It’s been quite a week in Alexandria. Here’s a rundown of our most-read stories.
Our top story is on the General Services Administration launching an official search for office space in Alexandria to relocate the National Science Foundation after the agency was displaced from its Eisenhower Avenue headquarters. In a presolicitation notice, GSA announced it needs between 240,000 and 280,000 square feet of Class A office space for a 48-month lease, with occupancy required by the end of November.
In June, HUD Secretary Scott Turner, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and GSA Commissioner Michael Peters made the announcement at the NSF headquarters. Peters said at the time that GSA was committed to working with both agencies to ensure a smooth transition while helping NSF identify suitable alternative space. Following that announcement, Mayor Alyia Gaskins said the city is committed to keeping NSF in Alexandria.
“We have a long and significant partnership with NSF and are committed to keeping their home in Alexandria,” Gaskins told ALXnow. “In a region where federal, state, and local responsibilities intersect daily, collaboration isn’t optional — it’s essential.”
Our second most-read story is on the developing situation at 1503-1505 Mount Vernon Avenue, which is being marketed for lease with availability starting Sept. 1. The property is home to The Garden, an open-air dog- and family-friendly outdoor restaurant and beer garden.
In a listing from PVIM LLC, a commercial real estate brokerage based in Old Town, the property features 1,100 square feet of interior space on a 10,706-square-foot lot with 100 feet of street frontage and three parking spaces. The asking rent is available upon request, according to the marketing materials. The listing includes the request: “DO NOT DISTURB THE CURRENT TENANT.”
When contacted about the listing, Principal Broker Apostle Paul Voutsas said he “cannot comment on the situation going on between landlord and tenant” but confirmed his firm has “been instructed to list the property for lease by the trust that owns the property” with the earliest start date of Sept. 1.
The Garden, established in 2018, currently operates at the location. The restaurant’s website and social media accounts do not indicate any upcoming changes or closure plans.
Our third top story is on a Tuesday (Aug. 26) hit-and-run involving an overturned vehicle and a parked car in a parking lot in the 5400 block of Richenbacher Avenue.
The incident was called in at around 2:15 p.m., according to the police scanner. A stolen Toyota Corolla with Virginia plates overturned after crashing into a parked Lexus IS 250 in the parking lot of an apartment complex. The caller told police that they saw two people running from the overturned Corolla. Police later said via dispatch that three occupants of the vehicle fled on foot. No arrests have been made.
It’s Labor Day Weekend in Alexandria! The long weekend features a mix of outdoor markets, cultural events and live entertainment across the city’s neighborhoods. Find something to do in our comprehensive listing of happenings all over town.
The most-read stories this week were:
- GSA launches search for new Alexandria office space to house displaced National Science Foundation (11421 views)
- Mount Vernon Avenue restaurant property listed for lease (9772 views)
- Alexandria police investigate hit-and-run on Richenbacher Avenue (5577 views)
- Alexandria frozen custard shop receives $50,000 historic preservation grant (5430 views)
- West End luxury car owner reports $11K in jewelry, cash stolen after multiple break-ins (5096 views)
- Notes: Alexandria Fire Department responds to two vehicle fires Saturday (4925 views)
- 199-unit luxury apartments start leasing in converted Old Town building (4073 views)
- ARHA board places CEO on probation, hires law firm for investigation (2844 views)
Have a safe weekend!
