Vernon Miles | ALXnow

New plans to reshape Alexandria’s West End kick off with meeting tonight

Published November 15, 2022 at 11:00AM

"Alexandria West" community boundary (image via City of Alexandria)

Tonight, the City of Alexandria is launching a kick-off meeting for the 18-month process of updating and potentially reshaping city policy governing the West End.

According to the city’s website, the goal is to “engage the community to create a shared vision for the future of Alexandria West, addressing topics such as equity, culture, housing, getting around, land use, parks, and safety.”

News

City Council approves plan for new lights across five athletic fields

By Vernon Miles

Published November 14, 2022 at 3:50PM

Field lighting proposal at Hammond Middle School (image via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a plan to install lights on a handful of athletic fields, but city leaders also acknowledged neighbor concerns about the project.

The plan is to eventually install new outdoor lighting at five fields around the city, with those lights phased in as the budget and construction timetables allow. Three of the fields could be illuminated as early as FY2023:

News

Alexandria shows progress on Old Town North’s arts transformation

By Vernon Miles

Published November 14, 2022 at 1:15PM | Updated January 6, 2023 at 10:04AM

(Updated 1/6/23) Last week, Alexandria city staff pulled back the curtain on the city’s progress on turning Old Town North into an arts district.

The goal is to trade density in Old Town North for arts uses — mirroring earlier arrangements between the city and developers for affordable housing uses.

News

Price tag for Alexandria’s bus network puts fare-free future in jeopardy

By Vernon Miles

Published November 10, 2022 at 2:50PM

A DASH bus on King Street in Old Town Alexandria

City staff said changes to the DASH bus network over the last year have been a monumental success, but one with a high cost only likely to increase over time.

Over the last two years, Alexandria’s DASH bus system has gone through a series of dramatic changes, from a complete overhaul of the route system to changes to strollers and how the buses are boarded. But at a City Council retreat last week, city staff made it very clear the current balance of costs and revenue spells trouble in the near term.

News

Alexandria offers utility fee reduction for locals who install flood protection

By Vernon Miles

Published November 10, 2022 at 10:50AM

Flooding near the Braddock Road Metro on Thursday, September 16, 2021. (Courtesy Kerrin Nishimura)

The City of Alexandria is making it easier for locals who pitch in on flood prevention to skip out on their utility fees.

At a meeting last night, the City Council voted to adopt a series of changes to a utility fee credit program, including reducing the fee for residents who install flood mitigation on their property.

News

Alexandria leaders brace for ‘pasta bowl recession’

By Vernon Miles

Published November 9, 2022 at 2:45PM

A voter leaves City Hall after casting a callot (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

At a City Council retreat, Alexandria leaders met with some of the city’s leading budgetary advisors to discuss some dire signs of what one staff member called a “pasta bowl recession.”

The city’s top finance experts said the city should be cautious as it potentially heads into a period of stagnant economic growth — if not outright decline.

Opinion

Poll: Do you like the next Waterfront Park art installation?

By Vernon Miles

Published November 9, 2022 at 1:15PM

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

The kitschy I Love You sign in Waterfront Park is no more, replaced with a holiday tree, but the big news this week is the announcement of a new art project that will replace the tree early next year.

A new project by New York City-based artist Nina Cooke John called “Two Boxes of Oranges and Admonia Jackson” will be installed in March 2023 and will remain in place until November.

News

New dog grooming and daycare facility in Carlyle headed to City Council review

By Vernon Miles

Published November 8, 2022 at 2:30PM

District Dogs (image via District Dogs/Facebook)

Alexandria has its fair share of grooming salons and overnight hotels, but the Carlyle neighborhood could be getting a new one for the city’s canine companions.

Dog care facility District Dogs is headed to the City Council at a meeting on Saturday, Nov. 12. The item is docketed for the consent calendar, meaning it’s likely to be approved with little or no discussion.

News

UPDATED: Plans to light athletic fields highlights city management concerns

By Vernon Miles

Published November 8, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated November 8, 2022 at 6:11PM

Field lighting proposal at Hammond Middle School (image via City of Alexandria)

Updated 5:45 p.m. — Field lighting supporters told ALXnow the interests of neighbors and soccer players aren’t necessarily competing and share some overlapping concerns management of the fields.

Earlier: A plan to bring new lights to athletic fields around Alexandria saw a clash of supporters — who say the lights are necessary for extending play hours — against homeowners concerned about the ramifications of new late-night activity next door.

News

Scottish Christmas Walk Parade returns to Old Town early next month

By Vernon Miles

Published November 7, 2022 at 1:15PM

The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums marches in the 50th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Visit Alexandria announced today that the city’s famous Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade will be returning for its 51st year early next month.

The parade features dozens of Scottish clans represented in full regalia, along with pipe and drum bands and costumes. According to Visit Alexandria, the event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3, starting at 11 a.m.

News

Alexandria City Public Schools requests extension for high school trailers amid school expansion

By Vernon Miles

Published November 7, 2022 at 10:50AM

Minnie Howard design renderings, photo via Perkins-Eastman/Alexandria City Public Schools

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has filed a special use permit to allow it to extend the use of trailers at Alexandria City High School to 2024.

The specific temporary trailers being discussed in the special use permit are those built specifically to accommodate students displaced by the Minnie Howard campus renovation.