It’s not uncommon to hear business owners in Alexandria lament that local sign ordinances can be onerous and unwieldy, but an update to an ordinance could be a sign that things are changing.
Eight years after the last update to the sign ordinance, the City of Alexandria is taking another crack at it.
The new sign ordinance update aims to improve the organization, clarity and consistency of how the city handles signage, as well as offering a little more regulatory flexibility.
Notably, digital signs and A-frame signs are currently prohibited unless approved by a special use permit, like the sign at The Birchmere.
For digital signs, city staff said at a meeting yesterday (Monday) that the city should consider things like aesthetics and safety in considering whether or not to allow digital signs, but also that “they’re able to communicate more information than the typical changeable copy signs.”
Regulatory limitations being considered include:
- No effects, flashing or moving of individual images
- Frequency image on screen can change
- If freestanding, required to be a monument sign
Staff also said A-frame signs in the public right of way have also been a topic of discussion from businesses.
The current zoning ordinance does not allow A-frames in the public right of way, but the city could also consider issues of clutter, safety and accessibility in determining whether or not they should be allowed.
Some regulatory limitations proposed for A-frame signs include:
- Clearly defined pedestrian walkways
- Maximum distance from storefront
- Display hours
- Quality of materials
- Liability insurance
Lastly, staff said painted wall signs and murals have also been discussed. Painted murals currently count against wall signage allotment, but that could change.
Staff said the murals create and aesthetic benefit — highlighting artwork at local yarn store fibre space as an example of beautifully done artwork contributing to the neighborhood — but there are concerns about legal issues around regulating the content of what can be painted.
Staff said there could be restrictions on what buildings can be painted — always a guaranteed brawl at the Board of Architectural Review — and a limit set on the maximum size of the mural.
The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a work session on the sign ordinance update on Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m.
Another community meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 29, at 6 p.m. in City Hall, then the ordinance will go to the Planning Commission and City Council for public hearings in June.
April is Earth Month and anyone hoping to contribute locally can help out at an event in Old Town next week.
The City of Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services Stormwater Management Division is hosting a stream clean-up event at the shoreline of Windmill Hill Park on Saturday, April 6, from 9-11 a.m.
Participants will meet at S. Union Street and Gibbon Street for a sign-in and event briefing before walking to the shoreline.
According to the release:
The clean-up event is held during Earth Month, celebrated annually during the month of April. Eco-City Alexandria will be hosting events throughout the month to extend Earth Day celebrations and to continue its commitment to sustainability. Earth Month is recognized as an opportunity to empower residents to make a positive impact on the environment.
The City will provide gloves, bags, and first aid kits during the events. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately, in long pants and covered footwear, and to bring water.
To register for the event or request more information, contact nolan.compton@
alexandriava.gov.
(Updated 4:30 p.m.) The Alexandria Police Department arrested an adult man wanted for murder in Huntersville, North Carolina early this morning in Old Town.
Alexandria Police Department Communications Manager Tracy Walker said police received a “be on the lookout” notice and observed the suspect’s vehicle at 11:50 p.m. Police identified the suspect as 53-year-old Rahman Ferguson. He is being held in the Alexandria Adult Detention Center awaiting extradition.
Police began pursuing Ferguson, who stopped his vehicle and fled. Walker said a perimeter was established at Madison and Rivergate Place near Oronoco Bay Park. Support was called in from neighboring jurisdictions with canine units and a helicopter from Fairfax County.
Around 2:20 a.m. the Ferguson was located and arrested without incident, police said.
UPDATE 2: @AlexandriaVAPD just detained someone they believe is the murder suspect from North Carolina who had been on the loose in Old Town since just before midnight. He was captured near homes off of Irongate Place near the river north of Madison St. They believe this is the… https://t.co/u9h2RQRPpy
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 20, 2024
Image via Google Maps
A smoking heating and air system has closed Bugsy’s Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar at 111 King Street for the foreseeable future, the restaurant owner told ALXnow.
Owner Bartolo Paz said that smoke came out of the furnace this afternoon after it was turned on by restaurant staff, that no one was hurt, and that there is minimal damage.
“They had to cut out some drywall and insulation,” Paz told ALXnow. “Nothing major.”
The Alexandria Fire Department responded to the commercial building fire call for service at around noon, according to dispatch reports.
A favorite sports bar in Old Town, Bugsy’s is named after Bryan Watson, the former defenseman with the Washington Capitals pro hockey team. Watson opened the business in 1983 as Armand’s Pizzeria & Grille with the upstairs bar, The Penalty Box. Watson sold the business to Paz in 2013, and died in 2021.
Paz said that he hopes to reopen the restaurant soon.
The restaurant released the following statement on social media:
Good afternoon,
Unfortunately earlier today we experienced a fire inside our building, everyone is okay but this has caused us to close down for the foreseeable future. We apologize for the inconvenience but we will keep everyone updated as soon as we get the updates ourselves and we look forward to opening back up as soon as possible so we can continue to provide all our customers with exceptional service. Thank you so much for understanding and we hope to see everyone soon.
(Updated 11:15 a.m.) A new ‘windowfront exhibit’ about the Buried Ships of Robinson Landing is coming to Old Town early next month.
The exhibit features scale models of four 18th and 19th-century ships discovered during excavations of the Robinson Landing Site.
According to an event listing:
In 2018, archaeologists excavated the three historic vessels from the Robinson Landing Site, on the same block as the new exhibit. The scale models show what these ships may have looked like in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Archaeologists will join City officials to speak on the exhibit’s debut.
