Old Town North | ALXnow

City manager proposes $135M financing deal to develop former Old Town North power plant

Published April 29, 2026 at 2:45PM

Rendering of development at the former Potomac River Generating Station property in Old Town North (via City of Alexandria)

On Tuesday, City Manager Jim Parajon unveiled a plan to catalyze a two-phase development of the former Potomac River Generating Station in Old Town North with a $135 million city investment.

The $135 million, 30-year tax increment financing agreement would be funded by projected future tax revenues at the 19-acre mixed-use site through the creation of a Community Development Agency. Under the proposal outlined to City Council, Parajon said the $135 million investment would spark more than $2 billion in private sector investment and generate more than $770 million in tax revenues.

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The Perfect Pita reopens after scaled-down renovations in Old Town North

By Katie Taranto

Published April 24, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Perfect Pita in Old Town North (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A Mediterranean restaurant in Old Town North has reopened after temporarily closing for renovations.

The Perfect Pita reopened earlier this week at 951 N. Fairfax Street. The restaurant’s previous plans for a second level and additional interior seating never materialized, but the newly renovated space features an expanded kitchen, a new shop counter and forthcoming outdoor seating.

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UPDATED: Adult pedestrian killed in Old Town North crash

By Emily Leayman

Published April 21, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated April 21, 2026 at 3:33PM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

A pedestrian was killed in a crash in Old Town North yesterday (Monday), according to Alexandria police and fire radio dispatches.

The Alexandria Police Department responded to the fatal crash involving a pedestrian at St. Asaph and Montgomery Streets around 5:26 p.m. According to radio dispatches, multiple callers reported that the pedestrian was down and not breathing.

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Coffee shop owners seek support after abrupt closure of Valletta Port

By James Cullum

Published April 20, 2026 at 2:45PM

The owners of Dream Chasers Coffee launched a GoFundMe after their previous home at Valletta Port in Old Town North abruptly closed (via GoFundMe)

A family that opened a coffee shop inside a recently closed Italian restaurant in Old Town North has launched a GoFundMe.

In January, Dream Chasers Coffee owners Leo and Brittani Maggio opened Valletta Espresso Bar inside Italian restaurant Valletta Port at 682 N. St. Asaph Street. On Friday (April 17), the restaurant abruptly closed. Maggio told ALXnow that he arrived at work to find the doors locked and the business shut down.

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Italian restaurant Valletta Port permanently closes in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published April 17, 2026 at 1:45PM

Valletta Port at 682 N. St. Asaph Street (via Google Maps)

After being open for less than two years in Old Town, Italian restaurant Valletta Port has permanently closed.

The business’s last social media post was on Thursday, April 9, announcing live music that weekend. The business’s website now says that the restaurant is permanently closed.

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Community meeting lined up for power plant site’s mixed-use plan in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published April 14, 2026 at 1:45PM

The overall view of Block B looking west along the Potomac River, at the former Potomac River Generating Station (via City of Alexandria)

The owner of the dilapidated former Potomac River Generating Station in Old Town is hosting a community meeting next month on mixed-use redevelopment plans for part of the site.

HRP Group‘s virtual community meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, May 4 from 6-7 p.m. Under discussion will be the special use permits for Block B and Block C (both submitted in July 2025), as well as open space along the waterfront and Norfolk Southern rail corridor.

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532 Yoga, Arts & Culture to hold grand opening in Old Town North on Saturday

By James Cullum

Published April 7, 2026 at 11:45AM

532 Yoga, Arts & Culture in Old Town North (via 532 Yoga/Facebook)

An early tenant of Old Town North’s emerging arts district is holding its official grand opening this Saturday (April 11).

After closing its longtime location at 532 N. Washington Street and working from a pop-up at Founders Hall, 532 Yoga, Arts & Culture will hold a grand opening at its new permanent home at 500 Montgomery Street. The free event will feature live violin music, a presentation by artists Xenia Gray and Cari Babitzke, and snacks and drinks. The event will be held from 5-7:30 p.m., and coincides with the studio’s 14th anniversary.

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Five Alexandria restaurants make appearance in regional RAMMY finalists

By Emily Leayman

Published April 7, 2026 at 9:15AM

Matt & Tony's at 1501 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Matt & Tony's/Instagram)

Five Alexandria eateries have advanced to finalist status in the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s annual restaurant awards.

Narrowed down from dozens of semifinalists who were publicly revealed last month for the first time, the list of finalists announced last night (Monday) at The Hamilton Live in D.C. by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington span regional chains, chef-driven favorites and independent restaurants. The 20 categories of the RAMMYs recognize the region’s chefs, restaurateurs and other industry professionals.

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Alexandria restaurants named semifinalists for regional RAMMY Awards

By Emily Leayman

Published March 23, 2026 at 1:45PM

Chicken and waffles at Matt & Tony's (image via Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen/Facebook)

Several Alexandria restaurants are in the running for the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s restaurant awards.

The association named 190 semifinalists for the RAMMYs, given annually to members of the D.C. region’s restaurant industry. This was the first time semifinalists were publicly announced in the four decades of the awards, providing an early glimpse at which chefs, restaurants and hospitality staff are in the running.

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MacMillan Spirit House closes in Old Town North amid landlord rent dispute

By Katie Taranto

Published March 17, 2026 at 2:45PM

MacMillan Spirit House at 500 Montgomery Street (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A restaurant and bar with a focus on spirits has closed after nearly two years in Old Town North amid a legal battle with the landlord over rent.

The MacMillan Spirit House is no longer in business at 500 Montgomery Street, the MacMillan Restaurant Group confirmed to ALXnow. The spirit house first opened in late March 2024, as a sister establishment to the MacMillan Whisky Room at the Mosaic District in Fairfax County.

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National summit for churches seeking to support housing kicks off in Old Town North

By Katie Taranto

Published February 24, 2026 at 12:30PM

The Waypoint at Fairlington site in September 2022 (via Wesley Housing/Facebook)

Leaders from religious communities, development groups and financial institutions are gathering in Old Town North today (Tuesday) for a summit on faith-based housing development.

The sold-out event, “Restoring Hope and Building Opportunities,” is taking place now at United Way Worldwide’s Alexandria headquarters, where speakers and attendees “will examine how faith-based institutions can move beyond advocacy to serve as structured development partners — leveraging land, capital, and community trust to address housing shortages and expand economic opportunity,” according to a release.