Vernon Miles | ALXnow

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

Published July 22, 2022 at 3:45PM

Two people were killed in the 200 block of Century Drive on Saturday, July 16, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The big news in Alexandria this week was a double homicide in the West End and the news later that the suspect had been released from jail in Arlington earlier this year.

Former Mayor Kerry Donley also died of a heart attack last week with funeral services scheduled for this Sunday, July 24.

Opinion

Poll: Should Duke Street traffic changes become permanent?

By Vernon Miles

Published July 22, 2022 at 2:30PM

Traffic on Duke Street in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria said the results from traffic changes piloted on Duke Street earlier this year were promising, with the city starting to plan out Phase 2 next month.

The pilot changed signal timing, adding green time on Duke Street and Quaker Lane from 4-6 p.m. to encourage drivers to stay on the arterial roads.

News

Alexandria’s Noah Lyles breaks American record in 200 meters

By Vernon Miles

Published July 22, 2022 at 10:00AM

Noah Lyles comes home to Alexandria City High School, Tuesday, September 7, 2021. (Via Elijah Walter Griffin, Sr.)

Blink and you’ll miss it. Alexandria’s Noah Lyles broke the American record in the 200 meter race at the track and field World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on Thursday (July 21).

Lyles clocked in at 19.31 seconds, breaking Michael Johnson’s 200 meter record of 19.32 seconds, which was set at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

News

City says Duke Street changes have kept more traffic off neighborhood streets

By Vernon Miles

Published July 21, 2022 at 2:30PM

Traffic backup heading eastbound along Duke Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

City staff say that initial findings from a mitigation pilot along Duke Street earlier this year show the project was mostly successful in keeping traffic off neighborhood streets.

In a small update (page 10) prepared for the Traffic and Parking Board, city staff said initial findings showed the Duke Street Traffic Mitigation Pilot — which ran from January-April — mostly accomplished what it set out to do.

News

Samuel Madden redevelopment headed to public review after mixed response from BAR

By Vernon Miles

Published July 21, 2022 at 10:45AM

Rendering of new proposed Samuel Madden development (image courtesy ARHA)

After a contentious Board of Architectural Review (BAR) meeting, plans for the redevelopment of Samuel Madden Homes in the Braddock neighborhood are headed back to public review at a meeting next week.

The City of Alexandria said in a release that a community meeting for the proposed redevelopment is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, at 6 p.m. in the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street).

News

All-affordable housing development in Fairlington to open this fall

By Vernon Miles

Published July 20, 2022 at 2:15PM

A conceptual rendering of The Waypoint at Fairlington (Image via Wesley Housing)

Nearly two years after the project broke ground, The Waypoint housing development (2451 Menokin Drive) in the Fairlington neighborhood is scheduled to open in September.

The project, led by affordable housing developer Wesley Housing, is scheduled to have a grand opening celebration on Sept. 28.

News

Sidewalk sale returning to Old Town next month

By Vernon Miles

Published July 20, 2022 at 1:00PM

Sidewalk sale, via Visit Alexandria/Facebook

Alexandria’s annual Summer Sidewalk Sale is returning next month.

The sale will feature over 40 local boutiques from around the city including local favorites like Old Town Books, fibre space and The Dog Park, Visit Alexandria said in a release. As the name suggests, the sale will feature sales set up outside stores along King Street in Old Town.

News

Acclaimed local pizza chain Andy’s Pizza coming to Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published July 20, 2022 at 9:30AM

Andy's Pizza (image courtesy Emily Brown)

A new special use permit shows that regional pizza chain Andy’s Pizza could be coming to the former Meggrolls space (107 North Fayette Street) in Old Town.

The local pizza chain made waves last year after winning the top prize for New York-style pizza in the International Pizza Challenge.

News

New program to help parents talk with kids about race and identity coming to Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published July 19, 2022 at 2:30PM

A Black Lives Matter demonstration at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Old Town, June 4, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A new grant-funded program is coming to Alexandria this fall to help parents talk to children about issues around race and privilege.

The program, called Conversations About Race & Belonging, is run through a local organization called Open Horizon and is launching in Alexandria this fall.

Opinion

Poll: Do you take pride in Alexandria being older than the United States?

By Vernon Miles

Published July 15, 2022 at 9:45AM

Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker at Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 10, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s birthday celebration was this past weekend, and the annual holiday wouldn’t be complete without a somewhat petty post noting that the City of Alexandria predates the United States.

It was the city’s 273rd birthday, recognized as July 10, with the country’s more obscure 246th birthday being placed around July 4.

News

Seminary Hill and North Ridge slated for street resurfacing this month

By Vernon Miles

Published July 13, 2022 at 3:45PM

North Jordan Street, slated for street repaving (image via Google Maps)

July is packed with holidays in Alexandria: Independence Day, the city’s birthday, and most importantly peak street repaving season.

The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services unveiled the latest batch of streets targeted for resurfacing and maintenance over the next two weeks, many of them around the Seminary Hill and North Ridge neighborhoods: