Old Town | ALXnow

Old Town Property Once Owned by George Washington For Sale at $4.1 Million

Published June 8, 2020 at 2:10PM

A property once owned in part by George Washington, and recently turned into a shrine to the first president, is now on sale for $4.1 million.

The building’s history is more Washington-adjacent, with neighboring home 508 Cameron Street being Washington’s townhome (though the building there today is a reconstruction). The 5,132 square-foot home as 506 Cameron Street’s Washington claim comes from the kitchen, which was reportedly the site of an out-house kitchen at the original Washington property.

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ALXnow Weekend Discussion

By ALXnow.com

Published June 5, 2020 at 5:15PM

It was quite a week in Alexandria. The city saw the removal of a controversial Confederate Statue at Prince and Washington Streets, had numerous vigils and demonstrations against police brutality, and weathered more cases of COVID-19.

Alexandria, like all great cities, is constantly changing and evolving. pic.twitter.com/CZTjlOkpfT

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Photos: Vigils and Protests Against Police Brutality Held in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 5, 2020 at 2:00PM | Updated June 5, 2020 at 4:57PM

Hundreds of demonstrators participated in a vigil against police brutality at the Charles Houston Recreation Center in Old Town on June 4, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 5 p.m.) Alexandrians came out in droves on Thursday and Friday in support of George Floyd and a number of African Americans who have died at the hands of the police.

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said at a peaceful demonstration at Charles Houston Recreation Center that there needs to be a revolution within local government to pass legislation that helps residents of color.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 5, 2020 at 9:00AM

High School Student Assaulted Walking Home — “The assault occurred near the intersection of Russell Road and Rosecrest Avenue in the Del Ray/Rosemont neighborhood. The victim was a member of the T.C. Williams High School baseball team.” [Alex Times]

Officers Complain of Toxic Work Culture at Alexandria Police Department — “There are employees, including some who resigned after allegedly being subjected to retribution, who blame Chief Michael L. Brown for establishing an environment without discipline or accountability, where misconduct is swept under the rug. They say that under Chief Brown’s leadership, problems have gotten worse, which has fueled retirements and resignations from the department.” [Alex Times]

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 4, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated June 4, 2020 at 9:16AM

Regal Potomac Yard Movie Theater Closed for Good — “Regal Cinemas has scrubbed the 16-theater multiplex at 3575 Potomac Ave. from its list of Virginia locations on its website. Couple that with the fact Virginia Tech and JBG Smith Properties (NYSE: JBGS) plan to redevelop the North Potomac Yard site on an accelerated timeline, it’s likely the theater showed its last film months ago — when Disney’s “Onward” was No. 1 at the box office.” [Washington Business Journal]

Governor Releases ‘Forward Virginia’ Phase Two Guidelines — “Most of the state will enter phase two on Friday, June 5. Northern Virginia, including the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County, might enter about a week later — but only if local coronavirus and health metrics indicate it is safe to do so. The governor has not given Northern Virginia a projected date for entering the second phase.” [Alexandria Living]

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Poll: What Should Happen With the Former Confederate Statue Space in Old Town?

By Vernon Miles

Published June 3, 2020 at 4:30PM | Updated June 3, 2020 at 4:57PM

After years of controversy and discussion, the Appomattox statue in the Prince and S. Washington Street was removed earlier this week by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, but the base of the statue remains at the intersection.

New state legislation authorizing its removal by the city, and years of petitioning by the city to do just that, mean the statue is unlikely to return. What will happen next to the space where the statue was is unclear.

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Teen Arrested in Old Town for Weapon Possession and Drug Violation

By James Cullum

Published June 2, 2020 at 11:30AM

Police car lights (file photo)

An Alexandria teenager was arrested on May 13 for illegal possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.

On May 13, Alexandria Police were called to the 300 block of Tancil Court in Old Town after receiving multiple drug complaints. Officers observed a group of known and unknown individuals “loitering in the area,” noted a search warrant affidavit.

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BREAKING: Old Town Confederate Statue Removed

By Vernon Miles

Published June 2, 2020 at 8:50AM | Updated June 2, 2020 at 10:40AM

(Updated 10:40 a.m.) This morning (Tuesday) a construction crane at the intersection of Prince and Washington Streets took down the Appomattox statue honoring Confederate soldiers that has been the object of criticism and controversy for decades.

The statue had been the object of criticism from those who said it represented a celebration of the city’s legacy of racism and slavery. For years, a state law prohibited the moving or removal of monuments to veterans, which grouped in specifically monuments honoring the Confederacy, but in April Gov. Ralph Northam signed new legislation authorizing localities to remove statues honoring the Confederacy.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 2, 2020 at 8:30AM | Updated June 2, 2020 at 9:29AM

City Leaders Participating in Town Hall to Discuss Race Relations — “Tuesday’s town hall (at 7 p.m.) will feature a range of speakers including Councilman John Chapman and School Superintendent Gregory C. Hutchings Jr, Chief of Police Michael Brown and the City’s Race and Social Equity Officer, Jaqueline Tucker. There will also be opportunities for small group conversations and for participants to weigh in on the topics for future town halls.” [ALX Community]

Local Company Sees Strong Sales After May 1 ‘Shark Tank’ Appearance — “It really was a huge blessing because we just can’t be in stores right now, and we understand that, so we’re really grateful for the ‘Shark Tank’ episode to give us that push on e-commerce.” [Washington Business Journal]

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Vigil for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor in Old Town on Thursday

By James Cullum

Published June 1, 2020 at 2:00PM

As protests continue nationwide for victims of racial violence, Alexandria community organizers are planning to conduct a peaceful vigil in honor of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor on Thursday.

The vigil is scheduled to be held at Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) from 7-8:30 p.m.

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Alexandria Now Has 1,974 Cases of COVID-19, No New Deaths

By James Cullum

Published May 31, 2020 at 1:50PM | Updated May 31, 2020 at 2:26PM

Pedestrians along lower King Street in Old Town, May 30, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria now has 1,974 cases of COVID-19, an increase of 14 cases since yesterday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

No new coronavirus-related deaths have been reported and the number of fatalities remains at 44.