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Alexandria to unveil improvements at Hooffs Run Interceptor and African American Heritage Park

By James Cullum
The Hooffs Run Interceptor is complete (Via AlexRenew)

It took three years to finish, and on Saturday (June 7), Alexandria will officially recognize the completion of the Hooffs Run Interceptor and a rejuvenated African American Heritage Park.

The large project at 500 Holland Lane transports millions of gallons of raw sewage for processing at AlexRenew, and included a “full-scale restoration of the area surrounding Hooffs Run, including enhancements to the riparian buffer, the establishment of native trees and plants, and the creation of new wildlife habitats,” according to the city.

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PLANS: Take a look at the renderings of the proposed pump station at Waterfront Park

By James Cullum
Rendering of the pump station at Waterfront Park in Old Town at night, seen here looking east down Prince Street (via City of Alexandria)

A covered patio and plaza venue are planned for the proposed pump station at Alexandria’s Waterfront Park.

The city’s proposal to combat flooding in Old Town will close Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park from the fall of 2026 until the fall of 2028 to rebuild segments of the sea wall and install a pump station to recirculate water in flood-prone areas back to the Potomac River. The pump station plans are heading to the Board of Architectural Review on June 5.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum
Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

We made it to Friday in Alexandria! Here’s a look at our top stories of the week.

Our top post was on the plan to close Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park for two years. It’s part of the city’s efforts to fight flooding by rebuilding sections of sea wall and installing a pump station to recirculate floodwaters to the Potomac River.

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Alexandria Mayor condemns Gov. Youngkin’s withdrawal attempt from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

By James Cullum
A truck drives through a flooded area of Union Street in Old Town, October 29, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s recently failed attempt to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is “reckless,” says Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson.

Wilson, in his December newsletter, said that Youngkin’s efforts are bad for the environment and remove a “vital funding source” for localities in fighting flooding and severe weather.

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Here’s the redevelopment options for Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park in Old Town

By James Cullum
A bench at Waterfront Park in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Two popular Alexandria parks on the waterfront are about to close for a while, and the city is soliciting feedback on their redevelopment.

Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street) and Point Lumley Park (1 Duke Street) in Old Town are prone to frequent flooding. Both will be redeveloped as the city plans on rebuilding segments of sea wall and installing a pumping station at Waterfront Park to move floodwaters back out to the Potomac River.

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Alexandria seeking funding North Ridge flood mitigation project but warns grant program is in jeopardy

By Vernon Miles
Civil engineers work on new stormwater mitigation projects in Parkfairfax (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The City of Alexandria is seeking $2.5 million in state funding to help prevent flooding in the North Ridge neighborhood.

The Valley Drive Storm Drain Improvement project will improve the drainage system in North Ridge and capture floodwater before it accumulates in low-lying areas.

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Alexandria has made progress on flood mitigation, but significant work is still ahead

By Vernon Miles
Flooding in Old Town on May 9, 2022, staff photo by James Cullum

With rain expected this week in Alexandria, it might be worth a look back at how Alexandria’s battles with flooding have progressed over the years and what’s ahead.

The region was hit with intense flooding in 2019, which thrust Alexandria’s stormwater infrastructure into the limelight. Since then, the city has invested considerable time and money into upgrading that infrastructure, though there have been some frustrations at slow progress.

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Alexandria awarded $525,000 in grant funding to build a flood resilience plan

By Vernon Miles
Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria has been awarded $525,000 to support planning for the city’s ongoing flood mitigation efforts.

The grant funding comes from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF). The funds will go to support the development of a “new comprehensive Flood Resilience Plan.”

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Alexandria experiencing flooding from remnants of Tropical Storm Debby

By Vernon Miles
Flooding in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria is facing flooding as the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby sweep through the region.

The City’s Rain Gauge and Stream Flow indicates that Waterfront Park is currently under 3.61 feet of water.

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Construction starting this month on Rosemont flood mitigation project

By Vernon Miles
Oakland Terrace-Timber Branch Channel Wall (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s worked on some high-tech flood mitigation projects, but sometimes the old ways are best.

The city is starting work this month on a project to replace a concrete retaining wall in Rosemont with a reinforced vegetated wall, a replacement that should not only benefit the local ecosystem, but help protect a nearby sewer line.

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