Traffic lights are dark and nearly 2,200 Dominion customers are without power in the Pentagon City area.
So far there’s no word on what caused the outage.
Arlington County firefighters, meanwhile, are currently investigating a possible electrical fire — now out — at the Park at Pentagon Row apartments (801 15th Street S.).
Vornado Scraps Development Proposals — Ahead of the closing of its merger with JBG, Vornado has indefinitely put on hold a number of development proposals, including: all but one building of its proposed RiverHouse development in Pentagon City; a revamp of the shops at 1750 Crystal Drive that was to include a new 12-screen multiplex; and a pair of retail pavilions at 2101 and 2201 Crystal Drive. [Washington Business Journal]
Arlington a ‘Best City’ to Go Car-Free — According to a new list in Forbes, Arlington County is one of the top 25 U.S. cities for one to live without a car. Arlington was also one of nine places whose walkable neighborhoods were profiled in the magazine. [Forbes]
Video of Apartment Fire — The weekend fire at the Serrano apartments on Columbia Pike was caught on video. The dramatic video shows firefighters arriving and starting to douse the flames with water. [Statter 911]
‘Star’ Renewed for Second Season — Fox has renewed ‘Star’ for a second season. One of the stars of the series is Washington-Lee High School grad Brittany O’Grady. [Deadline Hollywood]
‘Taming of the Shrew’ Review — A review of Synetic Theater’s new production of Taming of the Shrew says the physical theater performance “speaks colorful volumes” despite the lack of dialogue. [Broadway World]
Leadership Change at Community Foundation — Arlington Community Foundation Executive Director Wanda Pierce is stepping down next month after eight years of leading the local nonprofit.
Flickr pool photo by Lisa Novak
There’s a new sandwich and salad spot on Pentagon Row.
“A Deli” opened recently at 1301 S. Joyce Street, in the former Subway storefront, next to Rite Aid. The interior is relatively spacious, for a deli, and includes a number of tables for dining in and a TV for those in line, in addition to the large deli counter.
The menu includes breakfast options, hot subs, deli sandwiches and hoagies, specialty Italian sandwiches, cheesesteaks, salads, party platters, sides and desserts. Free lunch box delivery, with a five box minimum, is offered. Wine is also available for sale.
The deli’s hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday.
The Nando’s Peri-Peri in Pentagon City is set to hand out free chicken as part of a promotional event planned for next week.
The South African-Portuguese chain’s eatery at 1301 S. Joyce Street is scheduled to serve free quarter-chickens, sandwiches, wraps and pitas on Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 6-8 p.m. Sides and drinks still will cost money, however
The deal, dubbed the “Nando’s Dash,” only is available to customers who don’t take their food to go.
“Because we get a kick out of being generous, next Tuesday, February 21, we’re putting on a #NandosDash for you at our Pentagon Row restaurant in Arlington,” the chain said in a promotional email.
Photo via Facebook/Nando’s Peri Peri
A new barre studio is slated to offer some free workout sessions this weekend to celebrate its opening in Pentagon City.
Pure Barre will open its doors on the ground floor of the Bartlett apartment building at 520 12th St. South on Saturday, Feb. 18, according to co-owner Lauren Lafaye-Benson.
The new studio offers classes that blend techniques found in yoga, ballet and pilates.
“It’s full strength training,” Lafaye-Benson said. “You use isometric movements to fatigue your muscles and help them become stronger in the long run.”
To help get participants in the mood for moving, all of the workouts are set to music.
“It helps to not only keep you more involved in the workout, but it kind of helps to mentally clear your mind and get you to a good zone for working out,” Lafaye-Benson said.
No past dance experience is required to participate and the workout is suitable for people of all fitness levels, she added. The only requirement to join in is that clients must wear socks on the studio’s carpeted floor.
Pure Barre will offer free community classes this weekend before it begins its regular schedule on Monday, Feb. 20. Those interested in taking advantage of the deal can sign up on the location’s website.
Arlington County firefighters fought and extinguished a dumpster fire at 1201 S. Hayes Street in Pentagon City earlier this morning.
The fire broke out in a garbage bin full of mulch and cardboard sometime before 8:45 a.m. today, according to scanner traffic. Firefighters pulled some of the material from the dumpster to hose it down.
Though the fire was contained to the dumpster, smoke from the blaze wafted into a nearby Chevy’s Fresh Mex restaurant.
That restaurant has had a tough week, it seems. On Tuesday, it was evacuated after higher-than-normal carbon monoxide levels were detected in the eatery’s kitchen.
Photo via Google Maps
(Updated at 11:45 a.m.) A vehicle ran off the side of an I-395 overpass last night and landed on S. Rotary Road at S. Eads Street, a main entrance to the Pentagon reservation.
The incident was reported around 12:40 a.m. Arlington County firefighters responded and worked to extricate the driver, who was trapped inside the vehicle.
Once freed, the driver was transported to the trauma center at George Washington University Hospital for “further evaluation,” according to ACFD.
The vehicle — described as a hatchback or hybrid SUV — was heavily damaged in the 25-50 foot fall from the highway to the roadway below. It also took out a “large light pole” on the way down, according to a fire department Facebook post.
