As Alexandria starts to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the city’s long term planning priorities are shifting to meet needs exposed by the health crisis.
In a presentation to the Planning Commission last week, city staff said some projects that were in the planning stage will be pushed back, including:
Large Income Disparities in Alexandria — “White Alexandria is pulling in significantly more money than Hispanic workers and African Americans, according to numbers from the United States Census Bureau. A look at average income shows non-Hispanic whites make more than $85,000 a year. That’s more than three times the average income for Hispanic workers, $24,000, and more than twice the average income for black workers, $37,000.” [Gazette]
Water Taxi Returns to Old Town — “A face mask requirement and other safety measures are in place for the limited water taxi service.” [Patch]
There are now 1,224 cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, an increase of 31 new or probable case since yesterday.
No new deaths have been announced and there have been 30 fatalities due to the virus in the city. Additionally, the city’s Hispanic population leads with positive cases at 533 and four reported deaths.
A 42-year-old Alexandria man was arrested for a hit and run and driving under the influence after allegedly smashing his Land Rover into a telephone pole in the West End on Monday, March 9.
At around 11:30 p.m., an Alexandria Police officer was on mobile patrol when he reported finding vehicle debris and a snapped telephone pole in the area of Lincolnia Road and Quantrell Avenue.
The intersection of N. Jordan and Duke Street, near the Foxchase shopping center, is closed due to a serious pedestrian crash.
“A pedestrian was struck,” said Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine. “It’s serious enough that they’ve called in the reconstruction team.”
A man was struck and injured this afternoon on Duke Street by a driver in a Volkswagen Beetle.
The collision happened shortly before 1 p.m. today at the intersection of Duke Street and Diagonal Road, near the train station and the Motley Fool building.
A grand jury has indicted Kenneth Whitcomb, a 62-year-old Alexandria resident, on a charge of reckless driving following a deadly pedestrian collision last November.
John Charles Thompson, a 75-year old Fairfax resident and retired Army general, was struck on Nov. 16 on Duke Street near the Alexandria Commons shopping center around 7:30 a.m. Police said that Thompson was in a crosswalk at the time of the crash.
(Updated at 12:20 p.m.) The vehicle that struck and killed 89-year-old artist Alfredo DaSilva on Duke Street on Sunday morning, Jan. 26, was a Carpenter’s Shelter shuttle van, ALXnow has learned.
After more than three decades, overnight emergency services at the VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital will come to an end on Feb. 24.
The 78-year-old animal hospital at 2660 Duke Street announced on Jan. 30 that it cannot find veterinarians capable or willing to work the exhausting and emotionally draining overnight emergency service hours. The hospital will continue its general practice and urgent care services during daytime hours.
On Thursday morning, William Tate waited for the pedestrian signal before crossing at the intersection of Duke and S. Pickett Street. Traffic wasn’t too heavy, but Tate still waited for a few minutes and sipped his coffee until the light told him it was safe.
“The biggest problem I see on Duke Street is that people just cut across on foot wearing dark clothing, and they get clipped,” Tate told ALXnow. “Sometimes I’ll see people just running across where there aren’t crosswalks and drivers don’t pay attention. You’ve got to pay attention.”
Petition for Lower Speeds on Duke Street — “After Sunday’s fatal traffic crash which took the life of 89-year-old Alfredo DaSilva, Alexandria, Virginia resident Grace Grant has started a petition to reduce speed along Duke Street between Quaker Lane & Jordan Street.” [Port City Wire, Change.org]
T.C. Grad Wins Grammy — “Tracy Young, a T.C. Williams alumna, became the first woman to win in the best remixed recording non-classical category at the 62nd annual Grammys Sunday. She won for her pride remix of Madonna’s ‘I Rise.'” [Patch, Twitter]
