Author: Vernon Miles

Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.

Opinion

Poll: Were you surprised by the Potomac Yard Metro station delay?

By Vernon Miles
Construction in Potomac Yard, staff photo by Jay Westcott

Last Friday, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced that the Potomac Yard Metro station would not be opening this fall, as they’d been insisting it would for months.

The new opening date is set as sometime in 2023. The announcement also came with an update that the shutdown cutting Alexandria off from the rest of the Metro station would be extended into November.

Go to Poll: Were you surprised by the Potomac Yard Metro station delay? Read more
News

Annual Edgar Allen Poe reenactment returns this month

By Vernon Miles
David Keltz as Edgar Allan Poe (image via City of Alexandria)

One of Alexandria’s more unique Halloween traditions, a reenactment of Edgar Allen Poe’s 19th-century speaking engagements, is set to return for two nights later this month.

Every year, The Lyceum (201 South Washington Street) hosts actor David Keltz to read a collection of Poe stories in character as the dour author.

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News

New change to Alexandria manholes could help combat some stormwater flooding

By Vernon Miles
New manhole cover (image via City of Alexandria)

It’s a change that likely won’t go noticed by many Alexandrians, but the city is making an adjustment to its manholes that could have an impact on flooding during storms.

According to Flood Action Alexandria — an ongoing newsletter highlighting flooding issues and mitigation measures in Alexandria — the City of Alexandria is working on finding a contractor to install 870 stainless steel manhole inserts around the city.

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News

Developer opens up about next steps for Landmark Mall redevelopment

By Vernon Miles
Current state of Landmark Mall (image via City of Alexandria)

Landmark Mall is gone, so what’s next?

A representative from developer Foulger-Pratt spoke at the Eisenhower West Landmark Van Dorn Implementation Advisory Group earlier this week to provide a bird’s eye view of what’s going on at the project.

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News

New e-bikes launch in Alexandria with $5 coupon

By Vernon Miles
Veo's launch announcement in Alexandria (image via Veo/Facebook)

Rental e-bike company Veo announced that it’s started to deploy 300 e-bikes across the city following a launch in September in Arlington.

The new fleet of new electric bikes all come equipped with throttle assist, meaning the toggle for the level of assistance is available on the handlebar rather than being build into the bike as part of the pedal mechanism.

Go to New e-bikes launch in Alexandria with $5 coupon Read more
News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles
A Metro train headed toward the Van Dorn Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

While it’s been a busy week in Alexandria, what’s likely the biggest story of the week dropped this afternoon as WMATA announced that the Potomac Yard Metro station has been delayed yet again.

The time, the station’s opening has been pushed back to sometime in 2023, with the shutdown of Alexandria Metro stations extended into November.

Go to ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria Read more
News

BREAKING: Potomac Yard Metro station opening pushed back to 2023

By Vernon Miles
Construction work at Potomac Yard Metro station, photo via City of Alexandria

(Updated 2:15 p.m.) The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced that the Potomac Yard Metro station’s opening will be delayed yet again.

WMATA said in a statement that the Metro shutdown impacting all of Alexandria will be extended into November and the station, set to open this fall, will not open until sometime in 2023.

Go to BREAKING: Potomac Yard Metro station opening pushed back to 2023 Read more
News

Mediterranean restaurant files permit to replace Hobbit-themed bar

By Vernon Miles
208 Queen Street (image via Google Maps)

In a hole in a mixed-use block in Old Town there lived a hobbit-themed restaurant. Not a nasty, dirty, wet development with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that meant comfort.

But the restaurant, Bilbo Baggins, closed in 2020 and now a new Mediterranean restaurant, Elaine’s, has filed an application to fill the space.

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News

West End car repair shop expanding with new dealership

By Vernon Miles
Former National Tire and Batter (image via Google Maps)

A former National Tire and Battery (NTB) in the West End could be transformed into a used car dealership if the repair shop next door can get approval.

Koons of Alexandria has filed an application for a special use permit to establish a used car dealership at the former NTB building at 5800 Edsall Road, just off S. Van Dorn Street.

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News

New cafe with ‘light fare’ coming to Alexandria’s darkest hotel

By Vernon Miles
Hotel Aka with its black color scheme, photo via EAGH Alexandria

The Electra America Hospitality Group (EAHG) has filed an application to open a new cafe with outdoor seating at Hotel AKA — an Old Town North Holiday Inn replacement at 625 First Street with a dark exterior.

The amendment to allow a cafe is bundled in with an official change of ownership special use permit headed through the city review process.

Go to New cafe with ‘light fare’ coming to Alexandria’s darkest hotel Read more
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