Alexandria’s annual George Washington Birthday Parade brought the usual pomp and circumstance befitting the country’s first president.

This year’s parade marshals were the recipients of the prestigious Living Legends of Alexandria award. The theme of this year’s parade was “George Washington: Alexandria’s Living Legend.”

A number of political candidates marched (or rode) in the parade, including mayoral candidates Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and Alyia Gaskins, as well as Sheriff Sean Casey and Clerk of Court Greg Parks. City Manager Jim Parajon also marched, as did his counterpart in the school system, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt. Former Mayor Allison Silberberg also marched in the parade with the “Coalition to Stop the Potomac Yard Arena.”

Alexandria’s next parade is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Town on Saturday, March 2.

Alexandria’s City Council unanimously approved releasing $657,629 to allow the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center to continue operating, but that doesn’t mean they’re happy about it.

Council was told that the detention center (200 S. Whiting Street) has seen a dramatic increase in usage over the last year, and that the center is pursuing a pilot program with National Capital Treatment & Recovery to introduce a substance abuse recovery program to the unit. They were also told that an unused portion of the facility was being studied for future use.

“I would say at least 50% of our children have experimented with fentanyl,” Johnitha McNair, the detention center’s executive director, told council. “It is highly addictive, so many of them come in with needs to have addiction and withdrawal and treatment services provided immediately.”

The fate of the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center has been uncertain for years. Last year, City Council placed the funds into a reserve account until city staff could provide recommendations that:

1. Optimize capacity within Northern Virginia for Juvenile Secure Detention services
2. Leverage available physical plant capacity for alternative uses
3. Pursue new regional partnerships for use of facilities and staffing

Mike Mackey, director of the city’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Service unit, said that the center has reached its capacity of 46 youth over the past year. He also said that detention-eligible cases involving Alexandria youth increased 66% last year, and 100% involving Arlington youth.

“By comparison… in 2020 the average daily population was 12,” Mackey told Council. “In 2022 it was nine, and in this fiscal year the average daily population is 26. The center has seen the population go up to its capacity of 46. Today there are 38 youth 17 of whom are from Alexandria, 10 from Arlington.”

But Mayor Justin Wilson, before Tuesday’s vote to release the funds, chided Earl Conklin, chair of the detention center’s commission and Arlington’s director of court services, for not bringing concrete proposals on new programs and services at the facility to Council.

“Where’s the proposal?” Wilson asked. “If it requires capital investment, bring us something. I, for one, have been yelling asking for that for eight years, and all I hear is, ‘We have ideas. We’re talking about these ideas.’ Where’s a proposal? I mean seriously, if it requires some investment, if it requires something to drive that forward — help me help you —  what are we not doing to make that happen?”

Conklin replied, “I think the primary message the board has gotten was of closing the (detention) center.”

“That’s not true,” Wilson interrupted. “Let me be crystal clear. As the one who has been the instigator on this, I have never said that this is about closing the facility. It has always been about how do we optimize the capacity that we have in the region, and whether that means consolidation in Alexandria, consolidation in other jurisdictions, repurposing part of the facility, whatever, it’s not been about closing the facility.”

The detention center is regulated by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice and overseen by the Juvenile Detention Commission, which is made up of two members from Arlington, one from Falls Church, and two from Alexandria. It first opened in 1958 and houses youth with serious offenses and behavioral issues from Alexandria, Arlington County and the City of Falls Church. The center saw a 72% reduction in the number of juveniles in the facility between 2006 and 2019, prompting a reduction of beds at the facility from 70 to 46 in 2016, according to a cost-benefit analysis by the Moss Group.

The facility is also home to an unlocked shelter for up to 14 at-risk children.

Deputy City Manager Yon Lambert told council that any proposed programming changes will be presented this fall. In the meantime, Lambert said that an assessment of the detention center will be submitted to the General Assembly in October.

“If we have any budget requests, then we can process it in the fall so that the staff and the (city) manager and council can determine if its viable,” Lambert said.

Vice Mayor Amy Jackson said that the facility needs to remain open.

“We need it now more than we ever did,” Jackson said. “The numbers were decreasing. and then here we are. They’re increasing again more than they have in years.”

Alexandria City Council members are crying foul over the proposed makeup of the Virginia Stadium Authority, which would finance construction of the $2 billion Potomac Yard arena and entertainment district.

Both the proposed Virginia House and Senate bills establishing the authority stipulate that the nine-member Virginia Stadium Authority board would be comprised of six members appointed by the governor and three from Alexandria.

That doesn’t sit well with the entire city Council, whose members say that the city needs a larger presence at the table.

