Good Monday morning, Alexandria!
⛅ Today’s weather: Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 57 and low of 43.
⛅ Tomorrow: Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 51 and low of 38. Sunrise at 6:33 am and sunset at 6:07 pm.
🚨 You need to know
An opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal by a former Mike Pence speechwriter took aim at the anti-development “Save Del Ray” campaign.
The piece by Stephen Ford, titled “Yes, There’s a Housing Crisis. No, You Can’t Build Here”, detailed much of the appeal of Del Ray — its “Main Street” atmosphere, the Halloween parade — but said the once working-class neighborhood has become increasingly unaffordable.
“Now the most affordable town homes typically run in the low to mid $700,000s, and single-family homes usually go for $1 million or more,” Ford wrote. “People want to live in Del Ray, but for many families it’s getting difficult to move — or even to stay — here.”
Enter Bonaventure Realty and its plans to Alexandria redevelop the former Department of Community and Human Services building at 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue into a four-story, 43-foot-tall building mixed-use development.
The plan prompted backlash from some locals and the creation of a “Save Del Ray” group. The project’s density was scaled back but eventually, community feedback pressured the developer into backing away from the project. According to Ford:
Hyperbole carried the day. In November, Bonaventure put the project on indefinite hold, and the property is now for sale. It makes sense. Nothing short of the status quo seems likely to win over opponents. Until some middle ground can be found between not-in-my-backyard and yes-in-my-backyard, neighborhoods like mine–and Berkeley, Calif., and Brooklyn, N.Y., and many other desirable places–will keep getting more expensive and less welcoming to newcomers.
📈 Saturday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Mar 4, 2023.
- Police: Man murdered in Landmark shooting Friday night (2074 views)
- Police: Man murdered in Landmark shooting Friday night (12 views)
- Police: Man murdered in Landmark shooting Friday night (12 views)
- Police: Man murdered in Landmark shooting Friday night (12 views)
🗞 Other local coverage
- 🌱 Officer Receives Medal Of Honor + St. Patrick’s Day Parade Returns
Patch (Sunday @ 4:18 pm)
- City of Alexandria Releases Funeral Arrangements for Brian Hricik, EMS Deputy Chief
Zebra (Sunday @ 10:54 am)
- Earthquake Relief For Turkey Announced By Northern Virginia Leaders
Patch (Friday @ 5:10 pm)
- Beyer applauds Medal Of Honor recipient Col. Paris Davis
Alexandria Times (Friday @ 4:39 pm)
- Body Camera Program Launch Coming To Alexandria Police Department
Patch (Friday @ 4:09 pm)
- 20 Alexandria School Teachers Certified by National Board
Zebra (Friday @ 2:57 pm)
- Amazon HQ2 Pause, Peak Bloom, NAACP On Police Killing: Top VA News
Patch (Friday @ 2:53 pm)
- Alexandria Songwriter Jarreau Williams Drops His New Single “Cherry”
Zebra (Friday @ 12:54 pm)
- ‘Lettice and Lovage’: A Frothy Comedy Delights at The Little Theatre of Alexandria
Zebra (Friday @ 11:43 am)
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Restaurant Weeks: NoVA, DC Weekend Events
Patch (Friday @ 10:49 am)
- Check Out These Spring 2023 Events Around Alexandria
Patch (Friday @ 9:42 am)
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade Returns to Old Town Alexandria Saturday, March 4
Zebra (Friday @ 9:00 am)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Recent Stories

Are you ready for a family frolic in front of the lens? Look no further! Our Mini Photo Sessions are here, and they’re filled with laughter, wagging tails, and unforgettable moments.
What to Expect:
• Professional Portraits: Bring your furry friends or the whole family for a portrait experience like no other. We promise to capture the most charming moments!

This week, we are thrilled to welcome Jane Lowery to our women’s therapy practice. Jane specializes in grief+loss therapy and she’s forming a support group for young adults who have lost a parent.
Grief work is personal for Jane. She’s a host with The Dinner Party, a national non-profit reducing the isolation & stigma for grieving 20 & 30-something’s with live and virtual sit-down dinners.
Jane is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Prior to becoming a therapist, she worked for over 10 years in technology philanthropy. Jane obtained her bachelor’s in American Studies from George Washington University.
Made in Alexandria Fall Makers’ Market
The Made in ALX Fall Makers’ Market at Port City Brewing Co. in Alexandria is set for Sunday, Sept. 24!
This is the fall’s most fun sip-and-shop, featuring craft beer from the award-winning Port City Brewing Co. along with food,
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.