On This Day in Alexandria History — “On June 16, 1809, the Virginia General Assembly was petitioned to construct a new turnpike linking Alexandria with Fredericksburg about 50 miles away. Construction began soon after on a causeway across the Great Hunting Creek and a road through the rural wilderness of eastern Fairfax County, passing the Huntley meadows, Mount Vernon, Woodlawn and the town of Woodbridge, eventually becoming part of U.S. Route 1 stretching from Fort Kent, Maine to Key West, Florida. That same year, a new turnpike was built north of Alexandria (now Powhatan Street) extending from the northern dead-end of Washington Street to connect with the Long Bridge across the Potomac River. This new turnpike would finally provide a direct road connection between Alexandria and Washington Counties, the original two counties that made up the District of Columbia.” [Historic Alexandria]
City Hall Construction Impacts — “The regular sidewalk in front of City Hall on King Street (between N. Royal and N. Fairfax Streets) is closed to pedestrians from June 15 to July 10 due to construction. Alternate pedestrian routes will be marked.
The DASH bus stop in front of City Hall will also be temporarily closed during this time. Riders can board at the Pitt Street stop, just one block away.” [City of Alexandria/Facebook]
Differences Between New Virginia House, Senate Budget Proposals — “The data center sales and use tax exemption remains the biggest bottle neck on state budget negotiations.. The state currently forgoes an average of $1.6 billion annually by allowing the industry to not pay the 5.3% state tax on their computer equipment and server racks.” [Virginia Mercury]
Enforcement Changes on GW Parkway — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bill 81 in April authorizing state and local law enforcement officers to cite drivers for traffic infractions on federal highways in Northern Virginia, starting on July 1. Local agencies can also seek the federal government’s permission to install automated speed monitoring cameras.” [FFXnow]
Rep. Beyer on Proposed Construction Timeline — “This plan would require years of lane closures and major disruptions along one of our most critical transportation corridors. A traffic nightmare in the making. Even setting aside the obvious illegality of this project, the public deserves a full accounting of its impacts.” [Rep. Don Beyer/Bluesky]
Algae Appears in Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — “Days after the completion of a politically-charged renovation project at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, DC visitors are reporting the problematic green algae is back, and seemingly stronger than ever.” [WUSA9]
AEDP Information Session on Tech Accelerator Program — “Interested in Accelerate ALX? Join us June 16, from 6–7 PM for an in-person Accelerate ALX Info Session to learn more about Alexandria’s first City-funded accelerator program for high-growth technology startups. Meet the team, get your questions answered, and learn what founders can expect before applications close on June 30.” [Alexandria Economic Development Partnership newsletter]
Alexandria Native Makes Waves in College World Series — “Bishop Ireton graduate Owen Hull went two for four, while driving in one run and scoring another in the University of North Carolina’s 5-2 win over West Virginia Sunday night in the double-elimination round of the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.” [Alexandria Times]
New Legal Notice — Hearing June 22, 2026: $16M bonds for 91 affordable apartments. [Public Notices]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies with a high near 80 degrees and light, variable winds. Tuesday night will bring increasing cloud cover and a low of around 63 degrees, with south winds at 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]
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