Mayor Justin Wilson, Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and City Council Members Alyia Gaskins, Canek Aguirre, Kirk McPike, John Taylor Chapman, and Sarah Bagley all want more representation on the Virginia Stadium Authority. With North Potomac Yard poised to become the future home of the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals, the development poses economic, transportation, public safety, housing and other challenges that directly impact the city.

“Given the bonds are backed 50/50 by the city and state, we believe the board composition should be even as well,” Wilson told ALXnow. “It’s the Authority that owns the arena, not the city.”

Wilson said that the city is conducting constant conversations with both houses of the state legislature regarding the bills. Virginia Senate Majority Leader Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36) introduced the senate version of the bill on Jan. 19, and is now pending in the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations. That same day, House of Delegates Appropriations Chair Del. Luke E. Torian (D-52) introduced the house version of the bill, and it is now pending in the House Committee on Appropriations.

Surovell told ALXnow that there is wiggle room to change the bills, and that the legislation at this point is “far from final.”

In the meantime, residents against the proposal will protest outside the Potomac Yard Target store at 6 a.m. on Friday before embarking on a “lobbying and rally day” outside the General Assembly building in Richmond.

Jackson, who is running for mayor, says that the governor’s office should have no more than two seats on the board and that Arlington should not be represented for the North Potomac Yard proposal.

“Whatever the number ends up being, I believe the percentages/seats should allow Alexandria to have more representation,” Jackson told ALXnow. “That the ratio of House and Senate seats would still have close to even cast. That the Governor should have only one-to-two, and that Arlington should not have a seat at this table.”

McPike said in a town hall meeting late last month that he doesn’t “love that breakdown.”

“I would like to see our delegation to Richmond push for a five-four split, maybe even a four-five split,” he said.

The town hall was part of a three-month public engagement process that the city is currently undertaking to inform residents on the development.

McPike continued, “We want to be the ones to make this decision, not Richmond, that if this is going to happen or not happen, it needs to be because it fits or doesn’t fit the needs of the city.”

Aguirre told ALXnow that the Potomac Yard arena deal is “very fragile,” and that many potential pitfalls spell trouble. He said that the Authority should be made up of representatives from the state legislature, the governor’s office and the city.

“That’s a non starter for me, the way it’s written right now,” Aguirre said of the bills. “I mean, six appointments for the governor, three for the city. That doesn’t fly with me.”

Aguirre spoke with us after announcing his reelection campaign to the Alexandria Democratic Committee on Monday. He said that the deal is an overall positive for the city, but that it has to make financial sense.

“We can’t be stuck holding a bag with a bunch of debt,” Aguirre said. “I think that’s there’s still some questions around that. I just want to say this deal is very fragile. There’s a lot of different pitfalls.”

Chapman said that there should be an evenly split board, and that council members should serve on it.

“I believe the composition of the Board should be even,” he told ALXnow.

Bagley says that Alexandria is a partner in the venture and “any potential authority composition should reflect that partnership.”

Gaskins, who is also running for mayor, said that the Virginia Stadium Authority board should have five members from Alexandria.

“Alexandrians will be the people most directly impacted by this project and it is important that it is reflected in the makeup of the board,” she told ALXnow. “I believe that Alexandria should have majority representation with five seats.”

Gaskins added that the city’s representatives on the board should reflect a diversity of opinions.

“As such, I think it would be helpful to have a combination of people, including community members, small business leaders and council or city government officials,” she said.

According to the legislation’s summary:

Establishes the Virginia Sports and Entertainment Authority as a political subdivision charged with financing the construction of a sports and entertainment campus. The Authority is composed of nine members, six of whom are appointed by the Governor and three of whom are appointed by the governing body of the City of Alexandria. Each appointed member is subject to specific criteria for appointment. The bill entitles the Authority to the following revenues: (i) sales tax revenues from construction and transactions on the campus, defined in the bill, but certain revenues that current law dedicates to transportation and education are excluded; (ii) all pass-through entity tax revenues and corporate income tax revenues from income generated by the company, defined in the bill, or any professional sports team or any affiliates as well as in the development and construction of the campus; and (iii) all personal income tax revenues from income generated through employment and business activity on the campus. It also authorizes the City of Alexandria to appropriate tax revenues to the Authority.

The revenues shall be deposited in the Virginia Sports and Entertainment Authority Financing Fund, created in the bill, from which the Authority will deposit revenues into priority accounts for Authority revenues, debt service, subordinate debt service, reserves, and capital expenditures and maintenance. If the Authority determines that all such accounts are sufficiently funded, the bill directs the Authority to issue the excess to the Commonwealth and the City of Alexandria if so provided for in any bond or financing agreements.

