The long-awaited Northgate mixed use project at 450 N. Washington St. is steaming toward a mid-February opening, the City of Falls Church’s Economic Development Office (EDO) reported Tuesday in its monthly Business and Real Estate news release. It was noted that a tree-lined median in front of the project was removed to accommodate a southbound left turn lane into the project, but that it will soon be rebuilt and replanted with seven willow oaks, roses, juniper shrubs and ornamental grasses.

The Hekemian project is now leasing apartments in the project using the slogan, “Big Living in the Little City,” and lottery winners for the affordable dwelling units in the building have already been chosen.

In other EDO news: The ground floor commercial/retail spaces at the Spectrum (444. W. Broad) have been sold to Woodmont Properties, which also owns and manages the West End Plaza. A new eye doctor has already bought and moved into a space at 431 Park Ave.

Staying healthy will be easier for everyone with a Minute Clinic that has been installed at the CVS at 134 W. Broad with on-site medical care by nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Also, an “ortho urgent care” and “professional sports care” clinic has acquired occupancy permits for 502 W. Broad St., in The Broadway. Also, Pulmonary and Medical Associates has relocated from Arlington to occupy their new building at 500 W. Annandale Road.

And yet another health care group has moved in to complete the full occupancy of all the commercial space at The Byron, 513 W. Broad. Primary Care Associates is moving over from Arlington and expected to be open by Jan. 1. A lease for a new Yoga studio (Blue Nectar) has been signed, fronting onto Broad St., expected to be operational next month.

The parking deck of the Hilton Garden Inn, currently under construction, is now going up at 706 W. Broad, and the hotel is now taking reservations for dates after next June 15. A 2,635 square foot meeting and conference room in the hotel is expected to get a lot of business from local organizations and groups.

In local eatery news, Pita Poche is locating into Falls Plaza near the Staples, offering steak and chicken shawarma (seasoned, grilled and shaved meat sandwiches), with the same owner as Burger 7 that was slated to open there earlier.

A new City variance has been approved for Clare and Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N. Washington, to build a 600 square foot upper deck above its existing outdoor area, due to be open next spring, and Dogwood Tavern has completed construction of a new “mezzanine” level above its existing back patio area with a 15-seat full service bar.

A new spiffy blue awning has been installed to make nicer W. Broad Street entrances to Pilin, Dominion Camera, Floris and Ruby Cash. The new Smashburger location at 300 S. Washington will open in January, delayed due to utility work issues.

Finally, the news is out that the legendary Anthony’s Restaurant has signed a lease to reopen at a new location at the corner of Route 50 and Annandale Road, with construction beginning this month and an opening planned for April.