Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Alexandria City Council appoints six new ARHA commissioners day after mass resignations

Published October 15, 2025 at 7:31PM | Updated October 15, 2025 at 8:13PM

Alexandria City Council holds a special meeting Wednesday night to appoint six new ARHA commissioners following the mass resignations of the previous board. (Ryan Belmore/ALXnow)

Alexandria City Council appointed six new commissioners to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority board during a special meeting on Wednesday night, one day after eight of nine board members resigned under pressure from city leaders.

The emergency appointments aim to restore the functioning of ARHA’s governing board, which oversees more than 1,100 public housing units and serves over 2,700 residents through various programs.

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Transportation board unanimously defers I-495 express lanes project, directs VDOT to report back in 2026

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 15, 2025 at 1:37PM

National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board met on Oct. 15. (Screenshot via YouTube)

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board unanimously voted Wednesday to defer including Virginia’s controversial I-495 Southside Express Lanes project in its long-range transportation plan, effectively blocking the highway expansion from moving forward until at least 2026.

The TPB adopted Resolution R2-2026, which excludes the 11-mile express toll lanes project from the Visualize 2050 plan and directs the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide a 2026 status report on its work with all relevant jurisdictions.

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Swedish company to demo flying electric ferry on Potomac River

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 15, 2025 at 12:00PM

Candela P-12 is the world’s first electric hydrofoiling passenger ship. At high speeds, it produces no damaging wake, allowing exemptions from “no-wake” zones. (credit: Candela)

A Swedish maritime technology company will demonstrate its electric hydrofoiling vessel on the Potomac River next week, showcasing technology that could potentially transform water commuting in the Washington region.

Candela will perform media demonstration rides Oct. 17-23 near the Swedish Embassy using its C-8 flying vessel. The demonstrations coincide with the Swedish Green Transition Summit, a forum focused on sustainable development innovations.

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Alexandria City Manager to participate in virtual town hall meeting next week

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 15, 2025 at 11:45AM

Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria will host a Town Hall Meeting with City Manager James Parajon on Oct. 22 (via CCNA)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon will take questions from residents during a virtual town hall meeting next week hosted by a local civic organization.

The Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria is hosting the event on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom. The forum is part of the organization’s community engagement series, which aims to keep residents informed about city issues.

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Alexandria City Council to hold public hearing Saturday on development projects, zoning changes

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 15, 2025 at 10:15AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria City Council will convene for a public hearing Saturday morning to consider several development projects and zoning ordinances, including two major residential conversion proposals in Old Town.

The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall, 301 King St., and is open to the public in person and virtually via Zoom.

News

Alexandria’s Minnie Howard campus featured in national design publication

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 15, 2025 at 9:45AM

Inside the new Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, May 29, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard campus has been featured in i+s (interiors+sources), a national commercial interior design publication, highlighting the facility’s approach to sustainable and inclusive educational environments.

The article, published Tuesday by Chief Content Director Robert Nieminen, showcases the campus redesign by architecture firm Perkins Eastman.

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Regional transportation board to vote today on controversial I-495 express lanes through Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 15, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated October 15, 2025 at 1:41PM

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Editor’s Note: The Transportation Planning Board voted Wednesday to defer the I-495 Southside Express Lanes project. Read the full story here: Transportation board unanimously defers I-495 express lanes project, directs VDOT to report back in 2026

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board will vote today on whether to include a controversial express toll lanes project through Alexandria in its long-range transportation plan — a decision that could determine whether the 11-mile highway expansion moves forward or faces years of delay.

News

Morning Notes for October 15, 2025

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 15, 2025 at 7:15AM

Tall Ship Providence in Alexandria (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

On This Day: Alexandria’s Role in Creating Arlington National Cemetery — On this day in 1862, Alexandria leased land at the west end of Wilkes Street to the Federal government, establishing the nation’s first military cemetery. As Civil War casualties mounted, the cemetery filled rapidly—nearly 4,000 graves within a year, mostly soldiers who died while receiving medical care in the city. When burial space ran out, Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs proposed a solution that would become iconic: burying the war dead on the grounds of Arlington House, Robert E. Lee’s vacated estate. That decision gave birth to Arlington National Cemetery. [Historic Alexandria]

Eight ARHA Commissioners Resign Ahead of Deadline — Eight of nine Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority commissioners resigned Tuesday in response to a demand from Mayor Alyia Gaskins and City Council that they step down by today’s deadline or face formal removal proceedings. City Council will meet today at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers to vote on an emergency ordinance amending the city code and make immediate appointments to the Board. [ALXnow]

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Alexandria reports weakening consumption taxes, declining hotel revenue

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 14, 2025 at 9:00PM

City Manager James Parajon presents the State of the Economy report to Alexandria City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Manager James Parajon presented a sobering economic outlook to the City Council Tuesday night, warning of troubling trends in unemployment, consumption taxes, and consumer confidence despite the city’s recent achievement of crossing $1 billion in visitor spending.

The monthly State of the Economy report, part of a series requested by Mayor Alyia Gaskins and members of the City Council, highlighted deepening concerns about national economic uncertainty and its local impacts as the city prepares for budget discussions.

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Eight Alexandria housing commissioners resign after Mayor, City Council demand their departure

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 14, 2025 at 7:27PM | Updated October 17, 2025 at 2:17PM

ARHA properties in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

UPDATE (Oct. 15, 7:35 p.m.): Alexandria City Council unanimously appointed six new commissioners to the ARHA board during an emergency special meeting Wednesday night, with three seats remaining open for future appointments. Read the full story here: Alexandria City Council appoints six new ARHA commissioners day after mass resignations

Eight of nine Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority commissioners resigned Tuesday in response to a demand from Mayor Alyia Gaskins and City Council that they step down by today’s deadline or face formal removal proceedings.

News

Alexandria Health Department urges residents to get vaccinated as respiratory illness season arrives

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 14, 2025 at 3:00PM

The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

The Alexandria Health Department is encouraging residents to get vaccinated and practice healthy habits as cold and flu season approaches, officials announced Tuesday.

As temperatures drop, health officials warn that respiratory illnesses, including influenza, RSV, and COVID-19, typically increase, potentially leading to serious health complications, missed work and school days, and hospitalizations.