Emily Leayman | ALXnow

City Hall renovation plans move forward without decorative chimneys after BAR appeal

Published January 20, 2026 at 2:45PM

A rendering of the proposed City Hall and Market Square renovation (via City of Alexandria)

City Council last week made a few changes to a review board’s conditional approval of the upcoming City Hall and Market Square project.

On Jan. 13, City Council considered an appeal of the Board of Architectural Review’s approved certificate of appropriateness with conditions for the City Hall and Market Square project on Nov. 19, 2025. The Council voted to remove the review board’s recommendation to maintain decorative chimneys on the south-facing side of City Hall, as well as colonial-style windows at the center entrance pavilion.

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Outgoing Gov. Youngkin says he regrets failed deal for Potomac Yard sports arena

By Emily Leayman

Published January 16, 2026 at 2:45PM

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at the announcement of a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals in Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Dec. 13, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin doesn’t have many regrets as he prepares to leave office. But he named the inability to get an Alexandria arena deal done in 2024 as one lost opportunity.

The Washington Capitals and Wizards arena would have gone in Potomac Yard as part of an entertainment district. But in March 2024, the City of Alexandria announced that the proposal wouldn’t be moving forward.

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Virginia’s first flu-related child death of season confirmed by state health officials

By Emily Leayman

Published January 16, 2026 at 1:45PM

Medical office equipment (via fr0ggy5/Unsplash)

The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed the state’s first flu-related pediatric death this season, as public health officials across Virginia continue to monitor increased flu activity.

Health officials yesterday (Thursday) said a preschool-aged child — between newborn age and 4 years old — died from flu-related complications. The child was from Virginia’s Eastern Region, which largely covers the Tidewater and Eastern Shore areas. The health department is not releasing additional information about the child to protect the family’s privacy.

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City’s top prosecutor will not seek criminal charges for police from August in-custody death

By Emily Leayman

Published January 15, 2026 at 2:45PM

Commonwealth's Attorney Bryan Porter speaks at the No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s top prosecutor is declining to bring criminal charges against officers involved in the Alexandria Police Department’s in-custody death of a Woodbridge man last summer.

Officers involved in the Aug. 15, 2025 death of Allan F. Tucker, II, will not be charged, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter announced this afternoon (Thursday), following investigations by the medical examiner and Northern Virginia’s Critical Incident Review Team.

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Alexandria introduces new leaders, outreach programs at Natural Resources Division

By Emily Leayman

Published January 15, 2026 at 1:45PM

New natural resource managers in the Natural Resources Division (via Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities)

Alexandria’s Natural Resources Division is introducing new leadership and a slate of upcoming community engagements in 2026.

The city has hired Raychel Frye and Katrina Napora as new natural resource managers, it announced yesterday (Wednesday), with Oscar Mendoza continuing to oversee the division as chief. Under the new leadership, Natural Resources will have a “renewed focus on education, stewardship, and community engagement.”

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Torpedo Factory Art Center could receive new operator, with selection process into the spring

By Emily Leayman

Published January 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The city of Alexandria could take a step closer to choosing a new operator for the Torpedo Factory Art Center, following last night’s City Council meeting (Tuesday).

City Council voted to advance to public hearing and final vote an agreement for an operator to lease, manage and operate the historic arts facility at 105 N. Union Street. The public hearing and final vote are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24.

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City Council approves plan to boost Alexandria’s economic growth amid challenges

By Emily Leayman

Published January 14, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated January 14, 2026 at 3:48PM

Stephanie Landrum, CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus ribbon cutting, Feb. 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a roadmap for Alexandria’s economic future last night (Tuesday) as the city tries to strengthen its economic competitiveness.

The ALX Forward framework will shape how the city pursues economic growth, from development to business recruitment and retention. It details strategies like leveraging economic opportunities in Old Town North, Eisenhower East, the West End, and Potomac Yard; retaining local businesses; attracting industries like artificial intelligence and strengthening support for entrepreneurs.

Around Town

Upcoming restaurant weeks will feature deals from more than 85 Alexandria eateries

By Emily Leayman

Published January 13, 2026 at 2:45PM

Pupatella Neopolitan PIzza at 700 Slaters Lane in Old Town North (staff photo by James Cullum)

Foodies will have two opportunities to score dining deals from restaurants across Alexandria in the coming weeks.

In Alexandria, 11 eateries plan to offer prix-fixe menu deals through the Metropolitan Washington Winter Restaurant Week, which returns Monday, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 25. Hosted biannually in the winter and summer by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the week features multi-course meal deals at participating D.C.-area restaurants.

Around Town

Del Ray resident’s hand-painted designs will be featured at Spanberger inauguration market

By Emily Leayman

Published January 12, 2026 at 2:45PM

Alexandria-based business Ella Bella (courtesy of Ella Bella)

The hand-painted designs of Del Ray-based Ella Bella will soon be in the hands of people from around Virginia attending Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s inauguration market.

Ella Bella Flourish Fearlessly is one of two businesses from the D.C. area invited to participate in the Made in Virginia Market in Richmond on Friday, along with Occoquan’s Hello Jackson Home Fragrance Co. Spanberger will make remarks at the market to kick off a weekend of inauguration festivities.

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Wegmans declines to confirm use of facial recognition technology at Alexandria store

By Emily Leayman

Published January 9, 2026 at 1:45PM

Wegmans in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Wegmans has declined to say whether its Alexandria store uses facial recognition technology, after the supermarket chain shared that some of its locations employ the security measure.

Cameras with facial recognition technology have been set up “in a small fraction of our stores located in communities that exhibit an elevated risk,” Wegmans said in a statement. Spokesperson Marcie Rivera declined to comment on the chain’s Carlyle location at 150 Stovall Street and other Northern Virginia locations.

Around Town

‘Five-star dive bar’ from D.C. plans new location at former Mystic BBQ & Grill in Old Town

By Emily Leayman

Published January 9, 2026 at 10:30AM

The Commodore, a neighborhood pub in D.C.'s Dupont Circle, will open a second location in Old Town Alexandria. (Courtesy of The Commodore)

A popular pub in D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood is expanding across the river to Old Town, bringing its self-described “five-star dive bar” approach.

The Commodore is planning a second location at 220 N. Lee Street, owners Rob Van de Graaff and Steve Kim announced yesterday (Thursday). The pub will replace Mystic BBQ & Grill, which closed in late November, after about a year and a half in business. Before Mystic, the space hosted Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster BBQ.