The Planning Commission unanimously approved the controversial Heritage Old Town project on Tuesday, clearing a path for it to go to City Council for a vote on Feb. 20.
The decision was made after hours of public comments from more than 40 people in support and opposition to the project.
Alexandria’s Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) is planning an overhaul of recreational park on Eisenhower Avenue to add new sports fields and other amenities.
Joseph Hensley Park at 4194 Eisenhower Avenue — just west of the Animal Welfare League — is currently an open field mostly occupied by a central baseball diamond. The new design will feature two baseball diamonds and a soccer field with synthetic turf.
East Coast-based pet store chain Loyal Companion is planning on opening its doors in Old Town North on Feb. 25.
“We’re a one-stop-shop for pet wellness,” Loyal Companion said on its website. “Stop by and wow your pet with our selection of toys, treats, food, supplements, expert advice and grooming all under one roof.”
The city’s plans to overhaul Taylor Run to combat the erosion of the stream has generated some controversy as both local civic groups and some environmental activists have expressed concerns about the restoration’s impacts.
Criticisms of the city’s plan range from the simple — many of the trees and foliage in the forest will be torn down, though the city has committed to planting new growth and says the damage will be worse if erosion is left unchecked — to the more in-the-weeds concerns — like phosphorous levels in the water might not match the city’s models, meaning the levels of estimated pollution justifying the restoration could be lower than what’s currently speculated.
Dr. Lauren Fisher, the co-owner of Del Ray Psych and Wellness, has been elected the new president of the Del Ray Business Association.
“I am honored to be representing an amazing group of resilient, supportive, and community-oriented business owners,” Fisher said in a statement. “I look forward to helping our local businesses and community members adapt, evolve, and strengthen over this next year. In the words of Helen Keller, ‘Alone we do so little, together we can do so much.'”
Alexandria boxer Troy Isley has just gone professional and is headed into a fight next Saturday with something to prove.
“I’m feeling good,” Isley said. “I’m ready. I’m eager and getting anxious.”
Mayor Asks Residents to Shovel Snow — “Grab your shovel and help us make it safe for pedestrians around our City. Sidewalks must be cleared by Thursday at 3 PM! @Volalex is back supporting our ‘Snow Buddy’ program for those who need assistance or can assist.” [Twitter]
Beyer Criticizes Trump’s Lawyers — “Trump’s lawyers misspell “United States” right at the beginning and somehow it only gets worse and more amateurish from there.” [Twitter]
Several days of snowy weather have been a mild headache for Alexandria’s emergency management team, but all things considered: staff says things are going pretty well.
“Things are going good” said Jeff Duval, deputy director of Transportation and Environmental Services. “We’ve had a few days of challenging weather. The storms has been persistent, they’ve come and gone with multiple bands.”
Alexandria Police are mourning one of their own today, after releasing news that longtime Parking Enforcement Officer Edward Bonds passed away from COVID-19 complications on Thursday, Jan. 28.
“APD extends our heartfelt condolences to Bonds’ family, friends, and his coworkers with the Parking Enforcement Office,” Alexandria Police said in a release. “Coworkers say Bonds loved old school R&B music and loved to sing. They say he also loved playing the lottery and apparently, was lucky and good at it.”
The Del Ray art marker for Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at 2311 Mount Vernon Ave. is expected to be erected this spring. The project, which was designed by Maryland artist Kirk Seese, has been in the works since 2018.
“It’s supposed to be an identifier for Del Ray,” Pat Miller told ALXnow. “There’s no place that says Del Ray in Del Ray. None. So, this is to be an identifier through an artistic piece for the community.”
It might take years for Alexandria’s economy to recover from the impact of the pandemic, but there are plenty of developments down the road.
Micro weddings, new businesses and tourism expectations this year were just a few of the topics covered by Visit Alexandria in its annual membership meeting last week. While offset by positive news of business developments along the waterfront, the meeting was full of sobering statistics on drastically reduced revenues in nearly all sectors of the local economy.
