Vernon Miles | ALXnow

VRE trains delayed last night over another crash at troubled King Street bridge

Published March 30, 2023 at 12:30PM

A VRE train crosses a bridge over King Street (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 12:35 p.m.) Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains were stopped last night after a vehicle struck the bridge over King Street — again.

The delay is the latest in a string of incidents that have led authorities to recommend full replacement of the bridge.

News

City of Alexandria lays out power plant demolition plans and uncertainties

By Vernon Miles

Published March 29, 2023 at 3:55PM

Exercising near the closed GenOn power plant in Alexandria near the Potomac River. (staff photo by James Cullum)

As plans for what will replace the Potomac River Generating Station in Old Town North gradually take shape, the city is still working through the specifics of how exactly to tear down the building.

Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Environmental Quality Bill Skrabak said in a presentation yesterday to the Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee — full disclosure, this reporter is a member of that committee — that rather than one big demolition the building will most likely be taken apart piece by piece.

News

Old Town Business Improvement District finishing March with 2/3 of the support it needs

By Vernon Miles

Published March 29, 2023 at 1:45PM

Lower King Street, closed to traffic (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The team behind the proposed Old Town Business Improvement District (BID) is giving itself a few more months to get the project the support it needs.

Per new guidelines approved by the City Council last year, the BID proposal will need support from 60% of the properties within the district’s boundaries, which mostly runs along King Street.

News

Housing Alexandria breaking ground on new Arlandria affordable housing development this summer

By Vernon Miles

Published March 28, 2023 at 2:45PM

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

Local nonprofit Housing Alexandria said it will break ground on a new 474-unit affordable housing project in Arlandria this summer at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road.

The project — a pair of buildings the nonprofit announced will be called Sansé and Naja — will create 474 units of affordable housing, 36,000 square feet of commercial space and a two-level underground parking garage. All of the units will be affordable for households making up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) with 105 units set aside as deeply affordable — available to those making 40% AMI.

News

Walgreens redevelopment in Old Town headed to city review

By Vernon Miles

Published March 28, 2023 at 1:30PM | Updated March 31, 2023 at 3:40PM

The proposed redevelopment of a pair of blue and white buildings, a former Burke & Herbert Bank and a former Walgreens, is heading back to city review next month.

The plan is to combine the two buildings into a single mixed-use development called The Mansley with ground-floor retail and three stories of residential space above.

News

Changes in the works for King Street Trolley, including new Eisenhower destination

By Vernon Miles

Published March 27, 2023 at 1:45PM

King Street Trolley in Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A proposed extension of the King Street Trolley has reappeared in a new DASH transit plan.

The bus network’s FY 2023-2028 Transit Development Plan includes a look behind the curtain at what’s ahead for the bus network, including a plan to take the King Street Trolley down to the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station.

Opinion

Poll: Have you gone to see the cherry blossoms in D.C. yet?

By Vernon Miles

Published March 27, 2023 at 10:50AM

Cherry blossoms in D.C. (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Last week was peak bloom for most of the cherry blossoms around the D.C. region: have you gone to see them yet?

Thousands visited D.C. this past weekend and traveled along the Tidal Basin as the area was ringed with pink and white blossoms.

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published March 24, 2023 at 3:30PM

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) speaks to Alexandria Democrats at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray, March 20, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It was a big week for questions about the future of development, density and affordable housing.

In neighboring Arlington, the County Board voted to approve ‘Missing Middle’ zoning changes that would allow multifamily residential structures on what had been single-family zoning. As Alexandria launches its own Zoning for Housing/Housing for All initiative, some eyes now turn to that program to see if Alexandria will follow suit.

News

Nearly $60,000 raised for Alexandria bartender shot in attempted carjacking

By Vernon Miles

Published March 24, 2023 at 2:45PM

Mason Social bartender James Lee (image via GoFundMe)

A GoFundMe campaign for James Lee, a bartender at Mason Social, has raised $58,653 to help him recover from being shot multiple times in an attempted carjacking.

Zebra reported last week that Lee was reportedly approached by two men while he was stopping for gas on Pennsylvania Avenue. The men allegedly drew their guns and told him to give up his car. When he got in the car and fled, he was shot seven times. He was able to get away and called 911 before passing out from his injuries.

News

New Waterfront art installation celebrating nautical history debuts tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published March 24, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated March 24, 2023 at 4:55PM

"Two Boxes of Oranges and Admonia Jackson" (via City of Alexandria)

(Updated 4:55 p.m.) A new art exhibit meant to evoke the hull of a ship is being unveiled tomorrow in Old Town’s Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street).

The installation is the latest in a series of temporary art exhibits at the foot of King Street, replacing the kitschy I Love You display. The new artwork is called “Two Boxes of Oranges and Admonia Jackson,” named from text in a ship’s manifest found in an archeological dig.

News

Notes: Italian restaurant closing in Del Ray

By Vernon Miles

Published March 24, 2023 at 9:05AM

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

☔ Today’s weather: Rain throughout the day. High of 71 early in the morning but cooler most of the day, with a low of 48. Sunrise at 7:07 am and sunset at 7:25 pm.