Arlington: Keeping King’s Legacy Alive
Arlington celebrates its 47th annual Martin Luther King Jr. tribute.
The audience in the auditorium at Wakefield High School got to its feet, hands joined and sang. From hundreds of Arlingtonians — diverse in age and race — came the chorus of “We Shall Overcome” at the end of the 47th annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 17.
Treating Arlington
How Virginia’s decision not to expand Medicaid impacts Arlingtonians.
Where do you go when you’re sick?
Arlington: Residents, County Officials Tour Local Park
Local residents and county officials tour area around Jennie Dean Park.
From dog walkers to day laborers, artists to auto shops, there’s much packed into the area around Jennie Dean Park. The area’s small enough in size that the Arlington County Board and representatives of the local civic federation were able to walk the entire perimeter on Jan. 10, but big enough in interest that each board member was accompanied by nearly a dozen local citizens.
New Year’s Resolutions for Arlington County Board
New leadership faces new challenges and old problems.
While many of the goals set by the Arlington County Board for 2016 were familiar, like expanding school capacity, signs of the new perspectives and new leadership began to take hold at its Jan. 1 meeting.
Jefferson Site: From Rejection to Approval
County decision ends year-long fight over traffic congestion and park space.
At its first 2015 meeting in January, the Arlington County Board voted not to approve Arlington Public Schools’ (APS) plan to build a new elementary school adjacent to the Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
Arlington County Board Approves 173-Unit Affordable Housing Complex
Some residents question socio-economic segregation.
For the Arlington County Board, 2015 ended on a high note. With construction scheduled to begin in 2017, the current Arlington Presbyterian Church will soon be transformed into Gilliam Place, a home for 173 families at various levels of affordable housing needs.
Arlington: Interfaith Community Marches Against Islamophia
“We’re here to share the love with people thousands of miles from us and right next door."
The last month hasn’t been easy for the Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church.
On the Air in Arlington
Arlington Independent Media Launches 96.7 WERA
Heff Munson can create fire with just a plastic bag. He can make creaky stairs from rubber bands and a winch. Using a bag of rice, he can make it rain. Munson replicates the sounds as best he can, but when his program plays on Arlington’s new 96.7 WERA, it sounds real.
Parable of the Good Arlingtonians
Planning Commission gives its blessing to Gilliam Place.
When the County Board’s meeting room is even a little crowded, it’s generally a sign that there’s a fight impending.
Arlington: Remembering Jennifer
5K race raises over $95,000 for prenatal care raised in Jennifer Bush-Lawson’s name.
Neil Lawson was on the last segment of the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation’s Memorial 5k Run, but this part was the hardest.
Arlington: I-66 Plans Take Toll on County Board
County Board remains unclear on potential project benefits.
Arlington County hasn’t quite decided what to do about I-66.
Arlington: Working on Office Vacancy Rate
Arlington economic leaders discuss residential and commercial development — and millennials.
Things may be starting to look up for Arlington. Last quarter, office vacancy declined by 1.5 percent, the first time it has declined in four years.
Future Without Fuss: A Peek Into Arlington's Development Plans
Project on N. Glebe Road provides peek into Arlington development plans.
The future is here, and it's not as controversial as expected.
Arlington: Gun Control Compromise
31st Senate District candidates unite behind gun control legislation, at least conceptually.
While Republicans and Democrats disagree on virtually everything, gun control still stands out above the rest as one of the more divisive issues. But in Arlington’s 31st Senate District, it’s one of the few issues that has found support from both the Democratic and Republican candidates.
Arlington: Fight for the Neighborhoods
Four Candidates vie for 40 percent of County Board.
There’s no President, no congressional, and no governor on the ballot this year.
I-66: Toll Road
VDOT plans to break I-66 gridlock with new tolls and HOV requirements.
It’s not news that I-66 is a congested mess. It wasn’t a surprise to Deputy Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue when Gov. Terry McAuliffe said it needed to be fixed, and the Arlington County Board wasn’t shocked to hear changes are underway to try to reduce the gridlock during peak hours.
Arlington County Board Commits to More Affordable Housing
Local Hispanic community urges approval of affordable housing plan.
The Arlington County Board chambers were filled beyond capacity, to the point of having to open a second room with live-streaming of the meeting, largely with local residents wearing black and yellow shirts with the Spanish for “My Voice Counts” emblazoned across the front.
Arlington Brief: Reevesland, County Board Divided
On the bright side: the entire Reevesland property is classified as a historic district. But for local residents who fought for the preservation of the farmhouse as county property, the Sept. 19 decision to divide the farmhouse and the surrounding property as two separate parcels was still a loss.
