Vernon Miles | ALXnow

New wine bar and coffee shop coming to Old Town

Published March 2, 2022 at 2:30PM

1000 Cameron Street, image via City of Alexandria

A new one-stop shop for life’s essentials — coffee and wine — is coming to Old Town.

A new shop called Pluma Cafe and Wine Bar has filed a special use permit to build a restaurant at 1000 Cameron Street. According to the application, the first floor will be the coffeehouse with the wine bar on the second floor.

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Regional leaders start eyeing financing and operational questions for new Alexandria-Tysons bus-rapid transit

By Vernon Miles

Published March 2, 2022 at 11:00AM

Envision Route 7 BRT concept, photo via NVTC

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is starting to look at financing for an extensive transportation project connecting Alexandria and Tysons.

The Envision Route 7 BRT project aims to bring a high-capacity transit service running from Tysons to Mark center in Alexandria, with stops at Seven Corners, Falls Church and the East Falls Church Metro station. The project is currently undergoing a mobility study looking over traffic operations and impact, with a particular eye toward the Falls Church segment.

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Lane closures planned Wednesday on Duke Street

By Vernon Miles

Published March 1, 2022 at 2:30PM

Planned Duke Street lane closure, image via Google Maps

Drivers headed east on Duke Street in the West End tomorrow (Wednesday) be warned: lane closures could slow traffic on the major arterial road.

The right lane of eastbound Duke Street will be closed, followed by the left lane, to install temporary striping for a planned traffic shift to accommodate the Duke Street bridge rehabilitation project. The closures will run from Oasis Drive in Lincolnia to South Walker Street outside of the development-formerly-known-as-Landmark.

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Most expensive homes sold in February

By Vernon Miles

Published March 1, 2022 at 12:15PM

5075 Polk Avenue, photo via Google Maps

Last month in Alexandria’s real estate market, home prices crept up while the overall number of home sales dipped.

There were 170 home sales throughout February, with an average price increase of 6.6% compared to January, according to real estate website Homesnap.

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Stretch of waterfront could get new permanent railings

By Vernon Miles

Published March 1, 2022 at 9:40AM

Area proposed for new railing, image via City of Alexandria

A stretch of the waterfront could be getting new permanent railings after being stuck with unsightly temporary fencing for years.

The area of the waterfront at 1 Pioneer Mill Way, where BARCA Pier & Wine Bar is, could be getting a new permanent railing.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published March 1, 2022 at 5:00AM

The George Washington National Masonic Memorial bathed in the colors of the Ukranian Flag, Feb. 27, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Local burger joint honors Ukrainian President — “Burger of the Moment: The Zelenskyy” [Twitter]

Rep. Beyer seeks to sink Washington Commanders tax deal — “A Virginia congressman wants to sack a financial incentive package aimed at luring the Washington Commanders’ new stadium to the Commonwealth.” [WUSA9]

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Proposed development to replace early 20th century King Street buildings

By Vernon Miles

Published February 28, 2022 at 2:45PM

615 and 621 King Street, image via Google Maps

A pair of buildings on King Street, in the heart of Old Town, could be demolished and transformed into a new mixed-use development.

Owner Silverman Group filed an application to the city to redevelop 615 and 621 King Street as a single mixed-use building, the Washington Business Journal first reported.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 28, 2022 at 5:00AM

A pair of Mallard ducks swim in the Potomac at the Alexandria waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Man providing for family in Ethiopia killed in Duke Street crash — “A man killed in a violent car crash in Alexandria Tuesday night was working day and night to fulfill the American Dream for his wife and children in Ethiopia, family friends say.” [NBC]

Hangry Joe’s opening in Alexandria Commons — “Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken will be moving into the Alexandria Commons Shopping Center later this year.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published February 25, 2022 at 3:30PM

Walking in Old Town on President's Day, Feb. 21, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

It was a relatively quiet week in Alexandria post-parade, with most eyes fixed on the unfolding situation in Ukraine.

Around town, there were a few notable businesses closing, like Kiskadee in Del Ray, and a couple openings, like Bob and Edith’s in Old Town early next week.

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Alexandria School Board drops mask requirement for students

By Vernon Miles

Published February 25, 2022 at 2:30PM

The Alexandria School Board has overturned ordinance requiring face masks for students in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), yielding to newly passed state requirements.

The vote was, in some ways, an empty gesture. The bill signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin requires that public schools treat masks as optional for students, with no punishment for students who either choose to wear a mask or choose not to.

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Beneath the layers of local satire page ‘Alexandria Shallot’

By Vernon Miles

Published February 25, 2022 at 10:00AM

Image via Alexandria Shallot/Twitter

Like parades and being mad about development, a fixation on hyper-local politics is one of the classic, enduring features of Alexandria. It’s an environment that naturally fosters satire, and there’s one account that’s at the head of the pack.

Alexandria Shallot is a Twitter-based spin on The Onion for Alexandria, posting almost daily mock headlines about (mostly) real local issues.