City Council | ALXnow

Alexandria enters tricky waters with affordable housing financing deal

Published December 19, 2022 at 11:00AM

Samuel Madden redevelopment rendering (image via Torti Gallas + Partners/City of Alexandria)

There’s nothing unusual in Alexandria financing an affordable housing project, but one specific request from the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) could set a notable precedent.

The Samuel Madden redevelopment would replace the 66 affordable housing units with a new mixed-use development featuring around 530 units. Two-thirds of those units would be available at various levels of affordability, while the other third would be available at “market rate” –rents without any affordability baked in.

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Alexandria is pushing for an independent health department

By Vernon Miles

Published December 13, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated December 14, 2022 at 10:20AM

Alexandria Health Department (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria is gunning for authority to run its own health department.

Every year, Alexandria sends representatives to Richmond to plead its case to the General Assembly. With the city under the yoke of the Dillon Rule — which says that local government can only exercise powers expressly granted by the state — often times those legislative priorities focus on areas where the city wants a little more wiggle room.

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Congestion and air quality state grant could be a vital piece of major Alexandria transit program

By Vernon Miles

Published December 7, 2022 at 11:10AM | Updated December 7, 2022 at 11:38AM

Traffic backup heading eastbound along Duke Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 11:30 a.m.) As Alexandria sizes up Duke Street for dedicated bus lanes, a regional grant aimed at reducing congestion and improving air quality could be a vital piece of funding the transit line’s operation.

The bus lanes, part of a bus rapid transit (BRT) refit, is part of the Duke Street in Motion project, which aims to boost transit accessibility along Duke Street.

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VIDEO: Here’s the lighting of the Del Ray Christmas tree and menorah

By James Cullum

Published December 5, 2022 at 1:35PM

The Del Ray Christmas tree and menorah lighting, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

In case you missed it, the lighting of the Del Ray Christmas and menorah was packed on Sunday.

The evening was full of families and friends caroling with hot chocolate with marshmallows.

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PHOTOS: Alexandria’s Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published December 5, 2022 at 9:35AM | Updated December 5, 2022 at 11:03AM

Santa at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It was an unseasonably warm 60 degrees on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 3) in Old Town for the Campagna Center’s 51st 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.

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Mayor: Alexandria seeing ‘anemic growth’ in tax revenues with budget shortfall ahead

By Vernon Miles

Published December 1, 2022 at 2:45PM | Updated December 1, 2022 at 4:15PM

Money on a table (staff photo via Vernon Miles/ALXnow)

Alexandria’s revenue tax is growing, but too sluggishly to keep pace with the expenditures — leading to a $17 million shortfall as the city heads into budget season.

That estimate, from Mayor Justin Wilson’s monthly newsletter, is slightly lower than the estimate from a City Council meeting in November, but still presents a substantial challenge for city leadership attempting hold off on a tax rate increase.

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Alexandria City Public Schools is prepping a collective bargaining proposal

By James Cullum

Published November 30, 2022 at 2:15PM

Alexandria City Public Schools is in the initial stages of organizing a collective bargaining effort for thousands of its employees.

The school system has more than 2,400 employees and pays $11.6 million in salaries, with funds approved by the City Council. That means that any agreement reached between ACPS staffers and the school system will have to be approved by Council.

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Alexandria Police to get significant raise after reaching collective bargaining agreement

By James Cullum

Published November 23, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated November 30, 2022 at 12:54PM

Mayor Justin Wilson (on right) shakes hands with Damon Minnix, president of the Alexandria chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, after coming to a collective bargaining agreement on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (Via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, ushering in a new era of collaboration with city employees.

If likely approved in the fiscal year 2024 budget this May, the agreement means substantial pay increases for new officers, sergeants and lieutenants. The current base salary of $54,698 for an officer would be increased by 11% to $61,503 at the beginning of the next fiscal year, July 1, 2023. After next year, salaries for officers would increase 2% annually.

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Alexandria City Council will consider raising taxes in upcoming budget

By James Cullum

Published November 23, 2022 at 11:30AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Facing inflation, a $17 million budget shortfall and fewer federal economic recovery funds, the Alexandria City Council will consider a tax increase in its upcoming fiscal year 2024 budget.

City Manager Jim Parajon has been tasked with presenting Council with two budget alternatives — one with a tax increase and another without.

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City Council permanently expands King Street Pedestrian Zone down to Waterfront Park

By James Cullum

Published November 15, 2022 at 3:30PM | Updated November 22, 2022 at 4:46PM

Rendering of the unit block of King Street with street closure (via City of Alexandria)

The King Street Pedestrian Zone was officially expanded to reach Waterfront Park on Saturday (Nov. 12).

Council voted unanimously and without discussion on the permanent conversion of the unit block of King Street and the northern portion of Strand Street.

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City Council approves plan for new lights across five athletic fields

By Vernon Miles

Published November 14, 2022 at 3:50PM

Field lighting proposal at Hammond Middle School (image via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a plan to install lights on a handful of athletic fields, but city leaders also acknowledged neighbor concerns about the project.

The plan is to eventually install new outdoor lighting at five fields around the city, with those lights phased in as the budget and construction timetables allow. Three of the fields could be illuminated as early as FY2023: