Crystal City

BREAKING: Woman Struck by Bus in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County fire truck(Updated at 11:35 p.m.) A woman was struck and pinned under a Metrobus in Crystal City tonight.

The incident happened just before 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of 15th Street S. and Eads Street.

Firefighters used heavy rescue equipment to raise the bus enough to free the woman. She transported via ambulance to the trauma center at George Washington University Hospital. Her injuries are described as non-life-threatening, authorities said.

Police are still on scene investigating the incident.

Here’s the Lineup for ARLnow’s Tech Event on March 29

By ARLnow.com

Arlington tech eventIn less than two weeks, ARLnow.com will be holding a networking event and discussion about Arlington’s growing tech industry.

With tech firms moving to Arlington, expanding in Arlington and the continued growth of incubators, co-working spaces and even tech-inspired co-living spaces, there’s a lot happening here.

Here’s the current lineup of innovators who will be discussing their business and their take on the local tech scene:

The event will be hosted by Sarah Fraser, Fox 5 contributor and founder of the Hey Frase podcast. Representatives from Arlington Economic Development will also be on hand to discuss the resources available to startups in Arlington.

Details about the event are below.

Day: Tuesday, March 29
Time: 5:30-8 p.m. (program runs from 6:30-7:30)
Venue: Highline RxR (2010 Crystal Drive)
Tickets: $10 online, includes food and drink ticket

Thank you to our co-sponsors, Vornado and the Crystal City Business Improvement District.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Dress rehearsal for the St. Peter's Players production of Godspell (Flickr pool photo by Eric)

Vida Fitness Coming to Ballston? — D.C.-based Vida Fitness is reportedly planning a 30,000 square foot gym in Ballston. The plan depends on County Board approval of a site plan amendment for the as-yet-unbuilt final building in the Liberty Center development. Given the high office vacancy rate, local developer Shooshan Co. is proposing to reconfigure what would have been a 20-story office building into a 22-story building that mixes residential, office and retail space. [Washington Business Journal]

‘WeLive’ Close to Opening in Crystal City — WeWork recently opened its new coworking space at 2221 S. Clark Street in Crystal City. Now, the company is nearing an opening for “WeLive,” a communal living space in the same building. WeLive is opening “very soon” and the company is now giving tours to prospective tenants, we hear. A second WeLive location, in Manhattan, recently opened for “beta testing.” [Fast Company]

Rail Was Once Planned for Columbia Pike — In the 1950s planners envisioned Columbia Pike as a rail corridor. That plan was scrapped when Metro was built and the Blue and Yellow lines ran south instead of west. In 2014, of course, a planned streetcar system for the Pike was also nixed. [InsideNova]

County Board Campaign Gets Underway — County Board Chair Libby Garvey and her Democratic primary challenger, Erik Gutshall, both held campaign events on Columbia Pike over the weekend. Garvey said getting out the vote will be the key to victory in the June 14 primary. [InsideNova]

Flickr pool photo by Eric

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Tree blossoms in Lyon Park

Police Seek Witness in Pentagon City Investigation — Arlington County Police are trying to find a witness who rendered aid to an injured man found face down in the street in Pentagon City. The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on February 25, on the 1200 block of S. Eads Street. The 65-year-old man remains in critical but stable condition. [Arlington County]

Group Forms to Oppose Gun Store — Updated at 11:05 a.m. — A group called Act4LyonPark has formed to oppose NOVA Armory, the gun store that’s planning to open on March 26 at 2300 N. Pershing Drive. So far, Act4LyonPark has raised $6,300 to support its activities. The group says that in a recent vote, 88 percent of residents who responded voted for the Lyon Park Citizens Association to take an official stance against the gun shop.

