More
Post Content

Affordable housing taking center stage in West End planning discussions

Previous Image 1/4 Next Image

The future of Alexandria’s West End is being reevaluated with a series of open houses in the coming days.

City staff are working to update Alexandria’s long-term vision for the  1992 Alexandria West Small Area Plan and integrate it with the 2012 Beauregard Small Area Plan.

City Council directed staff last year to start updating the plans to include new policies on affordable housing, open space and “address current community needs and incorporate current City policies and best practices,” according to the city.

“We need more deeply affordable housing, current numbers/goals are not enough,” one meeting participant recently recommended.

“We need a more livable community, both in terms of quality of life and affordability,” said another.

The following open houses will include interactive stations to allow participants to leave feedback on land use, open space, mobility and sustainability in the West End, according to the city.

“All are welcome to participate in these open houses which are free and open to the public,” according to the city. “We invite you to come to any or all three open houses to share your thoughts on the future of Alexandria West and hear about different concepts for open space, sustainability, land use, and mobility. Each open house will have the same general content.”

Many of the city’s proposals over the past year have included data on residents who are housing cost burdened (in gallery above).

According to the city, the updated plan will:

  • Enable the 10-to-30-year-old land use plans to be updated comprehensively to address current community needs and incorporate current City policies and best practices
  • Address the issue of housing vulnerability and affordability by leveraging housing resources, policies, and funding opportunities to meet this challenge; and
  • Develop an approach to guide and shape future development and make expectations clear for the community, City and developers

The city anticipates releasing a draft plan in March/April, a community comment period next summer and then Council approval in September.

Below is a video update on the Alexandria West Planning Project.

15 Comments

Community champions honored as Alexandria Living Legends

Previous Image 1/12 Next Image

Community champions were honored as Living Legends of Alexandria on Wednesday night.

The prestigious annual honor was given to a dozen well-known former lawmakers, city employees, activists and business owners.

Mayor Justin Wilson said that Alexandria draws people who contribute to the greater good.

“This community has a way of just sucking you in to something great and it’s wonderful,” Wilson said. “But quickly, whether you’re growing up or you just got here, you start to realize that some of the same people are involved in multiple things, and… those are the kinds of people we’re honoring tonight. These are the people that make a lasting difference to our community. Decades from now when all of us are long gone, you will go around and you will say, ‘Wow, that happened because of them.'”

The reception was held at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial and was hosted by former Alexandria City High School principal John Porter. Three of the honorees who died recently were still recognized.

The 2023 Living Legends of Alexandria

  • Former Police Chief David Baker
  • Nelson Greene Jr., who died last year
  • Retired Sheriff Dana Lawhorne
  • Carolyn B. Lewis, founder of Project Discovery Alexandria
  • Patty and Kate Moran
  • Gary Oelze, who died this year
  • Colonel James Paige
  • Former City Council Member Redella S. “Del” Pepper
  • Jack Sullivan
  • Former School Board Member Charles Wilson
  • William Vosbeck, who died in 2021
0 Comments

City holds ribbon cutting for ‘West End City Hall’ honoring Del Pepper

Ribbon-cutting at the Redella S. “Del” Pepper Community Resource Center (image via City of Alexandria)

A new city facility occasionally called West End City Hall had an official ribbon cutting last week that honored the building’s namesake: longtime City Council member Del Pepper.

The building at 4850 Mark Center Drive is a hub for several city services like the Department of Community and Human Services, the Alexandria Health Department, a permit center and more.

“This is more than just a building for our community just like Del was more than just another member of the City Council,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “This is an embodiment of the services we provide to this city, the heart of this city, just like Del was the heart of this city council for so, so long.”

The naming honored Pepper’s 36 years on the City Council, which ended with her retirement in 2021.

“The building is awesome,” Pepper said. “There’s just no other word for it… It has been carefully and thoughtfully planned. It’s new and truly beautiful.”

Pepper said the building will help facilitate better services for the West End, a cause for which she advocated for decades.

“Over the years, I have sat on a number of boards and commissions and I like to think our workers are the brightest and the best,” Pepper said. “To add to that, they are the most welcoming and helpful. That’s what you’re going to need for the kind of activities that go on here: people who can hear the pain.”

0 Comments

PHOTOS: Alexandria’s Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town

Previous Image 1/28 Next Image

It was an unseasonably warm 60 degrees on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 3) in Old Town for the Campagna Center’s 51st Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

The parade is one of the most popular events in the city, bringing thousands of participants, including Irish dancers, historic reenactors and the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums. It is considered the highlight of a weekend full of events.

This year’s grand marshal was former City Council Member Del Pepper.

2 Comment
×

Subscribe to our mailing list