Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Sandwich Chain Jersey Mike’s Opens in West End

Published February 16, 2021 at 4:30PM

Popular sandwich franchise Jersey Mike’s Subs has opened a new location at 360 S. Pickett Street in the West End Village.

The new location opened between Taste of Asia and Mediterranean Bakery and Cafe in the former location of Ace Wig and Hair, but has been empty since at least 2018.

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Torpedo Factory Overhaul Heads to City Council Next Month

By Vernon Miles

Published February 16, 2021 at 2:30PM

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

A plan to reinvigorate the Torpedo Factory is headed to the City Council for review early next month after a quick introduction last Tuesday.

The city took over the Torpedo Factory Art Center in 2016 and relations with the artists in the facility have sometimes been tense, with disagreements over how leases should be handled and some artists expressing frustrations at ongoing rent during the pandemic.

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Developers Lay Out Multi-Year Timeline for GenOn Plant Redevelopment

By Vernon Miles

Published February 12, 2021 at 2:30PM | Updated February 12, 2021 at 3:59PM

Concept rendering for redeveloped GenOn site (image via Hilco)

The GenOn Plant on the Potomac is getting redeveloped, but don’t expect to see mixed-use development on the site anytime soon.

The first public meeting for the planned development was held last night (Thursday) and mainly served as a meet-and-greet for the community and the developers.

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What’s Closed for Presidents’ Day in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published February 12, 2021 at 11:30AM | Updated February 12, 2021 at 12:04PM

George and Martha Washington wave at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 17, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Presidents’ Day, or George Washington Day as it’s called in Alexandria, will come with some closures.

All city offices will be closed. Parking enforcement will be suspended that day for metered spaces and residential permit parking districts. Other closed facilities include:

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Redesign of Wilkes Street Park and Trail Headed to City Review

By Vernon Miles

Published February 11, 2021 at 4:30PM | Updated February 11, 2021 at 5:13PM

While debate continues over the Heritage development, the city has turned its eyes towards a proposed revitalization of the park running through the heart of the development.

The plan to revitalize Wilkes Street Park envisions turning the area between S. Alfred Street and S. Columbus Street into a park with ply areas, seating and passive areas along with an improve multi-use trail.

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Director of Finance: Alexandria’s Real Estate Assessments Are a ‘Tale of Two Markets’

By Vernon Miles

Published February 11, 2021 at 3:30PM

For Sale sign (file photo)

City staff said at a meeting earlier this week that, for the local real estate market, it is both the best of times and the worst of times.

While Alexandria’s taxable property value continued to increase dramatically, on the ground property owners face very different realities in the city based on whether that property is residential or commercial.

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New Torpedo Factory Exhibit Blends In-Person and Virtual

By Vernon Miles

Published February 11, 2021 at 1:30PM

A new exhibit at the Torpedo Factory Art Center set to launch tomorrow aims to blend the virtual and in-person tourism that’s likely to be a cornerstone for local galleries as the pandemic rages on.

The series is called Movements, Moments and features six filmed movement-based performances as part of a larger gallery featuring 20 artists.

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Poll: Do You Plan to Vote in the City Council and Mayoral Elections?

By Vernon Miles

Published February 10, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated February 10, 2021 at 4:25PM

Alexandria’s City Council and Mayoral races are starting to heat up as new candidates throw their hats into the ring.

With Councilwoman Redella “Del” Pepper and Elizabeth Bennett-Parker announcing that they will not be running for reelection — with the latter running for the 45th District House of Delegates seat — there are at least two guaranteed new City Council members that will serve on the six-person body.

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Exercise Clothing Store Athleta to Replace La Tasca in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published February 10, 2021 at 11:30AM

A new women-focused athletic wear chain Athleta could replace the now-closed tapas restaurant La Tasca at 607 King Sreet.

According to a filing at the Board of Architectural Review for the March 3 meeting, Athleta owner Gap Inc. is seeking permits to restructure the store to better function as retail. The storefront windows would be replaced with larger, aluminum framed ones and the front door replaced with a new glass one.

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Mayor Says Comcast Data Throttling Highlights Danger of Company’s Internet Monopoly

By Vernon Miles

Published February 10, 2021 at 10:30AM

Comcast sent shockwaves through localities in the northeast with plan to implement data caps, and Mayor Justin Wilson said this emphasizes more than ever the need to break the cable company’s monopoly on internet in Alexandria.

“It’s frustrating to see Comcast put new policy in place…basically data caps,” Wilson said. “They’ve said there’s a small number of customers who would be impacted by this, but in the end it’s not great timing.”

News

Mark Center Office Building Sold for $71.7 Million

By Vernon Miles

Published February 9, 2021 at 2:30PM | Updated February 11, 2021 at 12:11PM

(Updated 2/11) One of the prominent office buildings in the Mark Center, 2001 N. Beauregard, has been sold for $71.7 million to a Mexican real estate investment firm..

The Mark Center is a West End office park that served as a hub for Department of Defense offices before 2005 Base Realignment and Closure forced many of those offices to relocate to more secure facilities.