The exhibit is set to open on Saturday, April 6, at the corner of the Strand and Pioneer Mill Way. The ribbon-cutting will be that day at 1 p.m.
The models will be on display in Old Town. Three of the original ships have re-sunk in the pond at Ben Brenman Park as part of a preservation effort, while the third is still at Texas A&M undergoing conservation work.
Windsor of Old Town Salon & Day Spa, along with the men-focused The Gentlemen’s Quarters, will be closing up shop in Old Town (107 S. Union Street) by the end of this month.
On Facebook, the company said it’s become “too challenging to continue” but that staff from the business will be moving over to Sugar House Day Spa and Salon nearby at 111 North Alfred Street.
“Donna and Stephen Windsor and the rest of our team at Windsor Of Old Town Salon & Day Spa [and] The Gentlemen’s Quarters would like to thank you for 43 wonderful years,” the business owners said on Facebook. “It has been an experience that we will cherish forever. As much as we have loved our time at 107 S. Union St., like many others it has become too challenging for us to continue.”
The company said that the Windsor of Old Town Salon and Spa staff will be starting at Sugar House Day Spa & Salon starting April 1.
“Sugar House is an establishment that has been servicing the Old Town community for over 25 years and we are excited for this new chapter,” the business said in a notice at Windsor of Old Town Salon & Day Spa. “We appreciate your understanding during this transition and we look forward to seeing you again at Sugar House Day Spa and Salon.”
Photo via Windsor of Old Town Salon & Spa/Facebook
Hat tip to Ryan Belmore
Anyone living or working in Alexandria and making less than a six-figure salary could qualify for an affordable unit in a new Old Town development, provided they’re first-time homebuyers.
New luxury condo development Aidan Old Town is opening at 701 N. Henry Street in Old Town with a limited selection of homes set aside as affordable to first-time, income-eligible homebuyers.
The 94-unit development includes five 1-bedroom units priced at $175,000 and two 2-bedroom units priced at $225,000.
The City of Alexandria said in a release that anticipated high demand means the homebuyer will be selected via lottery.
“Due to anticipated high demand, eligible homebuyers will be selected through a lottery,” the release said. “Information about the affordable units, application requirements and lottery process, and available downpayment assistance, will be posted at Homebuyer Resources starting on March 15.”
The City’s website said the homes are available to those who live or work in Alexandria and have a gross annual income below 100% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a one-person household, that’s less than $106,500. For a two-person household, it’s $121,700.
The new development is in the heart of Old Town and features a fitness center, a cocktail bar, offices with an Old Town theme, and a dog wash station.
Virginia also offers a first-time homebuyer training, which the City of Alexandria encourages applicants to register for. According to the release:
Interested purchasers are encouraged to register for a Virginia Housing first-time homebuyer training. The scheduled English and Spanish trainings are free, however registration is required. The next available training in the city will be held on Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. Additional trainings can be accessed on Virginia Housing’s website.
Didn’t get enough Irish cultural celebration at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this weekend? A group of musicians are celebrating Irish folk music at a concert in Alexandria this weekend.
The Irish Breakfast Band — a group consisting of around 15 musicians with a variety of fiddles, flutes, hammered dulcimers and more — is playing at the Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street) this Saturday (March 9) from 7-8:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, or $5 for children 17 and under. All proceeds benefit The Office of Historic Alexandria.
According to a release:
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with The Irish Breakfast Band. Most Irish Breakfast Band performances feature 15 or more musicians, often several fiddles and flutes, a guitar or two, a drummer, a hammered dulcimer, banjo, pipes, and at least one vocalist. The band performs extensively in the Washington Metropolitan area at festivals and other events including the Washington Folk Festival, Art on the Avenue (in Alexandria) and local concert series. Proceeds from ticket sales, cash bar, and tips benefit the Office of Historic Alexandria. Free Snacks. Beer & wine for sale.
Photo via Art on the Avenue/Facebook
The weather was overcast and cool on Saturday — ideal for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Longtime Alexandria business owner “Mango” Mike Anderson was the parade marshal, and there were notable appearances from a number of recognizable figures, including local politicians, Clan Bell (which always dresses as Star Wars characters) and G-Wiz, the mascot for the Washington Wizards.
The Ballyshaners (Old Towner’s in Gaelic) bring the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to Alexandria every year.
The next parade, Alexandria’s annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, is nine months away.
A new conversion from an office to a ‘luxury rental development’ has broken ground in Old Town.
American Real Estate Partners (AREP) is converting the 200,000-square-foot office building at 1101 King Street into a 200-unit apartment development called CityHouse Old Town.
The office building was built in 1983, predating new regulations on density in the area established in 1992. While the project involves significant interior changes, the exterior modifications are relatively modest.
According to a release:
Located in the heart of King Street in historic Old Town Alexandria, AREP is converting a former 200,000 SF office building and transforming it into CityHouse Old Town, a community comprised of approximately 200 homes ranging in size from 525 square-foot studios to deluxe three-bedroom apartments with a den to accommodate hybrid work and private wraparound terraces for the majority of homes.
The seven-story property, with its six-story interior atrium, rises above the surrounding buildings, providing panoramic views of Old Town, the riverfront, and DC monuments. Residents will have access to a concierge, private club suite, and state-of-the-art fitness facility, as well as a wide array of food & beverage destinations just a few steps away from their door.
American Real Estate Partners said in the release that pre-leasing at the building is scheduled to start in the summer of 2025 while construction will be completed later that fall.
