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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
(Updated 4 p.m.) On person has been arrested for a Fast and Furious-style illegal street race on I-495 near Telegraph Road this weekend.
According to a press release, the police became first aware of the incident on Saturday around 11:15 p.m. when an officer on patrol heard loud exhaust sounds from I-495.
(Updated 3/2 at 1 p.m.) Local tech co-building space Building Momentum (5380 Eisenhower Avenue) is launching a series of after-school tech camps for Alexandria students.
The news comes as Alexandria City Public Schools readies to send students back into schools. Building Momentum, based out of small collection of businesses on the west end of Eisenhower avenue, will start with welding and electricity clubs tomorrow.
In the build up to the June 8th primary, the West End Business Association has announced that it will host a series of interviews with candidates to discuss how they plan to support the city’s West End.
The first in the series, an interview with incumbent City Council member Canek Aguirre, is scheduled for Thursday, March 4 from 1-2 p.m. The discussion will be hosted by Paul Friedman, WEBA government relations chair.
The 2,233-member strong Bring Integrity Back to Alexandria (BIBA) Facebook page has become a prominent forum for criticism against local government but has found itself the object of some backlash and now: parody.
A blog launched this weekend, Make Alexandria Great Again, includes a handful of posts lampooning common topics in the group, like frequent criticism of Mayor Justin Wilson, opposition to added density, and nostalgia for the city’s past.
There have been 12 more coronavirus-related deaths in Alexandria, bringing the death toll from the virus to 119.
Six of the deaths were residents in their 80s, four were in their 70s and two were in their 60s. Five victims were women and seven were men.
Police Provide Guidance on Indecent Exposures in Del Ray — “The Police department encourages anyone who is a victim or witnessed these incidents to call 9-1-1. If you live in the neighborhood, please review your security cameras and call police if there is suspicious activity.” [City of Alexandria]
City Hall Walk-in Payment Hours Expanded — “Beginning Monday, March 1, in-person services are now available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.” [City of Alexandria]
