(Updated 1/31) While construction is underway on the Potomac Yard Metro station, progress on the station’s planned southern access point is being stalled by a financing squabble between the city and WMATA.
The original southern entrance to the Metro station was cut from early plans to save money. As something of a consolation prize, a path to a pedestrian bridge, from neighborhoods to the south to the entrance on the north side of the station, was added.
A former employee of Alexandria’s Dept. of Transportation and Environmental Services has been charged with embezzling from the city.
In a press release Thursday afternoon, police said the employee sold more than $10,000 worth of electrical cable owned by T&ES to scrap dealers.
In just one year, local bar Hops N Shine has become a staple in Arlandria/Del Ray area and this weekend, the business is scheduled to host a celebration of that success.
The bar and beer garden sits at 3410 Mount Vernon Avenue at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Glebe Road. It is frequently packed, particularly on the weekly Wednesday night trivia events (where, full disclosure, at least one ALXnow reporter is a regular).
Big things have small beginnings, and on Wednesday night a number of Alexandria residents critical of the Seminary Road Diet — including a former mayor — took their concerns to Ramparts Tavern and Grill.
Architect Tom Hoffman has lived near the affected area for 20 years, during which time he has taken Seminary Road to get on I-395 northbound to the District. That routine has changed, he said, since the implementation of the road diet — reducing the four through lanes of the roadway to two and adding bike lanes and a turn lane in the center.
(Updated at 12:40 p.m.) A proposal to co-locate affordable housing on the grounds of MacArthur Elementary is unpopular with PTA members.
The MacArthur PTA recently conducted a survey asking how current and future MacArthur families felt about co-locating housing or city facilities on the site of the soon-to-be renovated school, an idea encouraged by the city and under consideration by the School Board.
Summer Camp Guide Released — “Registration for 2020 summer camps offered by the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will begin at 9 a.m. on February 12 for City residents and February 14 for nonresidents. Registration will be available online, or in-person at the Lee Center (1108 Jefferson St.).” [City of Alexandria]
Women’s Guest House Profiled — “In the heart of Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, there is a place that’s been quietly offering hope and rebuilding lives for 45 years.” [NBC 4]
Less than two years after opening its doors in Del Ray, Charlie’s on the Avenue is closing.
Owners Jeremy Barber and Justus Frank told customers that the family-friendly restaurant at 1501 Mount Vernon Ave. will be shutting down after this weekend. The last day will be Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 2).
An athletic pursuit is leading to some hazmat calls around Alexandria.
The Alexandria Fire Department responded Tuesday afternoon to investigate a white powder discovered along the 800 block of Duke Street in Old Town, according to AFD spokeswoman Raytevia Evans.
The Old Town GNC is closing next month, and the store has discounts on nearly everything inside until then.
The nutrition store at 711 King Street is scheduled to close on Wednesday, Feb. 19, according to staff. GNC offers a variety of food, snacks and supplements, with an athletic focus.
(Updated at 9:30 a.m.) Construction is complete at the second ALX Community coworking office in Old Town, and there is room for new tenants who need an office away from home.
The 25,000 square-foot, two-level office at 201 N. Union Street is the only dog-friendly coworking space in town. It recently opened after signing a 15-year lease for the space.
Corey Smedley was sworn in as the 30th Alexandria Fire Chief at City Hall last night.
The 48-year-old Smedley, who is the city’s first permanent African American Fire Chief, took the oath of office Tuesday night in a packed house with his family, members of the Alexandria Fire Department and city leaders in attendance.
