Alloy Personal Training held a grand opening for a new studio this weekend at 1070 N. Fayette Street in the Braddock neighborhood.
The new studio — with the somewhat geographically loose title Alloy Personal Training Old Town — celebrated its ribbon cutting on Saturday, March 23. Alexandria Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce joined Alexandria resident and studio owner Russ Merbeth at the opening.
“We cater to people of all fitness levels,” said Alloy Personal Training studio owner Merbeth. “Our personal training system is uniquely focused on clients who want to be in the best shape of their lives — not just the younger set that many gyms target. We know that people do better with personal coaching, encouragement, support, and accountability. Our clients want to look good, feel great, and live life to the fullest.”
The studio is offering a “First Session is on Us” special.
There are 240 Alloy Personal Training locations nationwide, but the new studio is the first in Alexandria.
The conversion of some King Street blocks to pedestrian zones has been a fairly popular move. Now, the city is merging those long-term planning efforts with waterfront flood mitigation, hopefully streamlining improvements to the 100 and unit blocks of King Street.
A report prepared for a Traffic and Parking Board meeting later today (Monday) said the city is looking at long-term plans for the pedestrian zones as well as incorporating the project into the broader waterfront flood mitigation plans.
“Staff have been working closely with the Department of Project Implementation and representatives from the community to advance the Lower King Street Long Term Closure Project,” the report said. “The long-term project seeks to create a more active and engaging pedestrian and user experience in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.”
The report said combining the projects should help streamline various design elements and run a little more efficiently.
“By combining the two projects into a single delivery, the City will ensure the design, stormwater, utility, infrastructure elements, and construction sequencing of the two projects are fully coordinated to maximize efficiency and reduce costs and risks to the City,” the report said.
Design for the Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project — now including the Lower King Street Long Term Closure Project — is scheduled for design in the summer and fall 2025, with construction to start in fall 2025.
A public presentation and open house on the projects is scheduled for 7 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Charles Houston Rec Center (901 Wythe Street).
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny with a high near 55. Increasing clouds tonight with a low around 37 and cloudy tomorrow.
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Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said a last-ditch effort to pair the Potomac Yard arena with a Fairfax casino was “disappointing.”
The Washington Post reported over the weekend that an alternative plan formed between political leaders and developers to merge the arena and the Northern Virginia casino.
Apparently, however, both Monumental owner Ted Leonsis and Gov. Glenn Youngkin shot down the proposal before it could get off the ground.
Wilson said the proposal would circumvent the public process and isn’t how business should be done in Virginia.
This is not the way that business should be done in our Commonwealth.
The City has worked to give Alexandrians an opportunity to consider a unique economic development opportunity.
This is disappointing.https://t.co/jCa45s4i5G
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) March 24, 2024
📈 Friday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Mar 22, 2024.
Updated 3/23 — A spokesperson from Monumental Sports and Entertainment responded “We fundamentally disagree with the Attorney General’s opinions, which are contradicted by the DC General Counsel as recently as 2019 when the city ratified the Ground Lease.”
Even as Monumental Sports and Entertainment faces an uncertain future for its Potomac Yard plans, D.C. could be throwing a new legal challenge into the mix, Washington City Paper first reported.
The letter from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said that D.C. publicly financed $50 million in extensive improvements to the current arena in Chinatown in 2007, ten years after it opened, and part of that agreement was a condition to play home games at the arena through 2047.
#BreakingNews – DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb tells Ted Leonsis in a stern letter this week that Leonsis’ DC contract means Leonsis cannot legally move his Caps & Wizards teams to Virginia until 2047 — 2047, that Leonsis can’t just pay off bonds early & move in 2027. @wcp
— Tom Sherwood (@tomsherwood) March 22, 2024
“The Council expressly conditioned that public financing on [DC Arena LP’s] commitment to extend the original ground lease for an additional 20 years, thereby ensuring the District and its taxpayers that the Wizards and the Capitals would continue to play their home games at the arena through 2047,” Schwalb said.
Schwalb went on to say the 2007 legislation did not authorize [DC Arena LP] to extinguish or revoke the lease extensions upon prepayment of the outstanding bond debt.
Schwalb said D.C.’s conclusion is Monumental Sports and Entertainment is obligated to keep the Wizards and Capitals at the arena through 2047.
“I am advising you that the District does not agree with your legal conclusion that MSE’s proposed arena move to Virginia does not violate or breach its legal obligations to the District,” the letter said. “To be clear, the District very much prefers not to pursue any potential claims against MSE. It remains committed to maintaining and growing its partnership with MSE and to keeping the Wizards and Capitals at the arena until the end of the existing lease term in 2047, if not beyond.”
