construction | ALXnow

Developer proposes converting office complex into townhomes on Eisenhower Avenue

Published February 25, 2026 at 12:15PM

Tri Pointe Homes wants to redevelop 4701 and 4801 Eisenhower into a residential development (via Google Maps)

A plan to convert a two-story office complex into a residential community with 37 townhomes on Eisenhower Avenue is headed to the Planning Commission in April.

D.C.-area homebuilder Tri Pointe Homes is asking for permission to convert property at 4701 and 4801 Eisenhower Avenue into a residential development with 80 back-to-back units and 24% ground-level open space. The proposal, considered “phase 2” of the existing Eisenhower Pointe housing development, is expected to go before the commission on Tuesday, April 7.

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Weekend Metro closures affecting Blue and Yellow Lines start tomorrow

By Katie Taranto

Published February 13, 2026 at 11:45AM

A train arrives at the Potomac Yard Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

Ten weekends of Metro closures between Pentagon City and Reagan National Airport start tomorrow (Saturday), affecting Blue and Yellow Line trains departing and entering Alexandria.

Metrorail service will be suspended between those stations for a three-day weekend between Feb. 14-16, with free shuttle buses connecting the stations. During impacted weekends, both lines are expected to operate in “two segments” outside the closed stations every 12 minutes.

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Braddock Road corridor bike and pedestrian improvements slated for city review this month

By James Cullum

Published February 11, 2026 at 11:45AM

Yates Corner at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Braddock Road (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A proposal for new bike lanes, enhancements to pedestrian crossings and shorter crossing distances at key intersections on Braddock Road are up for review this month by Alexandria’s Traffic and Parking Board.

A city-recommended design concept calls for several Braddock Road upgrades between Russell Road and West Street. The city has worked on the Braddock Road Trail Access and Corridor Improvements project since last year as a response to concerns from Alex311, the 2023 Safe Routes to School walk audit at George Washington Middle School and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

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Old Town property owner wants to convert boating supply store into powerlifting gym

By James Cullum

Published January 26, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated January 26, 2026 at 6:55PM

619 S. Patrick Street in Old Town (via Google Maps)

A 24-hour Scandanavian-inspired bodybuilding gym is being proposed to replace the West Marine boating supply store at 601 and 619 S. Patrick Street in Old Town.

Desiree Marvin, the owner of Valhalla Property Holding, LLC, is asking the city for permission to renovate the existing building and convert it into an “upscale bodybuilding gym” with personal trainers, an open-concept layout, heavy lifting equipment and cardio machines, according to an application.

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Townhome complex proposed on vacant lot near church in Seminary Hill

By James Cullum

Published January 23, 2026 at 2:45PM

N. Quaker Lane and Duke Street (via Google Maps)

A developer is proposing to construct 11 three-to-four-story townhomes on a vacant lot that is shared with a church in Seminary Hill.

Development company 614 Westbrad, LLC, wants to build 45-foot-tall three-story townhomes with roof-level lofts, terraces, and parking garages at 11 N. Quaker Lane, 21 N. Quaker Lane and 3369 Duke Street.

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Metro closures will affect weekend rail service in Alexandria this spring

By Katie Taranto

Published January 21, 2026 at 9:15AM

A train arrives at the King St-Old Town Metro station, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A series of weekend-long Metrorail closures between Pentagon City and Reagan National Airport will start next month, impacting Blue and Yellow lines departing and entering Alexandria.

Trains on the Blue and Yellow lines will be suspended between those stations during ten weekends this spring, and Metro will offer free connecting shuttle bus services. The closures are planned to accommodate the construction of a second entrance at Arlington’s Crystal City station.

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Old Town Farmers’ Market relocates to N. Royal Street tomorrow

By Katie Taranto

Published January 9, 2026 at 12:30PM

Old Town Farmers' Market (via City of Alexandria)

The Old Town Farmers’ Market is officially relocating this weekend in advance of construction on City Hall and Market Square.

The Saturday morning market is moving across the street from Market Square to the 100 block of N. Royal Street before construction is set to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

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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.

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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.

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Woodbine health care center receives three-year extension for stalled expansion project

By James Cullum

Published December 29, 2025 at 10:30AM | Updated December 29, 2025 at 11:16AM

Woodbine expansion plans (image via City of Alexandria)

The stalled expansion of a nursing home in Alexandria’s Rosemont neighborhood just got a three-year extension from the Alexandria City Council.

The Council has unanimously re-approved a 2022 plan by Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center to build a three-story, 31,909-square-foot addition. The development permits expired in October and were held back by increased construction costs and interest rates, Woodbine said in its application.

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After tense exchange, Alexandria City School Board approves capital improvement budget

By James Cullum

Published December 19, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 19, 2025 at 4:36PM

Alexandria School Board meeting in 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After a contentious discussion, the Alexandria City School Board last night (Thursday) approved its $282.3 million Capital Improvement Program budget for fiscal years 2027-36.

The 5-4 approval of Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt’s proposed budget comes in at $3.5 million below the recommended amount from City Manager Jim Parajon’s office. The CIP includes $23 million in funding for non-capacity projects next year, including $1.8 million in school bus/vehicle replacements, $1.8 million for emergency repairs and $1.3 million in curriculum and instruction materials. It also accounts for the $2 million development of the Alexandria City High School’s Chance for Change Academy.