city government | ALXnow

Kody Imports to take over Rosenthal Landmark Honda on Duke Street

Published September 22, 2025 at 1:30PM

Rosenthal Landmark Honda at 5125 Duke Street (via Google Maps)

Waldorf-based Kody Imports recently filed paperwork with the city to officially change ownership of Rosenthal Landmark Honda (5125 Duke Street), a longtime car dealership in Alexandria’s West End.

Waldorf-based Kody Holdings, which owns a dozen auto dealerships in Maryland, bought the dealership near Cameron Station for an undisclosed sum, according to the change of ownership filing. City property records haven’t yet listed the sale, but the property was last assessed at $7.3 million in value by the city in January. Rosenthal Landmark Honda bought the 120,000-square-foot property for $3.85 million in 2005.

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City bans youth mentor from rec centers for second time

By James Cullum

Published September 18, 2025 at 6:30AM | Updated September 18, 2025 at 10:11AM

Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

Jackie Surratt, the founder of the Alexandria Fatherless Coalition nonprofit, has been banned from recreation centers in the city for a year.

It’s not the first time Surratt has been banned. In 2022, he admitted to stepping out of bounds when he yelled at a staffer at William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Ave.) for not observing pandemic-related rules while trying to play ping-pong, resulting in a two-year banishment. This time, he says that the most recent ban, which went into effect last month, is unjust. Surratt says he’s peaceful, and wants the ban lifted in order to administer his mentorship program to Alexandria boys. He’s taken his case to city leaders, City Manager Jim Parajon and City Attorney Cheran Ivery.

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Alexandria council to consider loosening mural rules

By James Cullum

Published September 9, 2025 at 2:45PM

The new mural at the Bradlee Shopping Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City Council, on Saturday (Sept. 14), will consider loosening its citywide mural requirements.

Following the Planning Commission’s unanimous approval on Sept. 4, the City Council will conduct a public hearing on whether to allow entire walls to be taken up by murals, provided that “distracting elements” such as “any text, numbers, symbols, logos, or trademarks” are limited to one per multi-unit property.

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Alexandria to reveal Old Town Pool replacement plans Sept. 16

By James Cullum

Published September 9, 2025 at 9:30AM

Old Town Pool (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria will unveil redevelopment plans for Old Town Pool (1609 Cameron Street) at a community meeting next week.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities will present the plans at the Oswald Durant Center (1605 Cameron Street). The meeting will be held at 7 p.m.

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Alexandria scraps third-party green building certifications to cut developer costs

By James Cullum and Ryan Belmore

Published September 4, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated September 6, 2025 at 1:42PM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria will eliminate requirements for third-party green building certifications under a new policy aimed at reducing development costs while maintaining environmental standards.

The City Council is expected to consider the updated Green Building Policy later this year after review by the Planning Commission and Environmental Policy Commission. The changes would take effect Jan. 1, replacing the current 2019 policy.

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Alexandria conducting survey on flooding impacts

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2025 at 2:30PM

Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is seeking public feedback in a survey to understand the impact of flooding throughout the city.

The survey will close by the end of September, and is part of the city’s first-ever Flood Resilience Plan. The survey asks people who live and work in Alexandria if they’ve experienced flooding, the frequency and location of flooding events, if their health has been impacted by flooding, an estimate of expenses from flooding impacts, and more.

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Here’s what’s open and closed on Labor Day in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 28, 2025 at 1:45PM

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

This coming Monday, September 1, is Labor Day and a number of city government offices and facilities will be closed.

Trash collection will move to Tuesday for the holiday, parking enforcement at metered spaces will be lifted, and it will be your last chance to enjoy public pools. See a full listing of what’s open and closed below.

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JBG Smith giving update on mixed-use project that adds 600+ new homes to Potomac Yard

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2025 at 5:47PM | Updated August 22, 2025 at 6:08AM

Potomac Yard parcels under development by JBG Smith (via City of Alexandria)

Developer JBG Smith will soon discuss an updated proposal to build a mix of multifamily, townhome and committed affordable housing across from the Potomac Yard Metro station.

Next Wednesday (Aug. 27), the Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee (PYDAC) will review updated plans for Landbays G and H (see rendering above),

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Alexandria Planning Commission holding annual retreat Friday at police headquarters

By James Cullum

Published August 18, 2025 at 2:30PM

Alexandria Police Department headquarters at 3600 Wheeler Avenue (via City of Alexandria)

With Alexandria’s legislative bodies set to go back in session next month, the city’s Planning Commission will hold its annual retreat on Friday, August 22.

The meeting agenda hasn’t been released, but in previous years, the commission has used the retreat to “discuss topics of interest for land use, development, and long-range initiatives.”

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Alexandria public poll on Duke Street development plan ends today

By James Cullum

Published August 18, 2025 at 9:30AM | Updated August 18, 2025 at 9:54AM

Duke Street and S. Reynolds Street (image via Google Maps)

Alexandria’s extended public poll on the Duke Street Land Use Plan wraps today.

Hundreds of people have participated in the poll, according to the city. Once completed, the plan will guide city officials in the development of the Duke Street Corridor from the former Landmark Mall to Alexandria Union Station. The plan is expected to be ready for City Council consideration and adoption in late 2026/early 2027, according to the city.

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Alexandria councilman repays city $820 for taxpayer-funded mailer

By Ryan Belmore and James Cullum

Published August 14, 2025 at 3:00PM

Alexandria City Council Member Abdel Elnoubi (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Councilman Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi has reimbursed the city $820.33 after using taxpayer funds to mail a letter to constituents that highlighted his accomplishments during his first six months in office.

The four-page letter, sent on official city letterhead, detailed Elnoubi’s role in various city initiatives, including student transportation improvements, budget passage, housing plans, and infrastructure projects. When questioned about the appropriateness of using public resources for communication, Elnoubi acknowledged potential concerns and stated that he had voluntarily repaid the city with a check.