Author: Vernon Miles

Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.

News

West End office building could become new Alexandria school

By Vernon Miles
Swing space at 1703 N. Beauregard Street, via Google Maps

Three years after ACPS converted a West End office building into Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School, the school system is looking to make a similar move into a neighboring office building.

At tonight’s City Council meeting, the Council will consider funding for the purchase of 1703 North Beauregard, an office building directly across from Ferdinand T. Day.

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News

Mayor: City more vaccinated than health department data indicates

By Vernon Miles

On paper, Alexandria has had a hard time closing the gap to the city’s goal of 80% of residents getting vaccinated or even the Virginia target of 70%.

Several explanations for the challenge have been put forward, but in a town hall this week Mayor Justin Wilson put forward another: the city has already hit that goal, but the way the calculations work don’t show it.

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News

New mixed-use development headed to the heart of Chirilagua

By Vernon Miles
3811 Mount Vernon Avenue listed as proposed development, via City of Alexandria

Developer Mid-Atlantic Realty Partners is scheduled to host a meeting in two weeks to discuss a mixed-use development in the heart of Chirilagua/Arlandria.

According to a press release from the city of Alexandria, the meeting will discuss redevelopment plans for 3811-3825 Mount Vernon Avenue, currently the Mount Vernon Shopping Center. The new development, the press release said, will be a mixed-use project with multifamily residential market-rate and affordable units, along with ground floor retail including a grocery store and open space.

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News

Alexandria eyes bus rapid transit and bike lanes for Duke Street

By Vernon Miles
Duke Street near Landmark and Cameron Run (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As Alexandria works through the first stages of its Duke Street transit overhaul, city staff are laying out expectations for what’s being considered for the corridor.

In a public meeting last week, staff presented early plans for a transit-focused overhaul of Duke Street and fielded both questions and some early concerns from residents.

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News

Basilica of St. Mary bridge and expansion designs move forward

By Vernon Miles
Basilica School of Saint Mary redesign, via City of Alexandria

The Basilica of Saint Mary in Old Town is looking for city permission to make some expansions to the church grounds and make parts of the property more accessible.

The designs for a new bridge are headed to review at the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, July 21, as part of a broader process of adding to the Basilica School of Saint Mary. The church is hoping to add a new new library and media center to the campus, and install a connecting bridge that will help make the different parts of the facility more connected.

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Opinion

Poll: Are you planning to travel for 4th of July weekend?

By Vernon Miles
Traffic moves along Duke Street near N. Jordan St. (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

This coming weekend is the Fourth of July, and unlike last summer when — well, you know — travel is on the table for many Alexandrians.

Nationally, 47 million Americans are expected to travel this weekend, many of them by car, according to Travel and Leisure. It’s an estimate in line with pre-pandemic figures.

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News

Alexandria urges caution with upcoming hazardous heat conditions

By Vernon Miles
Playing at the sprayground at Potomac Yard Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s not Pacific Northwest-bad, but the National Weather Service is warning that that Alexandria could reach a heat index of 105 or higher over the next few days.

The NWS has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the next few days, with high temperatures estimated for Wednesday afternoon.

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News

Landmark Mall plan approved as Planning Commission demands better environmental considerations

By Vernon Miles
Landmark Mall rendering (image via City of Alexandria)

The plans to redevelop Landmark Mall are moving forward — but with a corollary added at the Planning Commission last week that requires the developer to step up their green energy policies and caused some tension on the Commission.

Dissatisfaction with the developer’s green energy plans were first expressed by Commissioner Stephen Koenig. He acknowledged that the developers hit the bare minimums required, but suggested the city should wield its power of approval for greater density to push for more.

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