News

Planning Commission backs Landmark redevelopment plans

By Vernon Miles
Thrive (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s Planning Commission’s recommendation of approval for the long-awaited “West End” development was offset slightly by concerns that the city isn’t doing enough to pressure developers into adopting more environmentally conscious design.

The Planning Commission voted 5-1 in support of development plans for a large chunk of what was once Landmark Mall. The recommendation heading to the City Council supports four sprawling blocks of development with a mixture of multifamily residential, ground-floor commercial, and medical office spaces.

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Alexandrians have 90 days to appeal revised preliminary flood maps

By ALXnow.com

The following press release was published today by the City of Alexandria.

Property owners have 90 days to appeal the revised preliminary Special Flood Hazard Area maps drafted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that determine the obligation for flood insurance.

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Holiday toy donations needed for kids in Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties

By James Cullum
Christmas tree (via Sapan Patel/Unsplash)

(Updated 1:45 p.m.) Toy donations are still needed for residents living in Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties.

The 13th Annual Santa’s Winter Wonderland event will provide gifts for hundreds of children 17 years old and under.

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Adoption fees for American rabbit ‘Axel’ are covered this month in Alexandria

By James Cullum
Axel is up for adoption with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. (via AWLA)

Axel is a bit of a neat freak.

The two-year-old male black American rabbit is up for adoption with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, and all this month his adoption fees are covered by a generous donor as part of the organization’s annual Home for the Pawlidays adoption event.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com
The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums marches in the 50th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del Ray Vintage and Flea Market This Weekend — “Join us this Saturday, 12/10, at the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market! In the Del Ray section of Alexandria at the corner of Mt. Vernon & Bellefonte Avenues” [Patch]

It’s Thursday — Possible drizzle overnight. High of 55 and low of 46. Sunrise at 7:16 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]

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Wesley Housing won’t expand affordable housing properties beyond D.C. Metro area

By James Cullum
A rendering of Wesley Housing's affordable housing project ParcView II at 5380 Holmes Run Parkway. (Via Wesley Housing)

After five years of rapid growth, Wesley Housing’s new CEO says that the organization has no plans to expand beyond the D.C. Metro area.

Kamilah McAfee was promoted to lead the organization last month, and will take over for longtime CEO Shelly Murphy on January 2. She has been the vice president of development for Wesley Housing since 2018, and before that was the deputy director of real estate development for six years.

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Harry Potter tour returning next week to Apothecary Museum in Old Town

By James Cullum
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum still has many of the original products that it sold throughout the 19th century (staff photo by James Cullum)

A magical apothecary tour will materialize in Old Town next week, just in time for the holidays.

The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105-107 S. Fairfax Street) is hosting the annual event on Friday, Dec. 16, and fans of J.K. Rowling’s books can learn about her inspirations in the muggle field of botanical science. Visitors will learn about fumigating pastiles, sweet marjoram and cuttle fish bone, among others.

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Inova development could honor woman who pioneered Alexandria healthcare

By Vernon Miles
The Inova At Landmark campus conceptual design. (Via Inova)

(Updated 12/8) A street near the planned Inova hospital anchoring the Landmark redevelopment could celebrate a woman who founded one of the city’s first hospitals.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously at a meeting last night approve of renaming Healthway Place to Julia Johns Place.

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JUST IN: Crash with injury shuts down section of Beltway near Woodrow Wilson Bridge

By Vernon Miles
Local southbound I-95 lanes shut down near Woodrow Wilson Bridge after a crash (image via VDOT)

The local lanes of I-95 southbound were shut down near Alexandria after a crash involving an injury around 11:30 a.m.

Video of the scene shows traffic backing up as it’s diverted to exit 177/US-1. The thru lanes are still open.

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Congestion and air quality state grant could be a vital piece of major Alexandria transit program

By Vernon Miles
Traffic backup heading eastbound along Duke Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 11:30 a.m.) As Alexandria sizes up Duke Street for dedicated bus lanes, a regional grant aimed at reducing congestion and improving air quality could be a vital piece of funding the transit line’s operation.

The bus lanes, part of a bus rapid transit (BRT) refit, is part of the Duke Street in Motion project, which aims to boost transit accessibility along Duke Street.

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