New Crop of Concerns at Arlington’s Reevesland
Planning Commission approves possible single-family residence at Reevesland.
Most of the Reevesland property will still belong to the county as an open park. The 2.5 acres of county historical district around Arlington’s last working farm will remain as a city park, including the gardens and the hill for children to sled on. But there’s one important piece missing from the idyllic scene: Reevesland itself.
Arlington Taking Care of the Whole Child
School Board details its priorities.
If a school system is only taking care of a student between when a student arrives on a bus and when they leave, they are failing that child. At least, that’s the logic behind the 2015-16 Arlington School Board’s priorities.
Arlington: Trooper Jacqueline Vernon Remembered
I-395 Bridge named in memory of her.
To those driving on Interstate 395 over South Glebe Road, “Trooper Jacqueline Vernon Memorial Bridge” might seem like just another name.
Arlington Neighborhood Outlook: Areas Undergoing ‘Reinvention and Transition’
Despite the colorful banners and lively street life, Crystal City’s a shell of its former economic powerhouse. While Arlington overall faces a high office vacancy of 20 percent, at 28.7 percent, Crystal City is hit the worst.
Shifting Boundaries
Navy Annex land exchange includes straightening Columbia Pike.
A land exchange between Arlington County and Arlington National Cemetery could lead to a new historic memorial in Arlington.
Alexandria: TSA Transports out of Arlington
Arlington’s loss of the Transportation Security Administration headquarters is Alexandria’s gain.
While Alexandria celebrates the recent Transportation Security Administration’s decision to move to West Eisenhower, Arlington struggles to recover from another blow to the county’s office vacancies. The 3,800-person headquarters will leave its Arlington location in 2018 to settle into the Victory Center.
Alexandria/Arlington: Testing the Waters
Alexandria and Arlington begin discussions on potential shared pool.
Despite Alexandria swiping the TSA headquarters away from Arlington, the relationship remains cordial enough that the two have begun discussions around a shared Aquatic Center.
New Heights for Arlington Skyline
Approved Rosslyn Sector Plan comes with new density and building height regulations.
Controversy and discussion surrounding plans for Rosslyn was so intense, the meetings had to be divided into two five-hour sessions.
Seeing Red: After Four Years In Limbo Arlington Will Have New Retail Plan
Arlington County approves new retail plan.
After nearly four years, Arlington’s new retail plan passed through the County Board on a 4-1 vote. But despite its “flexible new approach,” many in the county took issue with the plan’s restrictive “Red Streets.”
Arlington: Program Targets 'Deadbeats'
Arlington County pursues child support payments.
You should always pay your child support. But if you live in Arlington, you might want to take special care that the check in the mail makes it out on time. If you’ve been ignoring the court warnings about falling behind on payments, there’s a good chance your face could be on the Arlington Sheriff’s Office’s “Deadbeat Parents” wall.
Arlington: County Board Plans to Turn Parking Lot into Park
County Board approves advertisement of “National Mall-like” Courthouse plan.
Big changes are coming for the Courthouse Sector. A new civic building and a new county administration building are among the proposed additions to the site, as well as expansions onto nearby promenades and streetscapes.
Arlington: County Board To Vote on Retail Plan
A number of new plans and funding approvals are scheduled for the Arlington County Board’s upcoming July 18 meeting.
Arlington: Outrage Avoided
Arlington School Board prohibits gender identity discrimination.
Two months ago, the Fairfax County School Board added “gender identity” to its nondiscrimination policy amid a hail storm of outrage from its community.
Petroleum Spill In Four Mile Run
Cause and extent of petroleum spill remain unknown.
Four Mile Run is normally a scenic stream that divides Arlington and Alexandria, but on July 1, the public was told to stay away from the area due to contamination from a petroleum discharge.
'State of Arlington' Addresses Transportation, Economic Challenges
County Board Chair Hynes addresses local transportation and economic developments challenges.
Like a shark, Arlington will need to keep moving forward if it wants to survive.
Arlington Students Graduate from Convention
H-B Woodlawn hosts its annual unorthodox graduation.
During graduation, while other schools would have a sea of caps and gowns in rows of seating, the class of 2015 from H-B Woodlawn lounged around on the floor or on sofas in an array of Hawaiian shirts.
Arlington's ‘Manhattan on the Potomac’ Loses Its Central Park
Dramatic size reduction planned for Rosslyn Highlands Park.
Despite an impassioned plea from local residents to save Rosslyn Highlands Park, a redevelopment plan for Western Rosslyn has moved forward.
Arlington Democrats: Rebound Or Retreat
Arlington Democrats express confidence and concern following County Board Democratic primary.
