Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Accident on 7/24 at Columbia Pike and Walter Reed
Wondering what happened the other night? Anyone that was in the area on Friday night probably noticed the 20 or 30 cop cars surrounding the intersection. Kind of hard to miss. I didn't see it but I heard it was quite a mess and some of the businesses on the corner were struck by the cars.
Here is the press release from the Arlington Police:
ARLINGTON, Va. –The Arlington County Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Section is investigating a critical traffic accident that occurred on July 24, 2009. Christopher Bentley, 26, of Triangle, has been charged with Grand Larceny of an Automobile and Felony Hit and Run. he was held without bond.
Shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday, Mr. Bentley was observed by police driving a stolen vehicle taken during a recent burglary. Before officers could initiate a traffic stop, Mr. Bentley drove eastbound through a red light at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Walter Reed Drive, and struck another vehicle. After impact, the suspect ran from the scene of the accident, and apprehended a block away. The driver of the second car, a 46 year old male, was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.
Here is the press release from the Arlington Police:
ARLINGTON, Va. –The Arlington County Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Section is investigating a critical traffic accident that occurred on July 24, 2009. Christopher Bentley, 26, of Triangle, has been charged with Grand Larceny of an Automobile and Felony Hit and Run. he was held without bond.
Shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday, Mr. Bentley was observed by police driving a stolen vehicle taken during a recent burglary. Before officers could initiate a traffic stop, Mr. Bentley drove eastbound through a red light at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Walter Reed Drive, and struck another vehicle. After impact, the suspect ran from the scene of the accident, and apprehended a block away. The driver of the second car, a 46 year old male, was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Bat Fest Arlington 2009 on July 25th
"Enjoy a thoroughly batty evening and add to your knowledge of local night life at this bat conservation and appreciation program. See a presentation with live bats, go on a walk to see bats flying and to hear their echolocation calls, and learn about foods that are pollinated by bats.
Kids will be able to play games and make a bat craft while learning lots about our local furry bug zappers. There will be a bat art gallery and quizzes for everyone. Live bat shows will be presented by Leslie Sturges, Director of Bat World NOVA, an organization established in 2001 to promote the conservation and protection of bats in this region.
A bat habitat hike for young children and their families begins at 6:30 p.m., bats won’t be flying until later. A bat talk for families with young children begins at 7 p.m.. Leslie's talk for adults and older children begins at 8 p.m. The adult bat walk will begin at 8:45 p.m. All other activities on-going. Parking lot closed for program.
Please park on Military Rd. or 36th Rd. N. No refund of registration fee after July 3. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington, VA 22207.
Registration Required: Resident registration begins at 8:00am on 5/12/2009. Non-resident registration begins at 8:00am on 5/14/2009."
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Now Available: Arlington County Homeowner Grant
The Arlington County Homeowner Grant program is offered to low and moderate income homeowners. Homeowners who meet the eligibility requirements receive a check issued once a year. The amount of the check is based on household income and assets and the number of dependents claimed on a federal tax return. The filing deadline is December 31. Check out the link for more details.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Drafthouse Bankrupt?
Someone posted this yesterday...thought everyone would want to know. Thanks Poster.
The Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse has filed for bankruptcy reorganization, seven months after pulling the plug on an expansion.
Arlington Cinema Inc. listed assets of less than $100,000 and debt between $1 million and $10 million, according to a voluntary Chapter 11 filing. The filing says it has fewer than 50 creditors. Its biggest debt, listed as disputed, is $5 million owed to Wheaton Plaza and Westfield LLC, its landlord at its failed second location in Wheaton.
Arlington Cinema opened Montgomery Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse in October 2008. It closed the theater and restaurant in mid-December, citing excessive costs and the time-consuming county permitting process. It also said Westfield would not pay the remaining balance on the project’s construction allowance.
Owner Greg Godbout bought the original Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse on Columbia Pike in 2005.
It has expanded from second-run movies and beer, adding a restaurant as well as live music and entertainment. It opened in 1985 in the former Arlington Theater.
The Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse has filed for bankruptcy reorganization, seven months after pulling the plug on an expansion.
Arlington Cinema Inc. listed assets of less than $100,000 and debt between $1 million and $10 million, according to a voluntary Chapter 11 filing. The filing says it has fewer than 50 creditors. Its biggest debt, listed as disputed, is $5 million owed to Wheaton Plaza and Westfield LLC, its landlord at its failed second location in Wheaton.
Arlington Cinema opened Montgomery Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse in October 2008. It closed the theater and restaurant in mid-December, citing excessive costs and the time-consuming county permitting process. It also said Westfield would not pay the remaining balance on the project’s construction allowance.
Owner Greg Godbout bought the original Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse on Columbia Pike in 2005.
