city government | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published October 20, 2020 at 9:00AM

Fly fishing along Four Mile Run in Arlandria. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Living Legend Joe Shumard Dies — “Over the weekend, Joe Shumard, an Alexandria Living Legend, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, executive director of the George Washington Birthday Celebration and Parade, and president of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association, passed away after an extended illness.” [Zebra]

Beyer Calls Trump ‘Menace’ After President Denounces Fauci on Twitter — “Donald Trump publicly attacks one of the country’s leading medical experts with juvenile personal insults as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths spike across the United States. Trump is a menace to the health and safety of the American people.” [Twitter]

News

City Council Approves Virginia Tech Innovation Campus and North Potomac Yard Development Plan

By James Cullum

Published October 19, 2020 at 4:10PM

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved plans for the first phase of the massive North Potomac Yard redevelopment on Saturday.

Those plans include three academic buildings with significant open space dedicated to computer science research and development programs for the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, open space and a mix of six residential and office buildings.

News

Police Chief Participating in Community Police Review Board Discussion

By James Cullum

Published October 19, 2020 at 2:45PM

Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown joins protestors outside the city's police headquarters on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police Chief Michael L. Brown will participate in a community discussion next week on what a community police review board should look like.

The Alexandria City Council, last month, sent back the city manager’s initial proposal for the board. Council requested that there be an option to include an auditor/independent investigator with subpoena power.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 19, 2020 at 9:00AM

Drug Take Back Day is October 24 — “Safely dispose of your unused and expired medicines during Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop off locations will be available at APD Headquarters, Fire Station 210, and the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray.” [Twitter]

Council Approves Real Estate Tax Deferral — “Yesterday Council approved a resolution providing for a ‘hardship deferral’ option for payment of Alexandria’s second half real estate tax payment. Upon request, this allows an individual taxpayer to defer payment of the November 16th payment until March 1.” [Twitter]

News

City Council to Consider No Penalty on Paying Real Estate Taxes by March 2021

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated October 14, 2020 at 3:30PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) The Alexandria City Council on Saturday will consider extending the deadline for paying the second installment of real estate taxes until March 1, 2021.

Council will consider the extension at its public hearing on Saturday, October 17.

News

City: Residents Impacted by Pandemic Can Get Grocery Gift Cards

By James Cullum

Published October 8, 2020 at 10:30AM

Alexandria residents feeling the financial impact of the pandemic could be eligible to get $100 to $400 in grocery store gift cards as part of a new program with the city and ACT for Alexandria.

Residents who have not received financial help from the government will be prioritized for the ALX Cares Grocery Gift Card Program, which runs through December or until the funds run out.

News

City Council Approves Increased Density at Alexandria City Public Schools

By James Cullum

Published October 7, 2020 at 5:15PM

The Alexandria City Council on Tuesday approved a proposal to allow for more density at public schools under development.

Schools are still limited to six stories, as the height restriction of 60 feet remains unchanged, although floor acceptable area ratios of 0.60 have been increased to 0.75. In other words, schools might not be taller but they will take up more space.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 7, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer, National Capital Region’s House Delegation Write Letter to White House Over COVID Outbreak — “This is no time for publicity stunts that put people at risk, or for playing down the seriousness of this pandemic. The American people will never trust the Administration to keep them safe if the White House cannot protect its own staff.” [Twitter]

City Offices Closed for Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 12 — “City government offices will be closed October 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Trash and recycling will be collected one day later that week, and yard waste will not be collected on October 16.” [Twitter]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2020 at 9:00AM

The Kate Waller Barrett Branch of the Alexandria Library (staff photo by James Cullum)

Kamala Harris’ Husband Douglas Emhoff Ecourages Voters in Alexandria — “Excited to welcome @DouglasEmhoff to Alexandria as he works to encourage voters to turn out and make his wife our next Vice President!34K+ ballots have been mailed.Nearly 8K in-person early voters….and we are just getting started!” [Twitter]

Councilman Chapman Takes Tour of Potomac Yard Metro Station Construction –“Some pictures from my tour this morning of the construction site of the Potomac Yard Metro!” [Facebook]

News

Mayor: City Must Redouble Efforts to Catch Dangerous Criminals, Get Weapons Off Streets

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2020 at 1:15PM | Updated October 1, 2020 at 1:48PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

In response to the city’s second murder, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said the city must redouble its efforts to “get these dangerous criminals and their weapons off our streets.”

“I am saddened to hear that another Alexandria neighborhood has experienced this horrific violence,” Wilson told ALXnow. “I know that our Police Department is working around the clock to bring the perpetrator of this homicide to justice and I have every confidence they will be successful. I keep the victim and his family in my thoughts during this extraordinarily difficult time.”

News

City Presenting Taylor Run Stream Restoration Update at Virtual Meeting

By James Cullum

Published September 28, 2020 at 5:00PM

Taylor Run (Photo via City of Alexandria)

The city will conduct a virtual presentation on the Taylor Run stream restoration on Tuesday, September 29, as a local group has launched a GoFundMe campaign to hire independent experts to review the city’s plan.

The Environmental Council of Alexandria is led by former Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald and calls the stream a “natural gem.” The group states that 269 native trees will be cut down and that the proposed plan will destroy adjacent wetlands.