Alexandria’s political scene is heating up, as a number of Democrat candidates formally launched their campaigns over the weekend.

City Council Member Alyia Gaskins held a packed kickoff at Indochen in Cameron Station on Sunday, following her opponent Vice Mayor Amy Jackson’s kickoff on Jan. 21 at Doyle’s Outpost in the West End. On Saturday, City Council Member Kirk McPike launched his campaign at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray and City Council Member John Taylor Chapman did the same at Port City Brewing Company.

In her speech, Gaskins didn’t get into her positions on large projects in the city, like the Potomac Yard arena or the massive WestEnd development, but said that she is devoted to the nitty gritty of policies that maintain a quality of life for residents.

“I am running to be your next mayor to make sure that your city, that my city, that our collective city is a place that is safe, affordable, accessible, and one that truly and finally works for all of us,” Gaskins said.

A third mayoral candidate, Steven Peterson, will announce his candidacy to the Alexandria Democratic Committee on Monday, Feb. 5, followed by his formal kickoff later in the month.

City Council Members Sarah Bagley and Canek Aguirre are also running for reelection and have not announced when their kickoffs will be held. Aguirre is finalizing details for an event in Arlandria next month, he told ALXnow. Candidate Charlotte Scherer, a former Alexandria magistrate, is holding her campaign kickoff on Feb. 21 at Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe & Wine Bar in Old Town.

Chapman has been on council since 2012, and is the most senior member running for reelection. An Alexandria native who grew up in public housing, he said at his kickoff that doing City Council work is a “labor of love.”

“We have a thriving city,” he said. “It takes good policy, it takes advocating for resources.”

The other candidates with intentions to run haven’t announced when their campaigns will formally launch. They include Alexandria School Board Members Jacinta Greene and Abdel Elnoubi, West End Business Association President James Lewis, Del Ray’s Jesse O’Connell and Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Resident Association President Kevin Harris.

The Democratic primary is on June 18. No Republican candidates have entered the race.

Campaign finances

Gaskins is leading the money race so far, raising $46,000 with $34,000 on-hand as of Dec. 31, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Jackson has raised $16,900, and has $15,800 on-hand.

Longtime City Council Member Del Pepper endorsed Gaskins and donated $3,000 to her campaign.

“She has the ability to work with people she disagrees with,” Pepper said at the event. “You’ve got to have that if you want to be a good mayor.”

In the Council race, Chapman leads with fundraising, having raised $19,579 with $16,624 on-hand. McPike has raised $14,790, with $12,087 on-hand, followed by Aguirre, who raised $7,020 and has $10,716 on-hand. Bagley raised $3,320 and has $856 on-hand and Scherer is self-financing her campaign and contributed $900.

Steven Peterson, former president of the Peterson Companies real estate development firm, confirmed to ALXnow today that he is intending to run for mayor of Alexandria as a Democrat in the June 18 primary.

“It is my intention to run as a Democrat for mayor of Alexandria,” Peterson said.

Peterson’s family is known to be Republican, with his father, Milton, doubling his professional duties as the company’s founder and longtime chair of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. The Peterson Companies is regarded as one of the largest private developers in the region, and led the development of National Harbor. Steven Peterson, in fact, was the project manager behind that development.

“My father was a Republican, and as a company we were Republicans, but I have stayed out of politics,” Peterson said. “It’s not about making money anymore. It’s about making a difference.”

Peterson will join two other Democratic candidates in the race — Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and City Council Member Alyia Gaskins.

Peterson said he decided just before Christmas to run.

“I decided this three weeks ago in bed at 3 a.m.,” he said. “I whacked my wife on the head and woke her up and said, ‘I’m running for mayor,’ and then three hours later she whacked me on the head at 6:30 a.m. and said, ‘Did you just wake me up because you said that you’re running for mayor?'”

Peterson said that he is in favor of smart growth, and will unveil his platform when he launches his candidacy sometime next month. In the meantime, he has made the rounds by informing Alexandria Democratic Committee Chair Sandy Marks of his intention to run, and is putting together his campaign team.

(Updated at 11:45 p.m.) The race for the next mayor of Alexandria has officially begun, sort of.

Last night, Vice Mayor Amy Jackson formally announced her candidacy to the Alexandria Democratic Committee (ADC), a rite of passage in Alexandria elected politics since the city has only ever elected a Republican mayor once, in 1872. Jackson’s opponent, City Council Member Alyia Gaskins, made her own announcement to the ADC on Dec. 2, and used the opportunity last night to announce her latest endorsements.

