Clear distinctions were made Wednesday night among the three candidates running in the April 21 special election for an open seat on the Alexandria City Council.
For an hour and a half on Wednesday night, Democratic candidate Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and Frank Fannon discussed a wide range of topics, including taxes, the controversial bike lane proposal for Braddock Road, the pump station at Waterfront Park, federal immigration enforcement and more.
Alexandria City Council directed staff on Tuesday to pursue a new preferred option to combat flooding along the Alexandria waterfront — one that does not involve a pump station.
City staff presented the council with a number of options in the wake of the National Park Service’s denial last month of the city’s plan to build a pump station at Waterfront Park. The city’s preferred option, Option 3, is an enhanced gravity storm sewer system, with “automated back flow prevention devices.” Option 3 also means that infrastructure improvements to Point Lumley Park and the bulkhead would be deferred.
Alexandria City Council approved a $4 million loan yesterday (Tuesday) for Naja, the second and final phase of Housing Alexandria’s affordable housing project being built at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road in Arlandria.
The $4 million City Housing Opportunities Fund loan is the final installment of the city funding package for Sansé and Naja, which will have 495 affordable housing units and more than 20,000 square feet of commercial space. City Council also approved $400,000 in rental subsidies for eight units at Naja. Before Tuesday’s approval, the city’s funding support for the project had totaled $79.7 million, according to a city staff memo.
Tonight (Tuesday), Alexandria’s City Council will consider providing a $4 million loan to Housing Alexandria to build the second and final phase of its Sansé and Naja affordable housing project at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road in Arlandria.
The Sansé and Naja project represents Alexandria’s most “significant affordable housing investment” to date, according to a city staff memo to City Council. The development will deliver 495 affordable rental units to the 3.2-acre site and could be fully occupied by 2028.
Alexandria City Council’s Naming Committee will host a public hearing next month on a proposal to rename a street in Seminary Hill named after Confederate Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson.
Ahead of the public hearing, the city wants public feedback on the proposal to rename Iverson Street as Edmonson Street. The proposed name references sisters Mary Edmonson and Emily Edmonson, who were born into slavery, earned their freedom and became important figures in the abolitionist movement.
City Council ignored a plea from the School Board Tuesday night, unanimously approving a resolution to change how the city appropriates funding to Alexandria City Public Schools.
City Council’s resolution directs ACPS, in preparation for the Fiscal Year 2028 budget, to submit estimates for funds needed through major classifications instead of a lump sum. The School Board asked that the move, which was introduced at a March 4 joint work session with City Council, be postponed as it restricts the school system from redirecting budgeted funds to pay for programs and services.
The Alexandria City School Board is asking City Council to postpone voting on a resolution this week that would change how the city appropriates funding to the school system.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins introduced the proposal at City Council’s joint work session with the School Board on March 4. The new system would authorize Council to approve funding allocations by major classification, instead of an annual lump sum. School Board Chair Michelle Rief says that more discussion is needed.
Two appeals on the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board’s approved Braddock Road changes to accommodate bike lanes are heading to City Council.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pastor Kate Costa said the church is submitting an appeal Monday, March 9 after getting signatures from church members over the weekend. The appeal concerns the board’s Feb. 24 decision to remove on-street parking on Braddock Road, including an accessible parking space in front of the church.
Alexandria voters can begin casting early ballots this Friday to participate in the city’s April 21 special election.
This includes the City Council race and a proposed constitutional amendment to redraw Virginia’s congressional maps.
Fresh from her recent Democratic firehouse primary win, City Council candidate Sandy Marks says there’s a lot on the line in the upcoming special election.
Marks is facing independent candidates Frank Fannon and Alison O’Connell in the race, which is slated to coincide with a proposed constitutional amendment to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts.
Three candidates have submitted the paperwork necessary to run for Alexandria City Council, meeting the city’s 5 p.m. deadline today (Friday).
Democrat Sandy Marks, independent candidate and former Republican City Councilman Frank Fannon, and independent Alison O’Connell have each turned in the necessary paperwork to be on the April 21 ballot, Director of Elections & General Registrar Angie Maniglia Turner confirmed to ALXnow shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.
