The event, dubbed Enchanted Rhapsody is taking place at the intersection of 6th Street S. and S. Ball Street on Saturday from 4-7:30 p.m. It will feature food, drink and the musical stylings of the Edgewood String Quartet, which will perform classical renderings of Taylor Swift and Queen songs.
The string foursome is known for its covers of pop songs or, as the press release puts it, “think Bridgerton-style classical covers IRL.”
“An evening of Taylor Swift versus Queen songs performed by the Edgewood String Quartet will welcome the bliss of springtime and the beauty of the cherry blossoms,” an event announcement said.
While many of this season’s cherry blossoms met a gusty end last week, the National Cherry Blossom Festival continues until April 17. In Arlington, there are still petal porches to see and bike rides to take to catch what remains of this year’s blossoms.
A longtime project to make pedestrian, cycling and transit upgrades to Army Navy Drive has taken the next step forward.
Arlington County has sent the project out for bidding by contractors, while staff continue to acquire the easements needed for construction.
“Project staff expect the easement process to be wrapped up by the time the construction contract appears before the County Board for approval — anticipated later this summer,” Dept. of Environmental Services spokesman Nate Graham said.
Construction could start this fall and be completed in the summer of 2025, according to the project webpage. Initially, the county had expected construction to begin in spring 2020 and be complete this spring, but extra tasks required to receive federal aid dragged out the planning process by a few years.
A coalition of local transit advocates celebrated the news, which has been seven years in the making.
The Army Navy Drive Complete Streets Project is officially out to bid! Many thanks to everyone who has worked to see this transformative project through over the last 7+ years! https://t.co/qSMXM7ioMD
— Sustainable Mobility for Arlington County (@susmoarlington) March 30, 2022
Crashes are a frequentoccurrence along Army Navy Drive. The $16.87 million project aims to reduce conflicts among cars, buses, bikes and pedestrians with narrower lanes — to slow down vehicle traffic — as well as bus-only lanes, protected left turns and signalized right turns, clearer sidewalks and shorter crosswalks.
The south side of Army Navy Drive will have a two-way bike lane protected by a line of trees. This will link to a future two-way bicycle lane planned for S. Clark Street, between 12th Street S. and 15th Street S. and the planned protected bike lanes on S. Eads Street, which will run past both phases of Amazon’s HQ2.
Bike lanes on Army Navy Drive are visible in this 2021 rendering of Amazon’s HQ2 Phase 2 campus (via NBBJ/Amazon)
“The project will rebuild Army Navy Drive within the existing right-of-way as a multimodal complete street featuring enhanced bicycle, transit, environmental and pedestrian facilities,” the county says. “The goal of the project is to improve the local connections between the Pentagon and the commercial, residential and retail services in Pentagon City and Crystal City.”
The new Army Navy Drive will be reduced to two through lanes in each direction, narrowing to one lane east of S. Eads Street.
The reduction will accommodate a bus lane between S. Joyce Street and S. Hayes Street so that buses will not block traffic while loading passengers. This dedicated transit lane will help extend an existing network of bus lanes from the City of Alexandria to Crystal City into Pentagon City.
Plans for Army Navy Drive (via Arlington County)
Additional improvements include replacing raised medians with planted ones and planting greenery to reduce stormwater runoff. Five intersections will get new traffic signal equipment.
The project’s early phases kicked off in the summer of 2015 with a traffic analysis evaluating how biking, walking, scooting and driving conditions would be impacted in 2020 and 2040 by the ongoing redevelopment of Pentagon City and Crystal City. That has since been expedited by the ongoing construction of HQ2.
Another incident drew a police response to a rowdy block of 23rd Street in Crystal City on Sunday night.
Police say a couple skipped out on their bill at an establishment on the 300 block of 23rd Street S. just before 11:30 p.m. A security guard who tried to write down the license plate of the suspects’ vehicle was then nearly run over, and another parked car was damaged, as they made their getaway, according to a crime report today.
From the Arlington County Police Department:
ATTEMPTED MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2022-03270226, 300 block of 23rd Street S. At approximately 11:26 p.m. on March 27, police were dispatched to the report of a hit and run just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined that the male and female suspects left an establishment without paying their bill. A Security Guard made contact with the suspects outside the establishment and requested they return to pay. The two suspects declined and entered their nearby parked vehicle. As the Security Guard was documenting the license plate, the male suspect allegedly reversed the vehicle, almost striking the Security Guard and hitting a parked vehicle before fleeing the scene. No injuries or significant property damage were reported.
