Vernon Miles | ALXnow

What happened to Alexandria’s St. Elmo neighborhood?

Published October 12, 2021 at 1:05PM

St. Elmo neighborhood (photo via Stonebridge Associates Inc.)

As plans to redevelop the Oakville Triangle move forward, part of that revitalization could involve the resurrection of an older neighborhood name: St. Elmo.

There are remnants of the St. Elmo name, like the coffee shops in Del Ray and North Old Town, but by and large, it’s one that’s fallen by the wayside. According to an application, developer Stonebridge Associates is hoping to turn a road through the Oakville Triangle into St. Elmo Way as a tie to the old neighborhood.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 12, 2021 at 5:00AM

Henry Cali, a 10-year-old Dachshund with misshapen front paws, is strapped to the back of a bicycle in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Wegmans hiring event Tuesday for new Alexandria store — “Wegmans Food Markets is hosting a virtual hiring event Tuesday, Oct. 12, seeking to fill more than 350 part- and full-time positions across 14 stores throughout the Virginia area, including the Wegmans opening in spring 2022 at 150 Stovall St., in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood, the company announced.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Vehicle overturned in Lincolnia, found empty — “4900 Bl. of Manitoba Dr. Alexandria, V.A. Fairfax Cty Fire on scene of a single vehicle overturned collision with no occupants found inside the vehicle. Occupants are believed to have fled the scene.” [DC Realtime News]

News

Police investigating stabbing in Landmark neighborhood

By Vernon Miles

Published October 12, 2021 at 12:30AM

The 100 block of South Whiting Street, via Google Maps

Police are searching the Landmark area near the 100 block of S. Whiting Street after a stabbing occurred in the area tonight.

On social media, police said the stabbing occurred around 10:45 p.m. and the adult male victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

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City Council to consider swapping parking for ‘parklets’

By Vernon Miles

Published October 11, 2021 at 9:45AM

One of the weird byproducts of the pandemic has been some rapid changes in zoning that were given widespread, impromptu pilot programs over the last year. One of those, the conversion of on-street parking to “parklets“, is being considered as a permanent zoning change.

A city presentation defined a parklet as the “conversion of an on-street parking space into an extension of the sidewalk, to be used for open space, public seating, or the use of an adjacent business for dining or retail.” Examples shown from other cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles show permanent features installed in former parking spaces.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 11, 2021 at 5:00AM

Juvenile shot on Four Mile Road — “There is police activity in the 500 block of Four Mile Road for a shooting investigation. Officers discovered a male victim with a gunshot wound around 11:50 a.m.” [Alexandria Police]

ACPS Superintendent Pleads for Return of School Resource Officers — “Escalating violence at Alexandria City High School pushed Superintendent Dr. Gregory Hutchings, Jr .to issue a public plea to reinstate School Resource Officers (SROs) in the school system.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 3:30PM

Dominion employees (image via Dominion Energy/Facebook)

A power outage on Saturday set off a week of concerns about city infrastructure, even as the city was ranked one of the best small cities in the country.

The power outage that derailed the Art on the Avenue celebration is just the latest in a long chain of outages that have hit Alexandria over the last year, giving the lie to Dominion Energy’s claim that a large outage almost exactly a year ago was a fluke. Mayor Justin Wilson has previously called the state of frequent outages unacceptable and urged Dominion to do more to upgrade its infrastructure.

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Planned bus rapid transit route from Alexandria to Tysons rolls ahead

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 2:15PM

Envision Route 7 BRT concept, photo via NVTC

A proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) route that could connect Alexandria to Tysons is moving into a new phase of study that will assess options through the Seven Corners area.

The plan is eventually to have the Envision Route 7 BRT line run from the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons down to the Mark Center, where redevelopment could help turn the area into a hub that connects with other BRT lines. In May, Fairfax County chose a route through Tysons for the BRT line.

News

How to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Alexandria and what’s open around town

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 1:15PM

Intertrival Creatives in Old Town (photo via Intertribal Creatives/Facebook)

Monday, Oct. 11, is Indigenous Peoples’ Day and there are some ways to celebrate around Alexandria, though locals should also be aware of what will be closed.

Visit Alexandria put together a list of activities locals can do around Alexandria if they’re looking for ways to celebrate Native cultures. Suggestions include shopping at Intertribal Creatives (106 N. Lee Street) gallery in Old Town — an art gallery that highlights Indigenous artists — or attending a virtual lecture on Chichén Itzá on Tuesday (Oct. 12) hosted by George Mason University professor Lisa Breglia.

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Floyd Mayweather’s boxing franchise to open Parker-Gray location next week

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 11:00AM

Mayweather Boxing crew training in Braddock before the studio opens (photo via Mayweather Boxing + Fitness Old Town West/Facebook)

A new boxing/fitness studio franchise run by champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is coming to the Parker-Gray neighborhood, with doors opening scheduled for next week.

Mayweather Boxing + Fitness, a group boxing and fitness gym, is scheduled to have a grand opening at 528 N. Henry Street on Saturday, Oct. 16. the gym will be the first Mayweather franchise location in Virginia, according to a press release.

News

City rethinks waterfront flood mitigation plans after seeing the price tag

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 9:50AM

Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The foot of King Street flooded with water is a dramatic visual that comes up nearly every time there’s flooding in Alexandria, but the city is facing some sticker shock for a long-planned fix.

At a meeting of the Waterfront Commission Flood Mitigation Committee this week, city staff presented a variety of plans that could help combat flooding on the waterfront, from a pair of cost-conscious options to options that put focus more on results than staying within budget.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 5:00AM

Bondsman in Karla Dominguez case charged — “The bail bondsman in the Karla Dominguez murder case has been charged with criminal contempt of court and faces trial in January in the Alexandria Circuit Court.” [Alexandria Times]

Yard waste collection shifts to today — “Yard Waste collection… will be collected Friday, October 8. Please accept our apologies for any inconveniences caused by this temporary suspension.” [Alexandria T&ES]