Jackson said that neither she nor Gaskins would likely be able to fill the shoes of outgoing Mayor Justin Wilson, but that she and her opponent would try “because we love Alexandria.”

“I made a commitment to our community a long time ago, in my youth and again, formally when I was elected to council,” Jackson said. “I promised I would continue to lead on several items of importance to our community, for our people and our programs, for our environmental, educational and economic growth, and align what’s important to our city’s welfare and our progressive values.”

Gaskins announced Tuesday that she’s been endorsed by former City Council Member Del Pepper and NOVA Labor. She said that she’s voted to make the city more equitable with her Zoning for Housing vote, as well as her vote ensuring collective bargaining rights to Alexandria firefighters and police — all measures that her opponent also voted in favor of.

Gaskins told the ADC last month that, if elected, she would be the first Black female mayor of Alexandria. The Pittsburgh native was elected to Council in 2021, and works as a public health strategist. She said she will launch her campaign at Indochen (4906 Brenman Park Drive) in Cameron Station at noon on Sunday, Jan. 28.

“We also know we’ve got some challenges that we have to fix — housing, infrastructure, safe schools, youth mental health and resilience,” Gaskins said. “This council has taken action and I have worked with each of you to take action as well.”

Jackson, a former Fairfax County Public Schools educator and administrator, was elected to the City Council in 2018 and became vice mayor in 2021. She’s an Alexandria native, having graduated from T.C. Williams High School, and has so far gotten the endorsement of fellow Titan, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter, as well as Circuit Court Clerk Greg Parks, Virginia State Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw (D-35), Del. Holly Seibold (D-35) and Prince William County Supervisor Andrea Bailey.

Jackson said that she supports a fully funded Alexandria City Public Schools system, and that the city “must strive to compensate our teachers and staff in a coordinated effort with ACPS collective bargaining procedures.”

“I think we can get that done for our teachers,” Jackson said.

Jackson will launch her campaign on Sunday, Jan. 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Doyles Outpost (4620A Kenmore Avenue).

The Democratic primary is June 18.

Alexandria mayoral candidate Amy Jackson excitedly announced an endorsement from the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors on Monday, but the organization says they haven’t endorsed anyone in the mayoral race and have been trying to contact her to correct the misunderstanding.

Josh Veverka, NVAR’s senior director of government affairs, has been trying to get ahold of Jackson after the announcement was posted. He says that the organization has yet to conduct interviews with mayoral candidates, a process that will be conducted in March or April — in time for the June 18 primary.

In her post, Jackson included a quote from the organization’s board of trustees, and wrote that she was “beyond thrilled to carry the endorsement of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.”

Jackson said in her post that she received the endorsement on Sept. 7 in a letter from NVAR with a campaign contribution “prior to my announcement for mayor.” An earlier version of the endorsement post from Jackson included “For Mayor” at the bottom of the post, which was later removed.

Jackson shared a letter with ALXnow that included a check and endorsement for 2023.

“Enclosed is a check from the Northern Virginia Realtors Political Action Committee (NV/RPAC),” the letter said. “We are pleased to offer you our support and endorsement in 2023.”

Veverka said that NVAR’s political action committee sent Jackson a check last year.

“We did provide funding and support to her last year in and we cut a check to her in September from our PAC,” Veverka said. “I think it’s probably a misunderstanding. We have not yet endorsed in the mayoral race.”

When asked about how she got the endorsement, Jackson said that she got it the same way that her opponent, City Council Member Alyia Gaskins, got the recent endorsement of NOVALabor. Jackson would not say whether she would remove the claim.

Jackson said her situation with NVAR is similar to NoVA Labor endorsing Gaskins, though Virginia Diamond, the president of the Northern Virginia AFL-CIO, said NoVA Labor’s executive board endorsed Gaskins for mayor.

“Our executive board unanimously endorsed Alyia Gaskins for mayor of Alexandria,” Diamond told ALXnow. “Everyone here knows Alyia very well.”

NVAR contributed $500 to Jackson’s city council campaign in 2021, and that same year contributed the same amount to Gaskins, Mayor Justin Wilson and Council Members Kirk McPike, Canek Aguirre and John Taylor Chapman.

“Our endorsement process has not yet begun for the mayoral race,” Veverka said. “We’ll start that probably in the March-April timeframe.”

Gaskins said that, like Jackson, she was endorsed in 2021 by NVAR after a similar interview process.