“The investigation is ongoing,” the police department noted.
While the name of the business was not listed by ACPD, there have been dozens of incidents — including fights, noise complaints and indecent exposure reports — associated with the nearly two-year-old Bowlero bowling alley on that block.
Separately, police and medics responded to the same block just before noon on Friday for a report of two teen girls having an adverse reaction — potentially an overdose — to marijuana edibles. The incident happened several hours before Bowlero’s normal operating hours and likely did not involve the bowling alley.
Heavy rain along the Potomac River, with Rosslyn in the background (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Mysterious Bug Bites Reported — Arlington residents are against dealing with red and intensely itchy bug bites, the cause of which is so far unclear. One theory is that last year’s scourge of oak mites are back. [Facebook, WUSA 9]
Catalytic Converter Thefts in Fairlington — “A resident has reported that the catalytic converter on their Toyota Prius was stolen during the night March 21, 2022. The converter was physically cut away from the vehicle. There have been 7 similar thefts of catalytic converters reported from the Fairlington neighborhoods.” [Twitter]
Man Pistol Whipped By Intruder — “2000 block of S. Kenmore Street. At approximately 2:15 p.m. on March 22, police were dispatched to the report of trouble unknown. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was inside his residence when the three known suspects forced entry inside and struck him with a firearm. The victim then deployed pepper spray and the suspects fled the scene. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. Warrants were obtained for one suspect.” [ACPD]
Gym in Crystal City Unionizes — From Washingtonian’s Andrew Beaujon: “Movement Crystal City is the US’s first unionized climbing gym. We wrote about this place when it was called Earth Treks.” [Twitter, Twitter]
Help for Arlington’s Ukrainian Sister City — “That partnership, which came to fruition after years of advocacy by Sonevytsky, has mostly focused on cultural and professional exchanges. But the unprovoked Russian attack on Ukraine last month changed all that. Now, the Arlington Sister City Association and the volunteer group that runs the Ivano-Frankivsk relationship are focused on a new mission: helping send humanitarian aid to their partner city and educating Arlington residents about their community’s ties to a place now in a war zone.” [WAMU]
Reminder: Free Observation Deck in Rosslyn — “If you’re looking for views of the blossoms at the Tidal Basin and beyond, head to The View of DC, located at 1201 Wilson Boulevard! This 360-degree observation deck is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with evening hours until 9 p.m. on Mondays!) and admission is free with a valid government ID.” [Rosslyn BID]
Injunction Against Va. Mask-Optional Law — “Preliminary injunction granted by the federal court preventing defendants from enforcing EO 2 and SB 739 (the mask-optional law) in schools where the plaintiffs & their children are enrolled.” [Twitter, Washington Post, WJLA]
Pappy Is Back at Virginia ABC — “Good news bourbon lovers: Virginia’s annual Pappy Van Winkle lottery is back — this year with two types of Van Winkles… Anyone 21 and over with a valid Virginia driver’s license (you have to prove it when you show up to purchase) can enter the lotteries on Virginia ABC’s website from Wednesday, March 23 until Sunday, March 27 at 11:59pm.” [Axios]
It’s Thursday — After early morning storms, light rain throughout much the day. High of 66 and low of 58. Sunrise at 7:06 am and sunset at 7:25 pm. [Weather.gov]
The proposed location of an east entrance to the Crystal City Metro station (via Google Maps)
The designs for the underground east entrance to the Crystal City Metro station (via Arlington County)
Preliminary designs of an at-grade east entrance to the Crystal City Metro station (via Arlington County)
Preliminary designs of an at-grade east entrance to the Crystal City Metro station (via Arlington County)
(Updated at 3:05 p.m.) Arlington County and JBG Smith are changing up plans for a second entrance to the Crystal City Metro station due to projected cost overruns.
An east entrance to the station — a long-standing goal of county transportation planners — is being built through a public-private partnership with the developer, which the County Board authorized in the summer of 2020.
JBG Smith had initially proposed an underground entrance at the corner of 18th Street S. and Crystal Drive. As those plans came into focus last summer, however, they were estimated to cost Arlington County $123-$126 million, which far exceeded the county’s budget of $95 million.
So JBG Smith went back to the drawing board during the winter and came back with the idea to build the entrance at street level and save the county at least $13 million.
This Saturday, the Arlington County Board is slated to approve changes to its agreement with JBG Smith, giving the developer until September to further design an at-grade entrance. Under this scenario, fare gates and a manager’s kiosk would be at street level with primary access from 18th Street S. and secondary access from Crystal Drive.
