Some of the ongoing construction on the Courthouse “superblock” along Wilson Blvd and Clarendon Blvd, from N. Courthouse Road to N. Rhodes Street, may begin wrapping up by the end of this year.

Barring any major setbacks or weather delays, the proposed completion date for the development at 1900 Wilson — referred to as 19Nineteen Clarendon — currently stands at December of this year. It had previously been expected to open this summer. Construction on the neighboring 2001 Clarendon — which is considered a joint project with 19Nineteen Clarendon — is expected to finish in the spring of 2014. 19Nineteen Clarendon is managed by Harkins Construction and 2001 Clarendon Blvd (sometimes called Washington View) is managed by S.E. Foster.

The developments will be separated by the yet to be built extension of Troy Street. According to Arlington’s Department of Environmental Services (DES), it appears Harkins may be working with S.E. Foster to transfer the required completion of Troy Street to S.E. Foster. That would allow S.E. Foster to complete the final street paving once construction on its building finishes next year.

When completed, 19Nineteen Clarendon will be a 200 unit luxury apartment complex. It occupies the space where an office building and Hollywood Video once stood. 2001 Clarendon Blvd took over the space once belonging to a Taco Bell and Dr. Dremo’s Taphouse, and will be a seven story, 154 unit residential building with more than 30,000 square feet of ground floor retail.

DES and the county’s Community Planning and Housing Division both report that thus far there have been no issues with the development process for the project.


The Springs Ballston rendering Carlin Springs apartments (photo via Google Maps)

The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing is planning to build a 104-unit apartment building to replace its three-story, 27-unit Carlyn Springs apartment complex near Ballston.

The site, at the intersection of N. Carlin Springs Road and Thomas Street, has gone through its first round of site plan approval meetings with the county, planning commissioners and civic associations, APAH President and CEO Nina Janopaul said. The new building is planned to be in an “S” shape, with five stories and underground parking. The building plan was amended to preserve a 100-year-old tree on the site.

“It’s going to be really first-class affordable housing,” Janopaul said. APAH acquired the property in the 1990s and watched the area turn into one of Arlington’s strongest commercial and residential neighborhoods. “It’s turned into a very successful land-banking opportunity.”

(The spelling of the name of the apartment complex, Carlyn Springs, differs from the name of the road it’s on, Carlin Springs.)

APAH hopes to have county approval for the $35 million redevelopment by the end of the year, and while it waits, it will apply for a loan from the Arlington Housing Investment Fund and for a federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. The result of those applications should be determined in March, setting up the start of construction before the end of 2014, Janopaul said.

Eighty of the building’s 104 units will be two- to three-bedroom units intended for families. A handful of the apartments in the current building are near-market-rate units, and to encourage those residents to come back to the new building, Janopaul said about eight of the apartments will not be low-income units.

As for the residents currently living at Caryln Springs, Janopaul said they will have the chance to move into affordable housing spaces in the surrounding area. Some, however, have said that they will use being displaced as impetus for moving elsewhere. Others, she said, are looking forward to living in a new building after being in a space that hasn’t been renovated since it was built nearly 50 years ago.

Photo (left) courtesy of APAH. Photo (right) via Google Maps.


(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) A woman has died after falling from the top of a building in Ballston.

Initial reports suggest that the individual, currently believed to be female, jumped from the top of the Randolph Towers apartment building, at 4001 9th Street N., and landed on a car parked in front of the 9th Street side of the building.

A witness tells ARLnow.com that a man was inside the vehicle when the woman landed on it. He was unhurt but ran out of the vehicle, distraught, we’re told. The vehicle has diplomatic license plates.

The woman left several bags on the roof of the building, according to police radio traffic. Police are investigating the incident as a probable suicide.

A man died after jumping or falling from Randolph Towers in April 2011.

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is a phone call away. Call CrisisLink at 703-527-4077.


Rendering of proposed Latitude Apartments building in Virginia SquareThe County Board is scheduled to examine a proposed development that has angered some residents in Virginia Square. The Board, however, will likely defer the issue at its meeting this Saturday in accordance with a county staff recommendation.

The matter before the Board is a request to consider the proposal for the Latitude Apartments at 3601 N. Fairfax Drive. It involves rezoning the property from commercial to residential and approving a site plan for 265 apartment units, more than 3,000 square feet of retail and more than 2,800 square feet of cultural/educational use. There is also a request to allow an encroachment into a public street and utilities easement in order to add balconies along the N. Monroe Street side of the building.

Residents at the nearby Monroe Condominium (3625 10th Street N.) and others in the neighborhood have voiced opposition to the proposal, claiming the plan has progressed without adequate community input. The largest concern appears to be with rezoning the space to residential, which the residents note violates the Virginia Square Sector Plan. Opponents have also raised concerns about the influx of new residents from the apartment complex causing congestion at the Virginia Square Metro station.

