News | ALXnow - Part 238

City explores new operator potential for Torpedo Factory via a Request For Information

Published April 10, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated April 10, 2025 at 4:35PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria is seeking information from qualified organizations interested in potentially managing the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.), a move officials emphasize does not signal changes to the waterfront landmark’s artistic mission.

The city recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify entities with the experience and interest in possibly operating the art center in the future. The RFI, which closes May 16, 2025, is not a formal proposal solicitation but rather a preliminary step to gauge market interest.

APD seeks witnesses in Wednesday morning’s crash near the Van Dorn Metro station

By James Cullum

Published April 10, 2025 at 10:30AM

Eisenhower Avenue and Metro Road (via Google Maps)

A bicyclist was struck and injured by a vehicle on Wednesday morning (April 9), and the Alexandria Police Department is asking for witnesses to come forward.

The incident occurred at around 7 a.m. near the intersection of Eisenhower Avenue and Metro Road near the Van Dorn Metro Station. The victim was struck by a Mazda CR-V and suffered a non-life-threatening facial injury, according to police.

Notes: West End Business Association to host ‘Coffee & Collaboration’, a small business meetup

By ALXnow.com

Published April 10, 2025 at 8:00AM

West End Business Association (WEBA) April Coffee & Collaboration at Beeliner Diner (via WEBA)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 58 degrees. South wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%. Showers tonight, mainly after 8 p.m. The low is around 48 degrees. East wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%—new precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. There will be showers on Friday. The high is near 57 degrees. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.

Spring2ACTion raises more than $2.9M for Alexandria nonprofits

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 10, 2025 at 5:15AM | Updated April 10, 2025 at 10:19AM

Spring2ACTion raises more than $2.9 million for 193 organizations (screenshot of spring2action.org at 5 a.m. on April 10)

ACT for Alexandria hosted another record-breaking Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s Giving Day, on Wednesday (April 9).

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, this year’s Spring2ACTion engaged 7,254 donors to raise $2,935,983 for the 193 participating local nonprofit organizations (as of 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 10).

Senator Warner sounds alarm on National Security firings, trade war impacts during media call

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 9, 2025 at 3:00PM

Senator Mark Warner during media availability call on April 9 (via Senator Warner's office)

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) expressed outrage over what he calls the “dismissal and mistreatment” of national security officials during a media availability with Virginia reporters on Wednesday (April 9).

The Virginia Democrat criticizes recent firings of high-ranking military and intelligence officials, including National Security Agency Director Tim Haugh and a senior American NATO general, attributing these decisions to the influence of “conspiracy theorist” Laura Loomer.

Alexandria’s Office of Climate Action gets gutted in budget proposal

By James Cullum

Published April 9, 2025 at 2:15PM

Hanging out at Waterfront Park in Old Town in July. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Office of Climate Action is only two-and-a-half years old, and now the City Council is considering eliminating half of its budget to partially fund a one-time, $1 million reallocation to Alexandria City Public Schools.

Multiple speakers both decried and supported the proposed move to eliminate $300,000 from the department’s budget during Tuesday night’s public hearing on proposed additions and deletions from the city budget.

Alexandria Police Chief provides public safety update to City Council

By Ryan Belmore and James Cullum

Published April 9, 2025 at 11:30AM

The Alexandria City Council gets an update from the Alexandria Police Department Chief Tarrick McGuire, April 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire presented a comprehensive public safety update to the Alexandria City Council on Tuesday night (April 8), highlighting a 25% reduction in overall crime during the first quarter of 2025.

The Alexandria Police Department is reporting significant strides in reducing crime across the city, with violent crimes down 43% and property crimes down 23% in the first quarter of 2025, Police Chief Tarrick McGuire told Council.

Alexandria Police Chief discusses 100-day action plan, crime reduction strategy with ALXnow

By Ryan Belmore and James Cullum

Published April 9, 2025 at 10:00AM

Alexandria Police Department Chief Tarrick McGuire gives an update to City Council, April 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire is focusing on six “micro areas” throughout the city as part of a targeted approach to reducing crime.

McGuire, who just finished his first 100 days in office, spoke about his plans with ALXnow in an exclusive interview after his presentation to the City Council on Tuesday (April 8). The specific locations have not been revealed, except he said that they are well-known crime hotspots.

Notes: Today is the day to support your favorite local nonprofits

By ALXnow.com

Published April 9, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated April 9, 2025 at 8:52AM

Spring2ACTion returns. (via ACT for Alexandria)

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunshine and a high around 55 degrees, with light winds shifting to southwest at approximately 6 mph in the afternoon. Clouds will increase during Wednesday night, along with a low temperature of about 42 degrees. There is a slight chance of showers after 2 am, with a 20% probability of precipitation. The south wind will maintain a speed of around 6 mph.

Cyclist critically injured on Eisenhower Avenue, prompting road closure

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 9, 2025 at 7:51AM | Updated April 9, 2025 at 8:21PM

Collision took place on Eisenhower Avenue (via Alexandria PD)

A bicyclist is facing life-threating injuries following a vehicle/bicyclist collision on Friday morning on Eisenhower Avenue.

The crash happened on the eastbound side of Eisenhower Avenue, forcing police to close the road between South Van Dorn Street and Metro Road.

Va. research colleges poised to face ‘devastating’ consequences from federal cuts, experts say

By Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury

Published April 9, 2025 at 7:30AM

A view outside the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Academic Building One in Alexandria. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

Research colleges and universities in Virginia are at risk of taking significant cuts, state lawmakers in the House of Delegates and education experts revealed Tuesday, as the country’s executive branch continues to trim down operations and funding in the federal government.

According to data collected by the National Center for Science and Engineering, Virginia ranks 13th in the nation in research and development (R&D) performance.