“This alternative offers cost savings over the current design by significantly reducing the amount of excavation required, reducing the number of elevators from five to three, and removing the need to penetrate the station vault wall,” according to a county report. It also reduces the construction time by three months.
An at-grade entrance still meets county goals and has the support of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, per the report.
“Both the Underground Entrance Design Concept and the At-Grade Alternative equally achieve the goals of adding capacity to meet future growth, creating a multimodal transportation hub, and improving access and accessibility to the Crystal City Metrorail Station from Crystal Drive,” the county said.
The change to the agreement will cost around $232,000 and bring the total cost of the design phase — funded by a $5 million Northern Virginia Transportation Authority grant — to $3.9 million.
County staff say there will be an update on the project for the public this spring. JBG Smith plans to submit a proposal based on the updated designs in October with the goal of County Board approval in November.
If members approve of the designs and cost estimates, construction could start in the winter of 2023 and end in the spring of 2025 — similar to the existing timeline. The project would be extended if the County Board asks the company, or county staff, to find someone else to do it for less money.
Ultimately, Arlington County is on the hook to oversee the project, as it agreed to get the second entrance online by 2025 as part of the incentive package to bring Amazon to Pentagon City, provided the state partially funded it.
The site of the future east entrance is also slated to see new retail, but JBG Smith has put redevelopment plans on hold due to the pandemic, the county says. The east entrance designs leave room to build the retail spaces later on.
As part of the stalled retail project, JBG Smith agreed to hand over land for a public open space called “Metro Market Square,” according to a memo from the developer. The company is working with the county to build this space concurrently with the entrance project.
A map of the east Crystal City Metro station entrance and proposed Metro Market Square open space (staff image)
Crystal Bowl, a lunch bowl eatery, to open in Crystal City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Crystal Bowl, a lunch bowl eatery, to open in Crystal City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Crystal Bowl, a lunch bowl eatery, to open in Crystal City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Crystal Bowl, a lunch bowl eatery, to open in Crystal City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Grab a fork because a new lunch bowl eatery is coming to Crystal City.
Crystal Bowl is opening on the ground floor of 2800 Crystal Drive, signs announce on the eatery’s exterior. It’s set to serve lunch bowls, sandwiches, breakfast, coffee, smoothies, and bubble tea, according to signs on the window.
It remains unclear when it is expected to open, though. The website just notes “coming soon” and a call to the posted phone number went unanswered. Looking inside, however, it appears that interior construction is mostly complete.
A kite stuck up a tree in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Another Malfunctioning Walk Signal — Just over a week after this, another reported crosswalk signal issue: “Instead of telling you when it’s safe to cross the street, the walk signs in Crystal City, VA are just repeating ‘CHANGE PASSWORD’. Something’s gone terribly wrong here.” [Twitter]
School Board Meeting Was Mostly Maskless — “For those playing the ‘how many Arlington School Board members will go mask-free at the first board meeting after requirements were lifted?’ home game, the winners were those who had put their money on four out of five. Board members David Priddy, Cristina Diaz-Torres, Reid Goldstein and chairman Barbara Kanninen were maskless at the March 10 meeting, as was Superintendent Francisco Durán. School Board member Mary Kadera kept her mask affixed.” [Sun Gazette]
Survey Work on GW Parkway — ” A $161 million ‘complete rehabilitation‘ of the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway is being planned… Through Friday, March 18, there will be single-lane closures along the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway for bridge surveys. Drivers should proceed with caution in these areas and consider using alternate routes, according to an NPS alert.” [WUSA 9]
Arlington Doc Helping Refugees — “An Arlington doctor is not only battling the pandemic in Northern Virginia, but he also travels across international borders to help those in need. The current refugee crisis that began with Afghans in 2021, now includes Ukrainians facing a similar fate of displacement and an uncertain future. For three years before COVID-19 spread across the globe, Dr. Ali Karim helped build wells in Nigeria, aided orphans and women in Kabul, Afghanistan and filmed a documentary about his solo journey.” [WJLA]
Days Inn Redevelopment Update — “The plans to replace the Days Inn at 2201 Arlington Boulevard with 262 multi-family units and around 3,000 square feet of retail were filed with Arlington County last week. The eight-story project will also have surface and underground parking. STUDIOS Architecture designed the building.” [Urban Turf]
Social Sports Return to Crystal City — “Sand Volleyball is BACK in National Landing starting this May with a few fun new additions – Bocce and Corn Hole!” [Twitter]
Yes, It’s Getting Windier — “Our analysis of wind data shows that the strongest gusts have become more frequent recently. Last year featured more big wind gusts than any recent year, a trend that has continued into this year. Wind advisories, issued by the National Weather Service when gusts are expected to top 45 mph, have also been on the increase since the mid-2000s.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Tuesday — Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 66 and low of 40. Sunrise at 7:21 am and sunset at 7:17 pm. [Weather.gov]
A halal restaurant franchise is opening on S. Eads Street in Crystal City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
A halal restaurant franchise is opening on S. Eads Street in Crystal City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
A halal restaurant franchise is opening on S. Eads Street in Crystal City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
A halal restaurant franchise is opening a new concept in Crystal City potentially by the end of this year.
