News | ALXnow - Part 239

Developer wants extension for expired ‘Landmark Overlook’ construction permits

Published June 12, 2025 at 3:30PM

Landmark Overlook would transform the corner of South Wilkes Street and Stephenson Avenue into a mixed use property with hotels or office buildings, two-level stacked condominium units, apartments and retail. (Image via City of Alexandria)

A developer is asking for an extension after permits expired earlier this year on a plan to build hundreds of residential units to Alexandria’s Landmark area.

City Council, in 2022, approved the plan to build 450 residential units in seven townhomes and two multifamily apartment buildings on the eight-acre site at 5901, 5951, and 5999 Stevenson Avenue and 2 South Whiting Street. The three-year development special use permit for the project expired in February and now applicant West End Development Associates wants three more years to finish the project.

Alexandria celebrates Loving Day, honoring historic Civil Rights victory

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 12, 2025 at 2:15PM

Loving Day (via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria took to Facebook on Thursday (June 12) to mark Loving Day, which celebrates the landmark Supreme Court decision that overturned bans on interracial marriage across the U.S.

The day commemorates Mildred and Richard Loving’s victory in the 1967 Loving v. Virginia case. The couple received news of the unanimous ruling in an Alexandria law office on N. Royal Street.

The Glass Stache smoke shop closes in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published June 12, 2025 at 1:45PM

The Glass Stache is closed at 222 N. Lee Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

After 15 years in business, the Glass Stache smoke shop permanently closed at 222 N. Lee Street in Old Town this week.

On Sunday, June 8, the shop announced on Instagram that its last day was on Monday. Customers wanting glass pipes, tubes, rigs, vaporizers, rolling papers, cigar wraps, incense, and other accessories have since been directed to Glassstache.com.

Alexandria Democratic Primary is Tuesday: Your guide to early voting, polling places, and what’s on the ballot

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 12, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated June 18, 2025 at 6:05AM

'I voted' stickers on Election Day in Alexandria, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria voters have multiple options to cast their ballots in the upcoming Democratic Party Primary Election on Tuesday (June 17).

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, but voters don’t need to wait until Tuesday to participate. Early voting continues through Saturday, June 14, at 5 p.m.

Notes: ALXnow is No. 12 non-broadcast local news site in Virginia

By ALXnow.com

Published June 12, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated June 12, 2025 at 9:47AM

Readership of non-broadcast local news websites in Virginia, February-April 2025 (via ARLnow)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, June 12, the 163rd day of 2025. There are 202 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 94 degrees. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. There is an Air Quality Alert in effect for today. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 71 degrees. South wind around 6 mph.

ARHA asks city to back loan for ‘Silver Fox’ senior housing complex

By James Cullum

Published June 11, 2025 at 7:45PM

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 City Council has mixed feelings about serving as a cosigner for the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s plan to keep its senior residents in the city.

Faced with a $40 million budget shortfall, ARHA abandoned plans to replace the aging 11-story, 170-unit Ladrey Senior High-Rise with a six-to-seven-story 270-unit L-shaped building. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development subsequently ended its operating support for building management and maintenance, issuing vouchers for the relocation of Ladrey’s residents by the end of the year.

Weather Alert: Air Quality Alert in effect for Thursday

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 11, 2025 at 5:47PM

The Alexandria skyline viewed from Belle View (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Alert for Alexandria and surrounding communities for Thursday (June 12).

The current weather forecast from the National Weather Service calls for Thursday to be sunny, with a high near 94 degrees.

Capital Bikeshare adds two new stations in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 11, 2025 at 3:30PM

Capital Bikeshare adds a new station at Virginia Tech/University Dr. & Potomac Ave. (via Capital Bikeshare)

Getting around Alexandria by bike just got a little easier.

Capital Bikeshare announced today (June 11) that it has added two new stations in Alexandria.

Report: ICE preparing to deploy tactical units to Northern Virginia and four big cities

By James Cullum

Published June 11, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated June 14, 2025 at 3:04AM

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo (via Facebook)

Northern Virginia is reportedly among the “five cities run by Democratic leaders” that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to deploy tactical units to, according to MSNBC.

Citing two unnamed sources “familiar with the planning of future ICE operations,” MSNBC reported that ICE is preparing to deploy tactical response teams in New York City, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia.

Alexandria City Council recognizes June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month

By James Cullum

Published June 11, 2025 at 2:30PM

City Council formally recognized June as LGBTQ+ Pride month in Alexandria on Tuesday night (June 10).

“It’s very real that there are people in this country, and even in this city, who, because of who they are, don’t know if they’re going to be welcomed or not,” City Council Member R. Kirk McPike said before reading a city proclamation. “This is a difficult time for many people in our community, LGBTQ+ communities across the country.”

City receives three responses to Torpedo Factory governance RFI

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 11, 2025 at 1:30PM

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

Alexandria city staff is moving forward with plans to transition the Torpedo Factory Art Center to a new governance structure, with three organizations responding to a recently issued Request for Information (RFI).

Deputy City Manager Emily Baker provided this update to City Council during Tuesday’s legislative meeting, outlining progress on implementing recommendations from a stakeholder task force that worked on the issue in 2022 and 2023.