A new Change.org petition opposing the new Washington Wizards/Capitals arena at Potomac Yard is slowly gaining steam.
Last week, Ted Leonsis, the CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment and owner of both teams, announced the move alongside Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. The $2 billion proposal would mean a new entertainment district for the area, which critics say will worsen traffic and decrease property values.
Alexandria is seeing an uptick in contractors striking gas lines, partly thanks to outdated utility maps.
At a meeting of the Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee (full disclosure, this reporter served on the committee) last week, Fire Marshal Russell Furr said there is a “higher than normal number of gas lines being struck.”
Police were investigating reports of shots fired at a McDonald’s on Van Dorn Street early this morning.
Scanner traffic indicated that shots were fired at the McDonald’s drive-thru at 505 S. Van Dorn Street sometime around 4 a.m.
Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 41 and a breezy northwest wind ranging from 14 to 22 mph, gusting up to 37 mph. The night will be clear, with temperatures dropping to around 27 and the northwest wind easing to 6 to 10 mph.
While people around the region have been discussing the proposal to move the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards to a new Potomac Yard arena, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Stephanie Landrum said one of the most popular questions she’s been getting from Alexandrians is “What will happen to the Target?”
The Target (3101 Richmond Highway) at Potomac Yard was controversial back when it opened, according to a Washington Post article from 1997.
Tatte Bakery & Cafe is opening on Jan. 24 at 515 King Street, staff tell ALXnow.
A sign that the restaurant will open in winter 2024 was recently posted outside a main window. Staff inside the confirmed that it will open on Wednesday, Jan. 24.
A disabled 18-wheeler truck is blocking northbound traffic on Richmond Highway in Alexandria.
A KeHE truck was disabled near the top of the bridge by Slaters Lane on Richmond Highway.
A culinary staple is closing its doors this week after nearly 30 years in Old Town.
The outside signage of Faccia Luna (823 S. Washington Street) has been taken down, and customers have been handed a note that says the following:
With WMATA announcing potentially drastic cuts to the Metro system, some Alexandria leaders are saying the Potomac Yard arena announcement can be leveraged to get Virginia to pony up more support.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, last week Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin took to the stage with local leaders and Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis to announce plans to build a new arena in Potomac Yard.
With two City Council members throwing their hats into the ring to become Alexandria’s next mayor, there will be at least two new faces on the Council next year: James Lewis wants to be one of them.
Lewis, chair of the Traffic and Parking Board, previously ran for City Council in 2021.
Good Monday morning, Alexandria!
🌧️ Today’s weather: Expect rain until 1pm followed by a slight chance of showers after 4pm. Morning clouds will gradually clear with a high of 53°F. Strong northwest winds, 23-29 mph, may gust up to 46 mph. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation and potential for a tenth to a quarter-inch. For Monday night, rain showers are possible before 10pm, turning to rain and snow showers after 1am with a 30% chance. Partly cloudy conditions will persist, with a low of 33°F and west winds at 9-13 mph.
