News | ALXnow - Part 834

Consultant Proposes Replacing Community Shelter with Mixed-Use Development

Published March 3, 2021 at 10:30AM | Updated March 3, 2021 at 10:57AM

With relocation of affordable housing off the table for Minnie Howard, a committee of city and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) leaders met Monday to look to other projects to see where co-location could be implemented.

The city has several major relocation needs over the next few years, including a need to relocate four fire stations to fit changing population figures. At the Joint City-ACPS Facilities Master Plan community meeting, however, the focus was on affordable housing and school locations.

West End Water Main Break to Be Repaired by 5 p.m.

By James Cullum

Published March 3, 2021 at 9:45AM | Updated March 3, 2021 at 11:47AM

A water main break erupted like a geyser in the West End Wednesday morning , and Virginia American Water says that it will be repaired by 5 p.m.

The water main break was reported just after 4:30 a.m. in the 200 block of South Whiting Street, and police advised residents to steer clear of the area.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 3, 2021 at 9:00AM

Inside and outside of Vola's in Old Town (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria to Get Johnson & Johnson Vaccines Next Week — On Saturday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. Adding a third vaccine to Alexandria’s pandemic response is significant and will ultimately mean that more vaccines are available to protect more people… Johnson & Johnson vaccines will become available in Alexandra starting later this week.” [City of Alexandria]

Beyer, Kaine Introduce ‘The Cost of Police Misconduct Act’ — “Most Americans have no idea how much cities and counties they live in spend on police misconduct because cases are often settled in secret. The Cost of Police Misconduct Act would make these costs public, which we hope and believe would help save lives.” [Twitter]

Just In: Two-Car Collision Shuts Down Route 1 South in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published March 2, 2021 at 4:45PM

No injuries are reported after a two-car collision in Old Town, as southbound Route 1 (N. Henry Street) is shut down at the intersection of Wythe Street.

Alexandria Police told ALXnow that the incident occurred at around 3:25 p.m. and the roadway has been closed temporarily for tow trucks to clear the scene.

ACPS Reopens its Doors and Evaluating Grading System for Traumatized Students

By James Cullum

Published March 2, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated March 3, 2021 at 12:42AM

Nine-year-old Luis Aleman had a hard time learning at home, and was happy to be back at Mount Vernon Community School on Tuesday.

It was a far from ordinary school day for the fourth grader, with plexiglass screens at desks that are spread apart, kids distancing from each other, and even walking a socially distant mile for recess instead of playing on the monkey bars.

Historic Alexandria Celebrates Women’s History in the City

By Vernon Miles

Published March 2, 2021 at 2:30PM

From a profile of a daring 18th century coffee shop owner to the arrest of local suffragists, the Office of Historic Alexandria is planning a series of lectures and activities for Women’s History Month.

Historic Alexandria is planning several events over the upcoming weeks, including:

Alexandria Wants Feedback on Building Spray Park in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published March 2, 2021 at 1:15PM

Alexandria is asking for community feedback for a proposal to turned a long-closed swimming pool in Del Ray into a spray park.

The city, which selected McLean-based LSG Landscape Architecture for the project, is in the process of redesigning the Colasanto Pool at 2700 Mount Vernon Avenue. The pool opened at Nicholas A. Colasanto Center and Park in 1969 and has been closed since 2010. A 2012 aquatic facilities study determined that a spray park would best suit the area.

Health and Childcare Concerns Linger for ACPS Staff on Road of Reopening

By Vernon Miles

Published March 2, 2021 at 11:45AM | Updated March 2, 2021 at 12:04PM

Some parents and teachers are facing uncertainty and lingering questions in the days and weeks before ACPS returns to in-person school on March 16.

While ACPS has regularly put out newsletters on the plan for reopening, some in the community are still unsure if their teachers will be back in the classrooms or whether teachers who have been unable to secure a vaccine amid a hectic rollout will be forced to return.

Initial Unemployment Claims Falling in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published March 2, 2021 at 10:40AM

The number of Alexandria’s initial claims (first time claims) went down for the week ending Feb. 20, although continued claims continue to fluctuate.

Initial (first time) claims fell 28% to their lowest of the year, with 251 claims for the week ending Feb. 20, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. Initial claims peaked this year at 836 for the week ending Jan. 9.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 2, 2021 at 9:00AM

Surge in COVID-19 Deaths Occurred in January and February — “The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reviewing and accounting for COVID-19 deaths that occurred during the post-Holiday COVID-19 surge between January and the end of February. As a result, there have been recent increases in deaths reported in Alexandria’s COVID-19 dashboard. AHD and the City extend their sincere condolences to all community members who have lost someone during the course of the pandemic.” [City of Alexandria]

Resident Launches DrainALX Website on Flooding — “After Waynick’s first flood experience, she started talking to neighbors on her own street, letting them know that they should submit information through Alexandria 311, sign up for City alerts and more — and her communication efforts kept growing from there. Her email list now has more than 250 people across at least a dozen neighborhoods from the West End to North East Alexandria and Old Town.” [Alexandria Living]

Meronne Teklu Enters City Council Race

By James Cullum

Published March 1, 2021 at 4:35PM

Meronne Teklu, a management consultant at Deloitte, has entered the race for the Alexandria City Council.

“I believe it’s up to each of us to hold our elected officials accountable in enacting long-term change. I’m running to help connect marginalized and underrepresented communities with our Alexandria City leadership,” Teklu announced on Facebook.