News | ALXnow - Part 637

Report: New affordable housing having positive impact on Alexandria property values

Published March 4, 2022 at 1:15PM

Rendering for Mount Vernon and Glebe, via AHDC

New affordable housing developments have a positive — if very slight — impact on housing values in Alexandria, according to a new report prepared for the City of Alexandria by the Urban Institute.

The report was presented to the Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee at a meeting earlier this week. The findings were presented by Christina Stacy, principal research associate for the Urban Institute. The presentation did start, though, with a notable disclaimer that Stacy is a board member at the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC), one of the most active affordable housing developers in Alexandria.

ALIVE! is hosting six free food distributions this month in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published March 4, 2022 at 10:45AM

Bags of food from ALIVE! were given to Arlandria residents on May 21, 2020 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria nonprofit ALIVE! will conduct six free food distributions throughout the city this month.

No identification is required to pick up the groceries, produce, chicken, eggs and bread.

City Council eyes roadway transformation with new Duke Street Transitway Advisory Group

By James Cullum

Published March 4, 2022 at 9:30AM

Traffic on Duke Street in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

After more than 10 years in development, the high-capacity Duke Street Transitway is getting the show on the road.

The Alexandria City Council, at its meeting March 8, will vote on authorizing the city manager to appoint an Ad Hoc Duke Street Transitway Advisory Group. The nine-person body will spend the next year providing recommendations for corridor design alternatives, and will endorse a preferred alternative by spring 2023.

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published March 4, 2022 at 5:00AM

Ukrainian Alexandrians react to war — “Although he lives in Arlandria with his wife and 4-year-old son, his thoughts have been far from the Port City and lingering in his native Ukraine.” [Alexandria Times]

It’s Friday — “Clear throughout the day. High of 45 and low of 26. Sunrise at 6:37 am and sunset at 6:05 pm.” [Weather.gov]

Alexandria taking a new look at one of its oldest types of mixed-use development

By Vernon Miles

Published March 3, 2022 at 3:30PM

1001 King Street (photo via Google Maps)

One of the most defining architectural features of places like Old Town and Georgetown are the buildings with residential units above first and second-story shops.

Now, after the city put together ordinances to more clearly regulate and refine policies for accessory dwelling units (ADU), the city is taking another look at how the units-over-retail type of development fits into the broader scope of housing regulations.

City Council asks Alexandria City Public Schools to not miss another quarterly deadline and deliver report on school safety

By James Cullum

Published March 3, 2022 at 2:15PM

Alexandria Police at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus. (staff photo by James Cullum)

After missing quarterly reporting deadlines on school safety, Alexandria City Public Schools says it will deliver a report this week.

In a joint City Council/School Board work session on Wednesday night, some Council members were not pleased that ACPS has not delivered quarterly performance reviews on the school resource officer program. At the meeting, ACPS staff announced that the Board will soon receive a report on school safety data and the proposed school law enforcement partnership (SLEP) advisory group. The report has not yet been made public, and should be posted today (March 3) or tomorrow as an agenda item for the upcoming meeting.

Snugglebug French Bulldog ‘Lilac’ needs a new home

By James Cullum

Published March 3, 2022 at 1:15PM

French bulldog Lilac needs a new home to chew up her toys, and the squeakier the better, says the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

The nine-year-old pooch is up for adoption, and may need some medical attention in the future.

Trendy convenience store Foxtrot opens in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published March 3, 2022 at 10:45AM

Foxtrot in Old Town, photo via Foxtrot/Facebook

Corner store and cafe Foxtrot is opening today (Thursday) in Old Town.

The company announced in a release that their first Virginia location opened this morning at 701 King Street. The new Alexandria location is the trendy corner store’s 18th location, with others in D.C. as well as Chicago and Dallas. There are a handful of events and specials planned throughout this weekend to celebrate.

Alexandria Seaport Foundation’s second floating center gets back on City Council docket

By James Cullum

Published March 3, 2022 at 10:00AM

After two years in limbo, the Alexandria Seaport Foundation’s request to open a second floating Seaport Center on the waterfront is going back to City Council for approval next week.

The project was supposed to go to the Planning Commission in April 2020, but got sidelined by the pandemic. On Tuesday, March 8, Council will vote on the second center, which would be adjacent to its current location — the 1,200-square-foot McIlhenny Seaport Center at 0 Thompsons Alley.

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published March 3, 2022 at 5:00AM

Local wedding coordinator profiled — “We’re sitting down with some of our vendors, including Juli Valentine of Completely Coordinated, to get the dish on all things weddings.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

It’s Thursday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 54 and low of 37. Sunrise at 6:39 am and sunset at 6:04 pm. [Weather.gov]

Alexandria City Manager wants authority to reduce speed limit in business and residential districts

By James Cullum

Published March 2, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated March 3, 2022 at 3:08PM

(Updated at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 3) Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon wants to be able to reduce speed limits from 25 miles per hour to 15 mph in business and residential districts.

The proposal is part of the city’s efforts to pilot slow zones in residence districts, and goes before City Council on Tuesday, March 8. The City Manager already has the authority to reduce the speed limit, just not to 15 mph.