Vernon Miles | ALXnow

New grant lets Alexandrians report ‘near misses’ on local streets

Published January 28, 2022 at 10:00AM

A pedestrian tries to cross Duke St. at N. Jordan St. (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria secured a $45,000 grant to kickstart a program to identify “near misses” on local streets.

The NoVA FSS Near Miss Data Collection Survey is a form that allows pedestrians and other “vulnerable road users” to report incidents where a collision with a vehicle is narrowly missed, according to a press release from Alexandria Families For Safe Streets (AFSS). Users can also report dangerous traffic conditions and areas of roadway where they feel unsafe.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 28, 2022 at 5:00AM

Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day parade postponed — “One of Alexandria’s biggest annual parades may happen at a later date.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Old Town Shop moves business across the street in Alexandria — “After five years, Old Town Shop is moving to a new location after the old building was sold to new owners.” [Patch]

News

North Old Town power plant plans get a taste of Dutch design

By Vernon Miles

Published January 27, 2022 at 2:15PM

GenOn Power Plant (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Plans for the GenOn plant redevelopment aim to swap out the area’s current Chernobyl-chic with a Dutch design concept to prioritize pedestrians and bicyclists over cars.

In a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission last week, representatives from Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP) said the two main routes through the planned development will be split between one intended for vehicle traffic and one that prioritizes pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The latter is called a woonerf and has been implemented in the Netherlands since the 1970s.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 27, 2022 at 5:00AM

Rudy’s moves closer to opening in Kingstowne — “The new golf and restaurant venue is hiring.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Looking for a few tips on parking in Old Town Alexandria? — “Parking in Old Town Alexandria is a breeze if you know which streets have meters, where the City garages and lots are, and have a few tricks up your sleeve.” [Zebra]

News

Goth overhaul and rebranding planned for North Old Town Holiday Inn

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2022 at 3:45PM

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

The Electra America Hospitality Group sees Alexandria’s red brick facade and wants it painted black.

The Holiday Inn Express in North Old Town could be rebranded to Hotel AKA as the hotel appears to move into an emo phase. A request for alterations to the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) includes a number of changes for the hotel at 625 First Street and 510 Second Street, perhaps most notably a new coat of black paint on the brick facade.

News

Alexandria man convicted of raping coworker

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2022 at 2:40PM

Steven Orellana, photo courtesy Alexandria Sheriff's Office

Alexandria resident Steven Orellana was found guilty yesterday (Tuesday) for rape of a coworker in 2019.

The 32-year-old Orellana was dating the victim and they were coworkers, according to a press release from the Commonwealth Attorney’s office.

News

Alexandria makes progress on virtual meetings and flood prevention legislation

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2022 at 11:00AM

Douglass Memorial Cemetery following flood damages in 2021 (photo courtesy Michael Johnson)

Alexandria has had a few promising starts so far in the 2022 legislative session, with preliminary funding and authority granted on some key issues.

In a legislative update to the City Council last night (Tuesday), Legislative Director Sarah Graham Taylor outlined some of the early successes.

Opinion

Poll: Should Alexandria ban gas-powered leafblowers?

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2022 at 9:45AM

Leafblower, photo via Philip Myrtorp/Unsplash

Should Alexandrians have the right to use gas-powered leafblowers to clear away their yards or are they a noisy nuisance that should be blown away?

Well, right now the city can’t ban them even if they wanted to, but the city’s legislative package includes a request for localities to get permission to prohibit the use of gas-powered leafblowers as both an environmental hazard and a nuisance for neighbors.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2022 at 5:00AM

Bonchon Chicken opens new Alexandria restaurant — “South Korean chicken chain opens its first restaurant in the City of Alexandria.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

George Washington Birthday Parade on Feb. 21 highlights month-long celebration in Alexandria — “This afternoon Visit Alexandria announced more than a dozen events that will take place next month to celebrate George Washington’s birthday.” [Zebra]

News

City looks to tamp down on buskers, leafblowers, and other noises

By Vernon Miles

Published January 25, 2022 at 2:45PM

Using a leaf blower on the snow on King Street, Feb. 18, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is hoping to cut back on the noise nuisance from leafblowers and street buskers.

At a Waterfront Commission meeting last week, city staff discussed changes made to the noise code in December.

News

Artists and city leaders express hopes and fears for Torpedo Factory future

By Vernon Miles

Published January 25, 2022 at 10:00AM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town(staff photo by James Cullum)

The underlying idea behind last night’s (Monday) Agenda Alexandria discussion about the Torpedo Factory Art Center is that everyone involved wants the best for the facility. However, there are very divergent ideas about whether stagnation or change will kill the beloved Old Town art facility.

The panel discussion followed months of back-and-forth between city officials and artists over a suite of potential changes to the Torpedo Factory.