“I look forward to participating in the process that they’re going to do in March and having the interviews,” Gaskins said. “I’ve been proud of the record that I’ve had to date on housing and creating a community that is helping us build a community where people want to live, work, play and enjoy which is all critical to a thriving real estate industry.”

(Updated 9:35 p.m.) It was overcast and cool — the perfect weather for the Campagna Center’s 52nd Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

The parade is one of the most popular events in the city, bringing thousands of participants, including Irish dancers, historic reenactors and the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums. It is considered the highlight of a weekend full of events.

This year’s grand marshals were Congressman Don Beyer (D-8th) and his wife, Megan.

Enjoy the photos!

https://twitter.com/AlexandriaVA/status/1731039541656490264

The Scottish Walk Christmas Parade has concluded and festivities continue dockside at Waterfront Park ending with the Boat Parade of Lights at 5:30 pm. APD is honored to be a part of this Alexandria holiday tradition! pic.twitter.com/K0Ag20ig5G

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) December 2, 2023

Had a great time at today’s Scottish Christmas Walk! This parade is always one of the best events of the year! pic.twitter.com/pDwbLz0Mnf

— R. Kirk McPike (@KirkMcPike) December 2, 2023

Another great time at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade! Happy Holidays! pic.twitter.com/a0iHks5675

— Canek Aguirre (@CanekForCouncil) December 2, 2023

The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade started as a community event more than 50 years ago to highlight the city’s Scottish heritage & support the mission of the Campagna Center! pic.twitter.com/XjeZcZqdob

— Alyia Gaskins (@Alyia4ALX) December 2, 2023

If you didn’t stay yesterday for the massing of the bands at the end, you missed the best part! #AlexandriaDoesAGoodParade pic.twitter.com/CPYLnPcDxR

— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) December 3, 2023

(Updated 10:50 a.m.) With Mayor Justin Wilson announcing last week that he won’t seek reelection, two members of Alexandria’s City Council have tossed their hats into the ring to replace him.

City Council member Alyia Gaskins announced this morning (Monday) that she would be running for mayor.

According to a release:

It has been the honor of my life to serve Alexandria on the City Council. Guided by your concerns, I’ve worked to address key issues like education, housing, and public safety.

I’ve decided to run for Mayor to work with you to create innovative solutions to ensure that Alexandria is a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Gaskins was elected to the City Council in 2021.

Vice Mayor Amy Jackson also told ALXnow that she was officially in the race, though campaign details are still forthcoming.

Jackson, a former Fairfax County Public Schools educator and administrator, was elected to the City Council in 2018 and became vice mayor in 2021.

Though not to the same degree of conflict as former Mayor Allison Silberberg, Jackson has occasionally differed on issues from the rest of the Council.

While those have rarely turned into dramatic quarrels, Jackson did argue with others on the council after she called a candidate for a law enforcement partnership “anti-police.” At a City Council meeting last week, Jackson unsuccessfully attempted to have the vote on single-family-zoning separated from the rest of the Zoning for Housing/Housing for All package.

Jackson and Gaskins will square off in the Democratic primary in June and will leave two vacancies open on Alexandria’s six-person City Council.

James Cullum contributed to this report.

Thousands turned out in costumes for the 27th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade on Sunday.

This year, the parade was named one of the top 10 Halloween Parades in the country by USA Today.

The Del Ray Business Association parade started at Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Bellefonte Avenue and ended with live music and prizes at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center athletic fields.

“We couldn’t have made such a successful event without more than 100 volunteers,” said parade organizer Gayle Reuter. “We start planning for this months in advance, and it takes so many neighbors and friends to make it a success.”

Del Ray’s next big event is the 48th annual Alexandria Turkey Trot on Nov. 23.

The @AlexCityTitans Zombie Band was out in force for the best Halloween Parade on the planet in Del Ray!

Amazing and creative costumes!

Thanks to @visitdelrayVA for making it happen. pic.twitter.com/4KtyPp3FR2

— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) October 29, 2023

Another great Del Ray Halloween Parade is in the books! pic.twitter.com/yjlrAkjElq

— Canek Aguirre (@CanekForCouncil) October 29, 2023

Another amazing Del Ray Halloween Parade this afternoon! pic.twitter.com/DIGmAUrnXk

— Alexandria Sheriff (@AlexVASheriff) October 29, 2023

One of #AlexandriaVA favorite traditions, the Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade! I had such a fun time judging the Pet Costume Contest! Over 50 pets entered the contest this year! @visitdelray pic.twitter.com/I7KVGtsH2b

— Alyia Gaskins (@Alyia4ALX) October 29, 2023