Katie Taranto | ALXnow

New ACPS budget proposal defers Cora Kelly project, schedules K-8 conversions in 2030

Published December 18, 2025 at 2:45PM

Capital Improvement Program add/delete session on Dec. 16, 2025 (via Alexandria City Public Schools)

An updated $282 million budget proposal would defer renovations at an Alexandria elementary school while securing funding for two contentious K-8 conversion plans in 2030.

The new Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget from Alexandria City Public Schools comes in at $58 million less than the Alexandria City School Board’s original proposal and remains under the city’s guidance of $285.8 million, following weeks of workshopping by school and city leaders to trim it down.

News

Gravestone relocations planned at Douglass Memorial Cemetery ahead of stormwater project

By Katie Taranto

Published December 18, 2025 at 12:30PM

Douglass Memorial Cemetery following flood damages in 2021 (photo courtesy Michael Johnson)

About 250 gravestones at Douglass Memorial Cemetery will be temporarily relocated as a new stormwater improvement project gets underway next month.

Anticipated to begin Jan. 20, the project aims to replace hundreds of feet of aging stormwater pipes and regrade the historic Black cemetery’s drainage systems at 1421 Wilkes Street. Construction will prompt the temporary removal of about 250 gravestones, and will affect traffic along Wilkes Street, City Archaeologist Eleanor Breen told ALXnow.

Around Town

‘Yarn Storm’ at Alexandria Library collects hundreds of hats, mittens and scarves for donation

By Katie Taranto

Published December 18, 2025 at 11:45AM

Jessica Shea sits among piles of hats and cold weather accessories for donation (courtesy of Alexandria Library)

If you visited Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library recently, you might have noticed a colorful collection of pom-poms planted in the grounds outside.

The whimsical pom-pom garden encouraged donations to the Alexandria Library’s annual Yarn Storm drive, which collected some 400 hats, mittens and scarves for donation to an Alexandria shelter.

Around Town

Alexandria anime convention ‘PatCon’ opens vendor applications for February celebration

By Katie Taranto

Published December 17, 2025 at 1:45PM

PatCon 2025 (via Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, City of Alexandria, VA/Facebook)

Alexandria is calling on artists, makers and small businesses to apply for vendor spots at PatCon 2026, the city’s grassroots anime festival.

Vendor registration is open now through Jan. 23 for the festival, which is happening from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center at 4653 Taney Avenue. The annual celebration is hosted by the recreation center’s Anime Society and is free to attend.

Around Town

New ‘Finn and Fire’ seafood and steak restaurant aims for March opening in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published December 17, 2025 at 12:30PM

Kismet, formerly at 111 N. Pitt Street (via Google Maps)

Finn & Fire, a new international restaurant specializing in seafood and steaks, hopes to debut in Old Town in late winter.

The new eatery is preparing to replace Indian restaurant Kismet at 111 N. Pitt Street sometime in March, owner Ghazal Amir told ALXnow. The business previously hoped for a January opening but is still securing its permits.

News

Office of Historic Alexandria director wins primary for Va. House seat in Fairfax

By Katie Taranto

Published December 17, 2025 at 10:30AM

Gretchen Bulova, director of the Office of Historic Alexandria at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Dec. 6, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Gretchen Bulova, director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, won a decisive victory last night (Tuesday) in a firehouse Democratic primary for delegate of the 11th District.

Alexandria’s OHA director is now one step closer to fulfilling the delegate seat of her husband, David Bulova, who resigned last Friday after accepting an appointment in Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration. He spent 19 years in the House of Delegates.

News

Alexandria seeks feedback on projects addressing affordable housing, condo communities

By Katie Taranto

Published December 17, 2025 at 9:30AM

As seen at the 204-unit affordable housing apartment complex Samuel Madden Homes, Nov. 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Residents have until Sunday, Jan. 4 to submit comments on two of Alexandria’s draft recommendations aimed at updating the city’s Housing Master Plan.

Specifically, Alexandria is seeking feedback on drafts of the Affordable Housing Preservation and Common Interest Communities projects as part of Housing 2040. Community feedback will help shape the second drafts of each recommendation, expected to be released in mid-to-late February, according to the city.

News

AEDP plans redesign of website, marketing materials, aiming to draw more businesses to city

By Katie Taranto

Published December 16, 2025 at 3:45PM

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership group photo at the partnership's new Carlyle office (photo by Laura Hatcher Photography, via AEDP/Facebook)

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership is planning a major redesign of its website and published materials, in hopes of attracting more businesses to the city.

D.C.-based marketing and public relations agency Hart announced today (Tuesday) that AEDP has selected its team “to lead a comprehensive modernization of its website, messaging, video storytelling and marketing collateral.”

News

New Old Town affordable housing building and 640-unit Potomac Yard project receive approval

By Katie Taranto

Published December 15, 2025 at 2:45PM

Rendering of the proposed 145-unit affordable apartment complex at 598 S. Alfred Street in Old Town, viewed from Wilkes Street and S. Alfred Street (via City of Alexandria)

Two proposed housing developments in the city of Alexandria are officially allowed to move forward after receiving City Council’s approval during its Saturday meeting.

A 640-unit, multi-building project in southern Potomac Yard and a 145-unit affordable housing redevelopment in Old Town each received unanimous approval for development special use permits (DSUPs) after advancing through the Planning Commission earlier this month.

News

Free Lyft rides available in Alexandria beginning Friday through New Year’s Day

By Katie Taranto

Published December 15, 2025 at 1:45PM

SoberRide vehicle (via Washington Regional Alcohol Program/Facebook)

Free Lyft rides are returning to Alexandria and the D.C. area starting this Friday and lasting through New Year’s Day.

Lyft rides totaling up to $15 will be available free of charge from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. nightly through Thursday, Jan. 1. The rides are courtesy of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s SoberRide initiative, which aims to combat drunk driving.

News

Alexandria launches updated Alex311 customer service portal, app

By Katie Taranto

Published December 15, 2025 at 10:30AM

Graphic showing updates to Alex311 on mobile (via City of Alexandria)

Alex311, the city of Alexandria’s customer service program, has a new look.

The program announced the launch of its new portal today (Monday), with the latest version of its mobile app debuting next Monday, Dec. 22. The updates promise easy access and quicker navigation.