News | ALXnow - Part 800

New West End Residential Development Headed to Planning Commission

Published January 29, 2021 at 10:30AM | Updated January 29, 2021 at 10:54AM

Newport Village project (image via City of Alexandria)

The Newport Village development is hoping to demolish two garden-style apartment buildings at the intersection of W. Braddock Road and N. Beauregard Street near Northern Virginia Community College and replace them with a 383-unit residential development.

The developer is asking for a rezoning permit that would nearly double the allowed building height at the site from 45 feet to 92 feet, which staff expressed support for — citing the 120-foot maximum height approved for the Array at West Alex development on King Street.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published January 29, 2021 at 9:00AM | Updated January 29, 2021 at 11:56AM

Yates Corner at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Braddock Road (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Beyer Introduces Legislation to Honor Slain Capitol Police Officer — “Officer Brian Sicknick was a hero who gave his life in service to his country. It is fitting that Congress honor his life, courage, and ideals. @RepBonnie and I just introduced bipartisan legislation to commemorate Officer Sicknick’s life and sacrifice.” [Twitter]

City Councilman John Taylor Chapman Running for Reelection — “John needs your help to appear on the ballot for the June 8 Democratic Primary for Alexandria City Council. Although we would love to have a traditional in-person event, we need to adapt for everyone’s safety. So, stop by the Beatley Library parking lot for a safe, socially distanced drive-thru Meet & Greet to sign John’s voter petition. We’ll be taking the following COVID precautions: masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. Feel free to bring your own pen (though we’ll have some on hand).” [Facebook]

Bread & Water Co. Unveils New Fried Chicken Sandwich

By James Cullum

Published January 28, 2021 at 4:30PM | Updated January 29, 2021 at 10:27AM

The new fried chicken sandwich at Bread & Water in the Belle View Shopping Center. (Photo via Bread & Water)

Bread & Water Co. at the Belle View Shopping Center has decided to expand its menu with a fried chicken sandwich.

For $10 every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, customers can get a fried chicken sandwich on a homemade brioche bun, with pickles and special sauce. New $4.50 side orders include waffle fries, brownies and banana pudding.

Police: Death Investigated Last Week Currently ‘Not Suspicious’

By Vernon Miles

Published January 28, 2021 at 3:30PM

There are few details released so far on the man’s body discovered in Holmes Run last week near Cameron Station, but police said the death does not appear suspicious and foul play is not currently suspected.

“[The incident] does not appear to be suspicious,” said Alexandria Police Department Senior Public Information Officer Amanda Paga.

City Council Approves ResilientALX Charter to Iron Out Alexandria’s Safety Inefficiencies

By James Cullum

Published January 28, 2021 at 2:30PM

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

Feeling safe lately in Alexandria?

On Tuesday, the Alexandria City Council approved the creation of the ResilientALX Charter to make all aspects of the city safer, from emergency planning to disaster response and beyond.

Turtle Twosome Need New Homes and Might Win Race to Your Heart

By James Cullum

Published January 28, 2021 at 1:15PM | Updated January 29, 2021 at 10:29AM

Princess Peach is up for adoption through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. (Image via AWLA)

Sure, the Animal Welfare Leagues latest adoptees Cola and Princess Peach enjoy each other’s company, but they don’t need to be adopted together.

Cola, a six-year-old yellow-bellied slider, and Princess Peach, a seven-year-old red-bellied slider, would reportedly be happy to go to their new homes individually, or, if someone is interested, together.

Poll: What Do You Think of the Proposed Heritage Development in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published January 28, 2021 at 11:30AM

From Board of Architectural Review meetings to local civic activist groups, proposed housing development The Heritage has courted some public controversy along its way to city review next month.

The proposal is to replace a series of 1970s-era homes at the southern end of Old Town with a three seven-story tall structures with a total of 750 new units.

Alexandria Under Gale Warning as East Coast Hit by Winter Storms

By James Cullum

Published January 28, 2021 at 10:15AM

High winds are expected in Alexandria today, as the National Weather Service has issued a gale warning for the city and surrounding area.

That means it’s going to be a gusty day with sustained winds ranging from 39-54 miles per hour.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published January 28, 2021 at 9:00AM

Walking along the waterfront in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Beyer Calls for Accountability in Wake of Capitol Siege — “The idea that we would just move on and not hold those responsible for this accountable is immoral.” [Twitter]

Stonebridge Sells Piece Of Oakville Triangle Site To Townhouse Builder — “Stonebridge is under contract to sell a 3.5-acre piece of the site to Winchester Homes to build an 84-unit townhouse project, Stonebridge principal Doug Firstenberg tells Bisnow.” [Bisnow]

Victory Center’s Condominium Redevelopment Headed to Planning Commission

By Vernon Miles

Published January 27, 2021 at 4:30PM | Updated January 28, 2021 at 11:13AM

Proposed townhouse near the Victory Center (image via City of Alexandria)

(Updated 1/28) The Victory Center on Eisenhower has long stood over a vast, mostly empty parking lot at 4901 Eisenhower Avenue, but a proposal headed to city review in March could replace the eastern portion of that lot with 139 new townhouse condominiums.

The condominium project by Winchester Homes will pack the townhome units, some of them back-to-back, into a section of the Victory Center lot. The developer purchased the property last April and the property was subdivided by the city last year. Retail is anticipated for the southwestern portion of the lot.

City Council Accepts Plan to Double Stormwater Utility Fees

By James Cullum

Published January 27, 2021 at 3:30PM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria is one step closer to seeing its stormwater utility fee double for residents, as City Council on Tuesday night accepted a report from city staff outlining its multi-million dollar plan to upgrade the city’s storm sewer capacity.

City Council approved receipt of the staff proposal 6-1, and it will be voted on in a public hearing on Feb. 20. Also approved was the formation of a nine-member Ad Hoc Stormwater Utility and Flood Mitigation Advisory Group. The plan includes doubling the $140 annual fee for residents to generate $15 million per year on $284 million worth of immediate and longterm projects, some of which aren’t slated to be completed for a decade.