Earlier this month, the Planning Commission held a meeting and residents explained their issues with the project. Members of the Planning Commission voted unanimously to support the county staff recommendation of deferring the issue for further study of the concerns raised.

With a deferral, the Planning Commission would take up the matter again at its November 4 meeting and the County Board could then address the proposal at its November 16 meeting.


Swim meet at the Dominion Hills pool (Flickr pool photo by Ddimick)

‘Luxury’ Apartment Rent Falling in Arlington — Rents for Class A apartments in Arlington and Alexandria fell 4.5 percent in the second quarter of 2013, “a clear sign that the supply of new apartments is catching up to demand.” The average Class A rent in Arlington and Alexandria is $1,973 a month. [UrbanTurf]

Kroger Buys Harris Teeter — Ohio-based grocery chain Kroger has purchased Harris Teeter. So far, the company is not planning any significant changes for Harris Teeter stores, which will retain their branding and management. [Washington Post]

Still No Tenants for Rosslyn Skyscraper — The new 35-story office building at 1812 N. Moore Street in Rosslyn — now the D.C. area’s tallest building other than the Washington Monument — is set to open in October. However, the building, which was built “on spec” by owner Monday Properties, could open without a single tenant. [WJLA]

All-American Honors for DJO Softball Stars — Bishop O’Connell softball stars (and recent graduates) Tori Finucane and Jillian Ferraro have been chosen as All-Americans by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. [Sun Gazette]

Flickr pool photo by Ddimick


The Ellipse fountain in Ballston (Flickr pool photo by Eschweik

New Laws, Sales Tax Hike Takes Effect in Va. — Today, July 1, a number of new laws take effect in Virginia. Among them: a new law cracking down on texting and driving, the decriminalization of unmarried cohabitation, and an increase in the sales tax in Northern Virginia from 5 to 6 percent. [WTOP]

NSF Buildings to Be Sold, Redeveloped — Changes may be on the way for the two office buildings in Ballston being vacated by the National Science Foundation in 2017. One of the building is being offered for sale, while the other is being considered for a conversion to apartments or a hotel, according to the Washington Business Journal.

Challenge to Va. Gay Marriage Law Considered — The law barring same-sex marriage in Virginia may face legal challenges in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on the Defense of Marriage Act, according to several local elected officials. [Sun Gazette]

Wayne Street Apartments to be Renovated — The Wayne Street Apartments on 2nd Street S. in Penrose have been acquired by developer Penzance. The company plans to renovate the aging complex, raise rents and incorporate the complex into the Myerton community apartment across the street. [Globe St.]

Flickr pool photo by Eschweik


(Updated at 5:35 p.m.) A new Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches shop is coming to Rosslyn.

The eatery is the first business to lease a ground floor retail bay in the new Sedona | Slate apartment complex at 1510 Clarendon Blvd.

The 14-story, 474-unit complex, developed by the JBG Companies, held a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday morning. JBG representatives were joined by Rosslyn BID Executive Director Cecilia Cassidy, state Sen. Barbara Favola, County Board Vice Chair Jay Fisette and County Manager Barbara Donnellan.

Already, 70 percent of the 271-unit Sedona tower is leased, while all 55 committed affordable units in the complex are leased. The 203-unit Slate tower will begin leasing next month. The complex features rooftop pools, LEED Gold sustainability certification and planned cafe seating for retail tenants along Clarendon Blvd.

Jimmy John’s has two existing Arlington locations, at 2450 Crystal Drive in Crystal City and 550 N. Quincy Street in Ballston. A JBG rep tells us the new restaurant in Rosslyn is hoping to open early this fall. So far, no building permits have been issued.

The Sedona | Slate project was beset by a couple of construction incidents in 2011, including the partial collapse of a retaining wall and a rescue operation for a crane operator who suffered a medical emergency.


Lifeguard by Ddimick

County Invests in Supportive Housing — Arlington County has matched a $500,000 grant from the Arlington Community Foundation to convert 10 units at the Marbella Apartments in Rosslyn to Permanent Supportive Housing. The apartments will be offered to the county’s most vulnerable homeless residents at a rate affordable to those making about $22,500 per year. [Arlington County]

Spring Athletic Achievements — Sportswriter Dave Facinoli recounts some of the most notable achievements of Arlington teams and athletes this spring. [Sun Gazette]

Advertising Firm Moves to Rosslyn — Local ad agency LM&O Advertising is moving to Rosslyn. The 94-person company signed a 10-year lease for the top floor of the new office building at 1776 Wilson Blvd, which will also soon be home to Pier 1 Imports and 100 Montaditos. LM&O plans to move from its current office in Courthouse in December.

Ribbon Cutting for New Apartment Complex — A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 9:30 this morning for the new Sedona and Slate apartment complex at 1510 Clarendon Blvd in Rosslyn at 9:30. According to developer JBG: “Sedona is 271 units, and is about 70 percent leased. Slate is 203 units and will begin leasing soon; delivery is expected in July.”

