The Penske Truck Rental depot on Columbia Pike following the removal of the ART bus
ART bus lodged up against other cars outside the Penske Truck Rental depot
After serving as a local fixture and punchline for nearly a month, the Arlington Transit bus lodged into the side of a truck depot on Columbia Pike has been removed.
On Aug. 5, a bus carrying roughly 10 passengers lost control and careened through the Pike and S. George Mason Drive intersection, veering over the curb and smashing into the side of the Penske Truck Rental building at 4110 Columbia Pike.
When it crashed into the building, pushing another truck into the side of the structure along with it, the bus became load-bearing — meaning extraction was impossible until a temporary structure could be built to support the building while the bus was removed.
The bus was removed this past Friday, Aug. 30, according to county transportation spokesman Eric Balliet.
A wooden wall is now in place, supporting the side of the building where the bus had crashed. A sign on the side of the building says the building is still considered unsafe and the Penske phone line said the location is currently closed.
Penske couldn’t be reached for comment and a security guard working outside the building said he wasn’t sure when it would be open again.
Balliet noted that the contractor that runs the ART service, National Express, will be responsible for the cost to repair the building.
“National Express’ insurance company will assess and determine the estimate for repairs,” Balliet said.
The investigation into the crash is being conducted by Arlington County Police, Balliet said, declining to comment on what might have caused the wreck. As for the bus itself?
“The bus will be put back into service,” Balliet said. “It’s currently being inspected by National Express’ maintenance team to determine how to address repairs.”
The future home of Supreme Hot Pot at 2301 Columbia Pike, pictured on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)
The future home of Supreme Hot Pot at 2301 Columbia Pike, pictured on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)
A new hot pot restaurant is coming to 2301 Columbia Pike, near William Jeffrey’s Tavern.
The restaurant, called Supreme Hot Pot, is set for interior construction along S. Adams Street, on the ground floor of the Siena Park Apartments.
According to a permit application, Supreme will be a Chinese hot pot restaurant with an electric cooktop on each table, allowing customers to cook their own boiled soup pot. The storefront has been vacant since the building was constructed, the permit application says.
The company is listed as Supreme Hot Pot LLC, which filed with the Virginia State Corporation Commission in April.
So far there’s no word on when the restaurant is hoping to open.
Hat tip to Chris Slatt. Jay Westcott contributed to this story.
(Updated on 8/31/19) Two men, one armed with a gun, carjacked a man in a parked car along Columbia Pike early Wednesday morning, according to Arlington County Police.
The alleged carjacking happened shortly after midnight on the Pike at S. Thomas Street.
The victim was forced into the backseat but was dropped off unharmed several blocks away, near the corner of the Pike and S. Four Mile Run Drive, as the suspects fled, police said. The suspects were later arrested in Fairfax County, according to an ACPD crime report, below.
CARJACKING (late), 2019-08280013, Columbia Pike at S. Thomas Street. At approximately 1:10 a.m. on August 28, officers were dispatched to the police station for the late report of an armed carjacking. Upon arrival, it was determined that at approximately 12:20 a.m., the victim was inside his parked vehicle when he was approached by two unknown male suspects, one of which brandished a firearm. The suspects stole the victim’s personal property before forcing him into the backseat. The suspects fled the scene in the vehicle and dropped the unharmed victim off at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. Four Mile Run Access Road. A lookout was broadcast and the suspects were later apprehended in Fairfax County. Charges are pending.
ART bus lodged up against other cars outside the Penske Truck Rental depot
ART bus lodged up against other cars outside the depot
Interior of the truck depot where the ART bus crashed
Warning notice posted on the rental truck depot
Exterior of the damaged truck depot
ART bus lodged up against other cars outside the depot
A little over two weeks after an ART bus made an unexpected detour into the side of a truck depot at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. George Mason Drive, the wayward bus is still there.
The Arlington Transit bus is sitting exactly where it was when first responders arrived to the scene, face planted against the side of the concrete wall.
Eight days into the bus’ tenure at the crash scene, ABC 7 reported that structural concerns for the building are keeping the bus in place. Officials confirmed to ARLnow this week that that is the reason it’s still there and will remain in place indefinitely.
“We are not able to move the vehicle at Columbia Pike and George Mason Drive until the building structure is stabilized,” county transportation spokesman Eric Balliet told ARLnow. “Because columns were displaced and damaged, the roof must be properly shored up by a professional shoring contractor before removing the bus.”
ART’s service contractor National Express has been attempting to work with the property owner on the repairs, Balliet said, but there is no estimate for when those repairs will be done and the bus can be moved.
“Once repairs are complete and deemed safe by building authorities, the bus and the other vehicle pushed into the building will be moved and County police will finalize their investigation,” Balliet said.
