Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Police: Suspect arrested after brandishing a gun during West End road rage incident

Published October 7, 2021 at 3:40PM

Police arrested a suspect after a road rage incident near William Ramsay Elementary School (photo via Google Maps)

A suspect has been arrested after a report that they brandished a firearm at another driver during a case of severe road rage.

According to the police report, the incident occurred at the intersection of Sanger Avenue and Derby Court at 2 p.m. today (Thursday).

News

Port City ale inspired by local urban legend to return next week

By Vernon Miles

Published October 7, 2021 at 2:30PM

The grave of the mysterious Female Stranger (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria brewery Port City Brewing is bringing back an ale next week at an event that marks the anniversary of one of the city’s most famous urban legends: the Female Stranger.

The event is scheduled for next Thursday, Oct. 14, from 3-9 p.m. at Port City Brewing (3950 Wheeler Avenue). For every 16 oz pour, the brewery said $1 will be donated to the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N Royal Street).

News

Alexandria adoptable terrier Matrix looking for high-energy home

By Vernon Miles

Published October 7, 2021 at 1:15PM

The two-year-old black and white terrier is looking for adoption from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (4101 Eisenhower Ave).

Gina Hardter, a spokesperson for the AWLA, said Matrix is looking for someone who can keep up with her energy level.

Opinion

Poll: Are you excited for Halloween yet?

By Vernon Miles

Published October 7, 2021 at 10:45AM

We’re nearing the end of the first full week of October, and around the city, various homes and local businesses are starting to get into the spooky mood.

Visit Alexandria has put together a roundup of Halloween-themed activities around town. While the pandemic is still ongoing, there’s been progress since last October when some iconic Alexandria Halloween events (like Lee Street trick-or-treating) were shut down.

News

King Street-Duke Street connection closed this week

By Vernon Miles

Published October 7, 2021 at 9:30AM

Diagonal Road, closed for repaving (photo via Google Maps)

Diagonal Road, the very literally named road between Duke Street and King Street near the King Street Metro station, will be closed this week during working hours to through traffic for milling and repaving.

“Work will be performed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,” the city said in a press release. “During this time Diagonal Road will be closed to through traffic. However, access to parking garages and the Embassy Suites Hotel will be maintained from Duke Street only.”

News

New ornament celebrates Alexandria’s original trolley

By Vernon Miles

Published October 6, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated October 27, 2021 at 10:34AM

Ornament representing Car 303 of the Mount Vernon Alexandria & Washington Electric Railway (photo via Office of Historic Alexandria)

(Updated 10/27) Did you know that a little over 90 years before the King Street trolley started ferrying visitors through Old Town, another streetcar ran from Del Ray up into D.C.?

A new Christmas ornament for sale for $25 through the Office of Historic Alexandria celebrates the city’s first streetcar — which ran for 14 years before the popularity of the car helped drive it out of businesses.

News

Mark Center redevelopment could give the Hilton Hotel an overhaul

By Vernon Miles

Published October 6, 2021 at 2:30PM

Developments in Beauregard, via City of Alexandria

Right after the 100 block of King Street discussion last night, the Planning Commission approved a zoning text amendment that could let some West End developers make better use of the Mark Center site.

At the meeting, land use attorney Kenneth Wire represented the Mark Center Hilton and the Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA), two property owners at the site who have been pushing to have underutilized land around the Mark Center repurposed. Wire said the hotel owners are hoping sale of some of the property, particularly a parcel near a stormwater retention pond, could help fund a facelift for the very dated Mark Center Hilton.

News

Planning Commission endorses King Street closure despite concerns Prince Street could inherit trouble

By Vernon Miles

Published October 6, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated October 6, 2021 at 2:05PM

Captain's Row on Prince Street (photo via Google Maps)

The 100 block of Prince Street is impossible to miss. It’s where the one-way street parallel to King Street suddenly becomes a cobblestone lane called Captain’s Row. But with the 100 block of King Street closure getting a Planning Commission endorsement, one of the few remaining concerns is the potential impact on the historic street to its south.

The Planning Commission endorsed making the closure of the 100 block permanent in a pair of unanimous votes, though with some acknowledgment that there are still issues to be resolved down the road, like the need for a better barricade as originally called out at the Waterfront Commission.

News

Governor Northam announces flooding grants with some money washing up in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published October 5, 2021 at 3:40PM

The view of a flooded Strand Street from inside Mai Thai Restaurant. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is getting some state help to boost its stormwater resilience, though the city is at the lower end of the $7.8 million distributed in grants.

Governor Ralph Northam announced today that the $7.8 million would be going to 19 local projects across the Commonwealth that address flooding, sea-level rise, and extreme weather.

News

Alexandria ranked third-best small city in America in Condé Nast survey

By Vernon Miles

Published October 5, 2021 at 10:45AM

Alexandria is reclaimed its third-place ranking in this year’s Condé Nast survey of best small cities in the United States after being bumped down to fifth.

The city took 5th place in last year’s survey after winning 3rd in 2019. The survey tallied over 800,000 votes, the publication said.

News

Oakville Triangle’s townhouse portion moves forward as project pieces come together

By Vernon Miles

Published October 4, 2021 at 3:30PM

Oakville Triangle townhouse renderings (photo via Tri Pointe Homes DC Metro, Inc)

After an extensive period of community discussion and development, the new townhouse portion of the Oakville Triangle development (2610 Richmond Highway) is headed to city review later this year.

“The applicant is seeking approval of a development special use permit with site plan to construct 84 fee simple townhomes with the accompanying subdivision,” developer Tri Pointe Homes DC Metro Inc. wrote in the permit application.