City Council | ALXnow

Heavy sleet followed by refreezes hinder Alexandria’s response to ‘unprecedented’ storm

Published January 28, 2026 at 11:30AM | Updated January 28, 2026 at 12:06PM

Alexandria crews continue to work on snow and ice removal in late January 2026 (via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria is continuing around-the-clock snow removal operations after last weekend’s winter storm brought an “unprecedented amount of sleet and freezing rain” to the region, City Manager Jim Parajon said.

The storm was “unlike anything that we’ve experienced since the mid-1990s,” Parajon told City Council last night (Tuesday) during a report on Alexandria’s snow preparedness and response efforts. Hours of freezing rain and sleet on top of the city’s 7 inches of snow had limited the effectiveness of plows.

News

JUST IN: Councilman McPike announces resignation ahead of special election

By James Cullum

Published January 27, 2026 at 8:30PM | Updated January 27, 2026 at 8:54PM

Alexandria City Council Member R. Kirk McPike (staff photo by James Cullum)

R. Kirk McPike will resign from Alexandria City Council next month as he prepares to run for the House of Delegates, he announced during a legislative meeting tonight (Tuesday).

McPike made the announcement to his colleagues virtually, due to weather conditions, and said his resignation will go into effect on Monday, Feb. 9 — one day before the special election for 5th District delegate, where he’ll run against Republican Mason Butler to succeed outgoing Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker.

News

City manager will give snow response update at virtual City Council meeting tonight

By Katie Taranto

Published January 27, 2026 at 3:50PM

Snow removal in Old Town, Jan. 25, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

City Manager Jim Parajon is expected to deliver an update about snow response efforts in the City of Alexandria this evening (Tuesday).

Parajon is scheduled to provide the update during City Council’s legislative meeting, which will take place virtually at 7 p.m. The update will detail how the city prepared for snow, “what we have seen, where we need to amp up the response, and what you can expect over the next few days,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said today on social media.

News

WMATA asks Alexandria for $35M to complete Potomac Yard Metro station

By James Cullum

Published January 27, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated January 27, 2026 at 4:07PM

A train arrives at the Potomac Yard Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

Nearly three years after the Potomac Yard Metro station opened to the public, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is requesting that Alexandria pay an additional $35 million to close out all construction contracts and claims associated with the project.

The proposal will head to City Council for review this evening (Tuesday). If approved, WMATA says the funding increase would be the third and final modification to its funding agreement with the city.

News

City manager asks City Council to affirm authority to move unencumbered funds

By James Cullum

Published January 27, 2026 at 12:15PM | Updated January 27, 2026 at 8:55PM

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon is asking City Council to reaffirm his authority to transfer unencumbered city funds from any office, department or agency to another.

City Council unanimously approved the proposed resolution at its virtual meeting this evening (Tuesday), mandating city staff to formalize the process for making transfers of appropriated unencumbered funds.

News

City Council approves new energy standards for developments in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published January 27, 2026 at 11:50AM

Attendees at City Council's Jan. 24, 2026 public hearing (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council approved new environmental standards for the development review process on Saturday, following testimony from dozens of public speakers on climate change and impacts on housing development.

The new Green Building Plan is an update to the 2019 Green Building Policy, which set standards for new public and private renovations needing site plan or special use permit approval. The plan focuses on a measure of energy used by a building called Energy Use Intensity (EUI), rather than specific sustainability certifications like LEED.

News

Tim Laderach, Del Ray Citizens Association president, announces bid for City Council

By James Cullum

Published January 26, 2026 at 1:45PM

Tim Laderach is running for the Alexandria City Council (courtesy photo)

Tim Laderach, president of the Del Ray Citizens Association, launched a campaign for Alexandria City Council over the weekend.

Laderach, an attorney, pharmacist, U.S. Navy reservist and chair of the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC), is hoping to fill a potential City Council vacancy as Councilman R. Kirk McPike runs for 5th District Delegate. Laderach told ALXnow, “I know what I’m getting myself into, and I’m ready for the moment.”

News

JUST IN: Councilman Kirk McPike wins Democratic firehouse primary for delegate seat

By Katie Taranto

Published January 20, 2026 at 10:30PM

City Council candidate Kirk McPike speaks at the ADC Straw Poll at Port City Brewing Company, April 14, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

City Councilman R. Kirk McPike has been declared the winner in today’s Democratic firehouse primary to succeed outgoing Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5).

McPike secured 60.5% of the vote Tuesday among 5th District Democrats, defeating three other candidates in the running. A total of 2,115 voters participated in the primary, placing district turnout at around 3%, according to tallies from the Alexandria Democratic Committee and data from the Virginia Public Access Project.

News

Torpedo Factory Art Center could receive new operator, with selection process into the spring

By Emily Leayman

Published January 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The city of Alexandria could take a step closer to choosing a new operator for the Torpedo Factory Art Center, following last night’s City Council meeting (Tuesday).

City Council voted to advance to public hearing and final vote an agreement for an operator to lease, manage and operate the historic arts facility at 105 N. Union Street. The public hearing and final vote are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24.

News

City Council approves plan to boost Alexandria’s economic growth amid challenges

By Emily Leayman

Published January 14, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated January 14, 2026 at 3:48PM

Stephanie Landrum, CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus ribbon cutting, Feb. 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a roadmap for Alexandria’s economic future last night (Tuesday) as the city tries to strengthen its economic competitiveness.

The ALX Forward framework will shape how the city pursues economic growth, from development to business recruitment and retention. It details strategies like leveraging economic opportunities in Old Town North, Eisenhower East, the West End, and Potomac Yard; retaining local businesses; attracting industries like artificial intelligence and strengthening support for entrepreneurs.

News

Alexandria to host City Hall pre-construction meeting as relocations are underway

By James Cullum

Published January 5, 2026 at 1:45PM

A rendering of the proposed City Hall and Market Square renovation (via City of Alexandria)

The city of Alexandria will host a virtual meeting this Thursday covering the pre-construction phase of renovations at City Hall and Market Square.

Currently in its architectural and engineering design phase, the multimillion-dollar project includes renovations at City Hall, a redesign of Market Square and an underground parking garage. More than 300 city employees have already relocated to temporary swing spaces, and the rest are expected to do so by the end of the month, according to a city announcement.