Alexandria City Council | ALXnow

Advocates support proposal for new ACPS subcommittee focused on capacity challenges

Published December 15, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 15, 2025 at 7:41PM

Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School at 1501 Cameron Street (via Jefferson-Houston/Facebook)

A proposal to create a new City Council/School Board subcommittee focused on Alexandria City Public Schools’ capacity challenges has won the support of a local advocacy group.

Save Jefferson-Houston (Save JH), which opposes the Alexandria City School Board’s plans to convert two K-8 schools into a middle school and elementary school, has voiced support for the proposal, which was offered by ACSB members Ryan Reyna and Kelly Carmichael Booz during a Capital Improvement Program work session last week.

Around Town

Alexandria leaders honor 50th anniversary of the Chris Collins Dance Studio

By James Cullum

Published December 15, 2025 at 12:30PM

Chris Collins Dance Studio was honored by City Council on Dec. 13, 2025 (via Facebook)

Alexandria leaders honored a local dance studio and its founder over the weekend as the arts institution celebrates 50 years in business this year.

The Chris Collins Dance Studio at 5408 Eisenhower Avenue has taught thousands of kids and adults various dance genres including tap, jazz, ballet and hip-hop since its founding in 1975.

News

Public hearing on Alexandria Police Department in-custody death expected in early 2026

By Katie Taranto

Published December 11, 2025 at 11:50AM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Office of the Alexandria Independent Policing Auditor is continuing to investigate the August death of a Woodbridge man under Alexandria Police Department custody.

The office’s investigation into the death of 32-year-old Allan F. Tucker II is nearing its final stages, Independent Policing Auditor Ameratu Kamara told City Council during its Tuesday meeting. Once it is complete, the Independent Community Police Review Board is expected to host an early 2026 public hearing.

News

More Alexandria residents seek tax assistance amid ‘sluggish’ economy

By Katie Taranto

Published December 10, 2025 at 2:45PM

City Manager Jim Parajon provides a city economic update to City Council, Dec. 9, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria residents have continued to seek out local tax assistance as the city’s economy reels from federal layoffs, rising living costs and increased unemployment.

Alexandria has currently provided a total of 95 car tax payment plans averaging some $1,053 each, in addition to 12 real estate payment plans that average $4,189 per year.

News

Ameratu Kamara appointed as Alexandria’s new Independent Policing Auditor

By Katie Taranto

Published December 10, 2025 at 10:30AM

Ameratu Kamara speaks at her appointment as Alexandria's Independent Policing Auditor on Dec. 9 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Ameratu Kamara has been appointed as Alexandria’s second Independent Policing Auditor.

Kamara was first appointed as the city’s acting auditor in January following the December 2024 death of former auditor Kim Neal, who had fulfilled the role since its commencement in 2022. City Council unanimously appointed Kamara to the role during its legislative meeting last night (Tuesday).

News

Alexandria City Council ends impasse, approving police union’s collective bargaining salary increase

By James Cullum

Published December 10, 2025 at 9:15AM

Dozens of Alexandria Police Department officers attended City Council's public hearing on collective bargaining with the department's union on Tuesday night, Dec. 9, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City Council ended the collective bargaining impasse regarding three outstanding issues between the Alexandria Police Department’s union and the city late last night (Tuesday).

In a meeting at City Hall that lasted until 11:30 p.m., Council decided in favor of the Alexandria chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association’s request for $10.2 million in increased salaries for APD officers, sergeants and lieutenants over the next three years, while backing the city’s positions on pay parity and an annual $1,200 longevity bonus for those sworn staffers.

News

UPDATE: Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 10, 2025 at 2:59AM

Alexandria Police Department cruisers on Nov. 7, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Updated at 1 p.m., Dec. 9: An earlier version of this story included a previous offer from the city on pay compensation in its collective bargaining negotiations with the Alexandria Police Department. The city’s most recent offer increases starting pay for police officers 17.21% from $63,988 a year to an annual salary of $75,000; a 21% increase for sergeants from $72,300 to $87,500 and police lieutenants 15% from $89,800 to $106,900.

With collective bargaining at a standstill, the Alexandria Police Department’s union is calling for increased salaries as the department’s pay has fallen behind other Northern Virginia localities.

Around Town

VIDEO: See Del Ray’s annual Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2025 at 11:00AM

The Del Ray Christmas tree was lit on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The weather was crisp and cool as hundreds of revelers sang holiday carols at the annual lighting of the Del Ray Christmas Tree and Menorah on Sunday night.

The 36-foot-tall tree is the tallest ever in Del Ray. It was donated by “Mango” Mike Anderson and Bill Blackburn of the Homegrown Restaurant Group.

News

Facing financial decline, Alexandria releases new draft plan for economic growth

By James Cullum

Published November 21, 2025 at 3:45PM

A 'Shop Local' sign in the 200 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Facing a decline in job growth, a struggling commercial real estate market and a climbing population, today (Friday) Alexandria released the draft of its first economic development strategy in nearly two decades.

The 63-page ALX Forward draft plan makes a number of recommends to reverse negative trends, including leveraging economic opportunities in Old Town North, Eisenhower East, the West End, and Potomac Yard; retaining local businesses and attracting high-growth industries like artificial intelligence firms; and strengthening support for the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

News

LaPluma cafe gets more seating and longer hours in Old Town, after neighbors rally support

By Katie Taranto

Published November 17, 2025 at 1:45PM

LaPluma Coffee and Wine offerings (via LaPluma/Facebook)

Alexandria leaders have approved an Old Town cafe’s request to expand its outdoor seating and extend Sunday hours, after several neighbors spoke in support of the measure.

The City Council green-lit LaPluma Coffee & Wine’s special use permit application to increase outdoor seating capacity from 28 guests to 40, and to remain open until 10 p.m. on Sundays, as opposed to 6 p.m.

News

Increased disability transit fares and food truck enforcement up for Council review tonight

By Katie Taranto

Published November 12, 2025 at 1:45PM

DOT is the City of Alexandria's paratransit program, which is a specialized transportation service for residents and visitors who cannot use fixed routed public transit due to their disability. (via City of Alexandria)

City Council will consider fare increases to its disability transit program and changes to food truck parking enforcement at a meeting tonight (Wednesday).

Up for vote is a resolution that would increase some paratransit fares by $1 and create a new $2 “peak-hour” surcharge for some trips. The Council will also complete a first read of an ordinance that would shift how the city enforces parking for food trucks.