News | ALXnow - Part 126

Alexandria tourism hits $1 billion milestone for first time in city’s history

Published September 26, 2025 at 9:08AM | Updated September 26, 2025 at 4:32PM

Alexandria's tourism industry reached the historic $1 billion milestone in visitor spending for the first time in 2024. Credit: Visit Alexandria

Alexandria’s tourism industry reached an unprecedented milestone in 2024, generating more than $1 billion in visitor spending for the first time in the city’s history, Visit Alexandria announced Thursday during its annual meeting at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center.

The historic achievement represents an 8% increase from $941 million in visitor spending in 2023 and marks a dramatic recovery from pandemic lows of $445 million in 2020. Alexandria’s growth rate outpaced both Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole, according to data released by the tourism organization.

Notes: Alexandria Police to close John Carlyle Street for Oktoberfest Saturday

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 26, 2025 at 8:01AM

Oktoberfest at John Carlyle Square, Sept. 27, 2025 (via Eventbrite)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Friday, Sept. 26, the 269th day of 2025. There are 96 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Partly sunny, with a high near 82°F. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 66°F. Calm wind.

Ex-FBI Director James Comey indicted in Alexandria federal court

By The Associated Press

Published September 25, 2025 at 10:42PM | Updated September 26, 2025 at 6:33AM

FILE - Former FBI director James Comey speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, June 8, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

By ERIC TUCKER, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — James Comey was charged Thursday with lying to Congress in a criminal case filed days after President Donald Trump appeared to urge his attorney general to prosecute the former FBI director and other perceived political enemies.

City Council to weigh human services grant changes, finalize defense contractor expansion deal

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 25, 2025 at 8:00PM | Updated September 26, 2025 at 7:45AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria City Council will consider a new framework for distributing human services grants and finalize agreements tied to a major defense contractor’s expansion when it meets Tuesday for its monthly legislative session.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. following a 5:30 p.m. executive session at City Hall, 301 King St. The session will also be available via Zoom and broadcast on government Channel 70.

Alexandria’s proposed tallest building heads to Planning Commission in November

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2025 at 6:00PM

Concept for a 365-foot-tall apartment building at 2425 Mill Road in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via Red Fox Development Co.)

A proposal to build a 365-foot-tall residential building with up to 775 units and 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood is heading to the Planning Commission. If approved, the project could result in the tallest at-grade building in the city.

The three-acre mixed-use development at 2425 Mill Road includes up to 775 residential units and 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Aldie-based Red Fox Development will present the proposal to the Planning Commission on Nov. 6.

Livewell Animal Hospital to hold grand opening Oct. 4 in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2025 at 5:00PM

Livewell Animal Hospital is holding its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 (via Facebook)

National veterinary chain Livewell Animal Hospital will hold its grand opening in Old Town on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The event will be held at the hospital’s location at in the Atrium building at 277 S. Washington Street in Old Town. The event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and visitors will get hospital tours, a chance to meet the veterinary team, get free pet caricatures, and enjoy snacks (for pets and their humans), according to Livewell.

National Park Service to close southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway lanes for tree maintenance

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 25, 2025 at 3:30PM

Detour map showing southbound traffic diverted onto Park Terrace Dr. NPS Image

The National Park Service will temporarily close southbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway from Tulane Drive to Morningside Lane next week for tree maintenance work.

The closures are scheduled for Oct. 1, 2, 6, and 7 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weather permitting. Southbound traffic will be diverted onto Park Terrace Drive during the work periods.

45-unit apartment building proposed for empty office near King St. Metro station

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2025 at 3:13PM

1625 Prince Street in Old Town (via Google Maps)

A proposal to turn a vacant office building into a 45-unit apartment building at 1625 Prince Street in Old Town.

Applicant 1625 Prince Street LLC is asking the city for a parking reduction, as well as modifications to the tree canopy and minimum side yard requirements. The building is less than 1,000 feet from the King St.-Old Town Metro station, was constructed in 1990 and bought by the American Society for Industrial Security in 1997, according to city property records. The proposal will go to the Planning Commission on Nov. 6.

Art on the Avenue festival needs volunteers, donations for 30th year

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated September 25, 2025 at 3:58PM

Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Oct. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Want to judge a pie-eating contest? A popular art festival coming to Del Ray next month is seeking volunteers and donations.

The 30th annual Art on the Avenue is coming to Mount Vernon Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 4, and the event brings thousands to the city’s Del Ray neighborhood. The event features sellable art from hundreds of artists, live music, family-friendly events, and more. The Del Ray Business Association hosts it.

Alexandria Police partner with local groups for youth soccer tournament Saturday

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2025 at 1:45PM

There's a back-to-school soccer tournament at Alexandria City High School on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025 (via Facebook)

The Alexandria Police Department is partnering with local organizations to host a back-to-school soccer tournament for local youth on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The tournament will consist of a series of pick-up soccer games for teenagers at Alexandria City High School‘s King Street campus (3330 King Street), providing positive outlets and introducing them to city resources. The free event, presented by APD’s Crime Prevention Unit, the Alexandria Police Foundation, the Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force, Alexandria Juvenile Court Services, the Alexandria Soccer Association, NOVA RAFT, and the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, will take place from 2 to 6 p.m.

Housing Alexandria hosts Fall Festival fundraiser Oct. 9

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2025 at 12:45PM

Housing Alexandria staff will celebrate their annual Fall Festival fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 (courtesy image)

Housing Alexandria is hosting a “laid-back gala” next month with music, games and food.

This year, the annual fundraising event will be held Thursday, Oct. 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Garden Alexandria (5380 Eisenhower Avenue) and will celebrate the nonprofit’s completion of the Cardinal Path Homes project. The project provides 36 townhomes and condos to first-time homebuyers, available via lottery.