Arlington Democrats seemed to have emerged from the June 8 primary confident in their choice of leadership, but the push to keep two of Arlington’s County Board seats Democratic won’t be going unopposed with two independents running in November.
Arlington: Mixed Response to Housing Plan
County Board moves forward on Affordable Housing Master Plan despite citizen objections.
After nearly five hours of public comment and debate, a request to advertise the Affordable Housing Master Plan for public hearings throughout July was approved by the County Board in a 4 - 1 vote.
Setting Priorities for Arlington Police
Arlington’s new police chief talks national crisis and local challenges.
For the most part, nothing changed. Jay Farr was doing what he’d normally been doing as acting police chief since Chief Doug Scott retired in March. But since he was selected by County Manager Barbara Donnellan to permanently fill the position on May 14, Farr says there’s been a slight change in the atmosphere.
Arlington: Parking Extension Deferred
Concerns over unknowns stall extension of parking meter hours.
Starting in September, Arlingtonians hoping for on-street parking should begin saving those extra quarters. In a unanimous vote at its May 16 meeting, the County Board approved a 25 cent-per-hour increase in metered parking rates. However, the board deferred a vote on the more controversial extension of operating hours until it receives a more detailed analysis of the extension’s effects.
Arlington: 45th District Candidates Struggle To Out-Democrat Each Other
Democratic primary candidates find differences on education and environment.
If residents are having a difficult time differentiating between the platforms of the five Democratic candidates running for the 45th district delegate seat, they are not alone.
Arlington History for Sale
Community reacts to County Board’s vote to allow Reevesland Farmhouse to be sold.
In a way, Joan Horwitt, head of the Reevesland Learning Center, is getting what she hoped for. Fourteen years after purchasing the Reevesland property and allowing it to fall into disrepair, the County Board is taking action. But instead of dedicating $2.5 million in necessary renovations to the farmhouse to turn it into a public space, Horwitt was surprised on May 18. The County Board would be voting to sell the property.
The Fight for the 45th
Democratic primary candidates vying to replace Delegate Krupicka lay out campaign priorities.
As with most candidates in a primary, the Democrats campaigning to replace Robert Krupicka as delegate for Virginia’s 45th District which includes parts of Alexandria, Arlington and Mount Vernon, don’t vary greatly in their positions on political issues. Where these candidates do vary is their experience and priorities.
Arlington: Protest Spotlights Chronic Lyme Disease
Advocacy group rallies in Arlington against medical guidelines on chronic Lyme disease.
Ozlem Jones has had Lyme disease for 11 years, but was only diagnosed two years ago when she began suffering from extreme bouts of fatigue and various problems with her nervous system. In that time, Jones says she passed it onto all three of her children.
Arlington School Board Candidates Seek Democratic Endorsement
School overcrowding is the primary focus for both candidates.
While School Board candidates don’t run as Democrats or Republicans, earning the endorsement of a political party has created an unspoken primary. Two candidates, Reid Goldstein and Sharon Dorsey, have begun campaigning for for the Democratic endorsement. Both candidates have focused their campaigns on overcrowding in the schools, though the proposed solutions vary.
Neighborhood Outlook: A Snapshot of Upcoming Arlington Developments
New developments are springing up in Arlington.
Arlington: County Board Approves $1.16 Billion Budget
Schools adopt Tier One reductions.
After months of negotiations, the Arlington County Board and School Board settled on a compromise that sees cuts to projects on both sides.
Candidates Debate Future of Arlington’s Growth
Arlington County Board Democratic candidates debate future of Arlington‘s growth.
With County Board members Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada announcing that they would not seek reelection to their seats, six Democrats have thrown their names into the ring to be one of the party’s two candidates to the County Board this fall.
Arlington: Reevesland Renovations Put on Indefinite Hold
When Ron Battocchi first moved to Boulevard Manor neighborhood in Arlington in 1977, he said one of the first knocks at his door was from his new neighbor: Nelson Reeves.
Simply Unaffordable: An Uncertain Future for Affordable Housing in Arlington
New Master Plan lays out uncertain future for Affordable Housing in Arlington.
A new Affordable Housing Master Plan released in March laid out Arlington County’s dire Affordable Housing needs. Hoping for approval before the plan is brought to the County Board in July, the Affordable Housing Study Working Group presented its findings to the Transportation Commission on April 2. The Master Plan was approved unanimously.
Insufficient Data: Arlington Meter Increase Deferred
Arlington’s Transportation Commission recommends County Board defer action on increases to meter rates and hours.
A last minute plea from local business owners and lingering doubts compelled the Transportation Commission to reconsider, and ultimately recommend deferring, a proposal from Arlington County’s Department of Environmental Services to increase the meter rates and hours.