development | ALXnow

Alexandria to host City Hall pre-construction meeting as relocations are underway

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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City to discuss future land usage on Duke Street during work session tomorrow

By James Cullum

Published January 5, 2026 at 9:15AM

The Duke Street Land Use Plan will cover the area between Alexandria's Union Station and the former Landmark Mall property (via City of Alexandria)

The Planning Commission will host a work session tomorrow (Tuesday) on a draft plan for the future of Duke Street.

Still in its infancy, the Duke Street Land Use Plan is intended to guide city officials in the development of the Duke Street corridor from the former Landmark Mall to Alexandria Union Station. The document is expected to be ready for City Council consideration and adoption from late 2026 to early 2027, according to the city.

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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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Alexandria seeks to streamline office-to-residential conversions

By James Cullum

Published December 29, 2025 at 9:30AM

The conversion of 601 Wythe Street in Old Town from office to residential was approved in 2025 by City Council (via Google Maps)

Alexandria city staff want to establish a standard permitting process for commercial-to-residential conversions.

Amid a struggling office real estate market, the city has seen a number of old office properties convert to residential use over the last several years. The proposal to create a special use permit (SUP) process for the conversions will head to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

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Plans to replace the Old Town Pool headed to Board of Architectural Review

By James Cullum

Published December 18, 2025 at 1:45PM

Old Town Pool (via City of Alexandria)

After 40 years in operation, Alexandria has submitted plans to replace the Old Town Pool, bath house and equipment building.

The 144,000-square-foot Old Town Pool site at 1609 Cameron Street was built in 1975 and is “nearing the end of its usability,” according to a presentation that will go before the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

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Alexandria city government services will relocate next month for City Hall renovation

By James Cullum

Published December 17, 2025 at 3:45PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The last moves of Alexandria’s City Council and staff have been announced, as the years-long renovation project at City Hall and Market Square is just around the corner.

The various arms of the city government will be operating from swing spaces until 2028, when the project is expected to be completed. With more than 300 city staffers already moved to temporary offices, the project will start construction this spring, according to the city.

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New Old Town affordable housing building and 640-unit Potomac Yard project receive approval

By Katie Taranto

Published December 15, 2025 at 2:45PM

Rendering of the proposed 145-unit affordable apartment complex at 598 S. Alfred Street in Old Town, viewed from Wilkes Street and S. Alfred Street (via City of Alexandria)

Two proposed housing developments in the city of Alexandria are officially allowed to move forward after receiving City Council’s approval during its Saturday meeting.

A 640-unit, multi-building project in southern Potomac Yard and a 145-unit affordable housing redevelopment in Old Town each received unanimous approval for development special use permits (DSUPs) after advancing through the Planning Commission earlier this month.

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New ‘Green Building Plan’ proposal seeks to update environmental criteria for developments

By Katie Taranto

Published December 15, 2025 at 9:45AM

Alexandria City Hall in Old Town in 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The city of Alexandria is hoping to update its environmental standards for new developments, with a proposal slated for review by the Planning Commission and City Council next month.

Released last week, the proposed Green Building Plan establishes new criteria for private and public developments in aspects like renewable energy usage and wastewater infrastructure. It serves as an update to the city’s 2019 Green Building Chapter, which currently “relies heavily on prescriptive third-party sustainability certifications with specific ‘performance points’ identified for each certification option,” according to the city.

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Affordable housing redevelopment plan for Old Town apartments gets commission greenlight

By Katie Taranto

Published December 3, 2025 at 3:45PM

Rendering of the proposed 145-unit affordable apartment complex at 598 S. Alfred Street in Old Town, viewed from Wilkes Street and S. Alfred Street (via City of Alexandria)

The Planning Commission has given its approval to plans to redevelop an Old Town apartment building with more affordable housing.

The commission gave its blessing last night (Tuesday) to Alfred Street Baptist Church’s proposal to construct a four-story, 145-unit affordable housing complex on the grounds of the 1970s-era Old Towne West building. The current parcels at 901 Wolfe Street and 598 and 601 S. Alfred Street have 77 units, including 34 affordable units and two offices.

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Four Mile Run Kayak Launch set to open this week following delays

By James Cullum

Published December 3, 2025 at 10:30AM

The completed kayak launch at Four Mile Run Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

After more than four months of delays, the Four Mile Run Kayak Launch is expected to be open for use by the end of this week.

The project promises the “first public ADA-accessible Potomac River paddling access” through a city partnership with the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation. The foundation announced the end of construction on social media yesterday (Tuesday) and said there will be a grand opening in the spring.

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Potomac Yard residential buildout plans receive Planning Commission approval

By Katie Taranto

Published December 3, 2025 at 9:45AM

Planning Commission Dec. 2 meeting (via City of Alexandria)

The Planning Commission has approved three development projects that would construct 640 housing units and ground floor retail across vacant land parcels in southern Potomac Yard.

The commission voted last night (Tuesday) to grant development special use permits (DSUP) for the following plans, located adjacent the Potomac Yard Metro station along Potomac Avenue, Main Line Blvd and E. Glebe Road.