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Notes: City to unveil draft principles for Duke Street development at community meeting

By Ryan Belmore

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Sept. 25, the 268th day of 2025. There are 97 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11 a.m. and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82°F. South wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Showers and thunderstorms likely tonight before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67°F. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

🚨 You need to know

Duke Street and S. Reynolds Street (image via Google Maps)

Alexandria residents will have the opportunity to review and discuss draft guiding principles for the Duke Street Land Use Plan during a community meeting Thursday evening at Bishop Ireton High School. The plan aims to update the comprehensive land use vision for the Duke Street corridor from Alexandria Union Station to Van Dorn Street — an area that hasn’t seen a comprehensive update since 1992.

The meeting, scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria at 201 Cambridge Road, will feature a presentation summarizing feedback from a recent community poll and the resulting draft principles. City officials will also conduct a question-and-answer session and facilitate discussions about the proposed guidelines that will shape future development along the Duke Street corridor, which includes approximately 600 small businesses and the roughly 2,100-unit Foxchase development.

The evening will be split into two segments: a presentation and Q&A from 6:30-7:15 p.m., followed by facilitated discussions on the draft principles until 8:30 p.m. The presentation portion will also be available online via Zoom for residents unable to attend in person, with Meeting ID 956 1709 4743 and Passcode 979118.

The planning process comes as the Duke Street corridor faces mounting development pressure from multiple directions. Redevelopment momentum from Old Town is pushing westward along the corridor, while large-scale redevelopment at the former Landmark Mall site — now the West End development — is creating additional pressure from the west. City officials said proactive planning will help create a unified vision before individual development proposals come forward.

The city is providing several accessibility options for attendees, including food, childcare and language interpretation services in Spanish and Amharic. The venue is accessible via the free DASH Bus Route 30, with entrance through Door 15 off the lower parking lot. A recording of the meeting will be posted on the project webpage following the event, along with a schedule of future community engagement opportunities, including pop-up events. Residents requiring interpretation services in languages other than Spanish or Amharic were required to contact Urban Planner Christian Brandt at [email protected] or 703-746-3859 by Sept. 18.

The 18-month planning process, which launched in June, is designed to address increasing development pressures along the corridor from Old Town redevelopment to the east and large-scale redevelopment at the former Landmark Mall site to the west. The plan will explore topics including land use, environment and climate, equity, mobility and connectivity, pedestrian safety, parks and open space, and housing affordability. City Council consideration for adoption is anticipated for late 2026 or early 2027.

Duke. Street Land Use Plan Process Schedule (Credit: City of Alexandria)

What else you need to know

Farmers market opens today near King Street-Old Town Metro – A new weekly farmers market begins today from 3-7 p.m. across from the King Street-Old Town Metro station. The market will run every Thursday through Oct. 30 at King Street Station Office Plaza. (Full story)

Old Town Cocktail Week kicks off – More than 40 restaurants throughout Alexandria’s historic district begin serving specialty cocktails today as part of Old Town Cocktail Week, which runs through Oct. 6. The event includes four curated special events. (Full story)

Study: Federal downsizing hits Alexandria hardest – Alexandria faces the most significant impact from federal workforce reductions among Northern Virginia communities, according to a new Brookings Institution study examining regional economic effects. (Full story)

Virginia tax rebates available today – Eligible Virginia taxpayers can begin checking their eligibility today for tax rebates of up to $400 for joint filers and up to $200 for individual filers. (Check eligibility)

Visit Alexandria annual meeting today – Visit Alexandria holds its annual meeting from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, featuring a fiscal year 2025 review and five-year strategic plan insights. ALXnow will provide coverage.

📈 Wednesday’s most read

The following were the most-read ALXnow articles on Sept. 24, 2025:

  1. Federal downsizing hits Alexandria hardest among Virginia suburbs, study shows (Ryan Belmore)
  2. Alexandria ranks 2nd on ‘Best Places to Live on the East Coast’ list (Ryan Belmore)
  3. Family seeks funeral funds for Alexandria man killed in Woodlawn shooting (Ryan Belmore)
  4. Developer donates Potomac Yard land for 88-unit affordable housing project (Ryan Belmore)
  5. Springfield man killed in I-395 crash after vehicle struck at high speed (Ryan Belmore)

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About the Author

  • Ryan Belmore is a journalist based in Alexandria, Virginia. He served as Publisher of ALXnow from March to October 2025. He can be reached at [email protected].