The company, PPOVA LLC, has leased a 2,400 square foot space at 2323 S. Eads Street to launch a combination restaurant featuring chicken concept Peri-Peri Original and beef-focused Kallisto Steakhouse, as first reported by the Washington Business Journal in the fall. Both concepts will be halal and were originally launched in the United Kingdom.
This is part of an effort to bring those restaurant concepts to the U.S., particularly Northern Virginia, representatives of leasing agent Rappaport told ARLnow.
A building permit was applied for at the beginning of the month, county records note, and demolition and construction is currently underway. The hope that the business will open by the end of the year, Rappaport representatives said.
PPOVA LLC also owns food court concept Spice Village in Herndon, where both of these concepts are already serving.
This will be Kallisto Steakhouse’s first location other than Herndon and the seventh Peri-Peri Original in the region. The closest current Peri-Peri Original location is in Alexandria, in the same shopping center as Wegmans.
The appeal of this location in the Crystal City area is obvious to their clients, the leasing brokers said. With already established residential and office density, and Amazon’s HQ2 workforce continuing to grow in the area, this is an investment in the future, the leasing reps said.
“[They] are planting a flag today, so when the transition really comes, they’ll be well-established in the neighborhood,” said Rappaport’s Christian Kingston.
Plus, the availability of surface parking is an attractive feature of the space. With the increase in demand for food take-out and delivery options, the restaurant owners wanted a brick and mortar location that had accessible parking.
Serving halal food is also something the new tenant prides itself on, Kingston noted, believing that the neighborhood is lacking sufficient options in that respect.
The combo restaurant is opening only a few doors down from Crystal City stalwart 24-hour Kabob Palace, which serves halal food as well, and next to Shawarma Gyros Xpress.
Rappaport is also looking to lease the space on the other side of Shawarma Gyros Xpress, noting that it remains available for a new tenant.
The view from 23rd Street S. of JBG Smith’s proposed redevelopment at 2250 Crystal Drive (via Arlington County)
The southeastern view of JBG Smith’s proposed redevelopment at 2250 Crystal Drive in Crystal City (via Arlington County)
The northwest (left) and southwest (right) views of JBG Smith’s proposed redevelopment at 2250 Crystal Drive in Crystal City (via Arlington County)
Plans to redevelop an office building and the former Jaleo restaurant in Crystal City as two apartment towers are crystallizing.
But two yet-undeveloped buildings appear to be limiting plans for some transportation and open space community benefits associated with the project.
JBG Smith proposes replacing the one-story retail building at 2250 Crystal Drive — home to Jaleo until September — and the aging 11-story “Crystal Plaza 5” office building at 223 23rd Street S. with two, 30-story apartment towers:
A “West Tower” at 223 23rd Street S. that would be 309 feet tall and have 613 dwelling units, 4,379 square feet of retail and 184 parking spaces
An “East Tower” at 2250 Crystal Drive that would be 304 feet tall, and have 827 dwelling units, 13,059 square feet of retail and 249 total parking spaces
Most of the buildings on the block, dubbed “Block M” in the 2010 Crystal City Sector Plan, are owned by JBG Smith: the apartments 220 20th Street S. and Crystal Plaza 6 and the offices and retail at 2200 and 2100 Crystal Drive.
Once approved and constructed, the development would make the block 80% residential. On the same block, JBG Smith is replacing the Crystal Plaza 1 office building with two apartment towers, 2000 and 2001 S. Bell Street.
Site conditions and developments within the block, dubbed “Block M” (via Arlington County)
As part of the project, JBG Smith is responsible for providing two open spaces and building a new S. Clark-Bell Street to improve pedestrian, car and transit circulation near Route 1. But the developer has to work around Crystal Plaza 6, which it owns, and the Crystal Plaza Apartments, owned by Dweck Properties.
