News | ALXnow - Part 244

Alexandria City Council backs George Mason School overhaul

Published May 19, 2025 at 2:00PM

George Mason Elementary School modernization rendering (via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved plans for a new George Mason Elementary School, approving a Development Special Use Permit for the project at 2601 Cameron Mills Road on May 17, 2025.

The new school will boost capacity from 420 to 670 students. Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) plans to keep the original 1939 facade while partially demolishing the existing structure. The two-story replacement building will offer improved classrooms, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, and a media center.

Alexandria City Council votes to silence gas-powered leaf blowers

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 19, 2025 at 1:00PM

Leafblower (via Philip Myrtorp/Unsplash)

Alexandria City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Saturday (May 17) banning gas-powered leaf blowers, making Alexandria the first jurisdiction in Virginia to enact such a prohibition.

The ban follows years of community advocacy and comes after an August 2024 opinion from Virginia’s Attorney General confirming the city’s authority to regulate these devices through its noise ordinance.

Metro Motor is looking to expand with new tow lot and office in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 19, 2025 at 12:00PM

3102 Colvin Street (via Google Maps)

Metro Motor Towing is looking to open another towing office and storage lot in Alexandria.

The 14,250-square-foot property at 3106 Colvin Street in the city’s Taylor Run neighborhood is just off Duke Street and was previously home to Road Res-Q. Metro Motor Towing, which operates repair shops and tow lots at multiple locations in the city, D.C., and Maryland, is looking to operate at the property 24 hours a day with a parking capacity of 20 vehicles.

Six streets slated for repaving this week, including Oronoco Street and Slaters Lane

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 19, 2025 at 11:00AM

Construction workers repave a street in Old Town Alexandria (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services is kicking off a week of street repaving and maintenance across the city.

Crews will start working on several key areas, including Oronoco Street, Slaters Lane, and parts of East and West Oak Street, starting May 19.

PLANS: Take a look at the renderings of the proposed pump station at Waterfront Park

By James Cullum

Published May 19, 2025 at 10:00AM

Rendering of the pump station at Waterfront Park in Old Town at night, seen here looking east down Prince Street (via City of Alexandria)

A covered patio and plaza venue are planned for the proposed pump station at Alexandria’s Waterfront Park.

The city’s proposal to combat flooding in Old Town will close Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park from the fall of 2026 until the fall of 2028 to rebuild segments of the sea wall and install a pump station to recirculate water in flood-prone areas back to the Potomac River. The pump station plans are heading to the Board of Architectural Review on June 5.

Notes: High-speed pursuit ends in crash, injuries on Alexandria’s Duke Street

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 19, 2025 at 8:00AM

Duke Street between N Ripley & S Walker was closed in both directions due to an investigation being conducted by Virginia State Police. (via Alexandria Police Department)

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 78 degrees. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 53 degrees. North wind 7 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

VROOM: Check out ALXnow’s pictures at the Old Town Festival of Speed and Style

By James Cullum

Published May 18, 2025 at 4:27PM

Jaguar XK140 at the Old Town Festival of Speed and Style, May 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

King Street was packed with all sorts of traffic on Sunday, as thousands of car enthusiasts checked out classic cars at the sixth annual Old Town Festival of Speed and Style.

Today’s event featured more than 100 exotic sports cars and motorcycles, and was sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank and several local businesses. This year’s theme was Ian Fleming’s James Bond spy novel Casino Royale, with elegant models beautifying a supercar catwalk at King and Fairfax Streets.

Storm damage closes roads, disrupts power in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 17, 2025 at 10:37AM

Storm damage from May 16 severe thunderstorms (via Alexandria Police Department)

Alexandria is in recovery mode Saturday, working to restore electricity and clear debris after powerful thunderstorms hit the area Friday night.

At their peak, the storms knocked out power to over 16,000 Dominion Energy customers in Alexandria. As of 10:30 a.m. Saturday, 6,422 out of 70,258 Dominion Energy customers in the city were still without electricity.

Notes: Power outages persist for Alexandria residents following storm

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 17, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated May 17, 2025 at 10:31AM

Dominion Energy Power Outage Map for Alexandria on May 17. (Screenshot)

Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers are likely, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 87 degrees. Southwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible.

Thousands without power in Alexandria following Friday night storms

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 16, 2025 at 11:21PM

Dominion Energy Power Outage Map on Friday, May 16 (screenshot)

As of 11 p.m. on Friday (May 16), more than 14,250 Dominion Energy customers in Alexandria are experiencing a power outage following severe thunderstorms that passed through the area earlier this evening.

Dominion Energy’s outage map does not have an estimated time of restoration for most of the outages with many stating that the outages are pending investigation and awaiting assignment. Dominion Energy serves more than 70,000 customers in Alexandria.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 16, 2025 at 3:30PM

Meal at Taqueria Poblano (via Taqueria Poblano)

It’s finally Friday in Alexandria!

Here’s a look back at our top stories of the week. Topping off our coverage are the delectable poll results on the top three Mexican restaurants in the city. More than 1,800 foodies cast their votes, and Taqueria el Poblano (2400B Mount Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray took the top spot, followed by Taqueria Picoso (1472 N. Beauregard Street) and Los Tios Grill (2615 Mount Vernon Avenue). Do you agree with the results?