News | ALXnow - Part 591

Alexandria Community Policing Review Board wants to be functional by September

Published July 7, 2022 at 10:55AM

The Alexandria Community Policing Review Board should be up and running by September — just in time to turn in a written report to City Council on its activities, according to Board members.

The seven-person Board was created by City Council last year to independently review allegations of police misconduct, and its effectiveness is based on Members receiving extensive training, as well as the hiring of an independent auditor/investigator to hire staff, conduct investigations and coordinate the Board’s administrative functions.

Adoptable pooch Avis is looking for a new home in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 7, 2022 at 9:45AM

Avis is full of energy, and looking for a new yard to run around in. The two-year-old female hound mix is up for adoption with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

“Avis gets so excited when she sees her human friends that she can’t stop her tail from wagging,” AWLA spokesperson Gina Hardter said. “Avis thinks anywhere is appropriate for snuggling, from the yard to her bed.”

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published July 7, 2022 at 5:00AM | Updated July 7, 2022 at 11:09AM

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana Sets Opening For July In Alexandria — “Frank Pepe, the brand that created the New Haven-style pizza, will arrive in Alexandria during July.” [Patch]

It’s Thursday — Rain until evening. High of 82 and low of 73. Sunrise at 5:51 am and sunset at 8:38 pm. [Weather.gov]

City Council approves major step in waterfront power plant redevelopment

By Vernon Miles

Published July 6, 2022 at 3:55PM

GenOn Power Plant (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Even after pushback by groups ranging from tenants and worker unions to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), Alexandria’s City Council approved a major step for the GenOn Power Plant redevelopment’s Coordinated Development District (CDD) in a 6-1 vote at a meeting last night (Tuesday).

As with earlier contentious developments, City Council members said they acknowledged concerns about the project, but Mayor Justin Wilson said the prospect of finally cleaning up the power plant site eclipsed those issues.

Alexandria’s massive RiverRenew Tunnel Project to be dedicated/unveiled next week

By James Cullum

Published July 6, 2022 at 2:15PM

Alexandria leaders will be on-hand on Thursday, July 14, for the unveiling and dedication of AlexRenew’s RiverRenew Tunnel Project.

The $454.4 million project will replace Old Town’s 19th century combined sewer system with a tunnel system, sewer infrastructure and improvements to AlexRenew’s wastewater treatment plant — all to prevent 130 million gallons of combined sewage from flowing from four outfalls into the Potomac River every year.

Arlington and Alexandria residents asked to be on the lookout for the invasive spotted lanternfly

By Mavis Chan

Published July 6, 2022 at 1:15PM

Spotted lanternflies on a branch (courtesy of Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia)

Residents in Arlington and Alexandria can now report suspected sightings of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect spreading around the region.

Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia has launched an online survey for people to report suspected cases of the spotted lanternfly. The organization is a volunteer group working to promote “environmentally sound gardening practices,” in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension, according to its website.

City Council wants to sell this tiny property on the Alexandria waterfront

By James Cullum

Published July 6, 2022 at 11:00AM

Alexandria is rethinking selling 2 King Street on the Alexandria waterfront. (Via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is developing a request for proposal (RFP) to potentially sell a tiny parcel of land at 2 King Street on the Alexandria waterfront.

The 1,825-square-foot property is between Waterfront Park and The Strand Street, and has been rented out as a parking lot for neighboring businesses since it was acquired in the 2014 land swap with the Old Dominion Boat Club.

Harry Potter’s birthday tour coming back to Apothecary Museum in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published July 6, 2022 at 9:30AM

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

Children and adults who missed their Hogwarts letter can celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday with a special tour of the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum.

This July 31, the Apothecary Museum will celebrate its annual Harry Potter guided birthday tour with the 25th anniversary of J.K Rowlings’ first wizarding book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published July 6, 2022 at 5:00AM

Gourmet Mexican Opens in Del Ray — “The shop sells high quality and authentic Mexican food and other goods.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

It’s Wednesday — Heavy rain starting in the afternoon. High of 85 and low of 78. Sunrise at 5:51 am and sunset at 8:38 pm. [Weather.gov]

VRE could extend ‘fare-free’ season into October for Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published July 5, 2022 at 3:45PM

A VRE train crosses a bridge over King Street (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

While the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is working through plans to make September fare-free for all riders, that could be extended into October for Alexandria riders dealing with the Metro shutdown.

Plans for the VRE are headed to review at the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission’s meeting on Thursday, July 7.

Airports Authority says power plant redevelopment plans threaten DCA safety

By Vernon Miles

Published July 5, 2022 at 2:45PM | Updated July 5, 2022 at 4:35PM

Updated 4:30 p.m. — A spokesperson representing Hilco Redevelopment Partners shared an email with WMWAA indicating that the Airports Authority “is comfortable that the City of Alexandria does not need to ‘defer’ decisions slated for this Application today; instead, the Authority welcomes the City’s expressed commitment in its decision to require increased coordination between MWAA and the City as this Application moves forward.”

The spokesperson also said that because no specific building heights are proposed, the building heights cannot be considered a threat to DCA safety