News

As DASH Bus reels from a $3.3 million overspending error in the last fiscal year, the Alexandria transit agency is considering service changes to mitigate current budget challenges.

On Wednesday (Oct. 14), the DASH Board of Directors pre-authorized a package of service cuts. The changes are intended to address a $2.4 million shortfall in the current operating budget.


Sports

 

In their first year on the field, the undefeated Alexandria City High School Girls Flag Football team is tearing it up.


Sponsored

Only four remain: Inside Brooks Estate’s luxury townhomes in Old Town Alexandria

One private-elevator residence remains, with special low-interest-rate financing and builder-paid closing costs available.

By Brett Rice

Only four residences remain at Brooks Estate, a collection of 13 luxury townhomes in Old Town Alexandria, just two-and-a-half blocks from King Street–Old Town Metro. The homes are complete and available for immediate purchase—and only one remaining residence includes a private elevator.

For buyers considering a move, the builder is offering special incentives, including low-interest-rate financing and builder-paid closing costs, subject to eligibility and offer terms. It is an opportunity to purchase a fully appointed new home with a two-car garage, a rooftop terrace and the convenience of Old Town living.

Brooks Estate’s remaining residences range from approximately 2,600 to 2,900 square feet across four spacious levels. Each is designed for four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms, with home-office and open-loft options that accommodate different ways of living. Pricing now starts at $2,197,500, with all existing upgrades and options included in the listed price.

At Brooks Estate, luxury comes standard. Buyers can see the finishes, experience the spaces and understand what is included before making their decision.

Four distinctive residences. One final elevator home.

The remaining collection includes The Kendall at 109 N West Street, offered at $2,197,500; The Claire at 107 N West Street, offered at $2,400,000; The Masonic View at 1330 Cameron Street, offered at $2,435,000; and The Henry at 121 N West Street, offered at $2,735,000.

The Henry is the final available residence with a private elevator and also features a rear yard. The Claire serves as the furnished model home and is itself available for purchase.

All four homes include two-car garages and private rooftop terraces—features that bring everyday convenience and outdoor space to a historic urban setting. Buyers can explore the floor plans and finishes at BrooksEstateOT.com or arrange a personal walkthrough with Brett Rice of RE/MAX Executives.

Traditional architecture, thoughtfully finished interiors

Brooks Estate blends modern comfort with architectural details that complement Old Town Alexandria. Graceful arches connect living spaces, while crown moldings, custom millwork and carefully selected materials give the interiors a distinctive character.

Custom cabinetry, polished quartz surfaces and professional-series Thermador appliances create chef-inspired kitchens made for quiet mornings and lively gatherings. Custom-built rift- and quarter-sawn white oak range hoods and island surrounds add warmth and craftsmanship.

The hardwood flooring, supplied and installed by Arlandria Floors in Del Ray, is 5-inch-wide European white oak, sanded and finished on site. Nine- and ten-foot ceilings and generous windows enhance the sense of light and space.

Spa-inspired baths feature tiled walk-in showers, soaking tubs in select bathrooms and Wi-Fi-controlled heated floors in the primary bath.

Smart features that make daily life easier

Technology is thoughtfully integrated throughout the homes, including Wi-Fi-connected Lutron Caséta lighting controls, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth entry locks and high-efficiency HVAC systems with temperature sensors and smart thermostats.

The two-car garages are spray-foam insulated and temperature controlled, with custom-painted floors, EV charging readiness and Wi-Fi-controlled garage door openers with cameras.

(more…)


Opinion

Reliable veterinary care plays a vital role in maintaining the health and well-being of Alexandria’s pet population. Local animal hospitals and clinics provide essential services that give pet owners peace of mind and support the broader community.

Here are the nominees for Best veterinarian in Alexandria as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your favorite veterinarian? Write it in!

Voting will close on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Voting for Best places to hike in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best coffee shops in Alexandria. The full results are now official:

  1. 🥇 Turkish Coffee Lady — 1484 votes
  2. 🥈 Café du Soleil — 836 votes
  3. 🥉 LaPluma Coffee & Wine — 342 votes
  4. St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub — 253 votes
  5. Swing’s Coffee — 187 votes

A total of 3,692 votes were cast.

See every ALXnow Readers’ Choice winner, past and present, here.


Around Town

Halloween festivities are starting to ramp up in Alexandria as October continues on.

This weekend, the “Thriller” Zombie Flash Mob descends upon Old Town, retailers will host the new Sticker Treat sticker crawl, and the Spooky Mad Science Expo returns for an 11th year at Patrick Henry Recreation Center. The Ethiopian Fall Festival has also been rescheduled for this weekend.


News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 16, 1824, the beloved Marquis de Lafayette arrived in Alexandria for an extended visit during his ‘Grand Tour of America,’ one of the social high points in history of the young nation he had so fervently fought for. The Alexandria Gazette of October 19, 1824, vividly described his entrance to the city: ‘Between twelve and one o’clock General LaFayette entered the line from the Potomac Bridge, under a salute of artillery from Capt. Williams’s company. Here he was met by General Walter Jones and suite…. LaFayette then entered a splendid barouche, drawn by four fine greys, [and escorted to Alexandria]…. The procession entered the town through Columbus Street, went through a part of King into Fayette…to Washington Street.” [Historic Alexandria]

Amtrak Service Adjustments to Happen on Five Days — “Work will start after service ends on Friday, Oct. 16 and be completed before morning service on Monday, Oct. 26. Work will be done at the ‘A-Interlocking’ track and control point within D.C.’s First Street Tunnel. The point controls routing of all Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express trains between D.C.’s Union Station and Virginia. During the work, two train lines will run in segments, with the southern segment starting or ending in Alexandria.” [ALXnow]


News

Alexandria City Public Schools faces a $17 million shortfall as it starts its 2028 fiscal year budget deliberations.

Dominic Turner, the school system’s chief financial officer, laid out a stark reality with rapidly rising expenditures on Wednesday night at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus.


News

Alexandria is one of 15 cities across the country chosen to receive between $450,000 and $750,000 each in grant funding to increase its housing stock.

Today (Oct. 15), Bloomberg Philanthropies announced that Alexandria is among the first 15 cities to get the grant funding, and that 30 nationwide will be chosen to combat a national shortage of homes. Alexandria was awarded the funds, along with Albuquerque, N.M., Charleston, S.C., Chattanooga, Tenn., Cleveland, Columbia, S.C., Durham, N.C., Louisville, Ky., Miami, Nashville, Tenn., Omaha, Neb., Pittsburgh, Portland, Maine, Providence, R.I. and San Jose, Calif.


News

Even as Alexandria’s office vacancies improve, city officials learned about a missed opportunity with Potomac Yard’s 0% vacancy rate.

During City Council’s Tuesday (Oct. 13) legislative meeting, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership staff briefed officials on economic progress since City Council in January approved ALX Forward, a framework for the city’s economic future.


News

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested a man that had been sentenced for unlawful recordings in a Del Ray restaurant bathroom.

ICE said in a release on its “worst of the worst” arrests, Joshua Gabriel Car Hombrebueno, 21, of Oxon Hill, Md. was arrested earlier this week. In August, he had been sentenced to serve 179 days in jail after being found guilty of making hidden camera recordings inside the employee restroom of Gustave Boulangerie & Brasserie (2213 Mount Vernon Avenue) in September 2025. ICE said Hombrebueno is from the Philippines and is not legally in the U.S.