development | ALXnow

City Council approves major step in waterfront power plant redevelopment

Published July 6, 2022 at 3:55PM

GenOn Power Plant (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Even after pushback by groups ranging from tenants and worker unions to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), Alexandria’s City Council approved a major step for the GenOn Power Plant redevelopment’s Coordinated Development District (CDD) in a 6-1 vote at a meeting last night (Tuesday).

As with earlier contentious developments, City Council members said they acknowledged concerns about the project, but Mayor Justin Wilson said the prospect of finally cleaning up the power plant site eclipsed those issues.

News

St. Rita Catholic Church comes to agreement on construction of Arlandria affordable housing project

By James Cullum

Published July 5, 2022 at 1:00PM

The Alexandria City Council is poised to approve an amended plan to build a 473-unit affordable housing complex in Arlandria, now that St. Rita Catholic Church has signed off on the project.

Citing safety concerns for parishioners and children, St. Rita Catholic Church and the Catholic Diocese of Arlington sought legal action against the City and the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation when the development was approved in January.

News

Wave of Del Ray protestors prompts Planning Commission to defer affordable housing height increase

By James Cullum

Published June 29, 2022 at 3:30PM | Updated June 29, 2022 at 3:52PM

What two additional stories looks like on a 45-foot-tall structure. (Via City of Alexandria)

After public outcry over a rushed plan, the Alexandria Planning Commission deferred a city staff proposal to allow developers to build affordable housing into new apartment buildings up to 70 feet in height in areas where height limits are 45 feet or more.

There were more than 30 speakers at the meeting on Thursday, June 23, mostly residents of Del Ray.

News

Tenant and worker groups voice opposition to power plant plans ahead of City Council review

By Vernon Miles

Published June 28, 2022 at 3:30PM | Updated July 5, 2022 at 12:54PM

Exercising near the closed GenOn power plant in Alexandria near the Potomac River. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The GenOn Power Plant redevelopment plans are headed to the City Council with the backing of staff and the Planning Commission but lingering concerns from local workers.

Hilco Redevelopment Partners’ plan is to replace the power plant on the 18.8-acre site with six blocks of new, mixed-use buildings of varying densities and heights and coordinated open space. The city is also planning to expand the boundaries of the Old Town North Arts and Cultural District to include the site.

News

Douglas Development outlines plans for new King Street office overhaul

By Vernon Miles

Published June 6, 2022 at 3:45PM

Redesigned 515 King Street (image via GTM Architects/City of Alexandria)

After few months after purchasing 515 King Street — the big brutalist building in Old Town with a big clock on the side — Douglas Development is pitching a building overhaul to the city’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR).

The purchase of 515 King Street is just one of many recent acquisitions along King Street by Douglas Development.

News

Leading city voices tackle development and single-family housing in Agenda Alexandria discussion

By Vernon Miles

Published May 24, 2022 at 11:10AM

Seminary Hill Association President Carter Flemming and former Mayor Kerry Donley at Agenda Alexandria, image via Agenda Alexandria/YouTube

There are individual developments that can attract controversy but stepping back there’s a broader issue addressed at an Agenda Alexandria discussion last night with city leaders, developers and civic association representatives: whose vision shapes the future of Alexandria?

The discussion, moderated by Board Member Rod Kuckro, tackled a variety of development issues, including the slow death of office and commercial space in projects over the last few years.

News

After argument over ‘Calvinball’ rules, City Council and developer move forward with Carlyle development

By Vernon Miles

Published May 17, 2022 at 3:55PM

2121 Eisenhower proposal, image via SK+I Architecture

A last-minute disagreement between city staff and developers of a new development in Carlyle raised concerns about fairness in the city’s development process.

There was little indication before the City Council meeting (item 12) on Saturday, May 15, that the development at 2111 and 2121 Eisenhower Avenue would take up two hours of discussion and argument.

News

Bonaventure scales down Del Ray mixed use development, gives parking lot to community

By James Cullum

Published May 17, 2022 at 1:15PM

Renderings of a proposed mixed-use shopping center at 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Bonaventure)

Bonaventure has released its second concept design for its mixed use shopping center proposal for 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue in the middle of Del Ray.

Bonaventure made a few big changes, including reducing the size of the proposed mixed use building from 88,500 square feet to 72,000 square feet. The number of esidential units has also been lowered from 79 to 73, and the building setbacks have been increased along Mount Vernon, Stewart and E. Mount Ida Avenues.

News

Samuel Madden development headed to BAR review with mixed reception in staff report

By Vernon Miles

Published May 16, 2022 at 10:00AM | Updated October 11, 2022 at 10:42AM

Rendering of new proposed Samuel Madden development (image courtesy ARHA)

The Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority (ARHA) is getting ready to tear down a cluster of affordable garden apartments in Parker-Gray and turn the lots into a larger mixed-use development.

Samuel Madden Homes at 899 & 999 North Henry Street currently comprises 13 two-story garden apartments built in 1945 with 66 affordable housing units. The homes were build to house defense workers during WWII and were transferred to ARHA’s predecessor in 1947. The plan is to demolish and redevelop on the site with two new buildings with 500 residential units

News

Long-awaited Landmark Mall demolition and redevelopment begins

By Vernon Miles

Published May 12, 2022 at 2:50PM

Landmark Mall demolition in progress (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

After two decades of Landmark Mall redevelopment being just out of reach, city officials and developers alike let out wild roars of satisfaction as the wrecking ball crashed into the side of the building today (Thursday).

There’s still a long way to go before the first buildings of the new hospital and mixed-use development start coming online — currently slated for 2026. Still, demolition marked the furthest point of progress for redevelopment since meetings to that effect started in 2008.

News

New designs show sweeping overhaul of Old Town North block

By Vernon Miles

Published May 10, 2022 at 3:45PM

Montgomery Center site layout, image via Cooper Carry/City of Alexandria

New development plans submitted to the City of Alexandria show a mixed arts-retail district that could be an integral part of designs to reshape Old Town North.

The new 349,000 square-foot Montgomery Center development fills the block from N. Royal Street to N. Fairfax Street and Madison Street to Montgomery Street, sandwiched between the one-acre Alexandria House Park and 2.4-acre Montgomery Park.