The Popeyes on Columbia Pike was sold of out chicken sandwiches Wednesday afternoon
Line at Popeyes on Pershing Drive in Buckingham
Popeyes on Pershing Drive in Buckingham
The Popeyes on Columbia Pike was sold of out chicken sandwiches Wednesday afternoon
The Popeyes on Columbia Pike was sold of out chicken sandwiches Wednesday afternoon
Popeyes at the Pentagon City mall food court
A worker prepares a chicken sandwich at the Popeyes in the Pentagon City mall food court
Line at the Popeyes in the Pentagon City mall food court
Sedaya Moore and her Popeyes chicken sandwich at the Pentagon City mall food court
(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) It was poultry pandemonium at Popeyes on Pershing, the Pike and in Pentagon City today.
The fried chicken chain has been selling out of its wildly popular, critically acclaimed new chicken sandwiches nationwide, and Arlington is no exception — but one shining beacon of salty and fatty goodness in the county was still serving as of mid-afternoon today.
Spurred on by a social media war among Popeyes, Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s and lesser chicken sandwich purveyors, customers have been flocking to Popeyes restaurants and scarfing down every clucking sammy in the joint.
In Arlington today, we went searching for the coveted bread-chicken-pickles-and-mayo stack at three Popeyes locations in the county: at 4241 N. Pershing Drive in Buckingham, near Ballston; at 5007 Columbia Pike, near the Arlington Mill Community Center; and at the Pentagon City mall food court. (A fourth, right on the Arlington/Alexandria border at 4675 King Street, was left off our visit list.)
Arriving at the Pershing location around 1 p.m., the parking lot was full and a line wrapped around the interior of the restaurant. After finally advancing to the front of the line, a woman dressed in business attire and not the usual Popeyes uniform — was it the owner? — broke the news that the restaurant had sold out of the sandwich an hour earlier. She said a shipment on Friday is expected to restock their sandwich supply, and added in hushed tones that they may be restocked tonight (Wednesday) as well.
The story was even bleaker at the Popeyes on the Pike. Staff there said they’re out of the sandwiches, noted that many local Popeyes have been out for two days, and asserted they won’t be getting more until Friday at the earliest. One particularly spicy customer — the sandwiches come in classic and spicy varieties, it should be noted — said the viral online food fight is to blame.
“It’s crazy. I blame it on social media,” the customer said. “They [the Popeyes sandwiches] are good, but they’re not Chick-Fil-A good.”
Finally, at 3 p.m., the Popeyes at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City food court beckoned. Taking stock of the origin of the chain’s name — it’s supposedly named after a detective in the 1971 film The French Connection, not the spinach-swallowing cartoon sailor — it dawned on our intrepid reporter that we, too, were conducting an investigation into a dealer of addictive substances. But since chicken sandwiches are decidedly more benign than heroin, he soldiered on.
From a distance, a long line could be seen. Upon further inspection, it started at the Popeyes and stretched well past the McDonald’s. Approaching the counter, employees could be seen preparing it — The Sandwich — the most buzzworthy fried chicken fast food concoction since the KFC Double Down.
Sure enough, the chicken sandwich was still being served to hungry shoppers and office workers, pulled to the Popeyes stall at the mall at 3 p.m. as if by some magnetic force.
“It’s really good,” said Sedaya Moore, halfway through her first Popeyes sandwich experience, before continuing to chow down with her dining companions. There was nothing else to say.
The Giant store at Penrose Square is adding a new online pickup kiosk.
The grocery store just off Columbia Pike, tucked away in the Penrose Square building at 2501 9th Road S., recently was issued permits for interior alterations to create an online pickup area near the front of the store.
Staff at the Giant confirmed to ARLnow that the area will be turned into a place for guests to pick up groceries they ordered online. When the new section will open is currently unknown.
The company has been rolling out the new curbside service called Giant Pickup since July, according to Supermarket News. Orders must be $30 or more and come with a $2.95 fee.
A man is fighting for his life after being struck by a driver on Columbia Pike.
The crash happened Thursday morning at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Carlin Springs Road, just over the Arlington border in Fairfax County.
Police say the victim suffered life-threatening injuries. The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene and is talking to detectives who are investigating the crash, per Fairfax County Police.
Two westbound lanes of Columbia Pike are blocked as a result of the investigation.
The driver of the vehicle was not injured and remained on-scene to speak with detectives. The pedestrian is an adult man and his injuries are life threatening. Update to follow. https://t.co/p2qyS0j5RH
Walter Reed Drive closed at Columbia Pike due to a ruptured gas line
(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) A reported ruptured gas line behind Papillon Cycles prompted evacuations and a road closure near the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive.