JBG Smith proposes putting the new S. Clark-Bell Street west of these buildings, which could create future transit connectivity challenges, county planner Michael Cullen said in a staff presentation last month.
“While much of the vision relies on the redevelopment of the Crystal Plaza Apartments and the Crystal Plaza 6 site at 2221 Clark Street S., the proposed site plan project will be establishing critical alignments for future entry and exit points that will impact the feasibility of achieving the ultimate roadway alignment,” he said.
An alley between the two towers that JBG Smith is proposing will be nothing but a dead end unless the Crystal Plaza Apartments are redeveloped, according to the county.
Until JBG Smith redevelops Crystal Plaza 6, the developer says it can only build an interim, 8,670-square foot park on the site’s southwest corner — not the 13,000-square foot park envisioned in the 2010 Crystal City Sector Plan.
Kiosks in the future Crystal City Water Park (courtesy of JBG Smith)
The future Crystal City Water Park (courtesy of JBG Smith)
The future Crystal City Water Park (courtesy of JBG Smith)
Kiosks in the future Crystal City Water Park (courtesy of JBG Smith)
The future year-round outdoor restaurant called Surreal at 2121 Crystal Drive (courtesy of JBG Smith)
Construction is underway at Crystal City Water Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Construction is underway at Crystal City Water Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Construction is underway at Crystal City Water Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Construction is underway at Crystal City Water Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Construction is underway at Crystal City Water Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Construction has started on major renovations to the Crystal City Water Park, JBG Smith announced Monday.
JBG Smith will update the existing, 1.6-acre park at 1601 Crystal Drive with new restaurant kiosks and seating areas, a full-service restaurant, new water features — including a “water wall” with a bar perched on top — and a stage.
The Arlington County Board approvedplans for the park in March 2021, after deferring an earlierproposal that members predicted would lead to unsafe pedestrian and cyclist interactions.
The privately-owned park has long hosted small food and drink vendors. The new kiosks will highlight local, minority- and women-owned businesses, “local favorites” and “renowned names,” JBG Smith says.
“We are particularly excited about the Water Park kiosks, which will serve as incubator spaces where up-and-coming chefs and [restaurateurs] can experiment and grow,” JBG Smith Senior Vice President of Retail Leasing Amy Rice said in a statement.
In addition to decorative water features, the revamped park will also feature public art installations and a building with public restrooms and bike facilities near the entrance to the Mt. Vernon Trail. JBG Smith says it is working with Virginia Railway Express to build an accessible connection to the future entrance of the relocated VRE station.
The Water Park is not the only JBG-owned public space getting upgrades. Two blocks south at 2121 Crystal Drive, a lightly used private park space in front of an office building will see renovations and the construction of a 5,587-square-foot restaurant. Work on that project also started recently.
JBG Smith expects to complete both the Crystal City Water Park and Surreal in 2023.
“We see these both as inviting public spaces where families will enjoy a sunny day and colleagues can gather after work for a drink, a bite to eat and live music,” said JBG Smith Executive Vice President Bryan Moll in a statement.
Visitors will be able to keep their drinks in hand as they walk these open spaces. Last year, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority gave the developer the go-ahead to establish a “sip and stroll” zone within the boundaries of Crystal City Water Park and the courtyard.
It will be Arlington’s third “sip and stroll” zone, after the Village at Shirlington and Westpost (formerly Pentagon Row).
These two projects, plus Amazon’s second headquarters and other redevelopment projects by JBG Smith, will triple the number of retail businesses in Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard, dubbed National Landing, the developer says.
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break and possible sinkhole in Crystal City
(Updated at 10:05 a.m.) Police have closed the intersection of S. Eads Street and 18th Street S. in Crystal City after a water main break.
The break has reportedly caused some indentations in the roadway that firefighters fear could becoming full-blown sinkholes if driven over. As a result, roads approaching the normally busy intersection, one block from the Crystal City Metro station, are closed and traffic is being diverted.
It may be an extended closure given the necessary repairs, according to scanner traffic. Crews are reportedly hoping to reopen the intersection by the evening rush hour.
In the meantime, the break may cause water pressure problems in the area, which includes several hotels and apartment buildings.
Update: The break appears to be affecting water service for at least two nearby buildings including a hotel. No estimate yet on a completion time for repairs.
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) February 23, 2022
