city government | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published December 27, 2019 at 8:00AM

City Writes Off Thousands in Unpaid Taxes — “In the last decade, Alexandria has written off more than $100,000 in uncollected tax balances. The annual write-off happens every November, just as City Council members are appearing with a giant turkey at City Hall to celebrate Thanksgiving.” [Gazette Packet]

Obit for Alexandria Scientist — “In the course of her lifetime, physician and activist Janette Sherman gave voice to countless — and often voiceless — victims of environmental toxins. She died this year on Nov. 7, in Alexandria, at age 89.” [WAMU]

News

Report Shows More Commuters Using Cars in Alexandria Despite City Requirements

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2019 at 2:00PM

While more property owners have signed on to plans to shift Alexandria’s workforce to car-free, a report on those plans showed an increasing percentage of workers and residents in new developments driving alone compared to last year.

Some commercials and residential developments are required to have plans to get employees or residents to use non-car transportation to commute. These plans are called Transportation Management Plans (TMPs) and there are currently 75 developments in Alexandria with TMPs.

News

City Announces Hire for New Position to Promote Racial and Social Equity

By Vernon Miles

Published December 18, 2019 at 11:45AM

Tucker will direct the city’s race and social equity programs and build a framework for policies that help eliminate racial and social inequality, according to a press release from the city.

“Jaqueline is an innovative, compassionate, inclusive leader,” said City Manager Mark Jinks. “Through her dedication to civic engagement, law and policy, and her experience working with all levels of government, she has demonstrated the mindset and skills integral to helping our community make progress toward meaningful equity.”

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 18, 2019 at 6:30AM

More on Alexandria’s New Fire Chief — Newly-appointed Alexandria Fire Chief Corey Smedley “is now working with the city manager’s office on a number of budget issues. He recently submitted a budget proposal to the city manager, and said that he is working to improve the pay for Alexandria’s first responders, which is among the lowest in the region.” [Zebra]

City Ready for Winter Weather — “Responding to winter weather events is a top priority for the City of Alexandria. City crews clear snow from more than 560 lane miles of roadway, 20 miles of City-owned walkways and trails, and 44 acres of municipal parking lots or City-owned squares.” [City of Alexandria]

News

Alexandria Bans Electronic Scooters from All City Sidewalks

By Vernon Miles

Published December 16, 2019 at 10:45AM | Updated December 16, 2019 at 11:14PM

Electric scooters’ tempestuous relationship with Alexandria sidewalks has just come to an end.

At the City Council’s public hearing on Saturday, Dec. 14, the council voted to approve a second phase of the pilot program with a few notable changes from the current program.

News

Alexandria’s Largest Infrastructure Project is Getting More Expensive

By Vernon Miles

Published December 12, 2019 at 10:30AM

As Alexandria’s Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project RiverRenew starts making progress, it’s looking increasingly likely the project’s cost will approach the half-billion dollar mark.

During an update at the City Council meeting on Dec. 10 (Monday), Mayor Justin Wilson said the price will be towards the upper end of the $370 to $555 million price range.

News

City Could Change Residential Parking Limits for More Flexible Hours

By Vernon Miles

Published December 11, 2019 at 3:35PM

Alexandria’s street parking could be in for an overhaul at an upcoming City Council meeting.

The City Council is scheduled to discuss a series of changes to permit parking districts in Alexandria that would allow for greater flexibility of time restrictions. The move is part of a trend in the city of making underutilized parking spaces more accessible.

News

Tensions Flare on City Council as One Member Fights to Reverse Seminary Road Decision

By Vernon Miles

Published December 11, 2019 at 11:45AM | Updated December 12, 2019 at 10:33AM

Seminary Road (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 12/12) In the last thirty minutes of last night’s City Council meeting, the typically uneventful oral reports escalated into a verbal brawl over the Seminary Road diet.

The controversial lane reduction is part of the city’s Complete Streets project, which aims to change the city’s car-crowded roads into a more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly streetscape. On Seminary Road, that meant taking the formerly four-lane Seminary Road down to one travel lane in each direction with a turn lane/emergency vehicle lane separating them, and the addition of bicycle lanes on the side of the road.

News

Alexandria Shatters Its Curbside Glass Recovery Program

By Vernon Miles

Published December 11, 2019 at 9:30AM | Updated December 11, 2019 at 11:48AM

(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) Alexandria will no longer collect glass curbside for recycling, starting next year.

Starting Jan. 15, if you’re hoping to get your glass recycled rather than just tossed out with the trash, you’ll have to take it down to the purple bins at one of four facilities in southern Alexandria.

News

City to Consider Safety Improvements for King/Braddock/Quaker Intersection

By Vernon Miles

Published December 10, 2019 at 9:30AM | Updated December 10, 2019 at 10:07AM

Overturned vehicle on W. Braddock Road (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria will be looking into new safety improvements for the King Street, Braddock Road, and Quaker Lane intersection after a car overturned last week in a crash.

The city made improvements to the intersection a few years ago — with changes to the traffic signal and improvements to the service road. The city implemented other safety measures to the surrounding area, like reducing the speed limit on Quaker Lane. Despite this, the junction remains congested and, some believe, dangerous.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 10, 2019 at 8:00AM | Updated December 10, 2019 at 9:25AM

Amazon Presence on Innovation Campus? — “Virginia Tech leaders and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) executives are working toward a partnership that could give the company’s cloud computing arm a home at the $1 billion innovation campus at Potomac Yard.” [Washington Business Journal]

Underage Drinking Prevention Town Hall — “On Dec. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.), the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria will host a town hall discussion titled, ‘Healthy Youth, Healthy Families: Promoting Alcohol-Free Holidays.'” [Zebra]