There were no injuries or arrests after gunfire was reported in the West End early Friday morning — a separate incident from the other West End shooting this morning where one victim was injured.
Multiple callers reported four shots were fired at around 12:30 a.m. in the 4300 block of King Street near Park Center Drive, according to the police scanner.
No one was injured in the incident and no arrests were made. Witnesses reported to police that the shots were fired from a gray-colored GMC, which fled the scene in the area of Interstate 395, according to the police scanner.
Police found shell casings near Park Center Drive and King Street, according to the police scanner.
Anyone with information on this incident can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: In response to a shots fired incident, there is a moderate police presence near and around the 4300 block of King Street. No injuries were reported in connection with this incident. APD is on scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/XCUyyzkmqX
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) September 22, 2023
It’s been an uncharacteristically busy day for King Street news.
The street could be getting new bike lanes and a sidewalk on the north side of the road in a few years. In the short term, however, a section of the street is getting resurfaced and some stormwater improvements this month.
King Street from Janneys Lane to Russell Road — the stretch west of the Metro station — is being resurfaced this month. West Glebe Road is also being resurfaced from Valley Drive to the Arlington border.
Repaving work started yesterday (Monday) and will run through Saturday, Sept. 30.
“Businesses and residents whose streets are scheduled for resurfacing receive advance notice of paving work — typically by displayed project signs and/or letters,” the city said in a release. “Temporary ‘No Parking’ signs will also be posted before work begins. Please be sure to observe these signs to avoid tickets and potential towing of vehicles.”
Along the same stretch of King Street, new storm inlets are being installed. Storm inlets are also being installed on the 100 block of Monroe Avenue and the 1600 block of Duke Street.
Image via Google Maps
Some changes could be coming to the section of King Street near the Bradlee Shopping Center, but they’re at least four or five years away.
The City of Alexandria announced today that it will start a King Street-Bradlee Safety and Mobility Enhancements Project later this month. The project will look at potential improvements to King Street just northwest of Quaker Lane along the Bradlee Shopping Center.
A release from the City of Alexandria noted that the area was previously identified as a priority location for ‘enhanced bicycle facilities’ — likely an extension of the bicycle lanes along King Street to the southeast — and more sidewalks. Along this stretch, there is no sidewalk on the northern side of King Street.
“The Alexandria Mobility Plan identified this corridor as a priority location to install enhanced bicycle facilities and additional sidewalks to complete critical gaps in the existing transportation network,” the release said. “Safety improvements will help the City reach its Vision Zero goal of eliminating all fatal and severe crashes.”
An online survey is set to launch on Wednesday, Sept. 20, to collect feedback from those who have walked, bike, driven or taken transit through the area.
This section of King Street sees significant pedestrian traffic from the nearby Minnie Howard and King Street campuses of Alexandria City High School. The nearby streets were a topic of concern during discussions about getting students back and forth between the two campuses — though a direct route from one school to the other wouldn’t touch the project area in question.
The project’s website said community engagement is set to kick off this fall, with design starting next spring and running through to spring 2027.
Since it opened in February,  Eddie’s Little Shop and Deli (1406 King Street) has been a spot to grab what you need and go, but that could change.
A new special use permit indicates the shop could be adding a little indoor seating soon, giving the bodega-like deli space an area for people to enjoy their meals.
“We are looking to provide seats for our [guests] to enjoy indoors during operating hours,” Deli owner Edward McIntosh wrote in a special use permit. “The table will be able to fit 10-12 guests at a time to create a commercial dining experience.”
Eddie’s Little Shop and Deli opened in the former Deli News & More space in February. The restaurant was inspired by the bodegas in New York City.
Photo via Eddie’s Little Shop and Deli/Facebook
Chase Bank is renovating the former Banana Republic location at 628 King Street, and hopes to have construction completed by November, contractors and bank representatives told ALXnow.
The Chase Bank at 106 N. Washington Street will be moving to the new location, according to Caroline Evert, Chase Bank’s executive director of external communications.
The interior of the former Banana Republic has been gutted and will resemble the interior of other Chase Banks.
“We’ve been looking for a larger location,” Evert said. “It’s going to look like the old bank (at 106 N. Washington Street), just bigger.”
Evert said that the bank wants to hold a ribbon cutting for the new bank in January.
The building at 628 and 622 King Street was constructed as a 600-seat theatre in 1854. During the Civil War, the building was named Washington Hall General Hospital, and contained 100 beds for Union soldiers. The building would become a laundromat and insurance firm before burning down.
Banana Republic and The Gap rented both spaces for decades until early last year, when Gap Inc. closed both locations. The spaces are now being individually rented.
Renderings of the new bank were not available by ALXnow’s deadline.
The overhaul of a busy intersection on King Street near the George Washington Masonic Memorial is scheduled to kick off next month.
The project will mean periodic lane closures at the King/Callahan/Russel intersection over the next few months, but when it’s over, there should be improvements to the roadway — particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.
The project has been in the plans since 2015. A report to the Traffic and Parking Board for the meeting next week said work at the intersection is starting next month and will wrap up in November.
According to the report:
Work is expected to begin in August and conclude in November. The work will be performed during non-peak hours to minimize traffic impacts. During these times, periodic lane closures may be needed, in which case flaggers will be present to direct traffic appropriately.