It has expanded from second-run movies and beer, adding a restaurant as well as live music and entertainment. It opened in 1985 in the former Arlington Theater.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Have you heard this about ownership of Columbia Pike?
Arlington County Board Seeks Control of Columbia Pike
Move meant to facilitate revitalization, street car program
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Board, citing the need to advance its redevelopment plans of a key east-west corridor, today adopted a resolution seeking control of a 3.5 mile stretch of Columbia Pike now owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
Should the Commonwealth Transportation Board agree to the request, the County would assume full control of the right-of-way from the Arlington-Fairfax County Line to Joyce Street. The County would then be responsible for additional maintenance and operating expenses estimated to cost $180,000 to $450,000. Arlington already maintains all of the traffic signals, streetscape, and bus stops in the corridor and pays for virtually all street improvements.
“Everyone in Arlington has a stake in the successful revitalization of the Columbia Pike corridor,” said County Board Chairman Barbara Favola. “Owning the road and associated right-of-way will make it easier for Arlington to ensure the transformation of Columbia Pike from a suburban highway to an urban, pedestrian focused and transit-oriented main street.”
VDOT ownership slows revitalization
Columbia Pike’s current classification as a primary road under VDOT ownership means that the County must go through an extensive review process with VDOT for even locally funded construction projects. Many of those projects – including a proposed plan to build a streetcar system along the Pike – are not typical of VDOT plans. Often, the County must go through a time-consuming, costly process to obtain design exceptions to implement its plans, leading to project delays. The County expects substantial savings from the avoidance of delays, especially when the streetcar system is built.
Transferring ownership of Columbia Pike to the County would eliminate or reduce VDOT’s involvement in road-related projects along the corridor.
Background
County government, residents and the business community have worked for more than 15 years to create a plan for an urban, pedestrian focused and transit-oriented main street along Columbia Pike. In March 2002, the Board adopted a revitalization plan, the Columbia Pike Initiative, based on extensive community involvement. More than one million square feet of development based on that plan is now being built in the corridor. One major mixed-use development, the Halstead, is completed.
In the past 10 years, the County has spent about $12 million on capital projects along the Pike – all of which required design approval and permits from VDOT. The County has allocated another $9.5 million for planned streetscape and utility undergrounding improvements for the Pike.
A streetcar system has been identified as a solution to address the increasing transit demand along the Pike. The system will ease traffic congestion, improve commutes and encourage land owners and developers to continue to make improvements to and investment in the planned development along Columbia Pike.
Move meant to facilitate revitalization, street car program
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Board, citing the need to advance its redevelopment plans of a key east-west corridor, today adopted a resolution seeking control of a 3.5 mile stretch of Columbia Pike now owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
Should the Commonwealth Transportation Board agree to the request, the County would assume full control of the right-of-way from the Arlington-Fairfax County Line to Joyce Street. The County would then be responsible for additional maintenance and operating expenses estimated to cost $180,000 to $450,000. Arlington already maintains all of the traffic signals, streetscape, and bus stops in the corridor and pays for virtually all street improvements.
“Everyone in Arlington has a stake in the successful revitalization of the Columbia Pike corridor,” said County Board Chairman Barbara Favola. “Owning the road and associated right-of-way will make it easier for Arlington to ensure the transformation of Columbia Pike from a suburban highway to an urban, pedestrian focused and transit-oriented main street.”
VDOT ownership slows revitalization
Columbia Pike’s current classification as a primary road under VDOT ownership means that the County must go through an extensive review process with VDOT for even locally funded construction projects. Many of those projects – including a proposed plan to build a streetcar system along the Pike – are not typical of VDOT plans. Often, the County must go through a time-consuming, costly process to obtain design exceptions to implement its plans, leading to project delays. The County expects substantial savings from the avoidance of delays, especially when the streetcar system is built.
Transferring ownership of Columbia Pike to the County would eliminate or reduce VDOT’s involvement in road-related projects along the corridor.
Background
County government, residents and the business community have worked for more than 15 years to create a plan for an urban, pedestrian focused and transit-oriented main street along Columbia Pike. In March 2002, the Board adopted a revitalization plan, the Columbia Pike Initiative, based on extensive community involvement. More than one million square feet of development based on that plan is now being built in the corridor. One major mixed-use development, the Halstead, is completed.
In the past 10 years, the County has spent about $12 million on capital projects along the Pike – all of which required design approval and permits from VDOT. The County has allocated another $9.5 million for planned streetscape and utility undergrounding improvements for the Pike.
A streetcar system has been identified as a solution to address the increasing transit demand along the Pike. The system will ease traffic congestion, improve commutes and encourage land owners and developers to continue to make improvements to and investment in the planned development along Columbia Pike.
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