Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Van Dorn and Franconia-Springfield Metro closures planned next year

Published February 12, 2024 at 2:45PM

A Metro train headed toward the Van Dorn Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria was spared Metro construction work this summer, but could see closures and delays on the Blue Line next year.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) said in a release that Blue Line construction is expected sometime in summer 2025 from the Franconia-Springfield Metro station to the King Street Metro station.

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New Alexandria Interim Chief of Police sworn in

By Vernon Miles

Published February 12, 2024 at 9:40AM | Updated February 12, 2024 at 10:03AM

APD’s Assistant Chief Raul Pedroso swearing in as Interim Chief of Police (image via APD/Twitter)

There’s a new leader at the top of the Alexandria Police Department (APD).

On Friday, Feb. 9, Assistant Chief Raul Pedroso was sworn into office.

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Inova opens new Urgent Care facility south of Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published February 9, 2024 at 1:45PM | Updated May 13, 2024 at 10:47AM

New Urgent Care facility south of Alexandria (image courtesy Inova)

Inova-GoHealth opened a new facility to treat common health concerns in Fairfax — just south of Alexandria — yesterday (Thursday).

The new Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care center opened at 6218-B North Kings Highway off Richmond Highway in Belle Haven.

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Gov. Youngkin pledges ‘meaningful increase’ in Metro subsidy, but with attached conditions

By Vernon Miles

Published February 9, 2024 at 11:00AM

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at the announcement of a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals in Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Dec. 13, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Governor Glenn Youngkin visited the Potomac Yard Metro station yesterday (Thursday) to address plans for the transit system’s future, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.

While Youngkin signaled he’s open to some additional support for Metro, Youngkin also pushed back against claims from leaders like State Sen. Adam Ebbin that Metro funding is “a prerequisite” to the Potomac Yard Metro arena.

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Alexandria hosting open house next week on planned King Street changes near the Bradlee Shopping Center

By Vernon Miles

Published February 8, 2024 at 2:05PM

King Street-Bradlee Safety and Mobility Enhancements Project area (image via City of Alexandria)

The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) is hosting an open house next week on safety enhancements planned for King Street.

T&ES is planning a series of changes along King Street near the Bradlee Shopping Center. A community meeting to discuss the changes is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Fairlington Presbyterian Church (3846 King Street).

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Major Del Ray flood mitigation project to hit planning milestone this spring

By Vernon Miles

Published February 8, 2024 at 9:55AM

Flood warning signs in Del Ray (image via City of Alexandria)

The Commonwealth, Ashby, and Glebe Flood Mitigation Project — one of the largest flood mitigation projects in the city other than the huge RiverRenew project — is set to hit a planning milestone sometime this spring.

In a February Flood Action newsletter, city staff said the project is set to hit the “60% of the project design” milestone sometime this spring.

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Alexandria Chamber of Commerce endorses Potomac Yard arena plan

By Vernon Miles

Published February 7, 2024 at 3:55PM

Rendering of outdoor plaza at Monumental Arena development (image courtesy of JBG SMITH)

While the Potomac Yard arena has faced a significant amount of scorn and public scrutiny, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce threw its support behind the arena.

In a release, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce — also called Chamber ALX — said the arena is a positive opportunity for the city.

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Old Town Deli converting to Capo Italian Deli

By Vernon Miles

Published February 7, 2024 at 11:05AM

Old Town Deli at 109 N. Washington Street will be joining the regional chain Capo Italian Deli sometime over the next month.

A special use permit was filed with the City of Alexandria to rebrand the deli as Capo Deli. The Alexandria location will be the second Capo Deli location in Virginia after one in Tysons.

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Port City Brewing hosting Rom-Com trivia night next week

By Vernon Miles

Published February 7, 2024 at 9:55AM

Port City Brewing Company's Optimal Wit (image via Port City/Facebook)

Port City Brewing Company is just a brewery, standing in front of an ALXnow reader, asking them to come to trivia night.

If you’re a fan of meet-cutes and objecting at weddings, Port City has a trivia night for you coming up at the tasting room (3950 Wheeler Avenue) on Thursday, Feb. 15.

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Alexandria opens grant applications for local artist organizations

By Vernon Miles

Published February 6, 2024 at 2:55PM

Sculpting at The Art League (image via The Art League/Facebook)

Alexandria’s Office of the Arts has opened grant applications to the Foundant! Annual Arts Programs.

The grants are designed to help local arts organizations, artists, and service providers, according to the application, with each application reviewed by a Grant Task Force.

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Woodrow Wilson Bridge opening planned Thursday night

By Vernon Miles

Published February 6, 2024 at 1:45PM | Updated February 6, 2024 at 2:17PM

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Late-night travelers might want to find an alternative route to Maryland on Thursday: the Woodrow Wilson Bridge is having an opening on Feb. 8.

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration said the bridge is scheduled to undergo routine maintenance.