News | ALXnow - Part 97

HRP Group hosts public tours of former power plant site ahead of redevelopment approval

Published October 3, 2025 at 12:15PM

Tour attendees review renderings and plans for the Old Town North redevelopment, which includes affordable housing, retail space, and arts and cultural programming. (Photo by Ryan Belmore/ALXnow)

HRP Group will welcome 200 visitors during sold-out public tours of the former Potomac River Generating Station site this weekend, providing residents with a firsthand look at the 18.8-acre property before it is transformed into a mixed-use waterfront community.

The tours, held on Friday and Saturday, marked the latest community engagement effort as the developer pursues final approvals for the first phase of construction. HRP Group expects to begin demolishing the defunct coal-fired power plant in 2027, with the first residential buildings scheduled to open by 2029 or 2030.

CommonWealth One to cut ribbon on new bank at Shoppes at Foxchase

By James Cullum

Published October 3, 2025 at 11:45AM

There's a new CommonWealth One bank at 4557 Duke Street in the Shoppes at Foxchase (via Google Maps)

CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union will cut the ribbon on its newest location in Alexandria on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

The ribbon cutting will be held at 4557 Duke Street (in the Shoppes at Foxchase) from 4 to 5 p.m., and include the credit union’s CEO Frank Wasson, elected officials and representatives from the Chamber ALX. The event will be followed with a reception, and door prizes will be handed out.

Edgar Allan Poe reenactment returns this month to Old Town

By James Cullum

Published October 3, 2025 at 11:02AM

David Keltz as Edgar Allan Poe (image via City of Alexandria)

It’s time to say “nevermore” again, because Edgar Allan Poe actor David Keltz is returning to Alexandria’s Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street) Oct. 29 and 30.

Keltz will recreate Poe’s visit to the city before he died in 1849. The program will include recitations of Poe’s poems “The Raven” and “El Dorado,” as well as two chilling stories, according to the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA). The actor has been performing as Poe since 1991.

Morning Notes: Art on the Avenue returns Saturday with road closures in Del Ray

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 3, 2025 at 7:55AM

via APD

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Friday, Oct. 3, the 276th day of 2025. There are 89 days left in the year.

🌤️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Light and variable wind. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 52. Calm wind.

ACLU files lawsuit in Alexandria alleging ICE unlawfully detaining young immigrants in Virginia

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 2, 2025 at 9:30PM

The Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia filed a class action lawsuit in Alexandria federal court today, alleging that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is unlawfully detaining young immigrants who have a legal pathway to citizenship — part of what the complaint describes as the Trump administration’s mass deportation strategy.

The lawsuit, filed in the Alexandria division of the Eastern District of Virginia at the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse, challenges ICE’s detention of unaccompanied minors who entered the United States after being abused, neglected, or abandoned by their parents — young people who federal law protects from detention.

Union Navy exhibition on display through 2026 at Fort Ward Museum

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 8:15PM

Fort Ward (photo via Visit Alexandria)

A new Union Navy exhibition opened at Fort Ward Museum (4301 W. Braddock Road) on Oct. 2, and will be on display through 2026.

The “Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy” exhibition is being held in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy on Oct. 13, 1775, according to the city. Thousands of sailors, nicknamed jack-tars, helped blockade the 3,500 miles of Confederate coastline, catapulting the unit into the largest navy in the world. Hallmarks of the exhibition include examples of tools, clothing, weapons and personal items from the sailors. It also features a profile on Commander James Harmon Ward, the namesake of the fort, who was the first Union Naval officer to die in the war.

Alexandria hosting youth mental health first-aid training on Oct. 15

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 4:30PM

DCHS is conducting youth-focused mental health first-aid training on Oct. 15, 2025, at 4850 mark Center Drive (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is conducting an eight-hour mental health training session for adults on identifying warning signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse disorders, the effects of illness, and treatment options.

The free session, hosted by the city’s Department of Community and Human Services, will take place on Wednesday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4850 Mark Center Drive. Registration is required. The session is open to “parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers and other caring residents,” according to DCHS.

Alexandria unemployment rate rises to 3.8%, up from 2.8% a year ago

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 2, 2025 at 3:45PM

Alexandria’s unemployment rate rose to 3.8% in August, up from 2.8% a year earlier, as the number of jobless residents increased by 35% to 3,793, according to state data released on Wednesday.

The figures from the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement show 3,793 Alexandria residents were seeking jobs in August, compared to 2,807 unemployed residents in August 2024. Total employment in the city stood at 96,898, down from 99,070 the previous year.

Alexandria seeks volunteers for Holmes Run Channel cleanup Oct. 11

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 3:15PM

Holmes Run (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria is looking for volunteers for a stream cleanup event at the Holmes Run Channel later this month.

The cleanup is being led by the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services Stormwater Management Division, and will be held on Oct. 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. behind the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street). Volunteers are recommended to wear covered shoes, long pants, and bring their own drinking water. The city will provide them with gloves, bags, and first-aid kits.

Justice Department fires key prosecutor in Eastern District of Virginia office already beset by turmoil, AP sources say

By The Associated Press

Published October 2, 2025 at 2:33PM

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department fired a top national security prosecutor amid criticism from a right-wing commentator over his work during the Biden administration, further roiling the prominent U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia after the ousting of other senior attorneys in recent weeks, according to people familiar with the matter.

Alexandria leaders to speak at first-ever State of Early Childhood event

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 2:30PM

Children listen to Paralympic gold medalist Trevon Jenifer at the Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Boys & Girls Club at 401 N. Payne Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria leaders will discuss the early childhood initiatives across the city in a first-ever series of conversations.

The Kids’ First Years (KFY) State of Early Childhood 2025 event will be held at First Baptist Church (2922 King Street) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Mayor Alyia Gaskins will kick off the free event with opening remarks, along with KFY CEO Michelle Smith Howard. The event is intended to bring together city leaders, educators, and advocates to “build a thriving early childhood system that fuels the city’s economy, strengthens the workforce and supports every family,” according to the nonprofit.