News | ALXnow - Part 124

Alexandria Mayor discusses federal funding risks, infrastructure projects during monthly ALXnow chat

Published September 2, 2025 at 1:45PM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins during a conversation with ALXnow on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins outlined the city’s preparations for potential federal funding cuts and addressed numerous infrastructure concerns during her monthly community conversation Tuesday, emphasizing the need for proactive planning as the City Council prepares to resume meetings Sept. 9.

The mayor detailed ongoing “scenario planning” efforts to assess the city’s vulnerability to federal funding reductions, noting that Alexandria receives more than $50 million in direct federal funding, with most supporting the Department of Community and Human Services.

Bradlee Shopping Center hosting Fall Fest & Safety Fair on Sept. 13

By James Cullum

Published September 2, 2025 at 12:45PM

Fall Fest and Safety Fair at the Bradlee Shopping Center, Sept. 13, 2025 (via Eventbrite)

The Bradlee Shopping Center is hosting a free fall festival and safety fair on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Fire trucks and firefighters, police cruisers, face painting, a balloon artist, craft tables, and games are just a few of the offerings at the outdoor event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the shopping center (3660-3690 King Street). More on the event is below.

275-unit workforce housing project at former Landmark Mall site goes to Planning Commission

By James Cullum

Published September 2, 2025 at 11:45AM

A rendering of the 275-unit, seven-story work force housing multifamily building on Block D of the former Landmark Mall property, as seen from the northeast (via City of Alexandria)

A proposal to build a 275-unit workforce housing multifamily apartment building on the southwest portion of the sprawling WestEnd development is heading to the Alexandria Planning Commission.

Plans for the seven-story development from landowner Foulger Pratt and its partner Landmark Holdings LLC call for a seven-story structure with 210 parking spaces (a reduction from the 327 required spaces), with 80% of the units available for between 80% and 120% area median income. The proposal heads to the Planning Commission on Thursday, Oct. 9.

Notes: Alexandria jazz pop-up series returns Sept. 7 at Southern Towers market

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 2, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated September 2, 2025 at 9:13AM

ALX Jazz Fest Pop Up Series at the Market at Southern Towers (via City of Alexandria)

Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Tuesday, Sept. 2, the 245th day of 2025. There are 120 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78 degrees. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 57 degrees. Light and variable wind.

PHOTOS: Alexandria Democrats criticize Trump administration at annual Labor Day Picnic

By James Cullum

Published September 1, 2025 at 4:41PM | Updated September 1, 2025 at 10:00PM

The Alexandria Democratic Committee's 2025 Labor Day Picnic at The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Avenue, Sept. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Democratic Committee held its annual Labor Day Picnic this afternoon, and special guest speakers called on a fierce resistance against the Republican administration of President Donald Trump.

SUV driver charged with reckless driving after moped rider suffers life-threatening injuries in Labor Day crash

By James Cullum

Published September 1, 2025 at 3:09PM

A moped driver suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash at around 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 1, 2025 (via Google Maps)

An adult male driving a moped suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash with an SUV this morning (Monday, Sept. 1) near Potomac Yard. The driver of the SUV, a silver Honda, stayed at the scene and was charged with reckless driving, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

The crash was reported to APD at around 9:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Richmond Highway near Fannon Street. The moped driver was thrown from his bike, according to the police scanner. APD dispatch reported that the victim was unconscious but breathing, and he was later transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Scooter rider suffers life-threatening injuries in West End crash

By James Cullum

Published August 30, 2025 at 3:31PM | Updated September 3, 2025 at 12:52PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A young adult male suffered life-threatening injuries in a scooter crash Saturday morning in Alexandria’s West End, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

While the incident is under investigation, APD told ALXnow that there was no crash with another vehicle and that the scooter rider likely was injured after falling in the 600 block of N. Jordan Street.

The incident was called in to 911 at around 10:15 a.m., and police notified the public three hours later on social media. Emergency dispatchers told first responders that the victim was lying on the ground and slightly moving.

The victim was transported to the GW Hospital Trauma Center, according to dispatch.

On Wednesday (Sept. 3), APD said that the scooter rider was in stable condition.

Anyone with information on this incident can contact the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.

Del Ray beer garden owners file lawsuit against landlord

By James Cullum

Published August 29, 2025 at 7:07PM | Updated August 29, 2025 at 11:20PM

The Garden at 1503 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

The owners of The Garden (1503 Mount Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray have filed a lawsuit in the Alexandria Circuit Court against their landlord, who recently listed the property available for rent on Labor Day, Sept. 1.

The Garden owners Jeremy Barber and Justus Frank say in their lawsuit that their landlord, Twenty-Third Street Corridor LLC, will not honor the five-year renewal option on their lease, which expires in November. In a recent interview with ALXnow, the pair contend that after a deal fell through to buy the 5,300-square-foot property, the landlord spent the next seven months trying to evict them with default notices on property repair issues.

GSA searching for Alexandria office space leads this week’s top stories

By James Cullum

Published August 29, 2025 at 3:30PM

National Science Foundation at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via NSF)

It’s been quite a week in Alexandria. Here’s a rundown of our most-read stories.

Our top story is on the General Services Administration launching an official search for office space in Alexandria to relocate the National Science Foundation after the agency was displaced from its Eisenhower Avenue headquarters. In a presolicitation notice, GSA announced it needs between 240,000 and 280,000 square feet of Class A office space for a 48-month lease, with occupancy required by the end of November.

Five-story office-to-residential proposal in Old Town is heading to the Planning Commission

By James Cullum

Published August 29, 2025 at 2:30PM | Updated August 29, 2025 at 11:31PM

A rendering of the office-to-residential conversion for 601 Wythe Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

A proposal for an office-to-residential conversion in Old Town is heading to the Alexandria Planning Commission.

The two-building offices at 601 Wythe Street is home to the American Water Federation, which bought the property in 1985, according to city records. Now AWF wants to convert the five-story commercial complex into a mixed-use property residential apartments. The proposal will go to the Planning Commission on Oct. 9 (Thursday).

APD releases body worn camera footage of Aug. 15 in-custody death

By James Cullum

Published August 29, 2025 at 1:44PM | Updated August 29, 2025 at 2:01PM

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire speaks at a press conference upon the release of body worn camera footage from the Aug. 15 in-custody death of Allan Tucker II (via APD/YouTube)

The Alexandria Police Department released body worn camera footage on Thursday (Aug. 28) from one of the officer’s involved in the in-custody death of Allan Tucker II on (Friday) Aug. 15.

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire told reporters that it’s been a hard week for the department, and asked the community to pray for Tucker’s family and the officers involved in his detainment. The 32-year-old Tucker was arrested for public intoxication after screaming and banging on the doors of neighboring apartments at 2875 N. Beauregard Street on Aug. 15. He was transported to the Alexandria Jail, and during the 10-12 minute ride repeatedly asked to be taken to Alexandria Hospital. He died in a police cruiser after waiting 35-to-40 minutes in the sally port at the jail. While officers at the scene administered NARCAN to Tucker to reverse the effects of a suspected opioid overdose, according to the video released, McGuire did not comment on the official cause of his death and said it needs to be determined by the Office of the Medical Examiner.