Flickr pool photo by Ddimick


Clarendon Fountain (Flickr pool photo by ddimick)

Pierce Queen Apartments Too Costly for Tax Credits? — The Virginia Housing Development Authority has flagged the Pierce Queen Apartments project in Ft. Myer Heights as being too expensive for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The units must remain at $350,000 each to receive credit, but the Pierce Queen units come in at $402,000. The project developers asked for a little more than $2 million in tax credits. VHDA is still examining the request and will make its final decision on June 5. [Arlington Mercury]

DOD Renews Lease in Crystal City —  The Department of Defense decided to renew its lease at 2530 Crystal Drive in Crystal City. The agency was expected to stay in the more than 550,000 square foot space due to money being tight within the federal government. [GlobeSt]

High School Tournament Roundup — In high school sports, the Washington-Lee boys tennis team defeated the Robinson Rams in a quarterfinal match, but lost to Langley in the region semifinals. Yorktown boys and girls lacrosse teams lost in their second rounds of tournaments. Yorktown sophomore Luke Maxwell finished his season undefeated and won the National District singles tennis tournament without dropping a set. [Northern Virginia Sports]

Flickr pool photo by ddimick


Neon sign at Thai Square restaurant (Flickr photo by Ddimick)

Bike to Work Day Tomorrow — More than 12,000 bicyclists around the Washington region are expected to participate in Bike to Work Day tomorrow (Friday). Arlington will host four Bike to Work Day pit stops — in Rosslyn (6:30 to 9:00 a.m.), Ballston (6:30 to 9:00 a.m.), Crystal City (7:00 to 9:00 a.m.) and East Falls Church (4:00 to 7:00 p.m.). The annual event is free but attendees are encouraged to register.

Rosslyn Metro Project 85 Percent Complete — The new Rosslyn Metro entrance is over 85 percent complete, Arlington County announced this morning. The $32.6 million project will add a new entrance to the Rosslyn Metro station, featuring three high-speed elevators and an emergency staircase, but no escalators. With the elevator shaft and the emergency stairwell complete, the next step is installing the high-speed elevators.

Tiny Apartments: Solution to Rising Rents? — The average monthly rent for an apartment in Arlington was $1,999 in 2012, a 13 percent jump from one year prior. A recent forum sponsored by the Arlington-based Alliance for Housing Solutions suggested that one solution to rising rents could be smaller apartments. Specifically, the forum focused on sub-400 square foot apartments known as “micro-units.” [Sun Gazette]

Tuckahoe Home & Garden Tour on Saturday — The 13th annual Tuckahoe Home & Garden Tour will be held on Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m. The line-up this year includes seven new and renovated homes and two gardens. Tickets for the event, which raises money for the Tuckahoe Elementary Discovery Schoolyard, are $20-25. [Tuckahoe Home & Garden Tour]

GU May Rent Rosslyn Apartments for Students — Georgetown University is considering renting units in the brand new Slate apartment building in Rosslyn in order to house graduate students. The Slate building, developed by JBG and located on the 1500 block of Clarendon Blvd, has 203 apartment units. [Washington Business Journal]

Flickr pool photo by Ddimick


A new apartment complex is coming to the 6800 block of Lee Highway in the East Falls Church neighborhood.

Developer Mark Silverwood is proposing to build a five-story, 180-unit apartment building on the Shreve Oil site, a 74,360 square foot lot consisting of small buildings and oil tanks on the Arlington-Falls Church line, adjacent to the W&OD Trail.

Called the Shreve Apartments, the development originally was proposed as a six-story, 228-unit apartment building with a 12,000 square foot grocery store. Following a Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) meeting in December, that was downsized to a 180-unit apartment building with a detached 2,000 square foot retail space.

The retail space is envisioned for use as a restaurant, and could contain cafe seating that faces the trail.

In exchange for zoning and density concessions, Silverwood is offering to reserve some of the apartments as on-site affordable housing. Silverwood is also proposing LEED Silver sustainability certification and a Transportation Management Plan for residents. The details were presented at an SPRC meeting Thursday night.

The complex, which would include some 228 underground parking spaces and storage for up to 118 bicycles, is expected to generate peak vehicle traffic demand of 126 trips an hour, according to the developer’s presentation.

“Traffic signal improvements at the intersection of Lee Highway and Westmoreland Street are recommended to facilitate full movement access,” according to a traffic impact analysis.

Ultimately, the development will require Arlington County Board approval.

This is the third Arlington residential development in Silverwood’s pipeline. The Reston-based developer recently purchased and re-branded a new condominium building in Radnor/Fort Myer Heights, and is expected to start the site plan process for its proposed, controversial redevelopment of the Bluemont Safeway site.

Photos via Arlington County, Google Maps


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