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Alexandria Mayor admonishes Vice Mayor for using picture with former fire chief in campaign mailer

By James Cullum
Mayor Justin Wilson speaks at the City Council meeting on June 11, 2024 (via City of Alexandria)

Outgoing Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson publicly criticized a mailer for Vice Mayor Amy Jackson‘s mayoral campaign that used a photo of former Fire Chief Corey Smedley with her at a city event.

Wilson said at the end of last night’s City Council meeting that the integrity of the city government is at stake, and that it should be insulated from the “vagaries of politics to the extent possible.” Without calling out Jackson by name, he described the mailer and said that former Chief Smedley did not give his permission to be in the ad.

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Alexandria City Council candidates announce how they will tackle climate change

By James Cullum
Waterfront Park along the Potomac River in Alexandria, with National Harbor and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in the background (staff photo by James Cullum)

A majority of Alexandria’s Democrat candidates for City Council rank climate action high on their priority lists.

A number of candidates recently expressed their opinions in a Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and Build Our Future questionnaire.

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News

Developer wants three-year extension to finish mixed-use project on Eisenhower Avenue

By James Cullum
The mixed-use Rushmark Eisenhower South Tower project at 2921 Eisenhower Avenue is the bottom building in this rendering (via City of Alexandria)

The owner of a nine-acre property says that their mixed-use development on Eisenhower Avenue was held up by the pandemic, and is asking the city for a three-year extension.

The development special use permit (DSUP) on the property at 2927 Eisenhower Avenue expires later this month.

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Bishop Ireton High School wants new bell tower for its chapel

By James Cullum
Construction plans for the chapel renovation at Bishop Ireton High School include a new tower and a new roof (via Bishop Ireton)

After extensive modernizations the last seven years, Bishop Ireton High School (201 Cambridge Road) now wants to add a new bell tower and new roof to its chapel renovation project.

There’s no word in the proposal as to whether the bell tower (on top of which would sit a three-foot-tall crucifix) will include a bell, if it will ring, how loudly and when.

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City Council amends outreach policy for creating Business Improvement District in Old Town

By James Cullum
Enjoying the weather and outside seating on lower King Street in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

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.

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Alexandria OK’s nearly $300K loan to Wesley Housing for dilapidated Arlandria properties

By James Cullum
Wesley Housing has acquired the six-building Parc Square Apartments in Arlandria (via Wesley Housing)

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.

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PHOTOS: City leaders cut ribbon at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus

By James Cullum
Current and former Alexandria leaders at the ribbon cutting for Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus (staff photo by James Cullum)

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.

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

By James Cullum
Darth Vader walks his dog at the Del Ray Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 30, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

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.

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Mayor proposes increasing number of dogs (and not cats) allowed in Alexandria households

By James Cullum
A dog takes the back seat in the Arlandria neighborhood of Alexandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

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.

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Goodwin House asking Alexandria for $65 million in tax-exempt bond financing

By James Cullum
Resident at Goodwin House, via Goodwin House/Facebook

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.

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Alexandria needs political diversity on City Council, says lone Republican candidate

By James Cullum
Republican City Council candidate Celianna Gunderson (courtesy photo)

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.

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