city government | ALXnow

NEW: Alexandria joins coalition challenging ICE deployment in Minnesota

Published January 23, 2026 at 5:00PM | Updated January 23, 2026 at 5:50PM

People protest against Federal immigration agents on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Alexandria is one of more than 80 local governments and leaders to join a coalition challenging the Trump administration’s recent surge of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

The coalition, co-led by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, has filed an amicus brief arguing that Trump’s deployment of more than 3,000 armed ICE agents to Minnesota — called “Operation Metro Surge” — is unconstitutional. Along with Alexandria, signatories include the governments of major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle, alongside legal nonprofit Public Rights Project.

News

Alexandria hosting community workshops this week on Duke Street Land Use Plan

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2026 at 11:45AM

Duke Street near Landmark and Cameron Run (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Two community workshops remain this week for Alexandria residents to learn more about plans to develop Duke Street and provide feedback to city leaders.

The Duke Street Land Use Plan is hosting workshops from 6:30-8 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) and tomorrow at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center at 4653 Taney Avenue. The first workshop was held last night (Tuesday).

News

Alexandria introduces new leaders, outreach programs at Natural Resources Division

By Emily Leayman

Published January 15, 2026 at 1:45PM

New natural resource managers in the Natural Resources Division (via Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities)

Alexandria’s Natural Resources Division is introducing new leadership and a slate of upcoming community engagements in 2026.

The city has hired Raychel Frye and Katrina Napora as new natural resource managers, it announced yesterday (Wednesday), with Oscar Mendoza continuing to oversee the division as chief. Under the new leadership, Natural Resources will have a “renewed focus on education, stewardship, and community engagement.”

News

City hosting design meeting for Potomac West storm sewer improvement project

By James Cullum

Published January 13, 2026 at 10:30AM

The Clifford, Fulton and Manning Storm Sewer Project in Potomac West (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria will host a design update meeting for a storm sewer improvement project in Potomac West on Wednesday night.

The Clifford, Fulton and Manning Storm Sewer Project has been in the planning and design stages for nearly three years, with construction anticipated to start this May. The city will present final proposed drainage improvements and potential construction impacts at the meeting, which will be held from 7-8 p.m. at Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue). Attendees can also watch it on Zoom.

News

Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley to serve as 2026 chair of N. Va. Transportation Commission

By Katie Taranto

Published January 6, 2026 at 3:00PM

Alexandria City Council Member Sarah Bagley after being voted vice mayor by her colleagues, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission plans to elect Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley as its new chair this week.

Bagley currently serves as the commission’s vice-chair and is a member of its Program Advisory Committee, following her initial appointment in 2022. This is in addition to her role as chair of the Virginia Railway Express’ Operations Board.

News

Nonprofit seeks city approval to convert Old Town office headquarters into townhomes

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2026 at 1:45PM

415 N. Alfred Street (via Google Maps)

After more than 20 years in Old Town’s Parker-Gray Historic District, a nonprofit wants to demolish its headquarters and replace it with five three-story townhomes.

The Society of Defense Financial Management — formerly the American Society of Military Comptrollers — has owned and used the office building at 415 N. Alfred Street since 2004. Now real estate developer PT Blooms is asking the city for permission to tear down the entire structure and build five new townhomes with roof decks and rear-loaded two-vehicle garages.

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.

News

City to discuss future land usage on Duke Street during work session tomorrow

By James Cullum

Published January 5, 2026 at 9:15AM

The Duke Street Land Use Plan will cover the area between Alexandria's Union Station and the former Landmark Mall property (via City of Alexandria)

The Planning Commission will host a work session tomorrow (Tuesday) on a draft plan for the future of Duke Street.

Still in its infancy, the Duke Street Land Use Plan is intended to guide city officials in the development of the Duke Street corridor from the former Landmark Mall to Alexandria Union Station. The document is expected to be ready for City Council consideration and adoption from late 2026 to early 2027, according to the city.

News

Alexandria seeks to streamline office-to-residential conversions

By James Cullum

Published December 29, 2025 at 9:30AM

The conversion of 601 Wythe Street in Old Town from office to residential was approved in 2025 by City Council (via Google Maps)

Alexandria city staff want to establish a standard permitting process for commercial-to-residential conversions.

Amid a struggling office real estate market, the city has seen a number of old office properties convert to residential use over the last several years. The proposal to create a special use permit (SUP) process for the conversions will head to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

News

ARHA bond agreement for Old Town apartment complex project receives approval

By James Cullum

Published December 23, 2025 at 1:15PM

Rendering of Block 1 of the Heritage Project, via City of Alexandria

A $20 million bond financing agreement by the Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority (ARHA) for the second phase of an Old Town affordable housing project is set to move forward.

City Council unanimously approved the bond agreement on Dec. 13, which will support the conversion of the 4.76-acre, 244-unit mixed-income “Heritage at Old Town” complex into three buildings with approximately 750 apartments across three blocks, according to a Nov. 24 board report from ARHA.

News

Alexandria government offices closing for Christmas, New Year’s Day

By Katie Taranto

Published December 22, 2025 at 11:45AM

Holiday wreath in Old Town (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Government offices in Alexandria will close on Wednesday and Thursday to observe Christmas.

Closures this week will affect Alexandria courts, the Alexandria Library, the Department of Motor Vehicles, health facilities, the city’s impound lot and more. Metered parking restrictions and residential permit parking will not be enforced during this period.