News | ALXnow - Part 782

Morning Notes

Published March 11, 2021 at 8:00AM

Beyer Enthusiastic After American Rescue Plan Passage — “THERE IT IS: the House just passed the American Rescue Plan, sending the bill to President Biden’s desk for signature! We did it!!!” [Twitter]

Metro Service Cuts Averted With Passage Of COVID Relief Bill — “While it will take more time to work out all the details, including Metro’s exact share of this funding, the $1.4 billion provided by the American Recovery Plan for our region’s transit agencies will allow us to avert the painful service reductions and layoffs that were on the table.” [Patch]

A Year Late, Contractor Eyes Spring Completion for King Street Metro Access Improvement Project

By Vernon Miles

Published March 10, 2021 at 4:30PM

The King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvements project. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The infamously troubled King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvement Project could finish in the next few months after a full year of delays.

The city said the first phase of the project is still reportedly on track for the spring 2021 timeline established last March, when the project was originally supposed to be completed.

Beyer Throws Weight Behind Labor Unions as Council Punts Collective Bargaining Debate

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated March 10, 2021 at 4:06PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff photo by James Cullum)

After a long meeting that stretched into the early hours of Wednesday, the Alexandria City Council punted on a collective bargaining ordinance to an upcoming special meeting.

The meeting, which is not yet officially set, is intended to allow Council members to go through issues line by line. The establishment of a community police review board was also pushed to the same meeting.

Development Questions Remain for New Braddock West Project Headed to City Council

By Vernon Miles

Published March 10, 2021 at 2:30PM

Braddock West will transform the view of Alexandria from the Braddock Road Metro station, but some of the specifics of that arrangement and the impact on neighbors is unclear as the project heads to City Council review on Saturday, March 13.

Unlike some developments in Alexandria, Braddock West is moving forward with support from neighborhood organizations like the Braddock Implementation Advisory Group and the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA). The Planning Commission also recommended approval, though with some lingering questions about who will pay for the sewer work required by the city.

Here’s the Latest on Initial and Continued Unemployment Numbers in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2021 at 1:15PM

Alexandria’s initial (first time) and continued unemployment claims rose for the week ending Feb. 27.

Initial claims rose 9%, with 274 claims for the week ending Feb. 27, Virginia Employment Commission. Initial claims peaked this year at 836 for the week ending Jan. 9 and reached their lowest point at 251 claims for the week ending Feb. 20.

‘Groundswell’ Art Installation Pays Homage to History, Coming to Waterfront Park this Month

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2021 at 11:40AM | Updated March 10, 2021 at 11:59AM

Groundswell, a new art installation paying homage to Alexandria’s maritime history, will be installed at Waterfront Park later this month, the city recently announced.

New York-based artist Mark Reigelman was chosen for the third in the city’s Site See: New Views in Old Town public art series. Groundswell features more than 100 raw wood pilings ranging from nine to 39 inches in height and mirroring the Potomac River’s floor topography.

Civic Activist Bill Rossello Focusing on Overhauling City Government in City Council Campaign

By Vernon Miles

Published March 10, 2021 at 10:45AM

Over the next few weeks, ALXnow will be interviewing the various candidates for City Council participating in the Democratic Primary on June 8.

It’s no secret that Alexandria is politically blue, but Bill Rossello is evidence that being a Democrat-heavy city doesn’t mean the local political figures are in ideological lock step.

Child Safe After Being Left in Car That Was Briefly Stolen in Arlandria

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2021 at 9:30AM | Updated March 10, 2021 at 9:54AM

A young child is safe after the vehicle they were sitting in was briefly stolen on Tuesday afternoon in Arlandria.

The child was left alone in the car for a few minutes and the engine was left running in the 3900 block of Executive Avenue. When the car owner returned from inside an apartment, he saw a man stealing his car with the child sitting in the back seat.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2021 at 8:00AM | Updated March 10, 2021 at 10:00AM

Officer Celebrates 25 Years with Police Department — “A special time for one of our officers. Officer Bennie Evans officially received his commemorative clock representing 25+ years of service with the Alexandria Police Department. We thank you for all you do.” [Twitter]

Beloved Bishop Ireton Faculty Member Dies — “It is with sadness but also with great faith in our Lord that we share that Brother Rick Wilson, a beloved faculty member at Bishop Ireton for more than three decades, passed away last night on March 3, 2021. He is now at peace with our Lord and has most assuredly opened a Word Write Shop for all the writers in paradise. He loved Bishop Ireton. In his last conversation with Head of School Kathleen McNutt, he reiterated his great love of teaching, his love for Bishop Ireton High School, and his desire to do God’s will. He shared with passion, ‘God put me on this Earth to teach. Bishop Ireton is my home.’ Let us pray for the repose of Brother Rick’s soul; for his family who mourns his loss; and for his beloved Bishop Ireton family who will always remember him. May choirs of angels receive him into everlasting life.” [Facebook]

Alexandria Takes Stock of Millions in Lost Sales Tax Revenue

By Vernon Miles

Published March 9, 2021 at 4:30PM

In the middle of the ongoing budget season, the City Council is looking back at the dramatic drop-off in tax revenue over the last year, yet another reflection of the dramatic toll of the coronavirus pandemic.

A financial report to the City Council includes a summary of the $17.4 million consumptive tax revenue — taxable revenue from the sale of goods or services, like sales taxes — lost since March 2020.

Unions: Alexandria Collective Bargaining Proposal Not Ready for Prime Time

By James Cullum

Published March 9, 2021 at 3:30PM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s unions want to widen the scope of the city’s proposal for a collective bargaining ordinance, and are telling City Council to allow city employees more negotiating room in regard to wages, hours worked, personnel policies, retirement and disciplinary procedures.

“This is about our voice,” said Josh Turner, president of the Alexandria Fire Fighters Inc. and International Association of Firefighters Local 2141. “We’ve struggled for a long time in having a voice and being able to bring our expertise to the table with the city to talk about really what’s best for the community.”