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.
Independence Day is coming up this Monday, so here’s a look at what’s open and what’s closed that day.
On the bright side for those looking to visit Old Town or see some historic sites, a few local museums will still be open.
The topic of Business Improvement Districts (BID) is back at Alexandria’s City Council and five years after one proposal was crushed, there are signs BIDs could be seen more favorably by a new Council.
BIDs are self-taxing districts established by property owners that aim to boost the economic vitality of the commercial area. There are a handful of BIDs in Arlington in areas like Crystal City, Rosslyn and Ballston. The BIDs organize activities and events in those districts, as well as handle amenities above and beyond what the city (or county, in Arlington’s case) would typically provide. The possibility of a BID in Old Town proved unpopular among many local businesses, however, who were concerned about the additional tax.
The GenOn Power Plant redevelopment plans are headed to the City Council with the backing of staff and the Planning Commission but lingering concerns from local workers.
Hilco Redevelopment Partners’ plan is to replace the power plant on the 18.8-acre site with six blocks of new, mixed-use buildings of varying densities and heights and coordinated open space. The city is also planning to expand the boundaries of the Old Town North Arts and Cultural District to include the site.
Alexandria’s street resurfacing program is heating up over the next few months, with Del Ray and some surrounding neighborhoods getting the lion’s share.
The current round of street resurfacing is scheduled to run from June 27 (yesterday) and Friday, July 8.
The former Hank’s Oyster Bar location at 1024 King Street could become a new location for Thompson Italian, an Italian restaurant in Falls Church.
According to a new special use permit filing by “King Street Italian, LLC”, the Italian restaurant could be taking over the spot vacated by Hank’s in March when the restaurant moved to Old Town North.
After road work on I-395 was rescheduled from this weekend, the highway will see closures starting tonight.
The Virginia Department of Transportation said several lanes of I-395 between Edsall Road and Duke Street are rescheduled to close between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. tonight through Thursday night.
After taking Monday off for Juneteenth, it was a pretty light week at ALXnow until this morning, when the Supreme Court announced it was overturning Roe v. Wade.
The topic has been one extensively fought over in Alexandria this year, and many local residents and elected officials expressed dismay this morning at the decision.
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade today (Friday) in a landmark decision that will effectively ban abortion in more than a dozen states.
While Virginia is not a state with any “trigger laws” that go into effect as a result of the decision, Alexandria has seen its share of back and forth over abortion. In March, the City Council withdrew a proclamation recognizing abortion providers, a decision some on the City Council said they later regretted. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has also expressed support for banning most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The Alexandria Police Department announced that a local Taekwondo instructor has been arrested and charged with raping a juvenile victim.
“Trulynd Hall, 29, is suspected and charged with Rape – Victim Under 13,” police said in a release. “Mr. Hall is currently being held without bond in the Alexandria Adult Detention Center.”
With bus activity likely to see a significant uptick with the opening of the Potomac Yard Metro station, the city is looking at converting a turn lane on Glebe Road into a bus lane (item 5, page 8).
The plan has the dual purpose of benefitting buses and reducing the number of general-purpose lanes pedestrians have to cross.
Filipino chicken chain Jollibee announced that, after some earlier delays, the Lincolnia location is scheduled to open this Sunday, June 26.
The restaurant is opening at 4809 Beauregard Street in the Plaza at Landmark shopping center. The restaurant is scheduled to be open seven days a week from 9 a.m.-11 p.m, with both in-restaurant dining or to-go options.
