Arlandria | ALXnow

New report says Alexandria needs more childcare in the West End and Arlandria

Published May 9, 2024 at 3:55PM

A mother and child at a food distribution outside Casa Chirilagua in Arlandria on Thursday, May 21, 2020. Casa Chirilagua is one of the recipients of the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A new generation of first-generation Americans is being born primarily in Arlandria and the West End, but a new report said Alexandria doesn’t have the childcare facilities in those neighborhoods to support the children and new parents.

The new Community Needs Assessment, prepared by the Economic Opportunity Commission (EOC) and the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), examined issues of housing, employment, and more around Alexandria. Part of the Assessment examined the accessibility of childcare around the city.

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Local housing affordability groups hosting mayoral and City Council forum this week

By Vernon Miles

Published April 29, 2024 at 1:45PM | Updated April 30, 2024 at 5:05PM

Advocates for greater affordable housing support at a City Council budget hearing (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Those hoping to learn a little more about the candidates running for local office in Alexandria can do so later this week at a forum hosted by Tenants and Workers United.

The forum is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2 at the Tenants and Workers United, 3801 Mount Vernon Avenue. The rain location is the Del Ray United Methodist Church at 100 E Windsor Avenue.

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Pedestrian improvements proposed for four intersections along Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria

By James Cullum

Published April 26, 2024 at 1:30PM

Proposed roadway changes along Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria (via City of Alexandria)

Medians, reduced crossing distances and curb extensions are just a few of the roadway changes being proposed for four intersections with Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria.

The preferred design options are meant to improve mobility, safety and access issues at the intersections of Mount Vernon Avenue at Glebe Road, Russell Road, Executive Avenue, and Four Mile Road. The options will be presented at the Traffic and Parking Board’s April 29 public hearing.

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Del Ray bar Hops N Shine wants live outdoor music 10+ hours a day

By James Cullum

Published April 8, 2024 at 10:45AM

Hops n Shine (photo via Hops N Shine/Facebook)

A popular bar on the border of Del Ray and Arlandria is looking to expand with expanded hours and live entertainment.

Hops N Shine at 3410 Mount Vernon Avenue is asking the city to approve a plan to extend its outdoor patio hours, allow outdoor cooking, and have “amplified soft background” music with a live musician.

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City Council wants to expand dockless mobility options in Alexandria’s poorest areas

By James Cullum

Published March 11, 2024 at 2:30PM

A man delivers scooters in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City Council will consider making electric scooter rides cheaper in the poorest areas of the city at its meeting on Tuesday night (March 12).

Council will vote at City Hall (301 King Street) on allowing staff to apply for a $200,000 grant from the Better Bike Share Partnership’s Living Lab Program. The city would have to contribute $20,000 toward the effort, which is intended to increase the ridership with an outreach campaign and by lowering prices for electric scooters and e-bikes in Arlandria and the West End.

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Transportation is biggest threat to Potomac Yard arena deal, says City Councilman Canek Aguirre as he seeks reelection

By James Cullum

Published February 14, 2024 at 3:30PM | Updated February 15, 2024 at 9:18AM

City Council Member Canek Aguirre announces his reelection campaign at the Alexandria Democratic Committee meeting on Feb. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

ALXnow will be running a series of City Council candidate interviews through the local election filing deadline on April 4.

(Updated 2/15) After the tumult of the pandemic, Alexandria City Councilman Canek Aguirre thought this term would be a breeze.

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Del Ray bar Hops N Shine celebrating five year anniversary this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2024 at 11:15AM

Hops n Shine (photo via Hops N Shine/Facebook)

Del Ray/Arlandria bar Hops N Shine (3410 Mount Vernon Avenue) is celebrating its five-year anniversary tomorrow (Saturday) with live music, craft activities, and a local beer tasting.

The bar’s anniversary party is scheduled to run from 1-8 p.m. on Saturday, with arts and crafts for kids from 1-6 p.m. and live music from 2-6 p.m.

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Theft from Alexandria’s Virginia ABC stores jumped more than 200% in 2023

By James Cullum

Published January 25, 2024 at 3:45PM

The Virginia ABC store at 3815 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria (via Google Maps)

Liquor store thefts jumped more than 200% in Alexandria in 2023, according to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority.

There are six Virginia ABC stores in Alexandria. The store with the most incidents is the Arlandria store at 3815 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray North Shopping Center, which saw 43 incidents of theft last year, up from just eight reported incidents in 2022. The store with the highest amount of theft is at 501 Montgomery Street in Old Town North, which saw 23 incidents.

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Alexandria police investigating two Sunday night shootings

By James Cullum

Published January 22, 2024 at 1:40PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police Department is investigating two incidents of gunfire Sunday night, though no one was reported injured.

Eight-to-10 gunshots were reported just before 9 p.m. in the parking lot of the shopping center in the 4000 block of Mount Vernon Avenue. The victim told police that he got into an argument with a Hispanic male in the parking lot and that the suspect fired his handgun at him, striking his car, according to the police scanner.

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Juvenile pistol-whipped and robbed in Arlandria on Monday night

By James Cullum

Published January 12, 2024 at 9:45AM

A teenager was injured and robbed at gunpoint in the 3800 block of Executive Avenue on Jan. 8, 2024 (via Google Maps)

A juvenile male sustained minor injuries after being pistol-whipped and robbed in Arlandria on Monday night.

At around 11:18 p.m., the victim was robbed by two males outside of an apartment building in the 3800 block of Executive Avenue, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

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‘Elongated roundabout’ and curb extensions planned in Arlandria and Del Ray

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2024 at 1:45PM | Updated January 9, 2024 at 11:36AM

Proposed elongated roundabout at the Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road intersection (image via City of Alexandria)

(Updated 1/9) A set of Complete Streets changes for Mount Vernon Avenue through Arlandria is headed through city review starting later this spring.

The City of Alexandria released a set of ‘preferred alternatives’ for changes to several Mount Vernon intersections. One of the biggest changes will be to the intersection with Glebe Road.