News | ALXnow - Part 679

City considers axing Complete Streets feedback form

Published November 16, 2021 at 1:15PM

In the midst of everything else that’s happened over the last year, the Seminary Road debate can feel like a relic of another age, but there was a time when the Complete Streets program was at the center of a community-wide debate.

Complete Streets is an Alexandria program that aims to redesign roadways for the benefit of all users, with pedestrians and cyclists in mind along with motorists. The program stirred up some local controversy over plans to reduce travel lanes on Seminary Road in favor of bike lanes. A form put out by the city allowed locals to weigh in on street resurfacing.

Turkish Coffee Lady brewing up new Old Town location

By Vernon Miles

Published November 16, 2021 at 10:50AM

1001 King Street (photo via Google Maps)

A Tysons coffee shop specializing in Turkish blends is planning to move into a former chocolatier space in Old Town.

Turkish Coffee Lady is a cultural and coffee/tea kiosk in Tysons Corner Center that is applying to open a store at 1001 King Street, Zebra first reported. Owner Gizem Salcigil White has filed a special use permit (SUP) for a change of ownership for the building that once housed Blüprint Chocolatiers and, more notoriously, white nationalist Richard Spencer.

Construction begins for Inova’s massive Oakville Triangle project

By James Cullum

Published November 16, 2021 at 9:45AM

(Left to right) Alexandria Vice Mayor-elect Amy Jackson, Mayor Justin Wilson, Stonebridge Principal Douglas M. Firstenberg and Inova Alexandria Hospital President Dr. Rina Bansal at the groundbreaking for Inova Oakville at Potomac Yard, Nov. 15, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

It wasn’t so much a groundbreaking as it was a wall-breaking, as local dignitaries smashed their way to a new future at the new Inova Oakville at Potomac Yard on Monday (Nov. 15).

After years of development, construction officially began on the $300 million project at the corner of Swann Avenue and Richmond Highway — just down from National Landing and the Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus. The project and includes more than 1 million square feet of residential space dedicated to apartments, a new 93,000-square-foot Inova HealthPlex with a comprehensive emergency room and 55,000 square feet of retail. The facility is planned to open in fall 2023.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 16, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated November 16, 2021 at 9:08AM

Sudshare app-based laundry service launches in Alexandria — “Sudshare has launched in Alexandria to connect people who hate washing clothes (or don’t have time to do it) with people who are willing to do it for you.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Alexandria gets another new mural — “The newest Alexandria mural was unveiled on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.” [Zebra]

New Capital Bikeshare stations installed around Alexandria, with more on the way

By Vernon Miles

Published November 15, 2021 at 2:30PM

Capital Bikeshare at Pickett & Shillings streets (photo via Transportation & Environmental Services/Facebook)

New Capital Bikeshare stations have recently been installed in Alexandria, with more on the way this month and next.

On Friday, Capital Bikeshare installed a new dock at S. Pickett Street and Shillings Street, near the Contempo NOVA (né Modera Tempo) apartments at 5760 Dow Avenue.

Shop Made In VA joins crowd of local makers and opens on King Street

By James Cullum

Published November 15, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated November 15, 2021 at 6:19PM

In the market for a cutting board in the shape of Virginia, Bloody Mary mix, candles and jewelry? You’re in luck.

Shop Made In VA opened for business last Thursday at 1121 King Street, offering workshops and products from more than 120 small business owners in Virginia.

Petition gains steam to save Torpedo Factory artist studios

By James Cullum

Published November 15, 2021 at 11:00AM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

As plans move forward to revamp the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a petition is gaining steam to get support to save spaces for artists.

As of Today (Monday, Nov. 15), more than 3,200 people have signed a petition asking the city to keep artists in studios on the first floor instead of replacing those studios with amenities, including a completely remodeled first floor, a new restaurant and a roof deck.

New field lighting baked into Minnie Howard campus expansion permitting

By Vernon Miles

Published November 15, 2021 at 9:55AM

After the 2019 decision to maintain one high school, Alexandria City Public Schools is finally getting ready to send its expanded campus concept to the city for review.

Plans specifically for the current Minnie Howard campus are scheduled to go to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 4:

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 15, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated November 15, 2021 at 2:06PM

Leaves along the sidewalk in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria School Capacity The Focus Of Proposed Capital Budget — “The latest Capital Improvement Plan proposal includes funding for a newly acquired office building that will become a school.” [Patch]

The Happy Cat Hotel and Spa to open next weekend — “It’s time for dogs to move over, because there’s a new cat in town – or a cat hotel and spa, rather.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

UPDATED: Pedestrian struck and killed in Arlandria

By Alan Henney

Published November 14, 2021 at 12:30AM | Updated November 14, 2021 at 11:10AM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 11:10 a.m.) Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian that happened around 8:10 p.m. on the 200 block of West Glebe Road, near Mount Vernon Avenue and the Food Star International Supermarket.

The victim was struck by a driver and reportedly pinned under their vehicle. He was pronounced dead soon after rescue crews freed his body from beneath the auto.

Alexandria first responder unions question necessity of tax increase to pay for employee raises

By Vernon Miles

Published November 10, 2021 at 3:30PM

Alexandria Fire Department ambulance. (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

In the last few months, a head-long battle between Alexandria’s police and firefighters against city leadership has come to a head as first responders unions say underpayment has left staffing at critical levels.

City staff recently laid out the potential costs to implement a pay raise for first responders, but unions representing those first responders say that sticker shock is less intense in the broader context of the budget.