News | ALXnow - Part 286

Heritage at Old Town construction to begin in second quarter of 2025

Published March 28, 2025 at 1:15PM

The Heritage Old Town. (Illustration via The Heritage at Old Town)

According to a project update released Friday, The Heritage at Old Town development is moving forward. Construction at 505 S. Alfred St. will begin in the second quarter of 2025. The development, known as Block 4, will include 310 apartment homes and more than 14,000 square feet of amenity space.

Construction is expected to continue through the third quarter of 2027, extending the timeline previously established for the project. The development team attributes the extended timeline to permitting impacts.

Ask The Mayor: Mayor Alyia Gaskins joins ALXnow for a one-on-one conversation

By ALXnow.com

Published March 28, 2025 at 10:15AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins (staff photo by James Cullum)

ALXnow will launch its new monthly interview series featuring exclusive one-on-one live virtual video conversations with Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins on Friday, April 4.

The “Ask The Mayor” series will provide Alexandria residents with regular opportunities to hear directly from Mayor Gaskins on pressing city issues and to submit their questions for consideration.

Virginia American Water Kicks Off Spring Maintenance: What Alexandria residents need to know

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 28, 2025 at 9:00AM

Faucet // Wasserhahn '''Photographer''': ''thesaint'' a.k.a Matthew Bowden {{PD}}

Virginia American Water is set to begin its annual spring hydrant flushing in Alexandria starting Monday, March 31, with work expected to continue through the end of June.

The company notified customers in Alexandria via email and phone on Friday (March 28) that crews will flush the water distribution system between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays through April 11 in the initial phase of the maintenance program.

Notes: WMPA bringing world music experience to Patrick Henry Recreation Center

By ALXnow.com

Published March 28, 2025 at 7:00AM

Drums Around The World (via Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers, mainly between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 69 degrees. Light south wind, becoming southwest 9 to 14 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low of around 58 degrees. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Tomorrow will be partly sunny, with a high near 84 degrees. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Alate Old Town celebrates grand opening with ribbon cutting

By ALXnow.com

Published March 27, 2025 at 8:30PM

Left To Right: Tony Curry Fisher – Director of Membership for Alexandria Chamber of Commerce; Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley; Jenna Tessier – Alate Old Town Community Manager & Alate Staff; Joe Haggerty - President and CEO of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce; More Alate Staff; Shannon Steene - Executive Director of the Carpenter Shelter; and Maria Ciarrocchi - Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Public Policy. (Photo provided by Alexandria Chamber of Commerce)

A new luxury apartment complex for seniors is now open in Old Town, marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday (March 27).

Alate Old Town, at 1112 First Street, welcomed community leaders and local officials to celebrate its grand opening. The property is designed for residents 62 and older.

10 Questions with Josh Cease, drum major of the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums band

By James Cullum

Published March 27, 2025 at 7:30PM | Updated March 27, 2025 at 8:16PM

The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town, March 3, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Five years ago, Josh Cease taught himself how to be a drum major on the top level of a parking garage in Frisco, Texas.

While the world wrestled with the pandemic, in 2020 Cease bought a mace, and taught himself drum majoring by drilling up and down the parking garage, leading an invisible band by listening to famous marches with headphones. In 2022, Cease moved to Centreville, and he started looking for opportunities to lead a marching band.

King Street welcomes new doggy daycare facility

By James Cullum

Published March 27, 2025 at 6:00PM | Updated March 27, 2025 at 7:10PM

Axel runs at The Dog Park, 705 King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

At the end of the day, dogs are tired at a new doggy daycare in Old Town.

After an extensive interior renovation of the second floor above The Dog Park at 705 King Street, the new owners have expanded their operations beyond pet supplies and grooming. The space was previously a bridal shop.

Catboat Pizza Bar ready for second season on Potomac waterfront

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 27, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated April 7, 2025 at 4:39PM

Catboat Pizza Bar’s outdoor seating (via Catboat/Facebook)

Get ready for another season of pizza and drinks by the river.

As first reported by our sister publication, ARLnow, Catboat Pizza Bar will return to the Washington Sailing Marina (1 Marina Drive) in Alexandria next month.

City, AEDP hosting survey and a series of events to gather public input on Alexandria’s economy

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 27, 2025 at 2:00PM | Updated March 27, 2025 at 2:34PM

Walking in the 100 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria is asking residents for input on shaping its economic future. The city government and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) have launched several initiatives to gather community feedback.

A survey is now available in English, Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic until April 16. This confidential questionnaire aims to collect insights on the challenges and opportunities facing Alexandria’s economy.

Youngkin signs several maternal health bills, tweaks another on unconscious bias training

By Charlotte Rene Woods, Virginia Mercury

Published March 27, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated March 27, 2025 at 2:52PM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed several bills aimed at improving maternal health in the commonwealth, building on promises both he and Democratic leadership made to support parents and health care workers.

Dubbed the “Momnibus” package, the Democrat-led bills stem from a Black Maternal Health Summit hosted last year in the state Capitol that brought medical professionals, advocates and lawmakers from across the state and beyond for roundtable discussions and panels. Alongside these conversations, a rural health committee spent months touring Virginia, gathering firsthand accounts of maternal care gaps in underserved communities.

CityVet to open in Bradlee Shopping Center

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 27, 2025 at 11:00AM

CityVet is opening at 3600 King Street, Suite 20, in the Bradlee Shopping Center.

CityVet is gearing up to open its newest location in Alexandria, Virginia. The new clinic will be at 3600 King Street, Suite 20, in the Bradlee Shopping Center.

According to their website, this Alexandria spot will offer a range of services for pets, including preventive care, dental work, and surgeries. The company shares the following on its website for Alexandria;