Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Alexandria and Arlington celebrating joint bridge building effort at Arlandria Pizza Hut

Published September 11, 2023 at 10:00AM

West Glebe Road bridge partially reopened (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria and Arlington have been building bridges and celebrating outside the Arlandria Pizza Hut.

Leaders from both the Arlington County Board and the Alexandria City Council are scheduled to meet tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Arlandria Pizza Hut (1049 W Glebe Road) to celebrate the West Glebe Road Bridge ribbon cutting.

News

City of Alexandria takes its zoning reform proposal to public review next week

By Vernon Miles

Published September 8, 2023 at 3:05PM

House display outside an Old Town business, staff photo by Vernon Miles

A little over a week after the City of Alexandria debuted its new Zoning for Housing/Housing for All plans, the city is inviting the public to the first community feedback session.

City staff presented the draft recommendations earlier this week at a City Council-Planning Commission work session. The big headline recommendation was ending single-family-only zoning, though beyond that city leaders were skeptical about the plan’s ability to make a substantial impact on affordable housing supply.

News

Volunteers needed to shape the future of new Patrick Henry Rec Center

By Vernon Miles

Published September 8, 2023 at 1:45PM

Patrick Henry Recreation Center (image via City of Alexandria)

As the new Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Avenue) wraps up some of the final improvements, the city is putting together a new advisory council to shape what’s next for the rec center.

Recreation Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) is hosting a meeting early next month to determine interest in a new Council to shape the future of the Patrick Henry Rec Center.

News

Alexandria City Public Schools report shows progress in standardized testing

By Vernon Miles

Published September 8, 2023 at 9:45AM

George Mason Elementary School Principal Christopher Finan with students on the first day of school, August 21, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The test results are in. For the most part, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) students did better on Standards of Learning (SOL) testing this year compared to the previous school year.

It’s a small but positive sign of progress at a time when the school division sorely needs some good news.

News

Fall Festival planned at Southern Towers this weekend with music, food and a free check-up

By Vernon Miles

Published September 7, 2023 at 1:45PM

Southern Towers residents wait for the bus. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria is hosting Fall Festival this weekend with a moon bounce, hot food, and everyone’s favorite fair activity: free health screenings.

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is leading the event in the parking lot of Southern Towers (5067 Seminary Road) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9.

News

Upcoming symposium celebrates 293 years of Alexandria’s waterfront history

By Vernon Miles

Published September 7, 2023 at 9:50AM

The Old Town Alexandria waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s waterfront turns 293 this year and, may we just say, it doesn’t look a day over 200.

A symposium called The Alexandria Forum is returning next month to look back those nearly 300 years of history at the edge of the Potomac River. This year’s theme is The Waterfront Revisited: Birth and Rebirth, 1730-2023.

Opinion

Poll: What do you think of the new Zoning for Housing/Housing for All proposals?

By Vernon Miles

Published September 6, 2023 at 3:55PM

Alexandria house in the fall (staff photo by Kalina Newman)

The Zoning for Housing/Housing for All proposals were finally unveiled last night and opinions have been decidedly mixed.

The plan focuses on incremental changes in zoning policy that weren’t quite as ambitious as some hoped and others feared.

News

Alexandria City Manager appoints new Director of Transportation and Environmental Services

By Vernon Miles

Published September 6, 2023 at 2:45PM

Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Adriana Castañeda (image via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria has a new Director of Transportation and Environmental Services to oversee some of the biggest ongoing projects in the city.

City Manager Jim Parajon appointed Adriana Castañeda to lead the department.

News

Alexandria bringing vehicle fleet out for ‘Tons of Trucks’ event this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published September 6, 2023 at 9:50AM

An Alexandria Fire Dept. truck heads to a call (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

There’s a basic underlying principle behind an event this weekend that’s applicable to all ages, from children to seniors: trucks are cool.

The city is bringing its vehicle fleet out to Chinquapin Park (3210 King Street) for Tons of Trucks 2023 on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

News

JUST IN: Alexandria zoning overhaul gets lukewarm reception from city leaders at public debut

By Vernon Miles

Published September 5, 2023 at 10:05PM

City Council and Planning Commission members reviewing Zoning for Housing/Housing for All proposal (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The Zoning for Housing/Housing for All project turned out to be less of a revolution in Alexandria’s zoning and — for better or worse — more of a gradual evolution.

After extensive build-up and public discussion, Director of Planning Karl Moritz debuted zoning changes to a mixed response from city leaders.

News

Program helping Afghan refugees seeking English as a Second Language instructors

By Vernon Miles

Published September 5, 2023 at 3:45PM

NOVA RAFT founder Dan Altman speaks to Afghan refugees, Aug. 12, 2023 at WIlliam Ramsay Recreation Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

If you have any experience helping to teach English as a second language, you could put that to use in helping Afghan refugees settle into Alexandria.

Nonprofit Northern Virginia Resettling Afghan Families Together (NOVA RAFT) — which aims to help Afghan immigrants settle in — started a program in late August to help students improve their English skills.