Emily Leayman | ALXnow

New kayak launch on Four Mile Run wins Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

Published March 26, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated March 27, 2026 at 12:05PM

New Four Mile Run kayak launch (via City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities/Facebook)

A new kayak launch now open at Four Mile Run Park in Alexandria is one of 11 projects that earned a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award from Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

The Four Mile Run Conservancy, in partnership with the city, completed the public kayak and canoe launch with a 187-foot raised boardwalk ramp, 775-square-foot floating dock, a roller-entry launch, wheelchair transfer platform and 30-foot gangway. It is the city and region’s first ADA-accessible paddling access to the Potomac River.

News

City Council approves $4M loan for last phase of Arlandria affordable housing project

By Emily Leayman

Published March 25, 2026 at 11:45AM

Concept rendering of Sansé and Naja development in Arlandria (courtesy of Housing Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council approved a $4 million loan yesterday (Tuesday) for Naja, the second and final phase of Housing Alexandria’s affordable housing project being built at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road in Arlandria.

The $4 million City Housing Opportunities Fund loan is the final installment of the city funding package for Sansé and Naja, which will have 495 affordable housing units and more than 20,000 square feet of commercial space. City Council also approved $400,000 in rental subsidies for eight units at Naja. Before Tuesday’s approval, the city’s funding support for the project had totaled $79.7 million, according to a city staff memo.

News

Appeal of Traffic and Parking Board’s Braddock Road redesign tentatively set for May

By Emily Leayman

Published March 24, 2026 at 3:15PM

Segments of Braddock Road where the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board approved changes (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council will consider the appeal of the Traffic and Parking Board’s decision to remove parking and reconfigure a portion of Braddock Road for bike lanes.

City spokesperson Ebony Fleming told ALXnow the appeal consideration is tentatively scheduled for City Council’s May 16 public hearing. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber at Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive).

News

Crackdown on vape products, underage sales planned in bill heading to Spanberger

By Emily Leayman

Published March 24, 2026 at 2:45PM

Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-39, speaks to Arlington Democrats (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

More regulations on what vape products can be sold and increased enforcement of underage sales are included in new legislation heading to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).

In a news conference yesterday (Monday), Attorney General Jay Jones (D) highlighted the plan for increased oversight of tobacco product retailers under Del. Patrick Hope’s HB 308 and former State Sen. Adam Ebbin’s SB 620. The legislation would shift license and enforcement of liquid nicotine and retail tobacco products from the Department of Taxation to a new permitting system led by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority.

News

Hit-and-run kills pedestrian on I-395 in Alexandria: state police

By Emily Leayman

Published March 24, 2026 at 11:30AM

Traffic view of Tuesday, March 24 hit-and-run crash on Interstate 395 near Duke Street (via VDOT)

A pedestrian was found dead in a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 395 in Alexandria today (Tuesday), according to Virginia State Police.

The crash happened around 6:12 a.m. on northbound Interstate 395 near the Duke Street exit. State troopers had responded to a call about a pedestrian on the interstate and found the person dead in the northbound center lane. The investigation temporarily shut down lanes of the northbound interstate during the early morning commute.

News

Sprinkler helps contain overnight high-rise fire in Eisenhower Avenue corridor

By Emily Leayman

Published March 24, 2026 at 9:30AM | Updated March 24, 2026 at 10:57AM

Alexandria Fire Department (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Firefighters responded to an early morning fire today (Tuesday) that was contained to a high-rise apartment in the Eisenhower Avenue corridor, according to Alexandria Fire Department radio dispatches.

Around 4:02 a.m., units responded to a 22nd-floor apartment in the 2800 block of Telek Place, according to the IAFF Local 2141. According to the scanner traffic, firefighters arrived to find a fire on the kitchen stove. The building’s sprinkler system contained it to the units, and a smoke detector activated.

News

Historic home sets Old Town record for residential sales with $7.1M deal

By Emily Leayman

Published March 23, 2026 at 3:45PM

The 510 Wolfe Street property (via Bob Narod)

The sale of a 19th-century home has set a record for the most expensive residential sale in Old Town, according to the real estate firm representing the seller.

The home at 510 Wolfe Street sold for $7.1 million after being put on the market for the first time in four decades. The seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom estate spans 14,000 square feet and dates back to 1854. Corcoran McEnearney real estate agents Babs Beckwith and Lauren Bishop were the seller’s agents.

Around Town

Alexandria restaurants named semifinalists for regional RAMMY Awards

By Emily Leayman

Published March 23, 2026 at 1:45PM

Chicken and waffles at Matt & Tony's (image via Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen/Facebook)

Several Alexandria restaurants are in the running for the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s restaurant awards.

The association named 190 semifinalists for the RAMMYs, given annually to members of the D.C. region’s restaurant industry. This was the first time semifinalists were publicly announced in the four decades of the awards, providing an early glimpse at which chefs, restaurants and hospitality staff are in the running.

News

GW Parkway resurfacing to begin between Arlington and Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published March 23, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated March 23, 2026 at 11:13AM

Traffic along the George Washington Parkway near Daingerfield Island (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

UPDATE at 11 a.m. — NPS has provided an estimate of when resurfacing work will begin in Alexandria.

Resurfacing on sections of the George Washington Memorial Parkway between Arlington and Alexandria will begin this week, the National Park Service says.

News

‘Faith in Housing’ bill helps churches build affordable housing, Alexandria pastor says

By Emily Leayman

Published March 20, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated March 20, 2026 at 4:33PM

The Waypoint at Fairlington site in September 2022 (via Wesley Housing/Facebook)

A bill that would make it easier for churches to pursue affordable housing development on their properties is on its way to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D). An Alexandria church leader whose church brought affordable housing to its property says the bill would help churches that have faced greater challenges with getting local approval.

The “Faith in Housing” bill would remove the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt organizations seeking to develop housing on their land. Under the bill, the developments must be at least 60 percent affordable units for a minimum of 30 years. Church-based developments would be subject to property tax unless the locality chooses to exempt them.

Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Niko has a passion for people, outdoor adventures

By Emily Leayman

Published March 20, 2026 at 9:15AM

Niko, an adoptable pet at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Niko, a dog who has a zest for life and a love for all things people and outdoors.

This 1-year-old dog has a black coat with white markings and weighs 52 pounds. The pup is eager to continue his training — with treats as a reward.