Redevelopment is still a few years away for an industrial lot at 4601 Eisenhower Avenue, but the prospect of new development at the Victory Center and the Vulcan site has developers eyeing new investments in the Eisenhower corridor.
Like many of the lots along Eisenhower Avenue, the lot at 4601 is classified as industrial. Owner Boundary Investments LLC is hoping for an “umbrella” approval (item 7) for a variety of special uses down the road and to expand the square footage of non-complying uses from 14,654 square feet to 45,501 square feet.
That permit will open that lot up for redevelopment down the road and help attract new clients in the meantime. The application said the building is currently “well-occupied by a number of tenants who wish to remain,” but redevelopment could come sometime within the next 15 years.
According to the application, the new special use permit would also allow the applicant to open the property up to new types of tenants:
In the interim, the Applicant intends to continue to lease space in the existing building to a variety of light industrial and commercial uses which are compatible with the existing uses in the building and surrounding uses in the neighborhood. The proposed 15-year term of the umbrella SUP is consistent with the term of previously approved umbrella SUPs along this segment of Eisenhower Avenue, will provide current and future tenants with assurance, and will enable the Applicant to retain existing tenants and attract new businesses to the City until market conditions are appropriate for redevelopment.
Staff recommended allowing the applicant more flexibility in its zoning.
“Industrial centers operating under similar ‘umbrella’ SUPs along Eisenhower Avenue have successfully, and without complaints, accommodated low-impact industrial and commercial uses, uses that may be too large for many of the smaller available tenant spaces in the City or start-ups seeking convenient and affordable locations,” the staff report said.
Eisenhower Avenue is dotted with ostensibly “industrial” parks that allow for a variety of uses that don’t fit neatly into other zoning uses, from an indoor play space to a climbing gym. Greater flexibility in industrial zones was also one of the goals of the Zoning for Housing/Housing for All overhaul approved last year.
The staff analysis said plans for the Victory Center have sparked new interest in development on Eisenhower Avenue.
“While no immediate redevelopment interest exists for the site, staff believes there is the potential for future redevelopment opportunities in the mid to long-term given the Victory Center residential development activity and the Landmark Mall and the Vulcan site redevelopments to the west,” the report said.
The application is headed to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, May 7.
Photo via Google Maps
The Alexandria Democratic Committee (AlexDems) said candidate Steven Peterson can’t attend the Mayoral Democratic Primary Debate tonight after suffering an injury yesterday.
According to AlexDems:
Please also be aware that, late in the day yesterday, we learned that one of the candidates, Steven Peterson, suffered an injury, is in the hospital recuperating and awaiting surgery, and therefore will not be able to participate in tonight’s debate.
Peterson is an outsider in the race, with also features incumbent Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and City Council member Alyia Gaskins. Peterson, a real estate developer, was opposed to the Potomac Yard arena and said he wants to reverse the Zoning for Housing/Housing for All suite of zoning ordinances passed last year.
ALXnow reached out to Peterson’s campaign for more information.
In the meantime, the debate between Jackson and Gaskins is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at Alexandria City High School (3330 King Street) to be moderated by Teo Armus, the lead Northern Virginia reporter for The Washington Post.
“We look forward a lively back-and-forth between candidates Jackson and Gaskins about Alexandria’s most pressing issues,” AlexDems said, “and to hearing from candidate Peterson when he’s back on the campaign trail!”
H/t to Ryan Belmore
California wine country marketer Todd O’Leary has been named the new president and CEO of Visit Alexandria.
O’Leary will replace Patricia Washington, who announced her retirement in December after leading the city’s tourism bureau for more than a decade. He was hired by the nonprofit’s board of governors after an executive search with SearchWide Global, and starts work on July 8, according to Visit Alexandria.
“I am deeply honored and excited to be appointed president and CEO of Visit Alexandria,” O’Leary said. “Alexandria is an incredible destination with a solid reputation that I’ve long admired. I’m excited to work with the members, board, staff and community at large to further the positive impacts of Alexandria’s tourism industry.”
O’Leary will be put in charge of all aspects of the bureaus operation, from implementing its strategic plan and developing budgets to spearheading marketing initiatives for what has been deemed one of the best small cities in the U.S.
O’Leary has been a vice president of marketing for Sonoma County Tourism for the last five years, before which he was a vice president for the San Francisco Travel Association, and vice president of marketing for Visit Milwaukee, according to his LinkedIn page. He’s got a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and received a travel industry specialist certification from Indiana University.
Washington said that she was thrilled to pass the torch to O’Leary.
“Over the next few months, I will work closely with Todd, our Board of Governors and staff to ensure a smooth leadership transition,” Washington said.
Good news, D.C. area. You can save money on your next home cleaning with Well-Paid Maids. It’s easy!
We offer a discount when you set up recurring cleans — and the discounts just increased this week!
For weekly cleans, get $30 off each cleaning.
Travelers driving overnight on King Street this week should be aware there may be some delays due to repaving work at the busy King Street, Callahan Drive and Russell Road intersection.
That intersection is the marquee item of this week’s (April 29 through May 5) repaving and street maintenance schedule around Alexandria. Work on the intersection will take place overnight from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. this week.
“Businesses and residents whose streets are scheduled for resurfacing receive advance notice of paving work — typically by displayed project signs and/or letters,” the City said in a release. “Temporary ‘No Parking’ signs will also be posted before work begins. Please be sure to observe these signs to avoid tickets and potential towing of vehicles.”
The intersection has also been the site of an extensive overhaul aimed at creating pedestrian crossings, providing bicycle facilities, and making traffic run more smoothly through the busy intersection.
