development | ALXnow

North Old Town power plant plans get a taste of Dutch design

Published January 27, 2022 at 2:15PM

GenOn Power Plant (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Plans for the GenOn plant redevelopment aim to swap out the area’s current Chernobyl-chic with a Dutch design concept to prioritize pedestrians and bicyclists over cars.

In a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission last week, representatives from Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP) said the two main routes through the planned development will be split between one intended for vehicle traffic and one that prioritizes pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The latter is called a woonerf and has been implemented in the Netherlands since the 1970s.

News

Goth overhaul and rebranding planned for North Old Town Holiday Inn

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2022 at 3:45PM

Hotel Aka with its black color scheme, photo via EAGH Alexandria

The Electra America Hospitality Group sees Alexandria’s red brick facade and wants it painted black.

The Holiday Inn Express in North Old Town could be rebranded to Hotel AKA as the hotel appears to move into an emo phase. A request for alterations to the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) includes a number of changes for the hotel at 625 First Street and 510 Second Street, perhaps most notably a new coat of black paint on the brick facade.

News

After 10 years in development, The Institute for Defense Analyses opens in Potomac Yard

By James Cullum

Published January 25, 2022 at 11:00AM

It took more than 10 years to dream up and two years to build, and the 370,000-square-foot Potomac Yard headquarters for The Institute for Defense Analyses officially opened this month for more than 1,000 employees in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood.

The new office was designed in 2012 by D.C.-based KGD Architecture, and is located a stone’s throw from the incoming Potomac Yard Metro station, which is expected to open this spring.

News

City Council approves controversial hotel project, but says labor conversation isn’t over

By Vernon Miles

Published January 24, 2022 at 11:15AM

Hotel Heron, a proposed development at 699 Prince Street, image via Monarch Urban

Alexandria’s City Council voted to approve a partially city-funded hotel project at 699 Prince Street despite opposition from community labor activists.

The project drew some attention for the city involvement in funding — 1% of the tax revenue generated by the project will be paid back to bond trustees — but at the City Council meeting on Saturday, the majority of the discussion centered around how the city should use its involvement to push for better labor practices.

News

Local labor activists push back against city financing in proposed hotel project

By Vernon Miles

Published January 21, 2022 at 2:45PM

Hotel Heron, a proposed development at 699 Prince Street, image via Monarch Urban

Local labor representatives have come out in force against potential city funding in the development of the Hotel Heron in Old Town.

A proposal spearheaded by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) would have the city take some of the tax revenue generated by the Hotel Heron project at 699 Prince Street to pay the project’s bond trustees.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 21, 2022 at 5:00AM

Horse outside Hard Times Cafe, staff photo by Vernon Miles

Jones Point Park live-action roleplayers fight with foam swords, create community — “It is Sunday at Jones Point Park, and today is the day Marcus finds glory on the battlefield.” [Alexandria Times]

Yunnan by Potomac Noodle House honored on 2022 Yelp 100 list — “The Alexandria restaurant is one of the top 100 restaurants in the country, according to Yelp.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

News

Senior living facility in Potomac Yard scheduled to open next month-ish

By Vernon Miles

Published January 20, 2022 at 9:50AM

The Landing in Potomac Yard, photo via The Landing/Facebook

Senior living facility The Landing (2620 Main Line Blvd.) in Potomac Yard is scheduled to open sometime within the next month or two, and with it comes a handful of the rare affordable assisted living units.

Last week, the city announced that seven affordable one-bedroom assisted living units will be available in The Landing.

News

Activists allege developer-city collusion in Torpedo Factory plans, but city says it’s more complicated

By Vernon Miles

Published January 19, 2022 at 1:30PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A group of activists pushing back against city plans to overhaul the Torpedo Factory Art Center have accused city leaders of working with developers to astroturf a pro-overhaul faction, but city leaders said the goal wasn’t to mislead.

A Change.org petition with 7,694 signers at time of writing has become an online hub for those opposing the city’s plans to reduce artist studio space in the Torpedo Factory and replace it with alternative arts spaces (like glassblowing) or restaurant space. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made public by the petition organizers highlighted city emails with and about the “Torpedo Factory for All” initiative spearheaded by developer Route 66 Ventures — one of the developers pushing to lead the overhaul.

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

Alexandria staff and developer butt heads over architectural design of Carlyle neighborhood

By Vernon Miles

Published January 14, 2022 at 9:55AM

Proposed development at 765 John Carlyle Street and 1900 Eisenhower Avenue, image via Perkins Eastman

A towering project that will bookend Eisenhower Avenue is going through some design changes as it heads through the city’s approval process, but the changes are facing objections from City staff.

The changes are scheduled for review at the Carlyle Design Review Board on Thursday, Jan. 20. Developer Carlyle Plaza LLC has proposed several architectural changes for the project, two connected towers at 765 John Carlyle Street and 1900 Eisenhower Avenue, but staff said virtually all of these changes are a downgrade from what was approved in November.

News

Redevelopment plans announced for Community and Human Services office in Del Ray

By Vernon Miles

Published January 12, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated January 12, 2022 at 3:49PM

2525 Mount Vernon Avenue (via Google Maps)

Redevelopment plans are finally moving forward for an office building in Del Ray, the Washington Business Journal first reported.

Bonaventure Realty purchased 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue, which currently houses the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). DCHS will be moving to the West End in 2023.