Mortgage rates hit new lows; local business hurt by metro shutdown; ski slope for NoVa?; and more

It's challenging to keep up with local news, particularly the items that may impact your life, your commute, or your community. That's why each week we compile a few interesting developments happening in the area.

The Washington Post: Mortgage rates extend decline, sinking to 16-month lows

"After five weeks of declines, mortgage rates are at their lowest levels in 16 months. According to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average tumbled to 3.99 percent with an average 0.5 point. (Points are fees paid to a lender equal to 1 percent of the loan amount and are in addition to the interest rate.)"

Washington Business Journal: Want a house near Amazon's HQ2? Good luck.

If you want to buy a home near tech titan Amazon.com Inc.’s (NASDAQ: AMZN) nascent second headquarters, your best bet is to get in a time machine and go back more than six months. Since Amazon announced in November its choice of Crystal City and Pentagon City, the median home sale price in that area has increased 17.7%, leaping to $655,000, and the typical home was placed under contract in just six days, down from 10 days last year.

Washington Business Journal: Massive indoor ski resort proposed for Fairfax County

"Fairfax County has officially received a public-private partnership bid to construct one of the largest indoor ski slopes in North America. SnowWorld International B.V., a Netherlands company focused on indoor ski resorts, and McLean-based Alpine-X LLC submitted the bid to build the indoor slope on a 489-acre county-owned landfill in Lorton, adjacent to the Workhouse Arts Center."

Alexandria Living: New Microwinery to Open This Summer

"You may have heard of the term “microbrewery,” but coming this summer to the 8700 block of Richmond Highway is Alexandria’s very first “microwinery.” Dominion Press Winery, owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Andrew Rosado and Bonnie Evangelista, will offer a selection of red, white and sweet fruit wines. The microwinery will also hold free wine tastings and sell a variety of wine paraphernalia such as wine magnets, purses and signs."

Alexandria Living: Reduced Lanes, Pedestrian and Intersection Changes Proposed for Seminary Road

"City of Alexandria staff are recommending a partial reduction in lanes and multiple intersection improvements along Seminary Road. Staff presented the recommendations at an open house and community meeting that at times got tense and loud Thursday evening at St. Stephens & St. Agnes School. Residents holding "Keep Seminary 4 Lanes!" signs, residents supporting the staff recommendations, bikers and walkers clashed in a lengthy Q&A session."

The Washington Post: For Alexandria’s Sugar Shack Donuts, the Metro shutdown isn’t so sweet

"When the government can manage to keep itself open and Metro is keeping all of its trains running, the Sugar Shack Donuts shop in Alexandria is well situated near the Braddock Road Metro station."

ArlNow: Construction Begins on W&OD Trail Bridge Over Lee Highway

"VDOT has officially kicked off construction on the new Washington & Old Dominion Trail bridge over Lee Highway. A new county video, above, shows renderings of the white bridge with decorative safety walls over the highway. The bridge is expected to accommodate the approximately 2,000 daily trail users."

UrbanTurf: Since 2000, the DC Region Added Twice as Many People as Housing Units

"A new report aims to add to the growing body of knowledge about the current state of housing in DC and the surrounding jurisdictions. The "State of the Capital Region" tracks how residential development post-2000 has impacted pricing and affordability in the greater DC area. A key finding is that the metropolitan region has added twice as many people as housing units since 2000.

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