Alyia Gaskins | ALXnow

Alexandria mayor opposes idea of merging DASH into a regional bus system

Published July 16, 2026 at 2:45PM

A bus driver waits outside the Van Dorn Metro station in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins has joined other local leaders in opposing a potential merger of bus operations across multiple Northern Virginia localities.

Gaskins told ALXnow she is strongly opposed to the idea that Alexandria’s free DASH bus system should merge with Arlington Transit, the Fairfax Connector and CUE (City of Fairfax). Between now and November, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is compiling a report as part of the recently adopted biennial budget to consider cost savings and rider impacts of merging the local bus systems.

Around Town

PHOTOS: Alexandria’s 277th birthday fireworks proceed on the waterfront despite rain

By James Cullum

Published July 13, 2026 at 11:45AM

The grand finale fireworks display at Alexandria’s 277th birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 11, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s 277th birthday ended with a bang and a fizzle on Saturday (July 11), as the evening of entertainment at Oronoco Bay Park was capped with a dazzling fireworks show and a brief rainstorm.

Raindrops started to fall just before 9:30 p.m. as the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra started to play Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, sending hundreds of people under cover of tents and umbrellas at the very start of the fireworks. The evening was otherwise overcast and cool, and city leaders, the town crier and poet laureate rang in the annual celebration onstage and handed out birthday cupcakes from Wegmans.

News

Duke Street Transitway project nears full funding with $15M more from NVTA

By James Cullum

Published July 10, 2026 at 1:45PM

Duke Street and Cameron Station Boulevard (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, on Thursday (July 9) unanimously approved a $15 million allocation toward the Duke Street Transitway Project.

With the allocation, NVTA has funded $102 million for the $102.5 million project, which will add more than four miles of bus rapid transit lanes along Duke Street between the King Street-Old Town Metro station and the city’s border with Fairfax County near the former Landmark Mall site. The project has been in the works for years and is in the design phase. The estimated completion date for the new lanes is Dec. 31, 2029.

News

Alexandria to celebrate its 277th birthday and America’s 250th with fireworks

By Emily Leayman

Published July 6, 2026 at 10:00AM

Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After many of the D.C. region’s fireworks shows have come and gone, Alexandrians will have another to look forward to this weekend.

The Alexandria and USA Birthday Celebration is set for Saturday, July 11 at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street). This year’s event celebrates Alexandria’s 277th birthday and America’s 250th.

News

City Council denies Virginia Paving Company’s five-year extension in West End

By Emily Leayman

Published July 2, 2026 at 1:45PM

Virginia Paving Company facility near the Van Dorn Metro station (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council voted yesterday (Wednesday) to deny an extension of Virginia Paving Company’s operations in the West End.

The asphalt production plant, which has been at an 11-acre site at 5601 Courtney Avenue since 1960, had been given Jan. 1, 2027 as a date to clear out operations. The special use permit extension would have allowed it to continue to Jan. 1, 2032.

News

Ribbon cut on Alexandria’s massive RiverRenew sewer system overhaul

By James Cullum

Published July 1, 2026 at 11:45AM

The RiverRenew ribbon cutting on July 1, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria leaders cut the ribbon today (Wednesday) on RiverRenew, the city’s largest infrastructure project in history.

The project replaces Old Town’s 19th-century combined sewer system with a 12-foot-wide, two-mile-long waterfront tunnel system and sewer infrastructure to divert approximately 120 million gallons of raw sewage from flowing into the Potomac River every year.

Around Town

Mayor Gaskins launches Art In Every Space initiative to display art in more businesses

By Emily Leayman

Published June 30, 2026 at 9:15AM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks before City Councilwoman Sandy Marks is sworn into office on May 12, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced her new initiative Art In Every Space, piloted yesterday (Monday), to bring art to more businesses in Alexandria.

The initiative places original artwork by Alexandria-area artists in local businesses at no cost to either the artists or businesses. According to the mayor, the initiative supports the work of Alexandria’s art organizations by providing additional locations for artists to display their work.

News

Alexandria City Council forms committee to consider School Board election reforms

By Emily Leayman

Published June 25, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Alexandria City Council (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council voted Tuesday to create an ad hoc committee to discuss possible Alexandria City School Board election reforms such as terms and the size of the nine-member board.

City Council’s approval allows the committee to discuss term lengths, staggered term elections and overall board size and composition. The action comes after School Board Chair Michelle Rief requested the joint committee to seek city charter amendments on School Board terms. Specifically, the School Board is requesting moving members from three-year terms to four-year staggered terms, with one member from each of the three School Board districts being elected each year.

News

After BID failures, City Council looks for other options to support Old Town business corridor

By Emily Leayman

Published June 25, 2026 at 9:15AM

Shops in the 200 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

After multiple failed attempts over the past decade to bring a Business Improvement District to Old Town, Alexandria City Council is asking for other strategies to give the corridor an economic boost.

On Tuesday (June 23), City Council endorsed a memo from Council Members Sandy Marks and John Taylor Chapman directing the city manager to assess “how we can address the needs of the Old Town business corridor a little more intentionally.” City staff will review existing research on services and financial investments the city is making in Old Town and alternative options to boost tax revenue.

News

Alexandria fire chief reports morale boost, staffing gains with new 49-hour work week

By Emily Leayman

Published June 24, 2026 at 3:45PM

Alexandria Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez (on left) at APD’s Public Safety Summit, June 18, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Morale and staffing are improving at the Alexandria Fire Department after a 49-hour work week was implemented, according to an annual presentation to City Council by Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez Jr. yesterday (Tuesday).

AFD implemented the 49-hour work week in October 2025, reducing weekly hours from 56 as a strategy to improve retention and recruitment. The department achieves the 49 hours with a fourth-shift schedule and “debit day” system. That means firefighters work a 42-hour work week and work an extra day every 24 days to average 49 hours weekly.

News

City Council approves Housing 2040 Plan to guide housing goals over next 15 years

By Emily Leayman

Published June 15, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Sherwood apartment building at Southern Towers in Alexandria's West End. (staff photo by James Cullum)

On Saturday (June 13), Alexandria City Council unanimously approved the Housing 2040 Plan, which will set the city’s housing goals over the next 15 years.

The Housing 2040 Plan will guide city policies on expanding housing supply and affordable homeownership, preserving existing affordable housing, seeking landlord-tenant protections, strengthening condominium communities, expanding resources for seniors and people with disabilities, and supporting safe and healthy housing. It will also guide the city’s legislative policies on housing, land use planning, small area plans, housing programs and development of new financial and regulatory tools.