Board to Consider Relaxed Historic Rules for Schools — The Arlington County Board is expected to vote Saturday on a proposal to make it easier for Arlington Public Schools to make changes to schools within local historic districts. The proposal would remove schools from the oversight of the county’s rigid Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board. Facing a school capacity crunch, APS says going through HALRB adds unnecessary delays and costs to projects. [InsideNova]

One Person Filed 6,500 Noise Complaints Against DCA — A single individual is responsible for 6,500 of the 8,670 noise complaints filed against Reagan National Airport last year, according to the airports authority. [WTOP]

Chamber Savors Hotel Tax Victory — With Arlington’s 0.25 percent hotel tax surcharge reinstated, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is celebrating a long-awaited legislative victory. “Reinstating Arlington’s [Transient Occupancy Tax] was the Chamber’s top priority for the 2016 legislative session, with the funds generated by the additional TOT providing much needed support to ensure that Arlington remains competitive in attracting leisure and business travel,” said Chamber president and CEO Kate Roche. [Arlington Chamber of Commerce]

Local Musician Wins Songwriting Award — Arlington’s Justin Jones has won the $10,000 grand prize from a local songwriting competition in Bethesda. [Instagram]

Join Us for an Arlington Tech Event at Highline in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Arlington tech eventVirginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe wants the Commonwealth to be the “tech capital of the United States” and Arlington County is in many ways the centerpiece of that effort.

With the state and the county actively working to attract innovative tech companies, we wanted to check in with some of the innovators who are helping to build a new economy here in Arlington.

On Tuesday, March 29, ARLnow.com — together with Vornado and the Crystal City BID — will be hosting Arlington Tech, an evening of networking and insights.

The event is being held from 5:30-8 p.m. at Highline RxR (2010 Crystal Drive). Tickets are available online and will also be available at the door.

Come for the food and drink (included with the price of admission) and networking, stay for a Q&A with innovators from a variety of local companies like:

The evening’s discussion will be hosted by local media personality Sarah Fraser.

Also at the event, representatives from Arlington Economic Development will be on hand to answer questions from entrepreneurs about the resources available to them in Arlington County.

Crystal City Parking Garage to Host Bicycle Races Next Month

By Andrew Ramonas

Wednesday Night Spins (Photo via Crystal City Business Improvement District)

Tandem bicycle riders, fixed-gear aficionados and other cyclists are set to have the chance to race inside a Crystal City parking garage next month.

The “Wednesday Night Spins” indoor race series in the garage at 2345 Crystal Drive is scheduled to kick off March 2 for bicyclists of all abilities, without restrictions on bike types.

According to the Crystal City Business Improvement District, the races include:

  • Beginners’ Race Series (Cat5/Novice/Junior)
    March 2, 9, 16, 23 (Finale)
    6:30 PM
    Details: The race is for the garage race beginners, novices and juniors. It’s the perfect way to get your adrenaline fix or warm up for the Open Race. Points are awarded each week with the series finale during week 4 (March 23).

  • Women’s Open Series (All Women/Junior)
    March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (Finale)
    7:25 PM
    Details: New for 2016 due to popular demand, this women’s only race is open to all experience levels. Points are awarded each week with the series finale during week 5 (March 30).

  • Open Race Series (All Categories Welcome)
    March 2, 9, 16, 23 (Finale)
    8:25 PM
    Details: If you are an experienced racer, this is where you’ll want to compete. Expect intense speed and competition, but all categories are welcome. Points are awarded each week with the series finale during week 4 (March 23).

But those aren’t the only races. In addition to the Women’s Open Series finale, the other March 30 competitions include:

  • Beginner/Intermediate/Junior Open Race (All Categories Welcome)
    8:25 PM
    Details: The Beginner’s and Open Race Series Finales both end during week 4 to make way for the Cargo Bike/Tandem Showdown and the Fixed Gear Finale. The winner may still want to defend his title or the number two may be seeking a rematch in this combined Open Race.

  • Cargo Bike/Tandem/Bikeshare Showdown
    8:00 PM
    Details: Prizes, but most importantly, bragging rights are on the line. This 20-minute race is for cargo and tandem haulers only but will also include Bikeshare Parade Laps. Be prepared for special cargo carrying requirements in order to make the podium. This one is sure to be entertaining.

  • Fixed Gear Finale (Fixed-Gear Bikes Only. No SS Freewheel or Gears.)
    8:25 PM
    Details: If you are fixin’ for a real rush then the Fixed Gear Finale might be for you. Added by popular demand, this race is the only race of the series that allows fixed gears. No single-speed freewheels nor gears are allowed.

Interested bicyclists can sign up online. Registration is $3 to $15 per race online, depending on the match.

The race is free for spectators, who will have access to a cash bar.

Photo via Crystal City Business Improvement District

Sweetgreen to Open Thursday in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com
1/4

Trendy salad purveyor Sweetgreen will be opening the doors of its new Crystal City location (2200 Crystal Drive) this Thursday, Feb. 11.

