Justin Wilson | ALXnow

Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center gets funding (and stern words) from Alexandria City Council

Published February 16, 2024 at 9:45AM

Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s City Council unanimously approved releasing $657,629 to allow the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center to continue operating, but that doesn’t mean they’re happy about it.

Council was told that the detention center (200 S. Whiting Street) has seen a dramatic increase in usage over the last year, and that the center is pursuing a pilot program with National Capital Treatment & Recovery to introduce a substance abuse recovery program to the unit. They were also told that an unused portion of the facility was being studied for future use.

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Alexandria’s office property values dropped 12% this year

By James Cullum

Published February 8, 2024 at 4:15PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 4:15 p.m.) Alexandria experienced a 12.4%, or $440 million, drop in office property values this year, according to the city’s Office of Real Estate Assessments, and it could mean a reduction in city services.

Alexandria’s real estate tax base grew by just .33% this year, about $200 million, for a total of $48.49 billion, which is the smallest growth in 15 years, Mayor Justin Wilson tweeted. The city’s commercial property tax rate fell 4%, or $736.9 million.

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Alexandria City Council unanimously unhappy over proposed makeup of Virginia Stadium Authority

By James Cullum

Published February 8, 2024 at 11:00AM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson speaks at the city council campaign kickoff for Council Member Kirk McPike, Jan. 27, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council members are crying foul over the proposed makeup of the Virginia Stadium Authority, which would finance construction of the $2 billion Potomac Yard arena and entertainment district.

Both the proposed Virginia House and Senate bills establishing the authority stipulate that the nine-member Virginia Stadium Authority board would be comprised of six members appointed by the governor and three from Alexandria.

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Alexandria’s Part 1 crime jumped more than 30% in 2023

By James Cullum

Published February 2, 2024 at 10:45AM

Crime scene tape around the Speedway station south of Old Town, scene of a reported shooting (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria experienced a nearly 30% increase in Part 1 crime in 2023, and Mayor Justin Wilson says new initiatives will help stem the flow.

Part 1 crimes, or crimes against people, include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft. There were 4,410 total Part I incidents in 2023, an increase of 31% over the 3,361 incidents reported in 2022, according to the Alexandria Police Department Crime Dashboard.

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Alexandria candidates launch campaigns, Gaskins and Chapman lead in fundraising

By James Cullum

Published January 29, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated January 29, 2024 at 6:07PM

Alexandria City Council Member Alyia Gaskins kicking off her mayoral campaign at Indochen in Cameron Station, Jan. 28, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s political scene is heating up, as a number of Democrat candidates formally launched their campaigns over the weekend.

City Council Member Alyia Gaskins held a packed kickoff at Indochen in Cameron Station on Sunday, following her opponent Vice Mayor Amy Jackson’s kickoff on Jan. 21 at Doyle’s Outpost in the West End. On Saturday, City Council Member Kirk McPike launched his campaign at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray and City Council Member John Taylor Chapman did the same at Port City Brewing Company.

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Mayoral candidates announce intentions to Alexandria Democratic Committee

By James Cullum

Published January 3, 2024 at 3:30PM | Updated January 4, 2024 at 12:04AM

Alexandria mayoral candidates City Council Member Alyia Gaskins (on left) and Vice Mayor Amy Jackson speak at the Alexandria Democratic Committee meeting about their campaigns on Jan. 2, 2024 (staff photos by James Cullum)

(Updated at 11:45 p.m.) The race for the next mayor of Alexandria has officially begun, sort of.

Last night, Vice Mayor Amy Jackson formally announced her candidacy to the Alexandria Democratic Committee (ADC), a rite of passage in Alexandria elected politics since the city has only ever elected a Republican mayor once, in 1872. Jackson’s opponent, City Council Member Alyia Gaskins, made her own announcement to the ADC on Dec. 2, and used the opportunity last night to announce her latest endorsements.

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Mayor: City seeing ‘anemic growth’ in real estate tax while expenditures loom large

By Vernon Miles

Published January 3, 2024 at 2:55PM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson speaks at the announcement of a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals in Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Dec. 13, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Another year, another multi-million dollar revenue shortfall in the city’s budget.

In a newsletter, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said the city is seeing gradual growth in real estate taxes. The city is also seeing a return to normalcy in vehicle personal property tax revenues after a surge during the pandemic.

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Alexandria Mayor: Potomac Yard arena will have minimal parking, but Metro station currently inadequate

By Vernon Miles

Published December 14, 2023 at 10:15AM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson speaks at the announcement of a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals in Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Dec. 13, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Yesterday’s announcement of the possible new arena at Potomac Yard turned a previously scheduled conversation with Mayor Justin Wilson into one of the first public discussions of the contentious project.

The Del Ray Citizens Association was packed with 375 participants on a Zoom call to ask Wilson questions about the new project. Across social media — and at a small protest outside the announcement — concerns focused on the secrecy around the project, car congestion at the site, and the Potomac Yard Metro’s ability to handle the amount of traffic.

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Check out our photos of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published December 4, 2023 at 3:45PM | Updated December 4, 2023 at 9:36PM

Santa Claus waves at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 9:35 p.m.) It was overcast and cool — the perfect weather for the Campagna Center’s 52nd Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

The parade is one of the most popular events in the city, bringing thousands of participants, including Irish dancers, historic reenactors and the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums. It is considered the highlight of a weekend full of events.

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JUST IN: Two City Council members vie to replace Alexandria Mayor

By Vernon Miles

Published December 4, 2023 at 9:55AM | Updated December 4, 2023 at 10:59AM

(L-R) Alexandria Vice Mayor Amy Jackson, Council member Alyia Gaskins and acting Police Chief Don Hayes at a retirement ceremony for former Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, April 5, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 10:50 a.m.) With Mayor Justin Wilson announcing last week that he won’t seek reelection, two members of Alexandria’s City Council have tossed their hats into the ring to replace him.

City Council member Alyia Gaskins announced this morning (Monday) that she would be running for mayor.

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BREAKING: Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson won’t seek reelection

By James Cullum

Published December 1, 2023 at 6:52AM | Updated December 1, 2023 at 3:27PM

Mayor Justin Wilson introduces former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch in Del Ray on May 9, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson will not seek a third term in office.

Wilson made the announcement in his monthly newsletter on Friday.