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After BID failures, City Council looks for other options to support Old Town business corridor

Published June 25, 2026 at 9:15AM

Shops in the 200 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

After multiple failed attempts over the past decade to bring a Business Improvement District to Old Town, Alexandria City Council is asking for other strategies to give the corridor an economic boost.

On Tuesday (June 23), City Council endorsed a memo from Council Members Sandy Marks and John Taylor Chapman directing the city manager to assess “how we can address the needs of the Old Town business corridor a little more intentionally.” City staff will review existing research on services and financial investments the city is making in Old Town and alternative options to boost tax revenue.

Around Town

King Arthur Baking Company eyes fall for opening of Old Town store and baking school

By Emily Leayman

Published June 23, 2026 at 9:15AM

The future King Arthur Baking Company location in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

King Arthur Baking Company is setting its sights on later this year for the opening of its permanent location in Old Town Alexandria.

News

King Street closure for VRE work at Alexandria Union Station to begin tomorrow

By Emily Leayman

Published June 17, 2026 at 9:15AM

At Alexandria Station in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A road closure and pedestrian detour for a Virginia Railway Express rail project around Alexandria Union Station (110 Callahan Drive) will resume starting tomorrow (Thursday).

King Street will be closed between Russell Road and Daingerfield Road starting 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18 until around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 24. Commonwealth Avenue will remain open with an alternating single lane directed by flaggers. Sunset Drive will remain open. A detour is available via Callahan Drive, Duke Street and Diagonal Road.

News

Arlington backs city’s $27M funding request for road upgrades near Bradlee Shopping Center

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 15, 2026 at 9:15AM

Plans to overhaul King Street access road near the Bradlee Shopping Center (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s request for up to $27 million in state funds to support transportation improvements to a King Street access road in the Bradlee Shopping Center area has won support from the city’s neighbor to the north.

Arlington County Board members on Saturday (June 13) approved a resolution supporting the city’s SMART SCALE application for the project as part of the 2026 application round.

News

NVTC seeks Alexandria input on Route 7 transit upgrades at listening tour stop

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 11, 2026 at 1:45PM

City Council member Canek Aguirre discusses proposed Route 7 bus improvements (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Regional transportation officials brought their quest for input on ways to rejuvenate the Route 7 (King Street and Leesburg Pike) corridor to Alexandria on Tuesday (June 9).

“This, combined with other conversations, it’s really helpful,” said Vikram Sinha, a Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) senior program manager who leads the Envision Route 7 initiative.

News

Alexandria seeks $35M in VDOT grants for King Street, Mount Vernon Avenue projects

By James Cullum

Published June 9, 2026 at 12:30PM

Plans to overhaul King Street access road near the Bradlee Shopping Center (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon is asking for City Council’s permission to apply for $35 million in state funding for two transportation projects approved in 2024.

City Council will consider Parajon’s proposal to apply for the Virginia Department of Transportation SMART SCALE funding at its meeting tonight (June 9). The funding requests include $27 million in mobility enhancements along King Street between Quaker Lane and Menokin Drive, and up to $8 million for pedestrian improvements on Mount Vernon Avenue at the intersections with Executive Avenue and Russell Road in the city’s Arlandria neighborhood. The city has a deadline of Aug. 1 to submit projects to VDOT for consideration.

Around Town

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream to have $1 scoops at Old Town opening in June

By Katie Taranto

Published May 29, 2026 at 1:45PM

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream options (courtesy of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream)

Just in time for the hot summer months, Old Town’s ice cream scene continues to expand with the arrival of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.

The New York City-based ice cream brand has announced it will hold a grand opening on Thursday, June 18 for its new shop at 400 King Street. Customers can receive celebratory $1 scoops from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on opening day, and the first 100 guests will get a branded tote bag.

Around Town

Life Alive Cafe to offer samples at farmers market ahead of June opening in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published May 28, 2026 at 11:45AM

Life Alive Cafe interior (courtesy of Life Alive)

Guests at the Old Town North Farmers’ Market will be able to sample food from a fast-casual vegetarian restaurant opening soon in Alexandria.

Life Alive Cafe — which plans to open Tuesday, June 9 at 400 King Street — will make an appearance at today’s market (May 28) from 3-7 p.m. at 901 N. Royal Street. The restaurant will also appear at the market on Thursday, June 11, according to a newsletter from the Old Town North Community Partnership.

News

Next road closure for VRE project at Alexandria Union Station starts tonight

By Emily Leayman

Published May 28, 2026 at 10:00AM

Alexandria Station in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Road closures will resume around Alexandria Union Station (110 Callahan Drive) starting tonight (Thursday) as Virginia Railway Express continues bridge work over King Street and Commonwealth Avenue.

King Street will be closed between Russell Road and Daingerfield Road from 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28 through 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 3. Commonwealth Avenue will remain open with a single alternating lane controlled by a flagger. Sunset Drive will remain open. Traffic detours run on Duke Street.

Around Town

Alexandria journalist swaps news for retail with Made in ALX

By James Cullum

Published May 26, 2026 at 3:45PM

Beth Lawton, owner of Made in ALX at 415 King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

After 20 years in journalism, Beth Lawton says she’s traded the stress of deadlines for the stress of owning a business in Old Town.

In addition to being a mom with two kids, Lawton has spent the last five years selling handmade items from dozens of local artists at her shop, Made In ALX. At the end of 2024, she had to hang up her journalism hat as the publisher of Alexandria Living Magazine and at least temporarily left behind a long career in journalism.

News

VRE pushes back road closure to late May for rail bridge work near Alexandria Union Station

By Emily Leayman

Published May 13, 2026 at 1:45PM

Alexandria Union Station sign (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Virginia Railway Express is postponing the next of its road closures to accommodate rail bridge work near Alexandria Union Station (110 Callahan Drive).

Construction on the two replacement rail bridge spans over King Street and Commonwealth Avenue has been rescheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 29, running through 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2. King Street will be fully closed between Russell Road and Daingerfield Road during construction. Traffic will be detoured to Duke Street, and Commonwealth Avenue will remain open with a single travel lane with alternating traffic directed by flaggers. Sunset Drive will remain fully open.