BREAKING: DC's attorney general told Monumental Sports on Monday they can't move the Washington Capitals and Wizards from DC until 2047, citing a 2007 bond/lease agreement. @DCAttorneyGen says Monumental can't break agreement even if they paid off bond debt early. @DCNewsNow pic.twitter.com/qX3LBqoC62
— Ben Dennis DC News Now (@broadcastben_) March 22, 2024
A new piece of art is making an impact on Alexandria’s waterfront.
The art piece Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact) was installed this week in Alexandria’s Waterfront Park. The work represents the asteroid that impacted with Earth 35 million years ago and helped shape the Chesapeake Bay.
The work was crafted by Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang. It’s the sixth piece of public artwork installed at Alexandria’s Waterfront Park and will be on display from March through November 2024.
“We want this representation of the asteroid and its impact to raise awareness of the fragility of our shared existence on this planet and the extraordinary (and sometime extraterrestrial) foundation of our modern cities and waterways.” Klimoski said on the project’s website. “We all share this one planet and live within the history of events that shaped it. Sometimes you have to look at it from the point of view of an asteroid hurtling through space 35,000,000 years ago to appreciate just how incredible it is we’re here at all.”
Scene from my Thursday morning run:
Is it an asteroid or a new approach to flood mitigation on our waterfront?
(It’s actually “Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact),” our newest public art installation in Waterfront Park!) pic.twitter.com/e7pBm90E1I
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) March 21, 2024
Like the sandworms of Dune, Alexandria’s own subterranean burrowing creature has become an object of reverence among local infrastructure geeks. The city’s boring machine, Hazel, is getting a public celebration next month.
AlexRenew is hosting a Mining Completion Open House on Saturday, April 13, celebrating Hazel’s return to the surface earlier today (Thursday).
The machine returned to the surface today for the first time since November 2022. Over the last 16 months, its been building a 2.2 mile tunnel under the city, aimed at preventing millions of gallons of combined sewage from spilling into the Potomac River.
“The subterranean star of the RiverRenew program has completed her two-mile-long journey to protect Alexandria’s waterways,” AlexRenew said in an event listing. “Join AlexRenew for a celebratory open house to meet the team and get a once-in-a-lifetime photo opp with Hazel the TBM.”
The event is scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 501 N. Union Street.
While the project is over 70% complete, the program likely won’t meet its state-mandated July 2025 deadline and it was given a one-year extension.
On March 25, 2021, Floyd Neal and a co-conspirator robbed the Walgreens Pharmacy at 4515 Duke Street at gunpoint, stealing between $7,000 to $10,000 from a safe, according to an indictment.
Neal, a 32-year-old D.C. resident, pleaded guilty to the Alexandria robbery and a string of pharmacy robberies across Maryland and Virginia in 2021. Between Feb. 14 and April 1, Neal and other robbers hit four locations across Virginia and Maryland, from Henrico, Virginia to Beltsville, Maryland.
Neal pleaded guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting. He also pleaded guilty to using, carrying and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, according to a release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to the release:
On March 25, 2021, Neal and a co-conspirator traveled from the District to a pharmacy in Alexandria, Virginia. They entered the store wearing yellow construction vests and posed as customers by grabbing beer. Then the co-conspirator shouted “Give me all the money. Oh, you think I’m playing,” as he reached toward his waistband to indicate that he had a firearm. The men ordered two employees into the store’s office before taking between $7,000 to $10,000 from the safe. The men fled in a 2005 silver sedan.
Sentencing for Neal is scheduled for June 21 and he faces a maximum of life in prison for using a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, as well as 20 years in prison for each robbery.
Image via Google Maps
Warwick Village, a neighborhood at the northern end of Del Ray, is bringing back the Warwick Village Mega Yard Sale next month.
The sale is set to return on Saturday, April 13, from 8 a.m. to noon across the neighborhood’s 12 streets.
Locals can sign up on the Warwick Village website to host a sale, publicize the information, or just help in some other capacity.
Mark Your Calendars! The Warwick Village Mega Yard Sale returns on Saturday, 4/13 from 8 AM-12 PM! Come shop amazing sales and deals spread across our 12 streets in #delrayva. To sign-up to participate, visit https://t.co/KFwRNgR4E6 #alexandriava #yardsales #visitdelray pic.twitter.com/IIm4J5GG5i
— Warwick Village Citizens Association (WVCA) (@WarwickCitizens) March 19, 2024
After months of discussion, Alexandria’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) voted in favor of a recommendation that City Council pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The workroom in City Hall was packed to standing-room-only with supporters of the ceasefire resolution who have been active for months in both Human Rights Commission meetings and City Council public hearings calling for a ceasefire resolution.
While there have been conflicts between Israel and Palestine for decades, the latest conflict started on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. After the attack, Alexandria’s City Hall was lit in blue and white in support of Israel.
Alexandria City Hall is lit in the Blue and White as we stand with Israel and against the murderous terrorism of Hamas. pic.twitter.com/qLVwx8Oevr
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) October 11, 2023
Since then, Israel’s attack on Gaza has caused extensive civilian casualties and devastated much of Gaza. Several cities around the United States have issued calls for a ceasefire.
