Wegmans breaks ground in Alexandria; NoVa seeking tech boom; new Arlington metro entrances; 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 pause as markets digest impact of Federal Reserve meeting

"While waiting to see what the Federal Reserve would do at its meeting this week, mortgage rates held steady. According to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average was unchanged at 3.75 percent with an average 0.6 point. (Points are fees paid to a lender equal to 1 percent of the loan amount and are in addition to the interest rate.) It was 4.60 percent a year ago."

UrbanTurf: 1,000 New Residences: JBG Smith’s New Plans Near National Landing

"Big plans are in the works for Arlington's RiverHouse community. 

JBG SMITH has filed plans with Arlington County that would add approximately 1,000 new residential units to the 36-acre development bounded by Army Navy Drive, South Joyce Street and South Lynn Street (map). Currently, there are 1,670 units at RiverHouse, spread over three towers." 

Washington Business Journal: Wegmans is coming, as Alexandria's Carlyle Crossing is underway

"Another big project is underway on Alexandria's Eisenhower Avenue corridor, and this one will deliver the city's first Wegmans supermarket. Bethesda-based Stonebridge Associates and Chicago-based Creek Lane Capital broke ground Wednesday on what they have branded Carlyle Crossing, a $400 million, 1 million-square-foot mixed-use development at Hoffman Town Center."

Washington Business Journal: Check your travel plans. Beginning in September, a Bay Bridge lane is closing.

"The right lane of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge's westbound span will be closing for two years, but don’t freak out just yet. While the Maryland Transportation Authority is beginning a $27 million deck rehabilitation that will impact frequent beachgoers or work commuters beginning in September, the department is doing it in the most considerate way possible."

InsideNova: Beyond Amazon, region is looking for a broader tech boom

"It’s been six months since Amazon announced it would create 25,000 jobs at a new $2.5 billion headquarters in Arlington. The announced brought a lot of attention to the planned transformation of the Crystal City neighborhood, but state and regional economic development officials are working behind the scenes to make sure the legacy of the online retailer’s record investment reaches beyond one tech company’s vision and sets a new standard for Virginia as a technology employment hub."

Alexandria Living Magazine: Taqueria Picoso to Open in Alexandria

"The former restaurant director at Arlington’s Green Pig Bistro, Tom Voskuil, is bringing Taqueria Picoso to Alexandria. Taqueria Picoso will open at 1472 N. Beauregard St., at the Shops at Mark Center in Alexandria's West End. An opening is expected late this year."

ArlNow: Amazon On Track to Hire 400 By The End of 2019

"Amazon is on track to meet its hiring goals for 2019, according to a spokesperson. This spring, the tech and retail giant said it would hire 400 people for its new headquarters in Arlington by the end of the year, and that remains the company’s target. A spokesperson told ARLnow this week that Amazon had hired a “small handful” of people since starting the process in April, but declined to share exactly how many."

Greater Greater Washington: Metro Reasons: After 15 years, Arlington moves ahead with plans for a second entrance at Ballston

"Arlington County staff have been given the ‘go-ahead’ to move forward with planning a second entrance at the Ballston Metro station, according to project manager Bee Buergler, but it could be another five years before it actually comes to fruition. The project is over 15 years in the planning, but until recently it’s been held up because the building that would be above it was being redeveloped and ran into delays."

Greater Greater Washington: Metro Reasons: JBG Smith wants to build a new Crystal City station entrance

"A plan submitted by developer JBG Smith to Arlington County could see the company put in charge of building the second Crystal City Metro station entrance, a long-sought-after project that would increase access to the station. If approved, the new entrance would be built along Crystal Drive near 18th street, providing riders a quicker connection to the proposed new VRE Crystal City station and to offices and residences in the area."

Washington Business Journal: Aldi taking over part of a shuttered N. Va. Toys R Us. And one day, residential will follow.

"The owner of Kingstowne Towne Center is lining up the future residential redevelopment of a shuttered Toys R Us store and its surrounding property, but not before a portion of the building is reopened as an Aldi."

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