News | ALXnow - Part 126

Alexandria mayor to address community questions in monthly live forum

Published August 27, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated August 27, 2025 at 3:24PM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins in Council Chambers, April 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins will sit down with ALXnow next Tuesday for her regular monthly conversation with the community, offering residents a direct line to city leadership as the City Council prepares to resume meetings after its August recess.

The live virtual discussion, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m., provides a platform for community members to get answers about pressing city issues and municipal priorities. The 30-minute session will be hosted by ALXnow Publisher Ryan Belmore.

Durant Center to close for maintenance Aug. 31-Sept. 5

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2025 at 2:00PM

The Oswald Durant Center at 1605 Cameron Street in Old Town (via Google Maps)

The Oswald Durant Center (1605 Cameron Street) in Old Town will be closed from Sunday, Aug. 31, until Friday, Sept. 5, to undergo annual maintenance and cleaning.

“This brief closure ensures that our facility remains safe, clean, and welcoming for all who use it. During this time, no programs, rentals, or public access will be available,” the city said in a statement. “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we complete this essential upkeep.”

More than 40 nonprofits to showcase volunteer opportunities Sept. 13

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2025 at 1:00PM

The 2nd Annual Community Volunteer Fair will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2810 King Street) on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 (courtesy image)

Dozens of Alexandria-based nonprofits seeking assistance will be on hand at the second-annual Community Volunteer Fair next month.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, Volunteer Alexandria and JustServe will host the free, family-friendly event inside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2810 King Street). From 2 to 4 p.m., representatives from more than 45 nonprofits will showcase their services.

Old Town Sandwich Shop to reopen Sept. 2 after renovation

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2025 at 12:00PM

Old Town Sandwich Shop at 127 S. Peyton Street is reopening after a renovation on Sept. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Old Town Sandwich shop will reopen soon after undergoing a two-week interior renovation.

The longstanding business at 127 S. Peyton Street closed for interior work on Friday, Aug. 22, and will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 2, according to a note left on the front door.

Police investigate early morning break-in at Alexandria tobacco shop

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2025 at 10:45AM

Alexandria Vape and Tobacco at 1213 King Street was broken into on Wednesday morning, Aug. 27, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating the early morning burglary of a tobacco shop on King Street in Old Town.

APD was called at around 5:30 a.m. by a passerby who found that the glass front door of Alexandria Vape and Tobacco (1213 King Street) had been smashed, according to dispatch reports. Police found the owner of the shop, who said that two suspects smashed the front door and then fled the scene, the owner told ALXnow.

ARHA board places CEO on probation, hires law firm for investigation

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 27, 2025 at 9:44AM | Updated August 27, 2025 at 3:07PM

Erik C. Johnson, former CEO of ARHA, asks City Council to back the Silver Fox plan, June 10, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners took decisive action Wednesday morning, voting to hire an independent law firm to investigate CEO Erik Johnson and placing him on probationary status with a final warning.

The board convened a special meeting at 8 a.m., one day after Mayor Alyia Gaskins sent a letter on behalf of City Council demanding a third-party investigation into Johnson’s residency in public housing.

Notes: Metro announces winning design for new 8000-series rail fleet after public vote

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 27, 2025 at 8:00AM

Metro unveils winning design for new 8000-series rail fleet (Credit: WMATA.com)

Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Wednesday, Aug. 27, the 239th day of 2025. There are 126 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 78 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59 degrees. Northwest wind around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening.

City Council demands ARHA investigation ahead of emergency board meeting

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 27, 2025 at 6:00AM | Updated August 27, 2025 at 11:10AM

Erik C. Johnson, former CEO of ARHA, asks City Council to back the Silver Fox plan, June 10, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority will convene a special board meeting this morning at 8 a.m. to discuss a personnel matter in executive session, one day after Mayor Alyia Gaskins sent a letter on behalf of City Council demanding a third-party investigation into CEO Erik Johnson’s residency in public housing.

In a four-page letter sent Tuesday to ARHA Board Chair Anitra Androh, Gaskins called for an independent investigation into three specific areas: Johnson’s actions, ARHA’s compliance with all applicable laws related to properties the authority owns and manages, and ARHA’s finances, including an independent financial audit.

GSA launches search for new Alexandria office space to house displaced National Science Foundation

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 26, 2025 at 4:45PM | Updated August 26, 2025 at 8:13PM

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

The General Services Administration has launched 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 posted to the federal contracting website SAM.gov on Thursday, GSA is seeking between 240,000 and 280,000 square feet of Class A office space for a 48-month lease term, with occupancy required by the end of November. The notice (ID 5VA0785) was first reported by Bisnow and then by the Washington Business Journal.

Art League to celebrate opening of 2 new Old Town North locations with block party

By James Cullum

Published August 26, 2025 at 4:15PM

The Art League is hosting a grand opening for a new studio and block party in Old Town North on Sept. 6, 2025 (via Eventbrite)

After years in development, The Art League will celebrate the opening of two new locations for art classes in Old Town North with a block party.

The free, family-friendly event will be held at the new Slaters Lane Annex (800 Slaters Lane) at 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, featuring art demonstrations, food, and ice cream bowls created by local artists, among other activities.

Alexandria police investigate hit-and-run on Richenbacher Avenue

By James Cullum

Published August 26, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated August 27, 2025 at 12:34PM

A Toyota Corolla overturned after striking a parked vehicle in the 5400 block of Richenbacher Avenue, Aug. 26, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run involving an overturned vehicle and a parked car in a parking lot in the 5400 block of Richenbacher Avenue.

The incident was called in at around 2:15 p.m., according to the police scanner. A Toyota Corolla with Virginia plates overturned after crashing into a parked Lexus IS 250 in the parking lot of an apartment complex. The caller told police that they saw two people running from the overturned Corolla. Police later said via dispatch that three occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.