As of 2:10 p.m., the gas leak has been stopped and police re-opened Walter Reed Drive, after temporarily closing it between the Pike and 9th Street S.
Some stores in the area, on the 2800 block of Columbia Pike, were evacuated during the incident, according to scanner traffic.
One restaurant owner said that means their business had to close, but told ARLnow, “but that’s fine, it’s a Wednesday so it’s slow anyway.”
A full fire department response has been dispatched to the scene as a precaution, as gas company crews work to stop the leak.
900 blk S Walter Reed Dr: @washingtongas has controlled the gas leak. ACFD crews have checked surrounding buildings to make sure they are safe. All units have returned to service and cleared the scene. pic.twitter.com/qt8nFF2i3H
(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) A man suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed near Columbia Pike over the weekend, according to police.
The incident happened just before 3 a.m. Sunday, on the 4600 block of S. Four Mile Run Drive.
Arlington County Police say they were dispatched for a report of a dispute between two acquaintances. Officers arrived on scene, found the victim — who was suffering from multiple stab wounds — and “immediately began performing life saving measures,” according to police.
The victim was rushed to a local hospital and is considered to be in critical but stable condition, according to ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage.
The suspect, 30-year-old Arlington resident Jeffrey Melendez, “was arrested and charged with malicious wounding,” according to a crime report. He is being held without bond.
“The exact nature of the dispute and what directly preceded the incident remains under investigation,” Savage told ARLnow.
Savage noted that ACPD officers are trained to provide emergency aid to trauma victims in situations where they are the first to arrive on scene.
“Officers receive training in TECC (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care) and are issued trauma kits which enables them to initiate stabilizing care and immediate first aid before the arrival of medical assistance,” she said.
A “block party” style event with a transportation theme is set for later this month along Columbia Pike.
Arlington County is hosting its third annual “Our Shared Street Pop-Up” on Thursday, August 22, in the parking lot at the intersection of S. Four Mile Run Drive and the Pike. The event will run from 5-7 p.m. that night, and will feature booths from transportation organizations with activities and answers to transportation questions.
“Our Shared Street is a block party where you can get to know your neighbors and local transportation options,” says the event’s website. “There are also tons of great giveaways happening and fun activities.”‘
What’s not yet certain is whether ride-hailing or e-scooter companies like Uber and Lyft will be present during the late August event — as they were for last year’s event. (The county’s e-scooter program was recently extended, but has seen a slight uptick in crashes and injuries.)
As one fire station faces permanent closure, Arlington County is considering plans to open another one.
Fire Station 7 in Fairlington (3116 S. Abingdon Street) temporarily closed in October due to structural safety concerns. The crews relocated to other stations, with Fire Station 9 and nearby Alexandria and Fairfax stations assigned to cover Fairlington and nearby parts of South Arlington.
The station hasn’t reopened since, according to Arlington County Fire Department spokesman Capt. Ben O’Bryant.
That closure could become permanent. Since at least 2014, the station has been on the chopping block. A report from 2012 noted that the station is beloved by the community, but lacks the efficiency of other stations throughout the county.
According to the report:
Station 7 is located in a residential community that has narrow streets and limited access. It does not provide as wide coverage area as do other fire stations in the County. Well maintained and in excellent condition, Station 7 is considered a ‘neighborhood treasure’ to residents of the community. The Routley study also recommended the elimination of Station 7, or its relocation to South George Mason Drive near Wakefield High School. This study found that Stations 7 and 9 could be merged to a location near the intersection of South Walter Reed Drive and South Four Mile Run Drive.
At an audit meeting last week regarding the overuse of overtime in the Fire Department, County Board Vice Chair Libby Garvey said part of the reasoning behind Fire Station 7’s closure is that 60 percent of the station’s runs are to Alexandria and Fairfax.
The County Manager is close to making a decision on the future of Fire Station 7, according to county spokeswoman Jennifer K. Smith, and more information should be forthcoming “soon.”
Meanwhile, the County is in the early days of scouting sites for a new fire station on Columbia Pike. No timeline or site has been identified, but County Manager Mark Schwartz noted that the eastern end of Columbia Pike is a desirable location based on previous studies.
In the audit meeting, County officials also noted that new development planned for the eastern end of Columbia Pike and in the Crystal City/Pentagon City area — notably, Amazon’s HQ2 — will also likely increase demand for fire services in that area over the next few years.
“The current high demand at Fire Station 5 in Aurora Hills, combined with anticipated development and population growth in Crystal City/Pentagon City, may affect priorities in the next Capital Improvement Plan, which will be proposed in May 2020,” Smith said.
