Opinion

Poll: What do you think of the GenOn Power Plant redevelopment plans?

By Vernon Miles

Earlier this week, Alexandria’s City Council approved two major steps forward for plans to redevelop an abandoned power plant at the north end of Old Town’s waterfront.

The project faced some pushback from tenants and worker unions and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), but ultimately the city voted to approve a master plan amendment for the site and a coordinated development district (CDD) to encompass the project. The master plan amendment was unanimously approved, but the CDD was approved in a 6-1 vote with Council Member Alyia Gaskins voting against it.

Go to Poll: What do you think of the GenOn Power Plant redevelopment plans? Read more

Poll: How do you feel about potential for new Business Improvement Districts?

By Vernon Miles

Alexandria’s City Council recently approved guidelines for the creation of new Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), self-taxed commercial areas where a new organization could be dedicated to turning the area into a commercial destination.

The approval comes five years after a proposed BID in Old Town divided local businesses and was ultimately sent back to the drawing board by the City Council.

Go to Poll: How do you feel about potential for new Business Improvement Districts? Read more

Poll: Should Alexandria eliminate parking requirements for auxiliary housing units?

By Vernon Miles
Street parking on Main Line Boulevard in Potomac Yard (staff photo by James Cullum)

Auxiliary housing hasn’t taken off like the City of Alexandria hoped, but city staff are hopeful loosening some restrictions — including parking — could kick the housing type into gear.

The goal is to provide a boost to market-rate affordable housing which has been in freefall in Alexandria for years. While auxiliary housing hasn’t been as widespread as city officials might have hoped, a staff report prepared for an upcoming Planning Commission indicated that city staff are hopeful that eliminating parking requirements for auxiliary housing in “enhanced transit areas” could incentivize more commercial property owners to add residential units.

Go to Poll: Should Alexandria eliminate parking requirements for auxiliary housing units? Read more

Poll: Is increased car travel time on Duke Street an acceptable trade for better transit?

By Vernon Miles
Duke Street near Landmark and Cameron Run (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Updated 10:45 p.m. — The question should read “increased car travel time” rather than reduced.

Alexandria is in the process of planning an overhaul to Duke Street, and while part of the project goal is improved transit

Go to Poll: Is increased car travel time on Duke Street an acceptable trade for better transit? Read more

Poll: Have you been impacted by the baby formula shortage?

By Vernon Miles

For two weeks, baby formula has been out of stock at many local grocery stores.

Four children got bacterial infections because of formula made at the Abbot plant and two children died. Now more than 40% of the country’s baby formula supply is now out of stock. Many chain stores have been rationing the supplies to ensure more parents are able to access formula, but locals are still having to find other ways to get food.

Go to Poll: Have you been impacted by the baby formula shortage? Read more

Poll: Have you been impacted by Alexandria-Arlington bridge closures?

By Vernon Miles
West Glebe Road Bridge (photo via Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services)

Like a parachute, a bridge is one of those things you want to be able to rely on, but some of the crossings between Alexandria and Arlington have gotten to such a rough shape that one is now closed to vehicles for at least a year.

The poor state of the West Glebe Road bridge is so well known that federal and state officials from different political parties came together to tour the scene and marvel at the disrepair.

Go to Poll: Have you been impacted by Alexandria-Arlington bridge closures? Read more

Poll: Have you ridden DASH since the pandemic started?

By Vernon Miles
A DASH bus on King Street in Old Town Alexandria

DASH has been on a roll recently with a variety of factors conspiring to push the bus service up to 300,000 total boardings in March, a 73% increase over ridership last fall.

Some of that’s thanks to changes within the DASH bus system: like eliminating fares and shifting toward a system that prioritizes frequent service in high-density corridors.

Go to Poll: Have you ridden DASH since the pandemic started? Read more

Poll: How closely do you follow Alexandria’s budget process?

By Vernon Miles
Money on a table (staff photo via Vernon Miles/ALXnow)

Budget season is Christmas for local policy wonks with every week providing insight into where the city is and isn’t investing in its future. But municipal budgets can also be a famously boring topic.

The annual budget can include some insight into the city’s priorities. This year, for instance, the budget finally includes funding for a police body camera program after being proposed as far back as 2015.

Go to Poll: How closely do you follow Alexandria’s budget process? Read more
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