News

For as much controversy as there can be around short-term rentals — businesses like Airbnb  that rent out homes to visiting guests — a city report said there have been relatively few complaints about them in Alexandria.

In a report to the City Council last week, Land Use Services Division Chief Tony LaColla noted that there are 460 short-term rentals registered in Alexandria and 265 estimated unregistered units.


News

More than 800 Alexandria City High School students walked the stage at today’s graduation at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena.

ACHS executive principal Alexander Duncan III said that the day marked a defining moment in the lives of the 841 graduates.


News

Alexandria’s controversial zoning overhaul punctuated the final Democrat City Council candidate forum before the June 18 primary.

Anti-Potomac Yard arena candidate Jonathan Huskey didn’t mince words on his opinions against citywide Zoning for Housing/Housing for All overhaul that eliminated single family zoning and allows developers to build homes with up to four units on any property.


News

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved new outreach guidelines for the potential creation of a Business Improvement District (BIDs) in Old Town on Tuesday night.

Without buy-in from 60% of impacted property owners, previous efforts to get BIDs started in Old Town failed. Consequently, City Council on Tuesday night approved the amended rules stipulating that property owners will now be sent petitions via certified mail, and that their non-response within 30 days will be counted just as if they vote in opposition.


News

It’s been two years since Wesley Housing acquired the affordable Parc Square Apartments complex in Arlandria, and repairs have proved more extensive than anticipated.

On Tuesday night, City Council approved (without discussion) a $291,300 loan to the affordable housing community for the partial renovation of eight units in the five-building, 66-unit complex.


News

After two years under construction, city leaders cut the ribbon today on Alexandria City High School’s new Minnie Howard Campus.

The $190 million project for the 343,000-square-foot, five-story satellite campus can hold up to 1,600 students — double the capacity of its 1950’s-era predecessor. The building will be home to six career and technical education academies, which administrators say will allow students to pursue their interests.


News

How many dogs should be allowed to live in Alexandria households?

Since 1995 it’s been illegal to own more than three dogs in Alexandria. The ordinance was passed with cat hoarding in mind, however, and the limit on cats as pets is remaining unchanged at four.


News

Despite being one of the dog-friendliest cities in the country, it’s been illegal for Alexandria residents to own more than three dogs and four cats for decades. Now Mayor Justin Wilson is asking city staff to present a proposal that will increase the number of dogs allowed to live in a single household.

The limit on dog ownership goes back to 1995, but it was never about the dogs, Wilson said. The ordinance was approved by City Council to keep cat owners from hoarding feline companions.


News

City Council will consider signing off on issuing $65 million in tax-exempt bond financing to nonprofit senior communities in Alexandria and Falls Church.

The bonds for Goodwin Living were approved by the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Alexandria.


News

An amendment to the Business Improvement District (BID) guidelines that could make it easier to pass is headed to City Council for review next week.

The idea behind a BID is that it would be an organization that could advocate and host programs and events that would draw people to the relevant area as well as providing other services.


News

Can Republican Celianna Gunderson shake up the Alexandria City Council with a win this November?

While she’s still learning the issues, Gunderson says that she would not have voted to approve a recent 2.5-cent tax increase.


View More Stories