News | ALXnow - Part 1032

West End Transitway Moving Forward Without Dedicated Bus Lanes

Published November 20, 2019 at 11:45AM

West End Transitway flyer with dedicated bus lanes (image via City of Alexandria)

A long-planned bus rapid transit network (BRT) that would run through Alexandria’s West End is moving forward early next year, though the dedicated bus lanes featured prominently in the conceptual stage might not make it into the initial designs.

The city’s vision for the West End Transitway is a series of transit improvements to create a reliable, accessible bus line that would run from the Van Dorn Metro station to the Pentagon, hitting West End destinations that aren’t accessible by Metro, like the Mark Center, Southern Towers, and the perhaps soon-to-be-redeveloped Landmark Mall.

Sand and Steel Fitness Opens in Alexandria’s West End

By Kalina Newman

Published November 20, 2019 at 10:30AM

An Alexandria boutique gym has moved to a new location in the West End.

Sand and Steel Fitness opened in a larger, “state-of-the-art” space at 5418 Eisenhower Avenue on November 1. Previously, the gym was located along Alfred Street in Old Town.

Blanket and Jacket Drive for the Homeless in Del Ray This Evening

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2019 at 9:45AM

As cold weather starts to set in, a local bar is hosting a holiday coat and blanket drive to help homeless people in the D.C. area.

Charlie’s on the Avenue (1501 Mount Vernon Avenue) — which opened last year — is now in its second year of hosting the local event, which itself is in its fourth year. The drive is scheduled to run from 5-9:30 p.m. tonight (Wednesday).

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published November 20, 2019 at 8:00AM

Shopping in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

City Phone Service Restored — The City of Alexandria’s non-emergency phone lines are working again after service was restored Tuesday night. A cut to a fiber optic line caused the outage, a city spokeswoman said. [Twitter/@AlexandriaVAGov]

House With George Washington Connection on Airbnb — “George Washington may have slept here, and now so could you… in the heart of Old Town Alexandria in Virginia, where a house that once belonged to the first U.S. president is available to rent. The George of Old Town is a 6000-square-foot townhouse on Cameron Street, and it is available on Airbnb.” [WTOP]

City of Alexandria Non-Emergency Phone Lines Are Down

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2019 at 4:45PM | Updated November 20, 2019 at 8:55AM

If you’re trying to call a City of Alexandria and getting a dead line, you’re not alone.

The city’s inbound phone service is not available due to a problem with Verizon’s network, according to a press release from the City of Alexandria.

City Could Give Water Taxi the Go-Ahead for Early Morning Hours

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2019 at 3:30PM | Updated November 20, 2019 at 5:30PM

(Updated 11/20) This summer’s Metro shutdown could wind up netting the Potomac Riverboat Company a goal the company has been after for years: permanent early-morning service for its water taxi.

The company’s lease currently prohibits boats from coming in or out of docks before 9:30 a.m., which staff told the Waterfront Commission this morning (Tuesday) means the boats are usually used by tourists. But during the Metro shutdown, the city waived that restriction.

Minor Flooding in Old Town as Coastal Flood Advisory Continues

By ALXnow.com

Published November 19, 2019 at 2:30PM

The sun is shining and last night’s light rain is a distant memory, but the lower portion of King Street in Old Town is flooded nonetheless.

The Potomac River has inundated portions of King Street, Prince Street and The Strand, as it has done in the past — as recently as last month. The water is thus far only causing minor impacts, including prompting the King Street Trolley to temporarily turn around at City Hall.

New Bubble Tea Spot “Spill the Tea” Hoping to Open Next Month

By ALXnow.com

Published November 19, 2019 at 2:00PM

(Updated at 2:15 p.m.) A new bubble tea joint near the Braddock Road Metro station called Spill the Tea could start serving next month.

The restaurant will be located at 515 Braddock Road, in the space once occupied by the now-shuttered Aveda. The exact opening date for Spill the Tea is still TBD, however.

Mai Thai in Old Town on the Chopping Block as City Mulls Future of Waterfront Property

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2019 at 11:30AM

Mai Thai (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The city-owned small parcel at 2 King Street — currently home to eight leased parking spaces — could have a big impact on the block at the end of King Street if the city approves a sale.

At the Waterfront Commission meeting this morning (Tuesday), staff said the city received an unsolicited offer for the lot in June from the current owners of the adjacent Fitzgerald Warehouse building. The City Council subsequently authorized staff to consider the sale and look into alternatives for the property.

Three Pieces of Public Art Debut at New West End Apartment Complex

By Kalina Newman

Published November 19, 2019 at 10:30AM | Updated November 22, 2019 at 2:04PM

"Last Summer" wall art at The Array at West Alex (photo provided by Alma Selimovic)

A new mixed-use apartment complex scheduled to open in the West End in early December has debuted three new pieces of public art.

At the front of the $200 million complex, Array at West Alex, artist Harry McDaniel has built a kinetic sculpture garden titled “En Pointe.” The artwork, which took three years to sculpt, involves large, abstract sculptures of people moving slowly in circles.

Alexandrians March to Remember Those Killed in Traffic

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2019 at 9:35AM

March in Arlandria to commemorate traffic deaths (photo courtesy Alexandria Families for Safe Streets)

Local residents and local officials came out for this weekend for a march in Arlandria to remember those killed in traffic.

The march was hosted on Sunday, Nov. 17, by Alexandria Families for Safe Streets to honor World Remembrance Day, an international memorial event dedicated to raising awareness of traffic violence.