News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On July 31, 1934, a contract was let for the construction of George Washington High School at 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue in the city’s Del Ray neighborhood. The new school, which opened a year later, replaced the old Alexandria High School on Cameron Street and merged it with the George Mason High School, the former high school of the Town of Potomac, annexed as part of Alexandria several years earlier. The new high school was designed in the Del Ray’s prevalent Art Deco style, and was funded as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. The school initially housed a student population of 1,200 with a staff of 35. At the time of its construction, critics claimed that the school was built so large that there would never be enough students to fill its cavernous halls. By 1944, the addition of three wings proved them wrong! The old George Mason High building is still standing as part of the Mount Vernon Elementary School.” [Historic Alexandria]

Rep. Beyer Urges Fairfax County to Deny Substation Associated with Data Center — “U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) [Thursday] urged the Fairfax County Planning Commission to deny the permit application filed for Edsall Data Center Substation 2232 at the Plaza 500 site at 6299 Edsall Road in Lincolnia … In a letter to the Fairfax County Planning Commission, Beyer noted that while Fairfax County has adopted guidelines intended to minimize the impacts of data center infrastructure on surrounding neighborhoods and preserve land for housing, economic opportunity, and transit-oriented development, he shares the concerns of many residents and stakeholders that the proposed substation is inconsistent with those goals.” [Rep. Don Beyer news release]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On July 30, 1909, Orville Wright and Benjamin Foulois, a U.S. Army lieutenant, flew a plane to Alexandria in a test flight for the military. The biplane traveled from Fort Myer to Shuter’s Hill and back. A tethered balloon flew above Shuter’s Hill so the pilot would know when to turn back toward Fort Myer. This successful demonstration flight was required for the Army’s purchase of its first military airplane.” [Historic Alexandria]

Voters Share Top Issues Ahead of Aug. 4 Primary — “It is an unusual time for a primary election in Virginia, but voters will head to the polls Aug. 4, choosing their nominees in races for Senate, House of Representatives and local offices … Almost every voter talked about the kitchen table issue of affordability, especially the high price of gas.” [WTOP]