery (x2) and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony. The investigation is ongoing.

ROBBERY, 2023-08120066, 1700 block of 26th Street S. At approximately 6:31 a.m. on August 12, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the suspect was inside of a parked vehicle with the three male suspects when one suspect threatened the victim with a firearm and demanded his belongings. The suspects stole electronics, jewelry and a wallet containing credit cards, personal identification cards and an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the scene in the vehicle. The victim then requested assistance from the reporting party who called police. No injuries were reported. Officers canvassed the area for the suspect yielding negative results.

Payment issues continue for some residents who registered for DPR fall classes

By Jo DeVoe
A credit card sits on a laptop (via CardMapr.nl/Unsplash)

Some Arlington residents may have hit another pitfall while registering for fall classes with the parks department.

It appears some may have been charged more than once for the same purchase, according to social media posts and receipts reviewed by ARLnow. The Arlington County Dept. of Parks and Recreation confirmed this afternoon that it has heard from registrants who have been inadvertently charged multiple times.

After registration opened last week for fall ENJOY classes, DPR said its credit card system was malfunctioning. It asked those who were attempting to register on Thursday to pay using an electronic check until the issue was resolved.

One parent reported he was charged three times for one purchase and knows others who faced similar problems.

The parks department confirmed the issue could be related to the malfunction from Thursday.

“We’ve been alerted of the issue and have staff working on diagnosing the problem,” spokesman Jerry Solomon told ARLnow. “At this moment, we are unable to identify the specific cause, but believe that it is related to the issue experienced with the third-party processor last Thursday. Staff is actively reconciling and processing the refunds for those who have been double charged.”

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to resolve this issue and will continue to look for ways to improve the process moving forward,” she added.

Last week, Solomon said the snafu only affected registration on Thursday and was resolved within an hour. By 1:20 p.m., more than 3,600 people were able to successfully register for classes. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the system logged more than 8,000 total registrations, including more than 7,000 completed online.

“We will have a better sense of what occurred today once our payment processor has diagnosed the issue,” she said at the time.

Resident walk-in registration for the fall classes began on Friday. Starting this Wednesday, those who live outside the county will be able to start registering, according to the 2023 ENJOY booklet.

The parks department has been battling technical problems during the class and camp registration processes for the past few years, at least in part due to the high volume of parents trying to register their kids for classes at the same time.

Photo by CardMapr.nl/Unsplash

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