Five homes, two community and commercial properties and one public art project at an apartment community earned 2026 Beautification Awards from the Alexandria Beautification Commission.
The commission annually recognizes Alexandria properties “for thoughtful design, sustainability, and contributions to the beauty of the community.” Award winners were selected from more than 40 nominations.
The mural by Yulia Avgustinovich at affordable housing community Witter Place Apartments (2711 Witter Drive) won the Public Art Beautification Award. The murals face Duke Street and the Witter soccer fields and Metro tracks.
“Local artist Yulia Avgustinovich’s murals on this new affordable housing building on Duke Street introduce fantastic splashes of color and references to Alexandria’s history to the busy corridor,” the commission’s newsletter said.
The Commercial and Community Beautification Award winners were Van Dorn Plaza and Jerome “Buddie” Ford Native Garden, while Dora Kelley Nature Park (5750 Sanger Avenue) received an honorable mention for its urban planning and conservation efforts, invasive plant management and focus on native plants.
Van Dorn Plaza (249 S. Van Dorn Street) was recognized for its new outdoor seating area with hundreds of native plants and two murals by local artist Jahru. At Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center (5750 Sanger Avenue), volunteers rescued the garden from invasive species and turned it into a sustainable space with native plants.
“The garden now serves as a teaching area that the Nature Center and the volunteer groups use to demonstrate sustainable environmentally conscious techniques including planting for pollinators and managing stormwater,” according to the commission.
Residential winners include:
- 2305 Sibley Street: For providing a sustainable, biodiverse habitat in front of a townhouse with diverse native plants
- 309 Cloverway Drive: For replacing half the lawn with an extensive native plant garden
- 515 N. Paxton Street: For having a native plant garden and sustainable features like a permeable driveway and solar panels
- 116 S. Iris Street: For replacing much of the lawn space with native plants and a gazebo
- 412 S. Fairfax Street: For replacing most of the lawn with native and edible plants
The Alexandria Beautification Commission advises City Council and Alexandria residents on beautification matters in the city. Along with recognizing annual Beautification Award winners, its work includes education about sustainable beautification.
The Beautification Commission is starting a new two-year rotation of awards this year. The commission is canvassing half of Alexandria this year (properties south of King Street) and will complete the remaining half in 2027.
