News

With Hooffs Run Interceptor complete, Alexandria to reopen African American Heritage Park

By James Cullum
The Hooffs Run Interceptor is complete (Via AlexRenew)

After three years of construction, Alexandria will officially unveil the Hooffs Run Interceptor and reopen African American Heritage Park next month.

The large project to reduce flooding from millions of gallons of sewage and transport it for processing by AlexRenew also meant a fully restored Hooffs Run. The interceptor went into service at the end of 2024.

According to the city:

To further rehabilitate the stream, the project included a full-scale restoration of the area surrounding Hooffs Run, including enhancements to the riparian buffer, the establishment of native trees and plants, and the creation of new wildlife habitats.

The African American Heritage Park trail will also re-open with a new boardwalk extension for parkgoers to enjoy a loop along the waterway.  And new wayfinding signage will be installed throughout the park and continue to tell the city’s African American history to visitors.

The project’s ribbon cutting will be held at the park (500 Holland Lane) on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. Speakers will include Mayor Alyia Gaskins, AlexRenew CEO Justin Carl, historian MacArthur Myers, and Reverend Taft Quincey Heatley of Shiloh Baptist Church.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.