Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published January 6, 2021 at 9:00AM | Updated January 6, 2021 at 9:18AM

Citizens’ Association Frustrated With ADU Policy Progress — “NRCA supported eight reasonable restrictions and prohibitions on ADUs…we are very disappointed that the vast majority of [our] comments and proposals were not included in the current version of the policy.” [Twitter]

Over 60 Restaurants Participate in January Restaurant Week — “For an extended two-week period, more than 60 restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia, will offer a $49 takeout, delivery or curbside pick-up dinner for two during Alexandria Restaurant Week To-Go, January 22 – February 7, 2021.” [Zebra]

News

Alexandria Gazette Raises $10,000 in First Week of Fundraiser

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2021 at 2:30PM | Updated January 5, 2021 at 4:07PM

The Connection Newspapers, like many local news organizations across the country, has been hit with a drop-off in advertising during the pandemic. Now, with the network of local papers on its last legs, the Alexandria Gazette Packet has gotten a groundswell of support from the community it’s covered for around 200 years.

The GoFundMe fundraiser aimed at helping to save the paper has earned $10,982 of its $50,000 goal since it launched on Christmas Eve.

News

Meeting Tomorrow to Discuss Future of Inova Alexandria Hospital Site

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2021 at 1:45PM | Updated January 5, 2021 at 4:12PM

(Updated 4 p.m.) Shortly after the first community meeting on plans for Landmark Mall, Inova is planning to host a second meeting tomorrow to discuss potential rezoning of Inova Alexandria Hospital’s current Seminary Hill site.

Current plans for the hospital are to be rezoned and redeveloped as residential properties, a move that has drawn some praise from local civic associations, according to Alexandria Living Magazine.

News

Old Town Parking Garage to be Replaced With Townhouses

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2021 at 12:45PM | Updated January 6, 2021 at 9:04AM

101 Duke Street (rendering via Eleventh Street Development LLC)

(Updated 1/6/21) A brick parking garage at 101 Duke Street, planted squarely in the heart of Old Town, could be redeveloped into six new townhouses.

At a Board of Architectural Review meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 21, a development proposal by Cummings Investment Associates Inc. is docketed for a concept review.

News

Poll: How Do You Feel About Landmark Redevelopment?

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2021 at 11:45AM | Updated January 5, 2021 at 1:28PM

Landmark Mall rendering (image via City of Alexandria)

(Updated 1:25 p.m.) It’s been a couple weeks since plans for Inova Health System to spearhead redevelopment of Landmark Mall were announced, and in the last few days more details have emerged.

In a meeting last night, developers outlined plans to build a state-of-the-art medical facility with a trauma center, helipad, 230 patient rooms and more. The project will also reportedly come with 4 million square feet of new development, including housing, retail, and other uses.

News

Reminder: Holding a Cellphone While Driving Now Illegal

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2021 at 10:30AM

The Alexandria Police Department has put out a reminder — and a quick explainer — that a new law that went into effect this year makes holding a cellphone while driving illegal.

“One resolution we hope everyone makes is to go hands-free while driving a vehicle,” the police department said. “Virginia had over 23,000 distracted driver crashes in 2019, resulting in 120 deaths. January 1 signifies the first day that the new hands-free law goes into effect statewide. The new law prohibits anyone from driving a motor vehicle while holding a cell phone or other handheld personal communications device, even if the driver isn’t looking at or using the device.:

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2021 at 9:00AM

Details Emerge in New Landmark Mall Plan — “Construction will happen over several years, likely starting with the demolition of the Landmark Mall building as early as 2022.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Office of Historic Alexandria Debuts Parker-Gray Commemorative Website — “Today the Office of Historic Alexandria launched a website to honor the opening of Parker-Gray High School in 1920. The page provides a wealth of history, including information about alumni, staff, and faculty.” [Zebra]

News

Police: Confirmed Shots Fired In the West End

By Vernon Miles

Published January 4, 2021 at 5:10PM

Police are currently investigating a “shots fired” incident in the West End, a few blocks from John Adams Elementary School.

Senior Public Information Officer Amanda Paga told ALXnow that the incident occurred on the 5700 block of Dunster Court. Paga said police confirmed that evidence of shots fired was recovered at the scene, but there were no reported injuries. Police are currently investigating.

News

ACT for Alexandria Launches Alexandria Resilience Fund

By Vernon Miles

Published January 4, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated January 4, 2021 at 4:05PM

After working as close partners through the pandemic, the City of Alexandria and community non-profit ACT for Alexandria have come together to launch a new program called the Alexandria Resilience Fund.

The new fund focuses on allocating funding to organizations dedicated to addressing the racial inequalities exhibited in coronavirus’ impact. The fund looks specifically to support nonprofits that have histories of supporting marginalized communities in Alexandria.

News

Developers to Host Meeting Tonight on Landmark Mall Redevelopment

By Vernon Miles

Published January 4, 2021 at 2:30PM

Landmark Mall rendering (image via City of Alexandria)

The primary forces behind the Landmark Mall redevelopment are hosting a meeting tonight to discuss upcoming details of the project.

Foulger-Pratt, Inova Health System, City of Alexandria are hosting a virtual meeting tonight (Monday) from 7-8:30 pm. to discuss plans for the joint four million-square-foot project that will include a new medical campus at the former Landmark Mall. Plans call for a project that would revitalize the West End with a “new mixed-use, walkable urban village.”

News

Wilkes Street Tunnel Added to Online ‘Atlas Obscura’

By Vernon Miles

Published January 4, 2021 at 1:45PM

Any Alexandrian who has gone up and down the waterfront has passed, or even walked through, the Wilkes Street Tunnel.

The tunnel’s ties to the area’s industrial history were recently documented in the online local history repository Atlas Obscura.