News | ALXnow - Part 889

Morning Notes

Published November 23, 2020 at 9:10AM

Alexandria Featured in Profiles on Region’s Oldest Homes — “One of the interesting aspects of the Ball-Sellers House is that some of the original roof is protected under a later roof. That’s also the case with the oldest surviving house in Alexandria: 517 Prince St., or what’s known as the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House. The oldest part of the house dates to 1772. There is access to the space between the old roof and the roof that was later built above it at a less-severe pitch.” [Washington Post]

West End Contractor Wins Big Missile System Contract — “The U.S. Navy awarded Alexandria-based Systems Planning and Analysis Inc. (SPA) an $85 million contract to provide technical support for the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile system, the company announced this week.” [Virginia Business]

New Report Outlines Scope of Body Worn Camera Program in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2020 at 3:45PM

For over four years, Alexandria Police have failed to get body worn cameras off the ground. A new report going to City Council this Tuesday outlines the costs and staffing issues that have played a part in that extended delay.

“Oftentimes, jurisdictions do not realize the true extent of costs to implement a program that is based on deploying technology devices,” City staff said in a report. “The belief that the costs are solely the devices and associated licensing fees leads to disastrous results when the ripple effects of that technology are felt. The proliferation of cloud-based technology solutions actually adds to the impression that the cost of the desired ‘e-widget’ is all that is needed for consideration. In few areas could the purchase of technology in one agency have a huge impact across many others the way that BWC programs do.”

First Night Alexandria Shifts to Drive-In Concert Experience

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2020 at 2:45PM

In light of the worsening pandemic, the traditional First Night Alexandria festivities have been adapted to a hybrid drive-in and virtual experience.

The program will include pre-recorded comedy and musical programs projected onto a big movie screen.

Restaurants and Other Businesses for Sale in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published November 20, 2020 at 1:15PM

Sometimes buying an existing business is easier than starting from scratch.

We looked through Alexandria listings on BizBuySell and found a bunch of businesses for sale. Many are restaurants, which have been heavily impacted the last several months due to the pandemic.

City Council Approves New Developments Along Eisenhower Avenue

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2020 at 11:30AM

Big changes are coming to the Eisenhower corridor, with two new developments approved at the City Council meeting last Saturday that put some of the final puzzle pieces together.

One of the more visible changes will be the approved development of Block P in Carlyle — referred to by staff as the last block in Carlyle. The project was originally approved in 2007 as a pair of office towers, but the project was recently redesigned with the northern tower becoming a hotel while the southern tower would be residential.

New Braddock Affordable Housing Complex Eyes Winter Opening

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2020 at 10:45AM

Affordable housing complex The Bloom is now scheduled to open sometime in December 2020 or January 2021.

The Alexandria Housing Development Corporation said in a press release that the 97-unit building at 930 N. Henry Street will open in the winter to locals at 50% or 60% of the area median income.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2020 at 9:00AM

City’s Guidance for Students Returning Home — “Students and staff should minimize their interactions with others as much as possible in the 14 days before leaving the IHE. Students and staff should also minimize the risk of exposure during travel home. Traveling alone in a private vehicle is the safest option. Students and staff who are unable to limit interactions with others at the IHE may consider quarantining themselves for 14 days after they arrive home.” [City of Alexandria]

Killer ESP Owner Denies Allegations by Quitting Staff — “Presented with some of the specific accusations against him regarding sexual harassment and the shop’s cleanliness, Shelton said, ‘This is outrageous. These lies are more absurd than the first go around.’ He said he would follow up with call, but later texted, ‘I’ve been advised by my attorneys to keep quiet.'” [Washingtonian]

Poll: Should Virginia Tech be Added to Potomac Yard Metro Name?

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2020 at 4:30PM

This week, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is asking the public whether or not they’d want to see Virginia Tech added to the name of the new Potomac Yard Metro station.

The name would be associated with Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus, which is promised to bring a massive redevelopment to the area.

Inseparable Kitties Chloe and Emmie Up for Adoption With the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published November 19, 2020 at 3:45PM

Felines Chloe and Emmie are bonded for life, and the dynamic duo are looking for a new family through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

“Four-year-old felines Emmie (orange) and Chloe are ready to double your pleasure and double your fun, because this dynamic duo of bonded kitties are looking for their new family…together,” said AWLA spokesperson Gina Hardter. “While their looks couldn’t be more opposite, their purr-sonalities are pretty similar: both girls are sweet, outgoing and go out of their way to get pets from new people.”

KT Tunstall Headlines Limited Birchmere Lineup to Close 2020

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2020 at 2:45PM

The Birchmere’s rundown for the next few months is full of as many 2021 rescheduling as upcoming shows, but there’s still plenty on offer at Alexandria’s historic music venue.

One of the most high profile acts scheduled for the rest of 2020 is KT Tunstall, scheduled for Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tunstall’s “Suddenly I See” was a 2005 earworm that became a hit and featured in everything from The Devil Wears Prada to the 2008 Hillary Clinton presidential campaign.

Staffing Issues Just Kept a Group of ACPS Students from Going Back to School on Tuesday

By James Cullum

Published November 19, 2020 at 11:55AM | Updated November 19, 2020 at 4:16PM

Families received a note from ACPS on Tuesday morning stating that school for students with disabilities in grades 3-5 and who are in the citywide Special Education program would need to stay home.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to return students in the (grades) 3-5 program as part of our targeted date of November 17, as the superintendent has said that all of our plans are contingent upon staffing and building capacity issues,” Terry Werner, the ACPS executive director of specialized instruction told parents in a Zoom call on Wednesday night. “We ran into some issues around staffing and we were not able to staff classes to bring students back from our next phase of students are scheduled to return on 30th.”