construction | ALXnow

‘Save Del Ray’ website launches in opposition to Bonaventure’s mixed-use shopping development on Mount Vernon Avenue

Published March 25, 2022 at 1:00PM | Updated March 25, 2022 at 1:31PM

A conceptual design for Bonaventure's property at 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. (Via Bonaventure)

A movement decrying Bonaventure’s proposed mixed-use development in the heart of Del Ray launched online this month, and its organizer says the plan will ruin the neighborhood’s peaceful vibe.

Nate Hurto and a few dozen of his neighbors aren’t happy about the proposal to convert the old 88,500-square-foot former home of the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services building at 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue into a four-story, 43-foot-tall building with 12,530 square feet of retail and 79 rental units.

News

Carlyle health center development starts to seek tenants ahead of construction

By Brandi Bottalico

Published March 23, 2022 at 2:20PM

A rendering of the John Carlyle Center (courtesy of Cushman Wakefield)

With construction slated for later this year, the planned John Carlyle Center for Health and Wellness is looking for tenants.

The developer behind the 126,000-square-foot medical facility is starting to push out the word ahead of construction that space is available to lease. Cushman & Wakefield is handling the leasing of the medical offices and retail spaces.

News

Lane closures planned Wednesday on Duke Street

By Vernon Miles

Published March 1, 2022 at 2:30PM

Planned Duke Street lane closure, image via Google Maps

Drivers headed east on Duke Street in the West End tomorrow (Wednesday) be warned: lane closures could slow traffic on the major arterial road.

The right lane of eastbound Duke Street will be closed, followed by the left lane, to install temporary striping for a planned traffic shift to accommodate the Duke Street bridge rehabilitation project. The closures will run from Oasis Drive in Lincolnia to South Walker Street outside of the development-formerly-known-as-Landmark.

News

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.

News

Bonaventure unveils new shopping center plans on Mount Vernon Avenue

By James Cullum

Published February 9, 2022 at 1:00PM

A conceptual design for Bonaventure's property at 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. (Via Bonaventure)

Local developer Bonaventure hopes their new shopping center in the middle of Del Ray could be constructed as early as summer 2025. That’s if all goes according to their plan.

Right now the plan for 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue is still in its conceptual phase, but includes a four-story, 43-foot-tall building with 12,530 square feet of retail and 79 rental units on the one acre lot. Bonaventure is not planning on including any affordable housing units in the project, and will instead contribute to the city’s Housing Trust Fund.

News

Carlyle Road closed for construction starting tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published February 3, 2022 at 2:35PM

Mill Road closure, image courtesy City of Alexandria

Starting tomorrow (Friday) and continuing through next week, a section of Mill Road in the Carlyle neighborhood will be closed off for nearby construction.

In a news release, the City of Alexandria said the section of roadway will be closed until the end of next week. The construction is likely part of the sprawling redevelopment around the Hoffman Town Center.

News

Fort Ward park overhaul gets a fresh timeline

By Vernon Miles

Published February 1, 2022 at 3:00PM

A man walks a dog at Fort Ward Park (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A local working group has been making its way through plans to update and improve Fort Ward Park, and last week the project got a timeline for when the public could see some of those changes.

Following the Civil War, the fort was home to a sizable Black community that was later pushed out by the City of Alexandria in the name of obtaining park space and historical preservation of the Civil War-era fort.

News

Rebuilding Together DC-Alexandria awarded $1.6 million federal grant to reduce health hazards

By James Cullum

Published January 14, 2022 at 10:45AM

Via Rebuilding Together DC-Alexandria/Facebook

Rebuilding Together DC Alexandria has been chosen to receive a $1.6 million grant to reduce housing related hazards to 120 homes in the city.

RTA is one of three nonprofits in Virginia to get the multi-year funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s $104.7 million package. There were 60 similar organizations that were awarded revitalization funds.

News

Rail work at Potomac Yard Metro station nearly complete as project rolls ahead

By Vernon Miles

Published December 27, 2021 at 1:15PM | Updated January 12, 2022 at 2:55PM

Construction work at Potomac Yard Metro station, photo via City of Alexandria

(Updated 1/12/22) Slowly — maybe too slowly — the Potomac Yard Metro station is coming together. An update at a meeting last Tuesday showcased the latest in the station’s construction and offered a look at what’s ahead in the spring.

One of the biggest updates is that the rail in the middle of the station is nearly complete.

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated November 19, 2021 at 9:09PM

(Left to right) Alexandria Vice Mayor-elect Amy Jackson, Mayor Justin Wilson, Stonebridge Principal Douglas M. Firstenberg and Inova Alexandria Hospital President Dr. Rina Bansal at the groundbreaking for Inova Oakville at Potomac Yard, Nov. 15, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

This week was a mix of big plans for the future in Alexandria and concerns about public feedback on city projects.

The top story this week was on Sunday, when a driver struck and killed local resident Roy Saravia Alvarez. The driver, Fredy Ortiz-Dominguez of Hyattsville, Maryland, was arrested last night and charged with involuntary manslaughter.

News

Multi-use development at 1300 King Street could be finished by late 2022, says developer

By James Cullum

Published November 17, 2021 at 2:15PM

1300 King Street could reopen by November 2022, according to developer Holladay Corp. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The four-story, three part development at 1300 King Street could be finished by this time next year, according to a partner in the joint venture.

The former homes to Pines of Florence and Aftertime Comics at 1300 and 1304 King Street (at the corner of S. Payne Street) are now shells of their former selves. The buildings were erected in the early 19th century and are in the process of being restored by developers The Holladay Corporation and The Foundry Companies.