News | ALXnow - Part 956

Utility Rate Increase Cut Down as Alexandria Residents Reel from COVID-19

Published June 18, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated June 18, 2020 at 5:58PM

(Updated 4:25 p.m.) Local wastewater management service Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew) is still going to need that $370 to $555 million for the massive upcoming infrastructure project, but due to COVID-19 the organization is cutting down the planned utility rate increase.

“Recognizing the impact COVID-19 has had on the Alexandria community, AlexRenew has updated its previously planned budget, which included an 11% rate increase that was approved last year to support RiverRenew, a state-mandated program to address Alexandria’s combined sewer pollution,” AlexRenew said in a press release. “While an increase is still necessary to support the project, AlexRenew has reduced its rate increase to 6.6%, which will go into effect July 1.”

Inova Alexandria Hospital Now Treating 20+ Coronavirus Patients

By James Cullum

Published June 18, 2020 at 10:20AM | Updated June 18, 2020 at 1:17PM

The number of coronavirus patients being treated at Inova Alexandria Hospital is now in the 20s — a far cry from the more than 90 patients at the facility during the peak of the virus.

Still, that doesn’t mean residents should throw caution into the wind, hospital President Dr. Rina Bansal told ALXnow.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 18, 2020 at 9:00AM

Large Income Disparities in Alexandria — “White Alexandria is pulling in significantly more money than Hispanic workers and African Americans, according to numbers from the United States Census Bureau. A look at average income shows non-Hispanic whites make more than $85,000 a year. That’s more than three times the average income for Hispanic workers, $24,000, and more than twice the average income for black workers, $37,000.” [Gazette]

Water Taxi Returns to Old Town — “A face mask requirement and other safety measures are in place for the limited water taxi service.” [Patch]

East Eisenhower Avenue Project Returns With A New Senior Living Component

By Vernon Miles

Published June 17, 2020 at 5:30PM | Updated June 17, 2020 at 5:47PM

Proposed design of 765 John Carlyle (photo via Carlyle Plaza, LLC)

Over 13 years since it was originally proposed, a plan to turn the quiet southeastern corner of the Eisenhower corridor into a pair of mixed-use towers is coming back with some new proposed uses.

A project called 765 John Carlyle proposes turning the empty grass lot near what is still Eisenhower Circle — for now — into “two mixed-use towers conjoined by the common podium” according to an application by Carlyle Plaza, LLC.

The Silver Parrot is Back in Business in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published June 17, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated June 17, 2020 at 5:04PM

(Left to right) The Silver Parrot staffers Lisa Wylhite, Janet Cowley and Megan Vail at the newly opened shop in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

On Monday, The Silver Parrot opened its doors after three months of being closed. The jeweler at 113 King Street is now open seven days a week, has updated its website for online sales — but the staff is a little concerned about the closing off of vehicular traffic on their block.

“It’s nice to be around people again,” store manager Megan Vail told ALXnow. “I live on my own, so it was like three months of talking to myself and my cats.”

ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund Raises $1 Million, Gives Most to Local Nonprofits

By James Cullum

Published June 17, 2020 at 3:20PM

A mother and child at a food distribution outside Casa Chirilagua in Arlandria on Thursday, May 21, 2020. Casa Chirilagua is one of the recipients of the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

ACT for Alexandria’s ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund has now raised more than $1 million, and $910,000 has been given in grant funding to other city nonprofits.

ACT for Alexandria Executive Director Heather Peeler says that even though COVID-19 numbers are going down, the community needs are still great. The nonprofit has paused its grant request process for the month of June while it maps out its fundraising strategy for the rest of the year.

Visit Alexandria Highlights Local Black-Owned Businesses

By Vernon Miles

Published June 17, 2020 at 2:15PM

Brandon Byrd, owner of Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

As part of a series spotlighting local businesses, city-sponsored organization Visit Alexandria has put together a guide for Alexandrians trying to show more support for black-owned businesses in the city.

Restaurants spotlighted on the list are:

Killer E.S.P. Employee Fundraiser Raises Over Twice its Goal After Widespread Backlash

By Vernon Miles

Published June 17, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated June 17, 2020 at 11:56AM

Employees of local coffee shop Killer E.S.P. (1012 King Street) who quit in protest of controversial tweets made on the company’s social media have raised $5,119 in a GoFundMe campaign, more than twice the campaign’s initial $2,000 goal.

“Due to the recent issues that have come to light on social media, the employees who stayed and worked through this pandemic have all officially quit (as of 6/10/20),” the campaign organizers said on the page. “We made this decision despite not having other jobs lined up because we felt it would be in our best interest for various reasons. We are currently looking for new work opportunities, but for the time being, will not be receiving any income. We created this page for any support that regulars, friends, and/or family may be able to donate to help us bridge the gap between employment during this stressful time.”

Senior Services of Alexandria Annual Gala Canceled

By James Cullum

Published June 17, 2020 at 10:25AM | Updated June 17, 2020 at 10:52AM

COVID-19 has meant the cancellation or postponement of a number of events and services, and Senior Services of Alexandria has finally canceled its most popular event of the year.

The Senior Services of Alexandria gala, which was initially supposed to be held in March, has finally been canceled. The gala usually accommodates hundreds of guests to honor a few select Alexandrians who help the senior community.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 17, 2020 at 9:00AM

Waterfront Park along the Potomac River in Alexandria, with National Harbor and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in the background (staff photo by James Cullum)

Beyer Criticizes Pence Over Second Wave Comments — “Over 116,000 Americans have died. Over 2,000,000 have gotten sick. The person appointed by the President to lead the response (you) flout basic safety precautions recommended by the CDC to prevent spread of the virus as more people get sick.” [Twitter]

Alexandria DMV Opening June 22 by Appointment Only — “The validity of driver’s licenses and identification cards expiring on or before July 31, 2020, is extended for 90 days, not to exceed August 31, 2020. This means that a customer whose credential expired between March 15 and May 31 will have 90 days beyond the expiration date to renew, and credentials with an expiration date from June 1 to July 31 must be renewed no later than August 31, 2020. Vehicle registrations that expire in March, April, and May are extended for 90 days; those expiring in June are extended for 60 days; and those expiring in July are extended for 30 days. In addition, the federal enforcement date for REAL IDs was moved to October 1, 2021.” [DMV]

Pines Of Florence Closes in Old Town as Building Redevelopment Looms

By Vernon Miles

Published June 16, 2020 at 4:30PM

Pines of Florence in Old Town (1300 King Street) has closed, though how permanent that close is remained unclear.

An employee of Pines of Florence said over the phone that the closure was due to redevelopment for the building approved last fall. The redevelopment is planned to turn the block into a four-story mixed-use development with 31 condominium units and 6,400 square feet of ground-floor retail