There’s been resistance to a ceasefire in Alexandria, however. The HRC had planned to vote on a resolution in February but was told that Commissions cannot pass resolutions and can only make recommendations to the city. The HRC was also told by a member of city staff that three elected officials asked that the HRC not send them a resolution on an international issue.
The HRC held off on voting on the issue until they could meet with the Office of the City Attorney, but a letter sent by City Attorney Cheran Ivery said “given what I have been told transpired at the most recent HRC meeting, I do not believe that would be a productive interaction, so I respectfully decline.
Ivery said in the letter that the HRC does not have the authority to pass resolutions, but that it can communicate its position to the City Council on a topic:
As previously stated in writing, and reiterated to the HRC by staff, it is the opinion of my office that the HRC lacks the authority to pass resolutions. This opinion has nothing whatsoever to do with the subject matter of any proposed resolution. Should the HRC desire to communicate its position to the city council on any topic, it certainly may do so in several different ways,e.g., a letter, report, or memorandum,to name a few mechanisms.
Much of the discussion from the HRC was on crafting language in their recommendation to avoid making it sound too much like a resolution, substituting instances of “request” and “call” to a softer “recommend.”
The final resolution read:
Recommendation to Join Representative Don Beyer in a call for a long-lasting Ceasefire in Gaza
The Alexandria Human Rights Commission accompanies our Jewish and Palestinian residents in their suffering in light of the horrific attacks of October 7th and the catastrophic loss of civilian life that has followed in Gaza. During its last three meetings, the Commission has heard about the extreme emotional pain experienced by Alexandria residents who have strong personal ties to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. These residents feel that their voices are not being heard as decisions directly affecting them are made by City, state, and federal officials.
Alexandria is a diverse city that welcomes people hailing from all corners of the globe and practicing all religions. Consistent with the maxim that all human life is precious and must be protected, the City will not tolerate any acts of violence or hatred, including any antisemitic, Islamophobic, anti-Palestinian, or anti-Arab acts against our residents or visitors. Residents may contact the Office of Human Rights if they are aware of any such events or have concerns to express.
After several months of hearing heartbreaking testimony, the Alexandria Human Rights Commission finds it imperative that we recommend the City Council to call for a durable ceasefire. Several cities around the country have adopted resolutions containing similar calls.
The Human Rights Commission of the City of Alexandria recommends that our City Council join us in echoing the call of Alexandria’s U.S. Representative Don Beyer on December 4th for a “durable ceasefire to secure the release of all hostages, a halt to attacks on Israel, the protection of civilian lives in Gaza, and an end to the appalling loss of life from this conflict.”
“This is about right and wrong,” said Matt Harris. “I think we’ve done the right thing here calling for a ceasefire in this terrible situation.”
Others said they regretted how long the process had taken.
“Several of us regret very much how long it has taken,” Tom Reeder said.
The recommendation passed with 13 in favor and one abstaining.
There were around 30 activists gathered at the far end of the room, many of them with signs sharing the names and photos of civilians killed in Gaza.
Comments from the audience expressed appreciation to the HRC for its work, saying the fight will continue with trying to get Alexandria’s City Council to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire.
“This issue has brought us public participation on an unprecedented scale,” said Marc Bendick Jr. “I hope that you will continue to be active in the city on many issues. Feel free at any time to come to this Commission because you have enriched us in this process.”
A large part of the discussion was also from members of the HRC encouraging activists to continue their work in Alexandria, combating both antisemitism and Islamophobia. Commission members also used the unique level of attendance at the meeting to encourage activists to:
- Apply for vacancies on Alexandria Boards and Commissions
- Volunteer with local non-profit ALIVE!
- Spread word about the Gerry Bertier Scholarship and John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Award
(Updated 4:30 p.m.) The Alexandria Police Department arrested an adult man wanted for murder in Huntersville, North Carolina early this morning in Old Town.
Alexandria Police Department Communications Manager Tracy Walker said police received a “be on the lookout” notice and observed the suspect’s vehicle at 11:50 p.m. Police identified the suspect as 53-year-old Rahman Ferguson. He is being held in the Alexandria Adult Detention Center awaiting extradition.
Police began pursuing Ferguson, who stopped his vehicle and fled. Walker said a perimeter was established at Madison and Rivergate Place near Oronoco Bay Park. Support was called in from neighboring jurisdictions with canine units and a helicopter from Fairfax County.
Around 2:20 a.m. the Ferguson was located and arrested without incident, police said.
UPDATE 2: @AlexandriaVAPD just detained someone they believe is the murder suspect from North Carolina who had been on the loose in Old Town since just before midnight. He was captured near homes off of Irongate Place near the river north of Madison St. They believe this is the… https://t.co/u9h2RQRPpy
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 20, 2024
Image via Google Maps
