Old Town North | ALXnow

The Rink That Rocked: Talk to revisit Alexandria venue that hosted Janis Joplin, Alice Cooper

Published June 27, 2025 at 12:15PM | Updated June 27, 2025 at 7:59PM

The Alexandria Roller Rink in Old Town North was open from 1948 to 1986 (via Office of Historic Alexandria)

The Alexandria Roller Rink in Old Town North was open from 1948 to 1986 (via Office of Historic Alexandria)Next month, the Alexandria Historical Society will host a behind-the-scenes panel to reflect on the legacy of a long-lost landmark: the Alexandria Roller Rink.

With its maple floors and Wurlitzer organ, the Alexandria Roller Rink (807 N. St. Asaph Street) could hold 3,000 skaters at a time. It wasn’t all about skating, though. In the 1970s, the rink was advertised as a “psychedelic ballroom” and the “Alexandria Rock Arena” and hosted concerts with stars like Janis Joplin, Jethro Tull, and Alice Cooper, according to the Office of Historic Alexandria.

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Waterfront Commission to lead tour of Old Town North’s waterfront

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 19, 2025 at 11:00AM

View of the U.S. Capitol from Rivergate City Park along the Potomac River in Alexandria. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Waterfront Commission is gearing up for its yearly walking tour of the Old Town North waterfront on Saturday (June 21). This two-hour public event will showcase recent developments and ongoing projects along the Potomac River.

The tour kicks off at 8 a.m. from Oronoco Bay Park, covering key spots like Canal Center, the new TideLock project, and the Potomac River Generating Station redevelopment site.

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AFD finds hoarding conditions in Monday morning townhouse fire in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published June 16, 2025 at 12:15PM

AFD at the scene of a townhouse fire in the 1000 block of Vernon Street in Old Town North, June 16, 2025 (via IAFF Local 2141/Facebook)

No injuries were reported after a townhouse fire in Old Town North Monday morning (June 16).

The Alexandria Fire Department was called at around 3:30 a.m. by neighbors of the two-level home in the 1000 block of Vernon Street. AFD saw white smoke billowing from the rear of the home, and found difficulty gaining entry due to “hoarding conditions,” according to AFD dispatches.

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Red or Gray brick? Designs for Old Town multifamily apartment building head to city review

By James Cullum

Published June 3, 2025 at 11:30AM

Red brick -- Pedestrian perspective from the southeast of the project at 802-808 N. Washington Street (via City of Alexandria)

A plan to convert a former motel on N. Washington Street into a multifamily building and a townhouse is heading to the Board of Architectural Review on Thursday (June 5).

Maryland-based PT Blooms is asking the Board of Architectural Review to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to redevelop the property at 802 and 808 N. Washington Street into The Whitley — Phase 2, a 48-unit building with one- to three-bedroom condos. That’s the former Towne Motel property, which closed in 2017 and didn’t reopen as a Holiday Inn Express as planned.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 16, 2025 at 3:30PM

Meal at Taqueria Poblano (via Taqueria Poblano)

It’s finally Friday in Alexandria!

Here’s a look back at our top stories of the week. Topping off our coverage are the delectable poll results on the top three Mexican restaurants in the city. More than 1,800 foodies cast their votes, and Taqueria el Poblano (2400B Mount Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray took the top spot, followed by Taqueria Picoso (1472 N. Beauregard Street) and Los Tios Grill (2615 Mount Vernon Avenue). Do you agree with the results?

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Juveniles identified as suspects in assault by mob that led to man’s death in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published May 15, 2025 at 12:00PM | Updated May 15, 2025 at 2:38PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Juveniles have been identified as the suspects behind an assault by mob in Old Town North that resulted in a man’s death.

The victim, later identified as 54-year-old John Andreadakis, was lying down in the community room of The Bloom apartment building at 900 N. Henry Street at around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, 2024, when seven suspects were captured on surveillance video walking into the room, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 2, 2025 at 3:50PM

This man was among three men shot in the 3800 block of Old Dominion Boulevard in Arlandria on Sunday, April 27, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been an intense week in Alexandria.

Here’s a look back on this week’s top stories. Our most-read post was on the shooting of three men in Arlandria on Sunday night (April 27). Police found the victims with gunshot wounds shortly after being called at around 9 p.m. They were transported to area hospitals, and no arrests have been announced. Witnesses heard a barrage of gunfire, and the Alexandria Police Department is asking for help in the investigation.

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Man charged with abduction and assault after naked attack on woman in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2025 at 12:00PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A woman is safe after allegedly being abducted and assaulted by a naked man along the Mount Vernon Trail in Old Town North earlier this month.

“The suspect pinned both of her forearms down and she fought to break free,” police said a recently released search warrant affidavit. “(The victim) said she realized the suspect was fully naked when he was on top of her and she saw his penis. (The victim) tried to push him away specifically with her right hand to the suspect’s left arm. (The victim) said she yelled and the suspect covered her mouth with his hand. The suspect told her, ‘Do you want to die?'”

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 25, 2025 at 3:30PM

NVTA BRT Action Plan - Potential Network (via NVTA)

Welcome to Friday’s weekly roundup of our top stories.

With ALXnow, it’s easy to catch up on the latest news in Alexandria. This week, we focused on coverage of our local, state, and federal governments. We also reported a lot of crime, including a homicide in the city’s West End.

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HRP Group prepares for next phase of Old Town North power plant redevelopment

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 1, 2025 at 8:30PM | Updated April 2, 2025 at 1:52PM

View of Power Plant from Potomac River on March 30, 2025. (photo by Ryan Belmore)

HRP Group (formerly known as Hilco Redevelopment Partners) is moving forward with plans to transform the former Potomac River Generating Station in Old Town North into a mixed-use development, with public engagement on the first phase set to begin next month (May 2025).

The 18-acre waterfront site, purchased by HRP Group in 2020, is slated to become a vibrant destination featuring residential buildings, commercial spaces, and over 10 acres of public open space.

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Massive Robinson Terminal North project heading to Alexandria Planning Commission

By James Cullum

Published March 13, 2025 at 12:30PM

Plans for Robinson Terminal North (via City of Alexandria)

The latest site plan for one of the last undeveloped areas of the Alexandria waterfront—Robinson Terminal North—envisions restaurants, retail, apartments, expanded open space, and even a hotel.

The Planning Commission will review a development special use permit (DSUP) proposal and site plan for the former industrial site in Old Town North on May 6 (Tuesday).