development | ALXnow

City: Potomac Yard Metro Station Construction on Track

Published October 7, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated October 7, 2020 at 11:48AM

Initial track work at the Potomac Yard Metro station. (Image via City of Alexandria)

Construction of the Potomac Yard Metro station is track as the City Council prepares to approve the final southern entrance site plan for the project this December.

“Right now we are both on time and on budget,” Daphne Kott, a project manager in the Department of Project Implementation, told City Council in a legislative meeting on Tuesday night. “Every day there’s three active construction areas… Working on the foundation of the platform, in the mezzanine and continuing to work on the north pavilion.”

News

ALXnow’s Top Stories This Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2020 at 5:00PM | Updated October 2, 2020 at 5:22PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria was dominated by violent crime events this week.

The second murder of 2020 occurred on Sept. 30, and ALXnow identified the victim as 57-year-old John Harding Pope. Mayor Justin Wilson and members of the City Council offered their condolences and said that justice will be served.

News

Virginia Tech Pump Station Approval Paves Way for 4.5 Extra Acres at Potomac Yard Park

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2020 at 5:00PM

Renderings of the Potomac Yard Park proposal. (Images via City of Alexandria)

The New York City-based property owner of the 65-acre Potomac Yard property will present plans to the Alexandria Planning Commission donate 4.5 acres for an extension of Potomac Yard Park.

The extension is part of Virginia Tech’s massive Innovation Campus development, and the contribution by property owner CPYR Theater, LLC includes handing over responsibility for a pump station that will handle sanitary sewer flows for Virginia Tech’s Sewer to Wastewater Energy Exchange system.

News

Avanti Holdings to Build New West End Home for ‘Alexandria Lighting Supply’ Store

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2020 at 3:45PM

Avanti Holdings is planning on moving the 50-year-old Alexandria Lighting Supply in Old Town in the West End.

The Eisenhower West-Landmark Van Dorn Implementation Advisory Group was briefed on the plan last week by property attorney Cathy Puskar.

News

Alexandria Wants to Make Affordable Housing Contributions Mandatory for Developers

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2020 at 3:55PM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria planning staff are crafting a proposal to make affordable housing contributions mandatory for developers, and they are reportedly not happy about it.

City staff are recommending that council adopt a commercial-to-residential conversion contribution policy (proposed at $1.53 per square foot) and senior housing contribution requirements.

News

City Anticipates More Delays With King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvements Project

By James Cullum

Published September 23, 2020 at 1:15PM

The King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvements project. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The city anticipates that there will be more delays with the completion of the King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvements Project.

City staff are skeptical that the first phase of the project will be completed by this December.

News

City Council Approves Adding Virginia Tech Initials to Potomac Yard Metro Station

By James Cullum

Published September 23, 2020 at 11:35AM

The Alexandria City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved a proposal adding Virginia Tech’s initials to the Potomac Yard Metro Station.

Council approved the name to be the Potomac Yard – VT station. Now the name change goes before the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for final approval.

News

West End Assisted Living Facility Going to Alexandria Planning Commission

By James Cullum

Published September 21, 2020 at 5:00PM

Massachusetts-based Orr-BSL King, LLC filed an application to build the Benchmark at West Alex continuum of care facility at 3425 North Beauregard Street. (Image via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria Planning Commission in November will consider a special use permit amendment to increase allowable height for a new continuum of care facility in the West End.

Massachusetts-based Orr-BSL King, LLC filed an application to build Benchmark at West Alex, a 117-unit assisted living facility that would be constructed at 3425 North Beauregard Street.

News

‘Landmark Overlook’ Would Completely Transform 8 Acres Across from Landmark Mall

By James Cullum

Published September 21, 2020 at 1:15PM | Updated September 21, 2020 at 4:49PM

While only in the conceptual phase, the Landmark Overlook development would transform the corner of South Wilkes Street and Stephenson Avenue into a mixed use property with hotels or office buildings, two-level stacked condominium units, apartments and retail. (Image via City of Alexandria)

Big changes are being planned for an 8.2-acre property directly across the street from Landmark Mall.

While only in the conceptual phase, the Landmark Overlook development would transform the corner of South Walker Street and Stephenson Avenue into a mixed use property with hotels or office buildings, two-level stacked condominium units, apartments and retail.

News

Old Dominion Boat Club Floating Wharf and Pier Expansion Going to Planning Commission

By James Cullum

Published September 17, 2020 at 4:45PM

The Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC) will present the Alexandria Planning Commission in November (Nov. 5) with a plan to build a floating wharf and pier outside its clubhouse at 0 Prince Street.

“The floating pier will provide facilities for transient boat mooring for larger boats due to the water depth along its expanse and for rowing crew shells and chase boats either for planned events/regattas or emergency needs,” according to an application for the special use permit.

News

‘Lipstick On A Pig’: BAR Rejects Heritage Old Town Proposal

By James Cullum

Published September 16, 2020 at 5:15PM | Updated September 16, 2020 at 5:32PM

A rendering of the proposed development of The Heritage apartment complex in Old Town. (Image via City of Alexandria)

Members of the Alexandria Board of Architectural Review didn’t mince words against the proposed development of the Heritage Old Town.

“Why are you asking for our opinion if what we get back isn’t actually changed?” BAR Chair Christine Roberts said at the September 2 meeting. “It’s just more lipstick on a pig.”