city government | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published March 20, 2020 at 9:10AM | Updated March 20, 2020 at 10:28AM

The Alexandria Visitor Center at 221 King Street is closed. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

City Eases Delivery Restrictions For Restaurants — “To support local business and access to food, effective immediately, the City of Alexandria will suspend enforcement of the following regulations and special use permit conditions that limit hours of operation, deliveries, off-premises alcohol sales, and outdoor sales/dining.” [Zebra]

Governor Urges Small Businesses to Apply For Federal Assistance Loans — “Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can also request to defer the payment of state sales tax due [today], March 20, 2020, for 30 days. When granted, businesses will be able to file no later than April 20, 2020 with a waiver of any penalties.” [Governor’s Office]

News

City Manager: COVID-19 Will Have Major Impact on City Budget, Capital Investments

By James Cullum

Published March 19, 2020 at 4:30PM | Updated March 20, 2020 at 2:05AM

City Manager Mark Jinks says that his proposed fiscal year 2021 budget will be deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and predicts that proposed capital investments will take a hit.

“There will be notable changes in the budget, probably I would suspect capital investments,” Jinks told ALXnow. “We’ve got projects related to city facilities, school facilities that we could do differently. Maybe we talk to Arlington about how the Glebe Road Bridge could stay up as it is for another year. Maybe it can’t.”

News

Torpedo Factory to Remain Open but City Says Artist Presence is Voluntary

By Vernon Miles

Published March 18, 2020 at 3:15PM

The Torpedo Factory in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

While other public locations are closing across town due to coronavirus concerns, the Torpedo Factory Art Center remains open — though not without some degree of controversy across social media.

While the galleries are open, many of the artist studios may be empty after the city and the Torpedo Factory Artists Association (TFAA) said that artists concerned about their health were encouraged to close their studios for the time being.

News

BREAKING: Alexandria Reports Three More Positive Cases of COVID-19

By James Cullum

Published March 17, 2020 at 9:35PM

Alexandria Health Department (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The Alexandria Health Department is investigating three new positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the city announced in an update on Tuesday night.

There are now five confirmed cases in the city at this time. The first was identified on March 11 and the second on March 15.

News

Museums Across Alexandria Shut Down Due to Coronavirus Concerns

By Vernon Miles

Published March 17, 2020 at 5:45PM

The Office of Historic Alexandria announced this morning (Tuesday) that it will be shutting down immediately and taking most of the city’s museums with it.

News

BREAKING: Second Coronavirus Case Reported in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published March 15, 2020 at 12:00PM | Updated March 15, 2020 at 12:16PM

A second case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Alexandria.

The news comes a day after the city declared a local emergency, and two days after Alexandria City Public Schools announced schools were closing until mid-April.

News

Alexandria Declares State of Emergency Over COVID-19

By James Cullum

Published March 14, 2020 at 6:20PM | Updated March 14, 2020 at 7:15PM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson in City Hall (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria declared a state of emergency on Saturday, and the City Council also approved measures to assist the community as it weathers the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Justin Wilson said that the actions taken by City Council on Saturday are only the beginning.

News

City Reviewing Accessory Dwelling Policy, Soliciting Feedback at March Meetings

By Vernon Miles

Published February 28, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated March 15, 2024 at 2:37PM

Example of accessory dwelling regulations in neighboring Arlington County (image via Arlington County)

Alexandria is looking to study a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) policy in Alexandria with some community input.

ADUs are defined by the city as secondary, independent living units with a separate kitchen, sleeping area and bathroom, in converted garages or new structures detached from a primary residence.

News

Jaqueline Tucker Starts Work as Alexandria’s Racial and Social Equity Officer

By James Cullum

Published February 25, 2020 at 12:00PM | Updated February 26, 2020 at 6:28PM

Jaqueline Tucker’s head is still spinning. After a little more than two weeks on the job, she knows that she has her work cut out for her as Alexandria’s first-ever racial and social equity officer.

Tucker’s calendar is filling up. She’s currently meeting with department heads and just finished training with the department of community and human services. Her initial goal is to ensure that all Alexandria government employees receive racial equity training by the first quarter of next year.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published February 25, 2020 at 8:00AM

School Board Approves New Budget — “The Alexandria City School Board has approved an Operating Budget for the 2020-21 school year focused on supporting students socially, emotionally and academically while also increasing graduation rates. The Operating Budget of $299.1 million is an increase of 4.4% on last year’s budget, in line with ACPS’ anticipated continued enrollment growth and needs.” [ACPS]

City Unveils New 311 System — “The City of Alexandria has launched a new customer service initiative called Alex311, to connect customers to more than 175 City services in a variety of convenient ways. The service includes new web, mobile app, social media and phone options to submit requests for service or information… Alex311 replaces the City’s previous Call.Click.Connect. service.” [City of Alexandria]

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published February 21, 2020 at 8:00AM

City Faces Dozens of Lawsuits — “Between 2014 and 2019, 101 lawsuits were filed against the city, and 20 of those cases are still active, according to data the Alexandria Times acquired through the city… Over the last six years, the city has faced 37 claims cases, 20 land-use cases, 15 civil rights cases, 12 employment cases, 11 real estate assessment cases, two FOIA cases, two mandamus cases and two procurement cases.” [Alexandria Times]

Restaurants That Locals Still Miss — “When you talk with locals about restaurants they miss, there’s usually at least one place they can name… We’ve received nearly 40 responses covering Old Town and other areas of the city. Places mentioned by multiple people included Austin Grill, Overwood, Mango Mike’s, Flying Fish and Geranio.” [Patch]