city government | ALXnow

Alexandria landmarks lit in Ukrainian colors as locals express support for embattled country

Published February 28, 2022 at 10:10AM

The George Washington National Masonic Memorial bathed in the colors of the Ukranian Flag, Feb. 27, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria has lit City Hall and the George Washington Masonic Memorial in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The effort of solidarity for the beleaguered country has been echoed by shining blue and yellow lights on bridges and buildings throughout the region.

Russia invaded Ukraine last week, and hundreds have been killed so far during the conflict. At time of writing, Ukraine and Russia are currently engaging in ceasefire talks after Ukrainian resistance stalled Russia’s approach into Kyiv and other major cities.

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Beneath the layers of local satire page ‘Alexandria Shallot’

By Vernon Miles

Published February 25, 2022 at 10:00AM

Image via Alexandria Shallot/Twitter

Like parades and being mad about development, a fixation on hyper-local politics is one of the classic, enduring features of Alexandria. It’s an environment that naturally fosters satire, and there’s one account that’s at the head of the pack.

Alexandria Shallot is a Twitter-based spin on The Onion for Alexandria, posting almost daily mock headlines about (mostly) real local issues.

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How the pandemic is reshaping Alexandria’s City Hall overhaul

By Vernon Miles

Published February 24, 2022 at 3:30PM

Alexandria City Hall was lit up for the weekend of Juneteenth 2021. (photo via Carol Jean Stalun Photography for Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria’s City Hall is a local historic landmark, in addition its role as a civic center, but it’s showing its age.

In the City Manager’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget, $83.3 million is allocated to renovating City Hall (301 King Street) and $35.3 million is dedicated to leasing or creating swing space for use while the building is overhauled.

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Update: Potomac Yard Metro station construction is 70% complete

By James Cullum

Published February 23, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated February 23, 2022 at 2:51PM

The Potomac Yard Metrorail station looking south. (Via City of Alexandria)

Construction on the Potomac Yard Metro station is 70% complete, and Mayor Justin Wilson said he’s knocking on wood in hope that it will open this fall.

On Tuesday, City Council received an update on the massive project.

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PHOTOS: The George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published February 22, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated February 22, 2022 at 10:36AM

George and Martha Washington ride in the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 21, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The George Washington Birthday Parade returned to Alexandria on Monday after a two year hiatus. The streets of Old Town were lined with celebration for Washington’s 290th birthday.

Alexandria’s health care workers and first responders marched as parade grand marshals. The parade, which started at Gibbon and Fairfax Streets and snaked around City Hall, was attended by thousands. The event is the largest of its kind in the world honoring the founding father and first president.

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Alexandria could extend relaxing of zoning ordinances for businesses through this summer

By Vernon Miles

Published February 18, 2022 at 2:45PM | Updated July 25, 2022 at 9:32AM

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

(Updated 3 p.m.) Alexandria’s been a little more laisse faire about zoning restrictions in some ways for local businesses since the pandemic started, and a new amendment put forward by city staff could see that extend until the end of June.

Not long into the pandemic, the city approved a temporary relaxation of handful of ordinances to help make life a little easier for local businesses going through the worst throes of the pandemic’s economic impact.

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Alexandria School Board passes budget, asks City to fund 10.25% raise for all eligible staff

By James Cullum

Published February 14, 2022 at 3:45PM

The Alexandria School Board unanimously adopted Superintendent Gregory Hutchings’ $346 million fiscal year 2022 Combined Funds Budget last Thursday night.

The proposal, which was approved without discussion, is a nearly 4% increase ($9.3 million) over last year’s request from the City, and asks for approximately $248.7 million from the city to give employees a 2.6% salary step increase and a 2.5% market rate adjustment. The school system is banking on the hope that the city will endorse former Governor Ralph Northam’s proposal to raise teacher pay by 10.25% across the state.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published February 11, 2022 at 3:45PM

Canadian Geese outside Landmark Mall. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Other than the stabbing, this week was relatively sedate — especially compared to last week.

With the drama behind Governor Youngkin’s recent visit mostly in the rearview mirror, the city’s been getting to the internal business of budget issues. Residential property assessments are up and hotel revenue down, not to mention an election safely behind a new Council, but remains to be seen whether the city will see a tax rate increase.

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Alexandria condos see assessment increase and outpace single family homes in sales

By Vernon Miles

Published February 8, 2022 at 10:10AM

While only in the conceptual phase, the Landmark Overlook development would transform the corner of South Wilkes Street and Stephenson Avenue into a mixed use property with hotels or office buildings, two-level stacked condominium units, apartments and retail. (Image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s residential property assessments are climbing this year and, for the first time in years, that includes a significant increase for condos.

Mayor Justin Wilson, in a virtual town hall last Thursday, said the assessed property value increase comes after years of that being essentially stagnant.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published February 4, 2022 at 3:50PM | Updated February 7, 2022 at 10:50AM

Arlington DES Director Greg Emanuel (left) leads Senator Mark Warner (right) at the Mount Vernon Avenue bridge, staff photo by Vernon Miles

(Updated 2/7) Busy week at the intersection of state and local politics.

Yesterday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin visited an Alexandria Safeway for a roundtable discussion only to get heckled for not wearing a mask indoors. There’s even a shirt referencing the incident being produced as a fundraiser. Meanwhile, members of Youngkin’s administration made better headway in meeting with state and federal leaders to discuss increased infrastructure funding for a local bridge project.

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Alexandria Dems say “get out” to Governor Youngkin after impromptu visit

By James Cullum

Published February 4, 2022 at 1:15PM | Updated February 5, 2022 at 12:10AM

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at the Safeway at the Bradlee Shopping Center on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (Photo via Eli Wilson)

An unmasked Governor Glenn Youngkin made a surprise stop at the Bradlee Shopping Center Safeway yesterday (Thursday), and afterward the Alexandria Democratic Committee tweeted for him to “get out of Alexandria.”

Youngkin, a Republican, spoke without a mask inside of the store at noon. He discussed “the elimination of the grocery tax, the rising costs of groceries, and the impacts of inflation on Virginia families and the high cost of living,” according to an email.