Dogwood Daily: Amazon gets the green light to build

Welcome to today’s edition of the Dogwood Daily. We’ve got a round-up of all of today’s Virginia news coming right up.

But first…

Construction workers at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception church in Norfolk discovered three crypts on the property that may have been part of the Underground Railroad.

Five things you need to know today …

1. Construction of Amazon’s headquarters approved– The Arlington County Board has approved the construction of Amazon’s headquarters in Pentagon City. As part of the approval, Amazon promised to provide $20 million in funding for affordable housing and assured the council it would clamp down on alleged construction labor fraud. Construction of the twin 22-story building is expected to finish in 2023 and will house roughly 12,500 employees. -The Washington Post
   
2. Northam releases environmental proposal– Gov. Ralph Northam proposed a $733 million environmental spending package last week as part of his two-year budget plan. The program would include funding to encourage wind energy projects, preserve open spaces, and support environmental justice. About $400 million of the package would go towards cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, in an effort to restore water health by 2025. -The Washington Post
   
3. Company cuts Cumberland County landfill proposal in half– The company behind a proposed landfill in Cumberland County has reduced the area where waste will be dumped by more than half. The original Green Ridge Recycling and Disposal Facility proposal called for a 500- to 650-acre landfill on a 1,200-acre site. Residents in Cumberland and Powhatan fought the company’s initial plan, saying that the planned project could negatively impact the surrounding wetlands. -Virginia Mercury 
   
4. Northam’s budget to include affordable housing proposal– Gov. Northam said his budget will include a $92 million request to help lower eviction rates and expand affordable housing. Of that, $63 million over two years would go to the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, and $22 million would go towards meeting the housing needs of people with disabilities. Northam made the announcement on Friday at the new Clay House, which houses people facing homelessness. -Richmond Times-Dispatch
   
5. Stolle concedes to Guy– Republican Del. Chris Stolle has conceded to Democratic Delegate-elect Nancy Guy. After the recount was completed, Guy picked up an additional 14 votes, giving her a 41-vote lead over Stolle. Guy thanked Stolle for his years of service and said she was looking forward to representing Virginia Beach. The new results are set to be certified by judges on Wednesday. -The Virginian-Pilot