Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Traffic Alert: Woodrow Wilson Bridge openings planned Tuesday night and Wednesday morning

Published January 11, 2022 at 3:30PM

An airliner approaches Ronald Reagan National Airport, viewed between the spans of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Jones Point Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Late night/early morning drivers planning to cross the Woodrow Wilson Bridge tonight might want to plan an alternate route.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said on Twitter that bridge openings are planned for 11 p.m.-4 a.m. tonight (Tuesday) through Wednesday morning.

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Alexandria’s Jones Point Lighthouse is in rough shape, and funding for repairs is scarce

By Vernon Miles

Published January 11, 2022 at 1:15PM

The Jones Point Lighthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As a symbol, the Jones Point Lighthouse represents Alexandria’s legacy as a port city. But as a building, it’s in rough shape.

The wooden lighthouse is described by the National Park Service website as “one of the last riverine lighthouses in the country,” as well as a “focal point of Jones Point Park and a clue to the area’s history as a busy commercial center and naval base.” But the building itself is in rough shape. Grime coats the outside of the structure and there’s visible damage to parts of the building. The interior is unfinished, so visitors aren’t allowed inside due to safety concerns.

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The Institute for Defense Analysis to open new Potomac Yard headquarters later this month

By Vernon Miles

Published January 11, 2022 at 9:45AM | Updated January 12, 2022 at 2:56PM

IDA Potomac Yard, photo courtesy IDA

(Updated 1/12) The Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA) is officially opening its new Potomac Yard headquarters (730 East Glebe Road) later this month, marking one of the first new office arrivals brought by the promise of the nearby Metro station.

The IDA opening would have been around the same timeframe as the Potomac Yard Metro station’s originally scheduled opening just a block or two away, but that’s been pushed back to sometime this fall. The ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 11, 2022 at 5:00AM

The Alexandria waterfront under the snow, Jan. 3, 2022. (Courtesy Mark Haney)

Police capture suspect after one killed, another injured in Hybla Valley shooting — “Police are still trying to determine what provoked a man to shoot and kill one man and injure another early Saturday evening in Hybla Valley.” [FFXnow]

‘Held Hostage by VDOT’ in Alexandria — “Locals among those stranded on I-95 during snowstorm.” [Alexandria Gazette]

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Alexandria Mayor asks city to ‘step up our masking game,’ but says mask mandate has to come from state

By Vernon Miles

Published January 10, 2022 at 2:30PM

Fresh from a bout with Covid that left Mayor Justin Wilson isolating in Spain, Wilson’s first virtual town hall of 2022 launched with a discussion of the current situation with COVID-19.

Alexandria has seen record-high levels of confirmed Covid cases thanks to the highly infections omicron variant. Wilson implored locals to swap out the simple cloth masks for more effective N95 or KN 95 masks.

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With hotel market in freefall, Alexandria considers financing luxury hotel in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published January 10, 2022 at 10:55AM

Heron, a proposed hotel development at 699 Prince Street, image via Monarch Urban

This week, the City Council is docketed (items 27 and 28) to review a proposal for the city to, in a round-about way, be involved in the financing of a new luxury hotel in Old Town.

With hotel revenue going into freefall during the pandemic, the prospect of building or renovating hotels in Alexandria hasn’t been a particularly financially appealing option, but a report prepared by Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) and city staff said that’s going to be a hit to tourism in the city as people travel again.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 10, 2022 at 5:00AM

Be cautious on morning commute — “It will be below freezing from 3am to Noon. Expect morning rush to be icy.” [Russ Adams/Twitter]

Here are the ‘to go’ and ‘in person’ options for Alexandria Restaurant Week — “For 10 days and two weekends, more than 60 restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia will offer a $35 prix fixe dinner for one or two people.” [Zebra]

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published January 7, 2022 at 3:30PM

The George Washington National Masonic Memorial under the snow, Jan. 4, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The big story this week was snow.

A snowstorm on Monday had the city working at clearing roads and putting weather-affected services back into play. There was a smaller dusting of snow last night, though it didn’t have nearly the same level of impact.

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DASH ridership inching back toward pre-pandemic levels

By Vernon Miles

Published January 7, 2022 at 9:45AM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

DASH ridership has been working its way back up toward pre-pandemic levels after a nasty slump caused by COVID-19.

In a monthly newsletter, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson shared some figures for DASH ridership from the months after the city’s new fare-free program and route adjustment was put into place.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 7, 2022 at 5:00AM

Meggrolls closes after five-year run on Fayette Street but owner hints it’s not goodbye — “Meg Baroody taped a piece of paper on the glass of her shop that announces the run on her beloved ‘meggrolls’ is over on Fayette Street in Old Town, stating ‘It’s been the greatest pleasure sharing Meggrolls with you these past 5 years,’ adding hints it will not be the last we see of her.” [Zebra]

3 new spots to look forward to in 2022 — “Foxtrot, Turkish Coffee and Lady Camellia Pastry and Tea Room are opening this year.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

News

School closed tomorrow as students and staff both get proper snow day

By Vernon Miles

Published January 6, 2022 at 5:10PM

As it turns out, Wednesday was the last day this week kids would return to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) as both students and teachers get their snow day.

At 5 p.m. today (Thursday), ACPS announced that school would be fully closed on Friday. All activities in school or on school grounds are canceled, and ACPS officials told ALXnow that there won’t be virtual school tomorrow either.