What a week we just had in Alexandria!
Here’s our recap of everything worth talking and reading about over the past week in the Port City. This week, Alexandria was named a Sanctuary Jurisdiction by the Trump administration, a distinction Mayor Alyia Gaskins said “wrongly targets and mischaracterizes Alexandria and dismisses core principles that make up the foundation of our democracy.”
The preliminary development site plan for the renovation of Alexandria’s City Hall, Market Square Plaza, and underground parking garage is heading to the Planning Commission.
The city wants to increase the gross floor area at City Hall from an existing 122,171 square feet to 153,332 square feet (a 26% expansion), while maintaining the size of Market Square plaza at 2,975 square feet and the 234-space parking garage at 91,562 square feet.
Bagpipe and kilt lovers can get their fill early next month, as the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums will take the stage for their summer concert at Market Square.
The June 5 (Thursday) concert will be held in front of City Hall (301 King Street) from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.
Which business community is better, Old Town or Del Ray? In terms of softball, the arguments will be settled on Monday, June 2, with the seventh annual Del Ray vs. Old Town Softball Game.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins will throw the first pitch at Eugene Simpson Park (426 E. Monroe Avenue) at 6 p.m. The five-inning game will include food trucks and ice cream, and the event is a fundraiser for the Alexandria Little League Scholarship Fund. Del Ray is in the overall series lead with a 4-2 record.
An Alexandria man is being held without bond after allegedly stealing a number of bicycles, breaking into an apartment in Old Town to steal a purse, and then using a debit card at a nearby convenience store.
The 54-year-old suspect was arrested on May 8 and charged with possession of burglary tools, entering a dwelling with intent to commit larceny, and multiple counts of destruction of property, trespassing, and petit larceny.
Kismet Modern Indian will close its Old Town Alexandria restaurant (111 North Pitt Street) on June 1.
Continued market pressures have driven the decision to close the restaurant, which opened in Fall 2021.
Brandon Byrd wants to refocus your attention, if only for just a few minutes.
As life around the D.C. area intensifies over politics, the economy and the summer, Byrd says his frozen custard provides customers with an escape. Starting Thursday (May 22), Byrd is reopening Goodie’s Frozen Custard and Treats at 200 Commerce Street in Old Town.
A covered patio and plaza venue are planned for the proposed pump station at Alexandria’s Waterfront Park.
The city’s proposal to combat flooding in Old Town will close Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park from the fall of 2026 until the fall of 2028 to rebuild segments of the sea wall and install a pump station to recirculate water in flood-prone areas back to the Potomac River. The pump station plans are heading to the Board of Architectural Review on June 5.
King Street was packed with all sorts of traffic on Sunday, as thousands of car enthusiasts checked out classic cars at the sixth annual Old Town Festival of Speed and Style.
Today’s event featured more than 100 exotic sports cars and motorcycles, and was sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank and several local businesses. This year’s theme was Ian Fleming’s James Bond spy novel Casino Royale, with elegant models beautifying a supercar catwalk at King and Fairfax Streets.
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?
A longtime former employee of the Campagna Center has been tapped to lead the nonprofit as its president and CEO.
Edith Hawkins, who was Campagna Center’s first-ever chief program officer from 2014 to 2022, will succeed outgoing CEO Tammy Mann.
