(Updated at 7:30 p.m.) An Old Town property owner wants to tear down an office building in Old Town Historic District and replace it with a four-story multifamily apartment building.
The new development will include underground parking and a rooftop terrace.
While much of the discussion about transportation changes has been focused on Duke Street recently, the city is starting to turn its eyes to Eisenhower Avenue.
The City of Alexandria is now accepting public comment on transportation issues and needs along Eisenhower Avenue. The survey is part of a process aiming to evaluate mobility, access and safety needs along Eisenhower Avenue.
Before the pandemic, I ran a Reddit forum that brought people together for local happy hours. It became a great outlet for an in-person social life: you could get out, get to know people nearby, and have a familiar group to spend time with. I enjoyed being the person who helped make that happen.
Getting people together became harder after the pandemic. Friends moved away, had kids, or settled into different routines, and organizing a night out took more effort. I still wanted that camaraderie, but having people to invite didn’t necessarily mean we could get something on the calendar.
I’m in my late 30s and live in Old Town. About a year ago, I joined Choros, a local membership community that helps guys build friendships through small-group activities. Since then, I’ve been to close to 50 hangouts, and it’s given me a regular group of guys to do things with around Alexandria and beyond.
I host board game nights and help host a monthly happy hour at the Commodore in Old Town. I’ve done escape rooms on King Street, trivia, food festivals in Del Ray, movie discussions, and Dungeons & Dragons (which can be especially tricky to get going as an adult with a busy schedule). Having that variety means I can find something that fits my mood and schedule, and there are usually familiar faces when I get there.
One of my favorite things, though, is getting on my bike, picking a destination, and making a day of it. Through Choros, I’ve found a consistent crew to ride with almost every month. That’s the kind of thing I wanted more of: people who enjoy the same stuff and make time to get out and do it together.
I still like hosting and bringing people together. What makes Choros useful is having a community to draw from, so every plan doesn’t depend on the same few friends being available. Other guys suggest and host things too, which gives me plenty of opportunities to join something without organizing it myself.
Over time, seeing the same guys at different activities builds familiarity. You have conversations to pick back up and another reason to make plans together. That’s how it’s become a circle of friends for me.
If you’re in Alexandria, check out Choros and come to one of our monthly happy hours at the Commodore. I’d be happy to meet a few more neighbors, whether you’re into board games, bike rides, or just getting out for a drink. There’s plenty happening here, along with activities throughout the rest of the D.C. area.
Named after the Bronte siblings, Branwell and Charlotte are two sweet kittens up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
Branwell and Charlotte are two of the most happiest kittens and would make wonderful companions, according to AWLA spokesperson Erin Shackelford. Branwell is a handsome black and white male kitten, and Charlotte is a beautiful gray and white female kitten.
The bottom line at a panel on housing last night: housing is unaffordable in Alexandria and likely won’t get cheaper without more construction.
Last night, the City of Alexandria hosted a panel of experts to discuss the state of housing in the city — from a look back at the evolution of the city’s zoning code to projections and trends in the housing market. The panel is part of the city’s ongoing Zoning for Housing/Housing for All project, which aims to reshape zoning in the city to be more accessible, affordable and available.
Spend the evening with Washington Spirit alum and former USWNT player Joanna Lohman, a true DMV women’s soccer legend.
This is your chance to meet Joanna in person, hear the stories behind the career, the competition, and The Amazing Race, and experience the kind of sports moment you’ll still be talking about long after the night is over.
A 41-year-old Alexandria man is being held without bond after allegedly throwing away a handgun on Interstate 395 while eluding police.
The victim’s girlfriend called police on May 5 and reported that she was the victim of domestic assault and battery at her home in the 700 block of N. Ripley Street, according to a search warrant affidavit. The woman told police that her boyfriend threatened her and that he was known to carry a firearm.
Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!
🌦️ Today’s weather: Expect isolated showers before 9am, followed by partly sunny skies and a high near 86°F, with a 20% chance of precipitation. Northwest winds will range from 7 to 11 mph. Wednesday night, the weather will be partly cloudy during the early evening, transitioning to cloudy skies, and a low around 64°F. A north wind at around 10 mph is also anticipated.
Homes, schools and businesses around Alexandria are being recognized for their work to make the city sparkle a little more.
On Monday, the Alexandria Beautification Commission announced the winners of the Residential Beautification Award, celebrating the creative use of non-invasive plants, native plants, landscape architecture and more.
After being stolen from a West End home and chased by police in a “dangerous” pursuit last month, a 2023 Land Rover has been recovered.
No arrest or injuries were reported in connection to the incident, which occurred on the morning of Monday, July 24. At around 7:30 a.m., the victim reported to the Alexandria Police Department that her kitchen window was open and the window screen was broken. Her purse and keys were gone and so was her recently purchased 2023 Land Rover, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
Six months in, participants in a new guaranteed income pilot aren’t diving into pools of money; it’s just helping them tread water a little easier.
While there aren’t restrictions on what the money can be used for, Economic Mobility Program Officer Julie Mullen said most of the money distributed in the city’s ARISE Guaranteed Income Pilot is helping those in need with basic necessities.
