Old Town | ALXnow

City hosting pre-construction meeting for median project on Route 1 in Old Town

Published May 8, 2026 at 9:45AM

Blueprint of the S. Patrick Street Median Improvement Project in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria will host a pre-construction meeting on Monday (May 11) ahead of several months of planned construction on a section of Route 1 in Old Town.

The city says that its South Patrick Street Median Improvement Project will “improve pedestrian safety and improve connectivity between the Southwest Quadrant neighborhood and Old Town Alexandria east of South Patrick Street (US Route 1).” The project, totaling nearly $4.3 million, is expected to break ground on June 1 and wrap up in late January 2027, according to a meeting description.

News

Developer cancels rooftop deck in Old Town office-to-residential conversion

By James Cullum

Published May 8, 2026 at 8:30AM

720 N. Fairfax Street in Old Town North (via Google Maps)

Plans for a roof deck in an Old Town office-to-apartment conversion project need to be canceled, according to paperwork recently filed with the city.

The building’s owner wants to convert the 1970s-era office building at 720 N. St. Asaph Street into a 12-unit multifamily apartment building with ground-level commercial space. Previous plans also called for a roof deck, which the current building would not be able to support, according to a special use permit amendment application.

Around Town

Alexandria’s annual community cookout series launches today

By James Cullum

Published May 7, 2026 at 10:00AM

Community Cookouts (via City of Alexandria)

The 19th annual Alexandria Community Cookout series launches today (Thursday), bringing weekly events with free food, activities and giveaways across the city.

More than 50 city agencies and nonprofits are participating in the weekly cookouts, which are expected to reach thousands of Alexandria residents this spring and summer. The first cookout, delayed by yesterday’s weather, will take place on its rain date today at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center from 6-7:30 p.m.

News

Man arrested for allegedly issuing bad check to buy $6K watch in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published May 6, 2026 at 9:15AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A man was arrested last month after allegedly issuing a worthless check to buy a watch in Old Town valued at more than $6,600.

The 31-year-old suspect from Salem, Va., was arrested April 29 and charged with felony grand larceny. His arrest took place more than four months after he allegedly signed over a worthless check with his real name and address to buy a watch valued at $6,678 from a jewelry store on S. Fairfax Street in Old Town.

Around Town

Hank’s Pasta Bar launching dine-in service in Old Town this week

By Katie Taranto

Published May 4, 2026 at 2:00PM

Hank's Pasta Bar in Old Town (courtesy of Deb Lindsey Photography)

An Italian takeout and delivery spot in Old Town with customizable pastas is preparing to celebrate the launch of its new dine-in service.

Hank’s Pasta Bar, located above Hank’s Oyster Bar at 600 Montgomery Street, is officially launching dine-in service this Thursday, May 7, with a grand opening celebration scheduled next Thursday, May 14. The restaurant, an “elevated casual eatery,” has a full bar and offers a menu of “traditional Italian fare with contemporary touches,” according to a press release.

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New sculpture outside courthouse paired with Declaration of Independence readings by Alexandria women

By James Cullum

Published May 1, 2026 at 3:55PM

At the unveiling of "00:10:00," a new temporary public art installation outside the Alexandria Courthouse at 520 King Street (via City of Alexandria)

A new temporary art installation commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence was recently unveiled outside the Alexandria Courthouse in Old Town, featuring a reading of the document by prominent Alexandria women.

News

City Council backs $20M revenue bond funding for Ladrey redevelopment in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Alexandria City Council in session at the Del Pepper Community Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

On Tuesday (April 28), City Council adopted a resolution authorizing up to $20 million in revenue bonds by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority for the redevelopment of The Ladrey Senior Hi-Rise in Old Town North.

City Council was presented with ARHA’s new plan to redevelop the 11-story, 1970s-era building at 300 Wythe Street, which was deemed obsolete last year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, prompting the authority to relocate all of the building’s residents.

Around Town

Old Town boutiques to host block party with pop-ups and activities this weekend

By Emily Leayman

Published April 30, 2026 at 9:30AM

A 'Shop Local' sign in the 200 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A block party involving numerous independent boutiques is coming to Old Town this weekend.

The Old Town Boutique Community, an organization of 30 small businesses in Old Town, will host the Spring Fling: An Old Town Block Party, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (May 2). The family-friendly block party will feature activities for all ages, including tarot card readings, build-your-own flower bouquets and other hands-on crafts, outdoor yoga sessions and snow cones.

Around Town

Old Town’s Il Porto to celebrate rebrand with ‘Renaissance’ dinner tomorrow

By Katie Taranto

Published April 29, 2026 at 1:45PM

Il Porto Ristorante on King Street (via Google Maps)

A longtime Italian restaurant in Old Town is celebrating its rebranding with a special dinner tomorrow night (Thursday).

Il Porto Ristorante is working on “refreshing the brand” at 121 King Street, with plans for a new logo, revised website and updated menus “to reflect a more modern look while staying true to what Il Porto has always been,” a spokesperson told ALXnow.

News

Old Town Pool replacement plans floating to Planning Commission

By James Cullum

Published April 28, 2026 at 3:45PM

Bird's-eye view rendering looking southeast at Old Town Pool from the parking lot (via City of Alexandria)

A proposal to completely replace the Old Town Pool and bathhouse and make landscape improvements is heading to the Alexandria Planning Commission.

On Tuesday, May 5, the Planning Commission will weigh in on the proposal by the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities to completely renovate the pool facility, to fully renovate the pool facility, which has not had a major update since it opened in 1975. The meeting follows a unanimous recommendation from the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, which endorsed the project in a letter to City Council.

News

UPDATED: No charges sought after vehicle crash into building in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published April 24, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated April 24, 2026 at 6:14PM

Lily's Chocolate & Coffee remains open to customers after a vehicle struck it in a two-vehicle crash Friday, April 24 (staff photo by James Cullum)

One minor injury was reported after a vehicle crashed into a building at the corner of King and Washington Streets in Old Town.

The Alexandria Police and Fire Departments were called to the 600 block of King Street at 1:34 p.m. and found a two-vehicle crash involving a green SUV with Maryland tags and a gray sedan with Virginia tags. The gray vehicle had come to rest against the side of 631 King Street, home to Lily’s Chocolate and Coffee. Staff at the shop said they are still open and that nothing was damaged.