The highlights of the project are separate bike lanes on King STreet running through the intersection, which currently end just before the intersection. New pedestrian crossings will also be installed along King Street.
The project is funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the report said changes at the intersection include:
- A new pedestrian crossing of King Street on the west side of the intersection
- Safer, more direct pedestrian crossings across King Street and Callahan Drive
- Removal of the slip ramp to reduce vehicle turning speeds and improve safety
- Removal of the concrete median islands
- Converting the Masonic Temple service road from two-way to one-way southbound
- A leading pedestrian interval (LPI) for all crossings, a safety measure that provides a head-start for people using the crosswalk
- Upgraded sidewalks to provide more space, accessible ramps, and connection to the steps that lead to the Masonic Temple
- Bike lanes on King Street to help people biking safely position themselves and navigate the intersection
- New pedestrian signals where they are currently missing
- Signal timing improvements to minimize delay
Where’s Waldo? Kids and parents with eagle eyes can spot him this month in 25 Alexandria businesses.
After you find Waldo at 10 businesses, spotters can collect prizes at Hooray for Books (1555 King Street) in Old Town. Collectors with at least 20 stamps on a passport (found at any participating business) can claim a Waldo temporary tattoo and store coupon.
The annual promotion will end with a grand celebration and prize drawing for a set of Waldo books at the store on July 31 at 4 p.m.
Find Waldo at these businesses:
- Alexandria Visitor Center (221 King Street)
- AR Workshop Alexandria (1212 King Street)
- Beeliner Diner (3648 King Street)
- The BEST Gift Shop (112 S. Patrick Street)
- Conte’s Bike Shop (1100 King Street)
- The Company of Books (2200 Mount Vernon Avenue)
- The Dog Park (705 King Street)
- fibre space (1319 King Street)
- Fresh Baguette (1101 King Street)
- Gold Works (1400 King Street)
- Happy Place (105 S. Union Street)
- Hooray for Books (1555 King Street)
- King Street Souvenirs (217 King Street)
- Lavender Moon Cupcakery (116 S. Royal Street)
- Pacers Running (1301 King Street)
- Penny Post (1201 King Street)
- Red Barn Mercantile (1117 King Street)
- Rocket Fizz (1701 Centre Plaza)
- Stitch Sew Shop (1219 King Street)
- Ten Thousand Villages (915 King Street)
- Today’s Cargo (1102 King Street)
- Turkish Coffee Lady (1201 King Street)
- The UPS Store (107 West Street)
- Uptowner Cafe (1609 King Street)
- Whistle Stop Hobbies (1719 Centre Plaza)
Alexandria Police are investigating an armed carjacking that occurred early this morning in the West End.
The male victim was robbed at gunpoint of his black 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG at around 4:30 a.m. outside the 24-hour gym X-Sport Fitness at 4300 King Street. The area is near the intersection with Park Center Drive.
No injuries were reported and no arrests were made.
The victim told police that he was carjacked by three men in a silver two-door Infiniti. After the incident, the victim tracked the vehicle with GPS to the Navy Yard area in D.C. and then to Prince George’s County in Maryland, according to APD scanner traffic.
Anyone with information on this incident can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Image via Google Maps
Notification:: In response to an armed carjacking, there is a moderate police presence in the 4300 block of King Street. No injuries were reported. APD is on the scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/CUFam3zZBL
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) July 6, 2023
There’s a new mural in Old Town.
Last week, Los Angeles-based muralist El Mac put the finishing touches on his new mural outside 901 King Street. The piece depicts a bespectacled woman looking south.
The artist did not provide a title or themes behind the mural with his client, building owner Windmill Hill Design Build. Still, Windmill Hill founder Mike Dameron said he was thrilled with the result.
“”I think the striking pose and scale really compliment the corner and we had an amazing experience getting to know El Mac and his family,” Dameron told ALXnow. “He works mostly at night and it was amazing to see the progression each morning. He brought museum quality public art to Alexandria and we are super excited about it.”
El Mac, the professional name for Miles MacGregor, is known for creating large photorealistic murals. He did not respond to multiple calls for comment.
Got to chat with El Mac, a nationally-acclaimed artist from Los Angeles as he completes his new mural on the corner of Alfred and King in Old Town.
So exciting to have new public art in our City! pic.twitter.com/hpmqhTtAbL
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) June 19, 2023
El Mac is painting a mural in Alexandria.
The Los Angeles-based muralist will paint a new piece at the corner of 901 King Street over the course of the next two weeks. The design is still under wraps, and building owner Mike Dameron of Windmill Hill Design Build is trying to stay out of his way.
“I’m not going to disrupt the artist’s vision,” Dameron told ALXnow. “I’m stoked that this world famous muralist took the contract and is coming to Alexandria. I’m really thrilled by it.”
El Mac, the professional name for Miles MacGregor, is known for creating large photorealistic murals in the U.S., Mexico and Europe.
El Mac is still designing the piece, which will be created with spray paint. The ground level of the building is home to White House Black Market and the upper levels are in the process of being converted into apartments.
“His artistic style is unique,” Dameron said. “I got a sneak peak into what he’s working on and it’s going to be amazing.”
