Alexandria City Hall | ALXnow

Moms Demand Action hosting Wear Orange rally against gun violence in Old Town on Friday

Published June 2, 2025 at 1:45PM

Wear Orange Day rally (via Moms Demand Action/Facebook)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Del Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) will join the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action onstage at Market Square (301 King Street) on Friday (June 6).

Friday is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and the annual rally is part of Wear Orange Weekend. Gun violence victims will be honored in events throughout the country by affected families and supporters. The city’s new Poet Laureate, Cristi Donoso, will also speak at the event, which includes an on-site blood mobile and a community resource fair.

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Alexandria’s City Hall grows 26% in new development plans

By James Cullum

Published May 30, 2025 at 12:45PM

Alexandria City Hall preliminary site development plan (via City of Alexandria)

The preliminary development site plan for the renovation of Alexandria’s City Hall, Market Square Plaza, and underground parking garage is heading to the Planning Commission.

The city wants to increase the gross floor area at City Hall from an existing 122,171 square feet to 153,332 square feet (a 26% expansion), while maintaining the size of Market Square plaza at 2,975 square feet and the 234-space parking garage at 91,562 square feet.

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Alexandria City Pipes and Drums to play summer concert in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published May 29, 2025 at 12:00PM

The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums at a celebration for Noah Lyles at Chinquapin Park, Sept. 22, 2024 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Bagpipe and kilt lovers can get their fill early next month, as the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums will take the stage for their summer concert at Market Square.

The June 5 (Thursday) concert will be held in front of City Hall (301 King Street) from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.

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VROOM: Check out ALXnow’s pictures at the Old Town Festival of Speed and Style

By James Cullum

Published May 18, 2025 at 4:27PM

Jaguar XK140 at the Old Town Festival of Speed and Style, May 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

King Street was packed with all sorts of traffic on Sunday, as thousands of car enthusiasts checked out classic cars at the sixth annual Old Town Festival of Speed and Style.

Today’s event featured more than 100 exotic sports cars and motorcycles, and was sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank and several local businesses. This year’s theme was Ian Fleming’s James Bond spy novel Casino Royale, with elegant models beautifying a supercar catwalk at King and Fairfax Streets.

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City to unveil new Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project designs at public meetings

By ALXnow.com

Published May 2, 2025 at 12:30PM

A rendering of a fully built-out Point Lumley Park along the Alexandria waterfront in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

City officials are preparing to showcase updated designs for the ongoing Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project at a series of public meetings scheduled throughout May and June.

Residents will have multiple opportunities to view and learn about the latest plans for protecting key areas, including Point Lumley Park, Waterfront Park, and the King Street waterfront area, starting with a presentation to the Board of Architectural Review on May 7th.

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Alexandria wants to increase rental fees at these city-owned facilities

By James Cullum

Published April 28, 2025 at 2:00PM

The swimming pool at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, May 29, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s about to get more expensive to have fun at city-owned properties in Alexandria.

On Wednesday, April 30, the City Council will consider approving rental fee increases for several of the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities programs.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 25, 2025 at 3:30PM

NVTA BRT Action Plan - Potential Network (via NVTA)

Welcome to Friday’s weekly roundup of our top stories.

With ALXnow, it’s easy to catch up on the latest news in Alexandria. This week, we focused on coverage of our local, state, and federal governments. We also reported a lot of crime, including a homicide in the city’s West End.

News

City Hall and Market Square renovation plans presented to Board of Architectural Review

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 17, 2025 at 3:54PM

A proposed option for the renovation of Alexandria City Hall and Market Square (via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria Board of Architectural Review held a concept review Wednesday night for the renovation of City Hall and Market Square Plaza, a project that aims to modernize the facilities while preserving historic elements of the landmark building.

The City of Alexandria presented plans that include a detailed restoration of the 1871 historic portion of City Hall, a redesign of Market Square, and modifications to the 1961 addition, including a new fifth floor.

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Notes: Future of Alexandria’s City Hall and Market Square takes center stage at tonight’s BAR meeting

By ALXnow.com

Published April 16, 2025 at 7:30AM

Concept of the Alexandria City Hall modernization, March 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 61 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. It will be mostly clear tonight, with a low around 39 degrees. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph. It will be sunny, with a high near 66 degrees on Thursday. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph.

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100 days on the job and counting, Alexandria Police Chief to provide update on public safety

By James Cullum

Published April 7, 2025 at 2:00PM | Updated April 7, 2025 at 7:10PM

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire speaks after being sworn in at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Dec. 10, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A little more than 100 days on the job, Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire will appear before City Council on Tuesday (April 8) to present his department’s public safety review and plan.

McGuire started work last November, embarking on a 100-day action plan that involved town hall meetings to solicit feedback from the public on areas needing focus.

News

PLANS: Council Chambers gets moved to the ground floor in proposed Alexandria City Hall renovation

By James Cullum

Published March 31, 2025 at 2:00PM | Updated April 7, 2025 at 1:45PM

Concept of the Alexandria City Hall modernization, March 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

When all is said and done, Alexandria’s City Council may conduct city business on the ground floor of the renovated City Hall.

That’s just one of the many proposed changes to the 150-year-old building and Market Square at 301 King Street heading to the city’s Board of Architectural Review on April 16 (Wednesday).