✈️ Flying commercial could soon feel a lot more private at Dulles International Airport.

🚆 Amtrak and VRE riders between D.C. and Northern Virginia are in the middle of a track-repair shutdown near Union Station that runs through Monday.

📍 After nearly two decades of waiting, MetroWest residents could soon see more shops and services in their neighborhood.

Scroll down and enjoy!

—Chris Colgan

The race starts in Arlington, runs through Washington, D.C., and finishes back in Arlington at the Marine Corps War Memorial.
📍 Location: Arlington
📅 Date: Oct 25 | 7:15 AM – 2:15 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Registration required
MORE INFO→

USA Today has called it one of the best Halloween parades in the country. It includes a stroller contest whose entries rival parade floats, plus a pet costume contest. There’s also a Halloween scavenger hunt through Del Ray’s decorated businesses and hand-painted windows.
📍 Location: Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, Alexandria
📅 Date: Oct 24 & 25 | 2 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→

Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter plays two nights at Alexandria’s legendary music hall.
📍 Location: The Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria
📅 Date: Oct 25 | 7:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Ticketed
MORE INFO→

NOT ENOUGH? SEE 10+ GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND→

Driving the news
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced plans to move forward with a private VIP terminal at Dulles, partnering with airport management company daa International to develop and operate the space.

Details
The 37,000-square-foot terminal will offer a separate airport experience for passengers flying commercial.

Why it matters
The project could strengthen Dulles' appeal to high-end travelers while bringing new investment and potential jobs to the Northern Virginia area. It also gives the region another way to compete for premium international passengers.

The big picture
The VIP terminal is moving forward as Dulles faces broader plans for modernization, including a $22.5 billion airport overhaul proposed by President Trump earlier this year.

By the numbers

Between the lines
This isn't a private jet terminal. It's meant for travelers flying on regular commercial airlines who want the privacy and comfort of a private aviation experience.

What's next
Development is expected to take about 30 months, although an official opening date has yet to be announced.

The bottom line
Dulles is preparing to give commercial air travel a luxury upgrade, with private screening, upscale amenities, and direct aircraft access, all without needing a private jet.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Driving the news
Amtrak is replacing aging rail infrastructure inside the First Street Tunnel, just south of Union Station. The work is part of a larger effort to improve train reliability and reduce delays along one of the region's busiest rail corridors.

Details
The construction will affect commuters and regional travelers, with several temporary service changes:

Why it matters
While the shutdown may create headaches for Northern Virginia commuters, the improvements are intended to make train travel more dependable. Newer equipment and better drainage could mean fewer unexpected delays, smoother commutes and more reliable connections between Virginia and the nation's capital.

The big picture
The First Street Tunnel serves as a key rail connection between Union Station and Virginia. With both Amtrak and VRE relying on this corridor, maintenance at critical junctions can affect thousands of regional travelers.

The project focuses on A-Interlocking, where specialized track components allow trains to switch between rail lines. Replacing these aging parts is an important step in keeping the corridor operating reliably.

Between the lines
The repairs involve more than replacing rails. Crews will install new electric switch machines, replace ballast beneath the tracks and address drainage problems that can affect long-term track performance.

What's next
The work is scheduled to continue through Monday, October 26. Riders should review updated schedules, allow extra travel time and plan for alternative connections during the disruption.

Check the latest updates from VRE and Amtrak before traveling.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Driving the news
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved revisions to a planned apartment building at Sprague Avenue and Royal Victoria Drive on October 13. The changes allow developer Peterson Companies to increase the building's size and number of apartments while moving forward with long-awaited neighborhood amenities.

Details
The updated plans for MetroWest's Building 18 include:

Why it matters
For Oakton and Vienna residents, the approval brings MetroWest closer to becoming the walkable, mixed-use neighborhood envisioned nearly 20 years ago. More neighborhood shops and services could mean fewer trips by car, while additional housing and child care options will help meet the needs of local families.

The big picture
MetroWest was originally approved in 2006 as a mixed-use community with up to 2,248 residential units, retail and public amenities near the Vienna Metro station.

While hundreds of townhomes, condominiums and senior living residences have been built, much of the planned retail has yet to arrive.

Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik noted that residents have been waiting more than 20 years for neighborhood retail. She hopes the new commercial space will eventually attract additional businesses, including a grocery store.

By the numbers
Peterson Companies purchased the 1.83-acre development site from Pulte Homes for $6 million in January. The project will complement nearby MetroWest Square, where construction is underway on 236 condominiums and 7,660 square feet of additional retail space.

Between the lines
Although the revised building adds 25 apartments, MetroWest's overall residential total won't exceed its original plan. That's because another building previously designated for 170 age-restricted apartments was converted into an assisted living facility.

What's next
With county approval secured, Peterson Companies can move forward under the revised development plan. No construction start or opening date has been announced.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Northern Virginia buyers have more choices than a year ago, but prices haven’t dropped. In September, active listings rose 30.7%, mostly condos and townhomes, while closed sales fell 7.5% and the median sold price rose 4.2% to $744,950.

Fairfax County’s median climbed to $749,750, while Alexandria ($660,000) and Arlington ($655,000) dipped, largely because more condos sold. Gainesville sat near $739K, Reston at $598,750, and Winchester at $405,000. The main thing holding buyers back is mortgage rates: the 30-year rate is at 7.40%, up from 6.27% a year ago.

For November, expect fewer sales but steady prices. New pending sales fell 16.2% in September, and those contracts become this fall’s closings. Buyers should find more room to negotiate, especially on condos and townhomes, while single-family homes stay in short supply. The Fed meets October 27–28, and that decision will shape where rates head next.


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