City Council | ALXnow

King Street redevelopment approved, but earns Council scorn for lackluster affordable housing contribution

Published September 22, 2022 at 2:45PM

615-621 King Street development proposal (image via City of Alexandria)

The Mansly, a redevelopment of the Walgreens and a bank at 615-621 King Street, got its approval from the City Council — but not without some heavy side-eyeing and one “nay” vote after the Council criticized the underwhelming affordable housing contribution.

Technically, affordable housing didn’t and legally couldn’t have anything to do with the Council vote. The city has a trade set up, securing affordable housing units or contributions in exchange for extra density, but the staff report said the development wasn’t requesting density or height above what’s already recommended in the Old Town Small Area Plan and applicant The Silverman Group hit the bare minimum requirements for affordable housing contribution.

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City Council strikes down Polk Avenue sidewalk appeal

By Vernon Miles

Published September 19, 2022 at 2:50PM | Updated September 19, 2022 at 9:25PM

After months of back and forth, Alexandria’s City Council ultimately rejected an appeal from neighbors to keep a sidewalk from being built on Polk Avenue at the western edge of Seminary Hill.

The north side of Polk Avenue directly abuts Polk Park with no sidewalk, meaning anyone walking along the north side of the street is forced to cross the street — without a crosswalk at the western end. But the proposed sidewalk would also involve eliminating nine parking spaces neighbors say are desperately needed and would slightly cut into Polk Park.

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NOVA Parks takes control of Winkler Botanical Preserve

By James Cullum

Published September 16, 2022 at 11:10AM

(Left to right) Randall Kell, chairman of the Winkler Botanical Preserve, Cate Magennis Wyatt, chair of NOVA Parks, Mayor Justin Wilson and interim ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt at the deed signing for the Winkler Botanical Preserve, Thursday, September 15, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Boosted by multi-million dollar endowment, ownership of the 45-acre Winkler Botanical Preserve (5400 Roanoke Avenue) was signed over to NOVA Parks on Thursday (September 15).

Mayor Justin Wilson was joined by members of City Council, interim Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt, City Manager Jim Parajon and city staff for the deed signing ceremony.

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Alexandria balks at proposed statewide water rate increase

By Vernon Miles

Published September 14, 2022 at 1:15PM

ALXnow reporter's sink (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The City of Alexandria has issued a formal objection to a water rate increase proposed by Virginia American Water.

Virginia American Water, a statewide utility company, requested authority from the state to increase its rates to create a sales revenue totaling $14.3 million — a 27.6% increase over current revenues.

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King Street Walgreens replacement headed to City Council

By Vernon Miles

Published September 13, 2022 at 11:10AM

615-621 King Street development proposal (image via City of Alexandria)

A new development replacing a former Walgreens and a Burke & Herbert Bank is headed to City Council review with a strong endorsement from city staff.

The new development, called The Mansly, will change relatively little of the King Street-facing exterior. The most notable change being the white painted brick restored to Old Town’s iconic redder hue.

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The Alexandria Fire Department is ‘on fire,’ says union

By James Cullum

Published September 12, 2022 at 3:30PM

The Alexandria Fire Department responds to a blaze in the 100 block of E. Del Ray Avenue on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been nearly two months since the International Association of Firefighters Local 2141 tweeted about staff holdovers or equipment failure. For years the union has alerted the public of major outstanding issues, but their silence isn’t because things are getting better.

Things are just really busy, says union President Captain Josh Turner.

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MRP Realty backs out of Arlandria shopping center redevelopment

By James Cullum

Published September 1, 2022 at 3:45PM

The Del Ray North Shopping Center in Arlandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

After years of stalls and starts with various redevelopment plans, another developer has scrapped its vision for the Del Ray North Shopping Center.

Last month, Alexandria Planning and Zoming staff got an email from MRP Realty‘s attorney indicating that that the company would not move forward with its plan to redevelop the shopping center.

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City leaders hosting ‘listening session’ for city and school concerns

By Vernon Miles

Published August 30, 2022 at 3:50PM

Alexandria Councilman Canek Aguirre

An Alexandria City Council member and School Board member have announced plans for a “community listening session” to get public input on the state of the city and schools.

The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m. in the Beatley Library (5005 Duke Street).

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Neighbors appeal Polk Avenue sidewalk decision to City Council

By Vernon Miles

Published August 30, 2022 at 11:00AM

Rendering of new Polk Avenue sidewalk (image via City of Alexandria)

One month after the Traffic and Parking Board unanimously approved a new sidewalk along Polk Avenue, neighbors in opposition to the project are appealing the decision.

The city’s plan is to build a new sidewalk connecting two dead-end parts of sidewalk at either end of the bottom of Polk Park. The park’s thick undergrowth comes right up to the road, where the side of that road is used as a stretch of parking for nine vehicles.

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Parents create list of safety recommendations for Alexandria City Public Schools

By James Cullum

Published July 28, 2022 at 1:50PM | Updated July 28, 2022 at 2:10PM

The 2021-2022 school year was “crazy”, says René Islas, the parent of four Alexandria City Public Schools students.

Islas leads The Community Group, a new movement of locals with a list of safety recommendations for the city and school system. After a school year punctuated by violent events, Islas said ACPS needs to work on prevention, justice, and accountability.

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Alexandria dedicates massive RiverRenew Tunnel Boring Project

By James Cullum

Published July 14, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated July 14, 2022 at 3:47PM

Mayor Justin Wilson christens Hazel, the tunnel boring machine for AlexRenew's RiverRenew Tunnel Project, July 14, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

It moves at a snail’s pace, but Alexandria’s tunnel boring machine is ready to drill through 100-foot-deep soil to prevent millions of gallons of combined sewage from flowing into the Potomac River, Hooffs Run, and Hunting Creek.

On Thursday, Alexandria’s leaders were on-hand for the unveiling and dedication of AlexRenew’s RiverRenew Tunnel Project. The $454.4 million project is the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history, and will result in a 12-foot-wide, two-mile-long waterfront tunnel, which will divert approximately 120 million gallons of sewage every year.