Other streets being resurfaced this week include:
- East and West Mason Avenue (from Stonewall Road to end)
- East Del Ray Avenue (from Commonwealth Avenue to La Grande Avenue)
- Clyde Avenue (from East Bellefonte Avenue to East Uhler Avenue)
- West Uhler Avenue (entire length)
- Potomac Greens (entire length)
- Washington Street (from Cameron Street to First Street)
It’s about to get pricier to host events in buildings operated by the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA).
On Wednesday, along with passing the fiscal year 2025 budget and considering other fee increases, City Council will consider OHA’s proposal to adjust renting out space at the following venues:
- Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe Street)
- Friendship Firehouse Museum (107 S. Alfred Street)
- Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal Street)
- The Lloyd House (220 N. Washington Street)
- The Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street)
- Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105-107 S. Fairfax Street)
OHA has long rented out The Lyceum to the public, while the other venues were available but not advertised.
If approved by Council, renting out space at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum will double, from $100 to $200 per hour with food and beverages, or to $150 per hour without refreshment.
It will also cost $3,000 to get married and have a reception (for nine hours) at the Lyceum, an increase of $400. It also costs $400 for every extra hour.
OHA Director Gretchen Bulova said that more opportunities at the locations opened over the last year with the hiring of a rental coordinator. She also said that fee increases are conducted periodically, with the last made in 2021. Birthday parties in one room will increase from $350 to $500, and from $700 to $1,000 for the use of two rooms.
“Now you have opportunity to host something, whereas before we used those spaces for our own public programming,” Bulova said.
Special events at the Friendship Firehouse Museum are proposed to increase from $1,400 to $2,000.
“We do this every couple of years,” Bulova said. “We still offer discounts for community groups and nonprofits, and I think this is more in line with pricing in 2024.”
Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!
🌦️ Today’s weather: Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 87 and a 20% chance of showers after 2pm, accompanied by southwest winds of 8-10 mph. Tonight, the chance of precipitation rises to 30%, with showers and thunderstorms possible before 11pm, showers between 11pm and 2am, and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy, bringing a low around 65 and southwest winds of 5-8 mph.
🚨 You need to know
While Arlington and Fairfax both made the list, ARLnow’s editor was quick to tell ALXnow that no Alexandria restaurants made the New York Times’ D.C.’s Best Restaurants list.
Chinese restaurant Mama Cheng in Fairfax was in the top 25, as did Uyghur restaurant Bostan in Arlington.
If it’s any consolation: Alexandria restaurant Vermilion at 1120 King Street was listed as one of Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema’s five favorite spots in the area.
📈 Friday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Apr 26, 2024.
- Notes: Administrative shakeup at Alexandria City High School creates behind-the-scenes tension (1341 views)
- Former GM sentenced 30 months for embezzling $680K from Hanks Oyster Bar in Old Town (1240 views)
- Police release identity of victim in last week’s suspicious death in Braddock neighborhood (1221 views)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
- No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
The Alexandria Police Department has identified the victim of last Monday’s (April 22) suspicious death as 54-year-old John Andreadakis.
APD released Andreadakis’ name on Sunday, but have answered no other questions regarding the incident. Police said that the cause of death has not yet been determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
As previously reported, scanner traffic indicated Andreadakis may have suffered a cardiac arrest in an apartment after being assaulted in the hallway at The Bloom at Braddock Apartments in the 900 block of North Henry Street in the Braddock neighborhood, but police have not confirmed details of the incident pending the Chief Medical Examiner’s report.
Investigation update: The deceased man found on N. Henry Street, on Monday, has been identified. Investigators await the Chief Medical Examiner's ruling on the cause. pic.twitter.com/GXzyX4NAqW
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) April 28, 2024
Police are investigating a commercial robbery that took place this morning around 11 a.m. at a shopping center off S. Van Dorn Street.
According to scanner traffic, a man in a hoodie and wearing a mask came into the T-Mobile store at 247 S. Van Dorn Street and appeared to have a weapon tucked into his pants.
The man allegedly took two iPads from the store and stole around $500 in cash before leaving through a back door.
There is a significant police presence in the shopping center near 240 S. Van Dorn Street as APD officers investigate a commercial robbery. pic.twitter.com/1VSZDRP4oa
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) April 29, 2024
Photo via Google Maps
Those hoping to learn a little more about the candidates running for local office in Alexandria can do so later this week at a forum hosted by Tenants and Workers United.
The forum is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2 at the Tenants and Workers United, 3801 Mount Vernon Avenue. The rain location is the Del Ray United Methodist Church at 100 E Windsor Avenue.
Tenants and Workers United is an Alexandria-based group that advocates for low-income and immigrant communities. The group is frequently involved in advocacy at the city level for better funding for affordable housing programs.
Mayoral candidates include current Vice Mayor Amy Jackson, City Council member Alyia Gaskins, and local real estate developer Steven Peterson.
The forum will tackle questions about development, housing, transportation and more. Spanish interpretation will also be available.
“We want to provide an opportunity for low-income communities of color to hear directly from City Council and Mayoral candidates about the issues that are disproportionately, and gravely, impacting our families,” said Tenants and Workers United Lead Organizer Ingris Moran. “This event will also provide an opportunity for anyone concerned about social justice, racial equity, and the overall quality of life in our city to come and hear directly from the candidates about how they will address community-identified issues.”
Other groups co-hosting the event include Grassroots Alexandria and the Northern Virginia Branch of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America.
The forum is one of several planned around Alexandria, including an Alexandria NAACP debate on Thursday, May 9, and a VOICE candidates forum on May 11.
The Democratic primary for City Council is scheduled for June 18. Early voting is scheduled to start this Friday.
