Justin Wilson | ALXnow

Mayor, Regional Leaders Ask Governor to Stall Reopening Plan for Northern Virginia

Published May 10, 2020 at 5:00PM

A Neighborhood Health COVID-19 testing facility outside Casa Chirilagua in Arlandria (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson joined Northern Virginia elected leaders Sunday in asking Governor Ralph Northam to carry out his phased reopening plan for the state by regions until the rate of infections meets an acceptable threshold.

The May 10 letter penned by Wilson, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay, Arlington County Chair Libby Garvey, Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall and Prince William County Chair Ann Wheeler asks the governor to adjust his reopening in the region.

News

The High Cost of Combating COVID-19 in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published May 8, 2020 at 2:00PM | Updated May 8, 2020 at 2:26PM

A young boy is tested for COVID-19 at a Neighborhood Health testing facility outside Casa Chirilagua in Arlandria (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria has spent $5 million on new expenses to combat COVID-19 related problems, and in a town hall last night, Mayor Justin Wilson said he expects that number to double by the end of the pandemic.

“[We’ve] spent $5 million on COVID expenses,” Wilson said. “That’s things like hotel rooms for quarantine, hazard pay, things like that; a lot of emergent expenses.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 6, 2020 at 9:00AM

‘Le Refuge’ Restaurant Founder Passes Away — “Jean-Francois Chaufour was born in born in Tavers, France June 7, 1952. He and his wife, Francoise, both hailed from the Loive Valley area and came to the United States together in 1976 and started working as servers in the metropolitan area. After many years of hard work and saving, they pursued the American dream of opening their own establishment.” [Zebra]

Beyer Provides COVID-19 Updates — “I’ve compiled a series of summaries of financial assistance (direct payments, unemployment, paid leave, & more), plus housing, food, and small business resources.” [Twitter]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2020 at 9:00AM

Mayor, Sheriff Hand Out Diplomas to High School Seniors — “Yesterday, we announced three more deaths [from covid-19]. We have 26 deaths in the city. Every day, it’s another shoe falling. But this, this is something so positive.” (Washington Post)

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership Creating Local Business Grant Program — “AEDP will pull $2 million out of its ‘Alexandria Investment Fund,’ local incentive cash for retaining and attracting businesses, and then pair that money with federal funding the city received through the CARES Act.” [Washington Business Journal]

News

As Infected Toll Rises, City Frustrated With Defiance of Social Distancing Restrictions

By Vernon Miles

Published May 1, 2020 at 11:30AM

A busy and bustling Old Town isn’t usually a cause for concern, but during Mayor Justin Wilson’s town hall last night (Thursday), several people said they’ve been alarmed at seeing large numbers of people going around with business as usual in Alexandria.

The continued travel correlates with the increasing amount of new cases popping up in Alexandria, with roughly 50 new cases popping up per day over the latter half of this week. One commenter during the town hall said Old Town looked like a fair last weekend.

News

City Council Passes ‘Hunker Down’ Budget With ‘Dreams Deferred’

By Vernon Miles

Published April 30, 2020 at 11:40AM

At the end of an exhausting emergency budget cycle, the City Council praised the work of staff for throwing together a $753.3 million fiscal year 2021 operating budget that fills a steep funding shortfall without curtailing city services.

In a 45 minute Zoom meeting, the City Council unanimously approved the budget with little discussion, following a week without any additions or deletions.

News

Six Coronavirus Outbreak Sites Identified Across Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published April 24, 2020 at 11:30AM

In a video town hall last night (Thursday), Mayor Justin Wilson said there were five outbreaks — places where the virus was spread between several people — in Alexandria. A Virginia Department of Health update this morning (Friday) pushed that up to six.

“Four of those are in long-term living facilities,” Wilson said. “One is in an educational facility.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 22, 2020 at 9:00AM

Goodwin House Conducting Virtual Job Fair for Servers at 1 p.m. — “When you join our team, you’ll also be working at one of the Top Workplaces in the Washington, D.C. area according to The Washington Post. Our pay is highly competitive, we offer outstanding benefits and we provide opportunities for growth and excellent perks such as access to our swimming pools and fitness facilities.” [Indeed]

Old Town Sign to Stay on Theater — “Patagonia will “fix up” the sign so it looks a little bit better and to prevent further water damage to the marquee. Patagonia will put up its own sign underneath the marquee.” [Alexandria Living]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 21, 2020 at 9:00AM

Mayor Marries Couple in Socially Distant Ceremony — “Alanis sang about rain on your wedding day. I’m not sure she envisioned THIS.‬ ‪It was such an honor to put on real pants (first time in weeks!), grab my mask and walk to Parkfairfax to marry a wonderful couple whose original plans were scrambled.‬ ‪Congrats!‬” [Facebook]

‘Mind The Mat’ Hosting Virtual Meditations at 9 a.m. — “Join MtM Monday-Friday mornings for this free 15 minute guided mediation to start your day off right.” [Facebook]

News

City Council Approves Potomac Yard Entrance and Moves Forward on Budget

By James Cullum

Published April 20, 2020 at 11:35AM | Updated April 20, 2020 at 6:05PM

There will be no tax increase on the city manager’s proposed fiscal year 2021 budget, as the City Council swept through its budget public hearing on Saturday, paving the way for approval next Wednesday, April 29.

Council also unanimously approved the plan for the construction of the southern access to the Potomac Yard Metro station. The access will be a bridge that connects to the northern entrance, and will open at the same time as the station in March 2022.

News

Mayor Talks Testing, the City Budget and More in COVID-19 Update in Weekly Town Hall

By James Cullum

Published April 17, 2020 at 10:35AM

A testing update, the deferral of school construction projects and the impact of COVID-19 on Alexandria’s real estate market were just a few of the topics discussed last night (Thursday) in Mayor Justin Wilson’s weekly virtual town hall.

Wilson reported that there are currently 24 people with COVID-19 in the Alexandria Hospital, and that the nearly 300 other patients are recuperating at home or elsewhere. He also said that the hospital system will be able to handle the current rate of infection.