Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins said the city is prepared to accommodate thousands of incoming federal workers while working to prevent the displacement of a major science agency during her monthly conversation with ALXnow on Tuesday.
The federal government recently announced that over 2,700 HUD employees will relocate to the National Science Foundation building in Alexandria, potentially displacing 1,800 NSF workers who currently occupy the space.
“We don’t want to just bet on Virginia. We’re betting on Alexandria, and that’s where it needs to stay,” Gaskins said about keeping NSF in the city.
The mayor confirmed that Alexandria has sufficient office space for the incoming HUD employees and stated that the city has begun conversations with federal partners regarding the transition, although no timeline has been established.
“We have reached out to everyone that we met in that meeting,” Gaskins said, referring to the June 25 press conference where the HUD relocation was announced. “We’ve also reached out to others that we know are involved in these types of transitions and said we want to be at the table.”
The city has engaged its congressional and state delegations to advocate for keeping NSF in Alexandria.
Economic Development Push
City Council will receive an update tonight on the economic summit held in May, which drew over 300 community members and will inform Alexandria’s new economic development plan.
“This is really, really, really important because one council has said we want our legacy to be building our economic strength,” Gaskins said. The city’s last economic development plan dates to 2009 and led to projects like the Potomac Yard Metro station and Landmark Mall redevelopment.
The mayor connected economic development to tax relief for residents. While the city didn’t raise tax rates this year, many homeowners saw increases due to rising property assessments.
“In order to close that gap, we do need a big swing,” Gaskins said, referring to the need for major economic development projects to reduce reliance on residential property taxes.
Other City Updates
Tonight’s City Council meeting—the last before summer recess—will also feature:
- Health department updates on community health assessments
- Fire department reports on public safety initiatives
- School capacity planning discussions following recent boundary redistricting
The city has launched an education and enforcement campaign for leash laws after resident complaints about unleashed dogs in parks and neighborhoods.
“We have to make sure for the animal safety, but also for the health and safety of people in our community that we are enforcing these laws,” Gaskins said.
Community Engagement
Gaskins provided updates on several community initiatives:
- Her third annual Mom’s Day Out event at Fort Ward Park drew 85 women and focused on mental health resources
- Interfaith Council meetings continue with 25 congregations participating
- The Youth Forum will resume in fall with a drop-in format
Looking Ahead
The fall council schedule includes votes on the green building policy update, Housing Master Plan 2040, and the city hall renovation project, plus updates on waterfront flood mitigation efforts.
Alexandria’s birthday celebration is scheduled for July 12 at Oronoco Park, featuring cupcakes, performances by the city’s poet laureate, and fireworks.
Council meetings resume in September, with the mayor’s next monthly ALXnow conversation scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2.