No other vehicles were reported to be involved.
#FollowUp: Photos after early morning extrication involving a vehicle that drove off of I-395 & landed on S. Eads Street below. pic.twitter.com/ZkmaarBa4k
— Arlington Fire (@ACFDPIO) February 15, 2017
#Update: Patient has been extricated and is being transported by medic unit to @GWHospital further evaluation.
— Arlington Fire (@ACFDPIO) February 15, 2017
Courtesy photo (top), photo (middle) via Google Maps
(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) The Chevy’s Fresh Mex restaurant at 1201 S. Hayes Street in Pentagon City is being evacuated due to “elevated” carbon monoxide levels.
Fire department units are being dispatched to the scene to investigate the source of the CO, according to scanner traffic. Washington Gas is also responding to the scene.
Initial reports suggest the higher-than-normal carbon monoxide levels were detected in the kitchen and possibly related to a water heater.
So far there’s no report of anyone becoming sick, though the restaurant’s kitchen workers are being evaluated by firefighters.
Photo via Google Maps
Arlington County Police are investigating a death in the Costco parking lot in Pentagon City.
A body was found this afternoon in the front of an SUV parked in the store’s surface parking lot, next to the new parking garage.
“Police were called to the 1200 block of S. Fern Street for the report of an unresponsive male in a vehicle,” said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “Medics responded to the area and the male has been pronounced deceased.”
“The police department is conducting and active death investigation but at this time, the death does not appear suspicious,” Savage continued. “There is no threat to the public.”
Update at 11:15 a.m. — The man’s death was related to a medical condition, according to Friday’s ACPD crime report.
(MEDICAL) DOA, 2017-02090172, 1200 block of S. Fern Street. At approximately 1:23 p.m. on February 9, officers were dispatched for the report of an unresponsive male inside a vehicle. Medics arrived on scene and the 70-year-old male was pronounced deceased. The death is not considered suspicious and there is no threat to the public. The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine cause of death.
The annual Love the Run You’re With 5K race is returning to Pentagon City this weekend.
The Valentine’s Day-themed race is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. It encourages participants to specify whether they’re single or in a relationship when registering — with different race bib colors for each category.
A number of road closures are planned for the race. From ACPD:
The Arlington County Police Department will conduct the following road closures to accommodate the race:
- South Joyce Street between South 15th Street and Army Navy Drive will be closed from 07:00 AM until 11:00 AM.
- South 15th Street between South Hayes Street and South Joyce Street will be closed from 06:00 AM until 11:00 AM. (The South Pentagon City Mall Garage will be closed for the duration of the event)
- Army Navy Drive between South Joyce Street and South 25th Street will be closed from 07:00 AM until 11:00 AM.
Street parking in the area will be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed from a public street, call 703-558-2222.
Race attendees are encouraged to use Metro, however, if driving please utilize the parking garage at the Pentagon City Mall.
A number of other seasonal races are planned in Arlington over the next couple of months. Among them: the Four Courts Four Miler on March 11 and Crystal City 5K Fridays in April.
A pedestrian tunnel connecting the Pentagon City Metro station to the northeast corner of the intersection of S. Hayes Street and 12th Street S. is close to finally opening.
The tunnel was slated to open in 2015 after $1.3 million worth of repairs and upgrades but remained closed. It was initially built by a developer in 1984 but was never opened to the public due to “reasons related to safety, operational and legal issues,” according to Arlington County.
The Arlington County Board on Saturday will consider an agreement with WMATA for the county to take responsibility for maintaining and operating the tunnel. If approved, it will be considered by the WMATA board next month and the tunnel could open as soon as March 1.
The tunnel will only be open from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays. More from a county staff report:
Repairs and signage are complete and the tunnel is ready to open for public use… Opening the pedestrian tunnel will provide an additional access/egress point to this busy Metrorail station, one of the County’s highest ridership stations and to the adjacent retail shopping mall, Fashion Centre.
WMATA requires a formal agreement with a public or private entity that wants to have direct access and pedestrian connection to a Metrorail station. WMATA and County staff completed negotiation of the attached Agreement, which specifies the terms, conditions and obligations of the connection to the Station. The Agreement states that the County is responsible for maintaining the pedestrian tunnel and the connection to the Station mezzanine in a clean condition, free of rubbish, leaves, snow, ice and graffiti. Also, the County is responsible for all maintenance repairs and upgrades to the pedestrian tunnel and the connection. Furthermore, the County will ensure that the pedestrian tunnel and the connection are, at all times, safe for pedestrian access to the Station and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
WMATA’s Board is scheduled to approve the Agreement in February 2017. Opening of the pedestrian tunnel is targeted for March 1, 2017.
The Deed of Easement established the hours of operation for the tunnel as 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays only. The entry gate at the stairs to the pedestrian tunnel and the glass doors to the Metro mezzanine will be locked at all other times and when the Station is closed. A recent County proposal to expand the hours of operation for the tunnel was not supported by all signatories to the Deed of Easement. Staff can revisit this issue in the future.
