Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley assumed the top leadership spot of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) for 2026 last night (Thursday).
Bagley was unanimously elected chair of the regional body and will lead it during what is likely to be a pivotal year for transit funding across the area.
The city of Alexandria will host a virtual meeting this Thursday covering the pre-construction phase of renovations at City Hall and Market Square.
Currently in its architectural and engineering design phase, the multimillion-dollar project includes renovations at City Hall, a redesign of Market Square and an underground parking garage. More than 300 city employees have already relocated to temporary swing spaces, and the rest are expected to do so by the end of the month, according to a city announcement.
Chris Collins never wants to retire.
For 50 years, the Alexandria native has taught tap, ballet, jazz and pointe to thousands of aspiring movers and shakers at his private company, the Chris Collins Dance Studio. The studio at 5408 Eisenhower Avenue is a second home for Collins, who works there with his wife, Vickie, and daughter, Tiffany Hopper.
Alexandria city staff want to establish a standard permitting process for commercial-to-residential conversions.
Amid a struggling office real estate market, the city has seen a number of old office properties convert to residential use over the last several years. The proposal to create a special use permit (SUP) process for the conversions will head to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
A $20 million bond financing agreement by the Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority (ARHA) for the second phase of an Old Town affordable housing project is set to move forward.
City Council unanimously approved the bond agreement on Dec. 13, which will support the conversion of the 4.76-acre, 244-unit mixed-income “Heritage at Old Town” complex into three buildings with approximately 750 apartments across three blocks, according to a Nov. 24 board report from ARHA.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
