Alexandria hopes to award construction contracts before the end of the year for the long-awaited Del Ray Gateway project.
The finished product, which includes an interactive spray park and new public art, is expected to begin this year and wrap in 2024. Still, there is currently no specified date for when construction will begin, according to the city.
“The Del Ray Gateway project is currently in the procurement process and the bid schedule has not been finalized,” Alexandria Marketing Manager Katie Bishop told ALXnow. “The Park Planning team is working to finalize this schedule in order to begin construction and implement the design developed with the community.”
The project is located at the Nicholas Colasanto Outdoor Pool (2700 Mount Vernon Avenue), at the northern edge of the Mount Vernon Recreation Center field at the convergence of Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues.
The pool, named after the former city manager and City Council member, opened in 1969 and has been closed since 2010. In 2012, the city recommended the pool area be transformed into a spray park and public plaza.
According to the city:
The site was identified in the City of Alexandria’s 2012 Aquatic Facilities Study that recommended a decorative interactive fountain feature and two shade umbrellas for the site with the existing pool space adjacent to the art center turned into a plaza for public festivals, art display, and an interactive fountain – “enhancing the Del Ray entry point while providing water play fun for neighborhood users and visitors during the summer months.”
Last year, artist Béatrice Coron, who is known for creating intricate paper cut-out silhouettes, was selected after a national search and commissioned to create the public art for the project.
Image via City of Alexandria
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
Family Fun Fall Fest
Mark your calendars and join us for the Family Fun Fall Fest on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11am – 2pm!
This FREE in-person event will be held at the Shoppes at Foxchase, located at 4641 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
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.
