Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published February 11, 2022 at 5:00AM

The Alexandria waterfront along the Potomac River (staff photo by James Cullum)

Freedom House Museum aims to reopen in April — “With its purchase of Freedom House several years ago, the City of Alexandria took tangible steps to ensure that its African American history is not forgotten. Now, following a long closure due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and several renovations, the Freedom House Museum is getting ready to reopen its doors.” [Alexandria Times]

Lee-Fendall House names new executive director — “Amanda Roper takes the reins at the historic property and museum in Old Town.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Opinion

Poll: Should Virginia’s grocery tax be eliminated?

By Vernon Miles

Published February 10, 2022 at 3:00PM

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at the Safeway at the Bradlee Shopping Center on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (Photo via Eli Wilson)

Putting aside some of the drama of his visit, Gov. Glenn Youngkin spoke in Alexandria last week about a topic that even some local Democrats have expressed support for: eliminating the grocery tax.

Virginia has a 2.5% grocery tax that helps to fund public schools and transportation. One percent of that goes to local governments, while the rest goes to the state. This has created a sort of three-faction divide on the tax that doesn’t break evenly along party lines.

News

Visit Alexandria predicts tourism rebound for hotels, business travel still years behind

By Vernon Miles

Published February 10, 2022 at 1:30PM

Alexandria hotels are still hurting, but there may be some signs of relief on the horizon.

The ongoing battering of the hotel industry by Covid has been one of the biggest talking points in the budget so far: particularly because city leaders say it could lead to more tax pressure on the city’s residents.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 10, 2022 at 5:00AM

Gov. Youngkin defends school tip line as educational groups call for it to be shut down — “Eight educational groups issued a joint statement that calls on Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to ‘immediately shut down’ an email tip line created for people to report ‘divisive practices’ in schools.” [ABC]

Davidson Hospitality Group selected to operate Lorien Hotel & Spa in Old Town — “Davidson Hospitality Group announces the addition of Lorien Hotel & Spa to its management portfolio, the third Washington D.C.-area hotel to be managed under the company’s Pivot lifestyle operating vertical.” [Hospitality Net]

News

DASH leaders say city needs remote charging and more to make electric bus fleet viable

By Vernon Miles

Published February 9, 2022 at 2:30PM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

If the city wants a fully electrical bus fleet, DASH leadership said its going to need to invest in making sure buses can recharge across the city.

In a meeting with the City Council ahead of the legislative session last night, DASH General Manager Josh Baker outlined some challenges facing the city as it pushes to have a fully electric bus fleet by 2035.

News

Maryland lab uncovers more details behind an Old Town artifact

By Vernon Miles

Published February 9, 2022 at 9:50AM

X-ray of Robinson Landing South watch fob, image via Arianna Johnston/MAC Lab

An x-ray treatment of an artifact found at Robinson Terminal South has revealed more details about an artifact stuck into a strip of corrupted iron alloy.

The much smaller artifact came from the same area as the buried ships found in 2018. The artifact is a watch fob, a popular 18th and 19th-century accessory, but only part of the original piece was visible. A report by conservator Arianna Johnston from the Maryland Archeological Conservation Laboratory highlighted what their lab learned with further study.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 9, 2022 at 5:00AM

Alexandria’s St. Patrick’s Day parade postponed until September 2022 — “The word is out-no parade in March.” [Zebra]

Fairfax County considers renaming districts and voting precincts — “Five local governmental districts and voting precincts could be renamed due to their Confederate associations.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

News

Alexandria mulls adding pickleball facilities to local tennis courts

By Vernon Miles

Published February 8, 2022 at 3:45PM

Pickleball courts, via Frankie Lopez/Unsplash

Alexandria’s Park and Recreation Commission is deciding whether to add pickleball courts to more local tennis courts and is looking for public input on the decision.

At a virtual public hearing on Thursday, Feb. 17, the Commission hosting a public hearing to get public feedback on the proposal. The Commission is looking at where to put the new courts, as the funding has already been allocated for the needed infrastructure and court markings.

News

Arlandria parking lot could be transformed into park and playground

By Vernon Miles

Published February 8, 2022 at 10:50AM

Rendering of AHDC public park and courtyard, photo via AHDC

A surface parking lot in Arlandria could be converted into a park and playground for a new affordable housing development in the area.

At a meeting tonight, Alexandria’s City Council is scheduled to vote on an ordinance to sell the property at 3700 Mount Vernon Avenue, a surface parking lot in Arlandria. The property is part of a larger redevelopment project by the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) that will add 475 deeply affordable units and 38,000 square feet of commercial space.

News

Alexandria condos see assessment increase and outpace single family homes in sales

By Vernon Miles

Published February 8, 2022 at 10:10AM

While only in the conceptual phase, the Landmark Overlook development would transform the corner of South Wilkes Street and Stephenson Avenue into a mixed use property with hotels or office buildings, two-level stacked condominium units, apartments and retail. (Image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s residential property assessments are climbing this year and, for the first time in years, that includes a significant increase for condos.

Mayor Justin Wilson, in a virtual town hall last Thursday, said the assessed property value increase comes after years of that being essentially stagnant.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 8, 2022 at 5:00AM

Bill requiring seat belts on school buses falters — “Different year, same result with efforts by some in the General Assembly to require seat belts on school buses.” [Inside NoVa]

Agenda Alexandria forum to address racial inequity — “Agenda: Alexandria’s February program will provide a forum for diverse Alexandrians to discuss racial issues in the Port City. The panel will be led by a racial equity facilitator and will provide a judgement-free zone for all to tell their stories.” [Twitter]