The store will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering organic salads and seasonal bowls. During the grand opening, Sweetgreen will be donating 100 percent of the day’s proceeds to FRESHFARM Market’s Matching Dollars program.

Another popular and growing local fast casual restaurant chain, Taylor Gourmet, is expected to open next door later this winter.

Photos: 2016 Crystal Couture Fashion Show in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com
1/32

The 2016 Crystal Couture fashion show and boutique sale is underway in Crystal City.

This year, the show is taking place at the Crystal City Shops at 1750 Crystal Drive. It features models walking the runway, sporting cutting edge fashions from local designers. There’s also music from DJ Neekola, a bar with beer and wine, and pop-up shops from designers and retailers.

Above are some photos from Thursday night’s event.

Crystal Couture will be taking place Friday from 6-10 p.m., with television’s Paul Wharton hosting, and Saturday from 2-10 p.m., with 94.7 Fresh FM’s Tommy McFly hosting. Local media personality Sarah Fraser hosted on Thursday.

(Fraser will also be hosting ARLnow.com’s conversation with new County Board members Katie Cristol and Christian Dorsey next week.)

Saturday’s event includes the option for indulging in a VIP experience.

Disclosure: Crystal Couture host Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington and the National Mall, as seen from space (photo via Twitter/Scott Kelly)

Expect Early Spring, Says Groundhogs — Updated at 9:40 a.m. — Punxsutawney Phil and Potomac Phil both did not see their shadow this morning and thus have predicted an early spring. Unfortunately, the former Phil is wrong more often than he is right. [CNN, Borderstan]

New County Manager Inks Contract — The Arlington County Board last week ratified a contract with Mark Schwartz, the county’s newly-appointed county manager. (Schwartz served as interim county manager for six months before his appointment.) Under the contract, Schwartz will earn $245,000 in his first year, which is less than the $270,000 annual salary of his predecessor and former boss, Barbara Donnellan. [InsideNova]

WeWork Now Open in Crystal City — The WeWork co-working space in Crystal City officially opened yesterday. The office space is decorated with plush couches, hardwood floors and oversized light fixtures, among other design elements. [Twitter]

Online Plan Review System Up and Running — Arlington County launched its Electronic Plan Review system yesterday, allowing plans for building permits and land use to be submitted, reviewed and approved online. The system is expected to save time and money compared to the previous, in-person submissions, though those submitting plans still have to go to the county offices to pay the permit fees in person. [Arlington County]

Praise for Texas Jack’s — A food critic finds a lot to like at Texas Jack’s, the new barbecue restaurant in the former EatBar space in Lyon Park. Writes Tim Carman: “[Chef Matt Lang’s] moist brisket is A-lister stuff, thick, succulent slices with a pink smoke ring lingering just below a dark outer bark of salt, pepper, smoke and fat, all fused together in a Southern Pride smoker set low and slow.” [Washington Post]

Photo via Twitter/Scott Kelly

Crystal City’s Executive Menswear Closing Soon

By Buzz McClain

Executive Menswear

(Updated at 3:58 p.m.) After four years of business, Executive Menswear at the Crystal City Shops will soon sell its last necktie. The store is at 2117 Crystal Plaza Arc, but not for much longer.

With all inventory reduced to 70 percent off and a sign thanking customers for “several years of business,” the shop is set to close its doors “very soon,” said an employee who preferred not to be identified. “It could be today, maybe tomorrow, but very soon.”

There were still plenty of jackets, sport coats, dress shirts, neckties and footwear on the racks on Thursday when an ARLNow reporter visited the shop.

Accessibility Changes Coming to Crystal City Shops

By ARLnow.com

Former Hamburger Hamlet in the shops at Crystal CityThe Crystal City Shops will become more accessible thanks to an agreement reached between property owner Vornado and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A citizen’s complaint led federal prosecutors to investigate the indoor shopping concourse, which runs along Crystal Drive and connects with the Crystal City Metro station. The complaint stated that portions of the shops are inaccessible to those with disabilities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

As a result of the agreement, Vornado will build ramps or lifts in portions of the shopping center that were previously only accessible by stairs. New signage, accessible parking spaces and accessible restroom fixtures will also be added.

The press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, after the jump.

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