Old Town

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As Alexandria looks to accelerate stormwater projects, Sheriff gives city manager a D-

By James Cullum
Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne in the alley behind his house after flooding in Del Ray. (Courtesy photo)

Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne is fed up and says the city’s stormwater management is a disaster. On Sunday, Lawhorne said he was helping a neighbor in Del Ray pump water out of his basement until 4 a.m.

“It’s the same summer repeated over and over again,” Lawhorne told ALXnow. “I’ve got basement damage and my shed in the back is destroyed. Whenever we get a big storm you’ll see two-to-three feet of water rushing into the back alley and our house gets engulfed with floodwater. It’s not sanitary.”

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Five arrested after shots fired in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Five Alexandria men have been arrested and charged with attempted felonious assault by mob after a shots fired incident in Old Town North on July 21.

No one was injured in the incident, which occurred at around 6:35 p.m. in the 800 block of N. Henry Street in the Parker-Gray neighborhood. Multiple buildings were struck during the incident.

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ALX Community opening third coworking space in Old Town

By James Cullum
The rooftop lounge at ALX Community's new location at 277 S. Washington Street in Old Town. (courtesy image)

ALX Community is expanding with the September 1 opening of a new coworking office in Old Town.

More than a third of the 15,000-square-foot office at the Atrium building at 277 S. Washington Street has been booked, and among the tenants are the city’s tourism bureau Visit Alexandria, which is leaving its office at 1 Prince Street.

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Heritage project skirts denial at Board of Architectural Review meeting

By Vernon Miles
Rendering of Block 1 of the Heritage Project, via City of Alexandria

The embattled Heritage project came within a hair’s breadth of being denied at the Board of Architectural Review‘s design review last week, and survived only on a last-minute deferral.

Many of the recurring public criticisms of the project, a series of three new apartment buildings along S. Patrick and Washington Streets in Old Town, resurfaced during the public comment period and from members of the BAR during discussions. BAR members have described the project as putting “lipstick on a pig” when the project first came forward for permitting last fall.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum
A cutout of Noah Lyles with his mother, Keisha, and brother, Josephus, at an Olympic watch party Alexandria City High School on Monday, August 2, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Vacant lot in Eisenhower could become pop-up events and market space — “At 2425 Eisenhower Ave., there’s more than 18,000 square feet of open, grassy space. Until recently, the lot, which is owned by Rubenstein Partners LP, has remained unused except for the occasional dog romping with its owner. The Eisenhower Partnership is working with the site owners to bring fresh life to the lot by creating a pop-up space that could be used for food trucks, markets, arts, musical performances and other recreational uses according to a recent application filed with the City.” [Alexandria Living]

There’s a new mural in Old Town — “When Erik Muendel took over the ESP Tea and Coffee Shop at 1012 King Street, he not only revitalized the hip location with a new spin on the name and increased offerings, the wanted to make a splash on the outside as well.” [Zebra]

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Soul food brings flavor to multi-sensory African American walking tour in Old Town

By James Cullum

Brandon Byrd can actually cook.

In recognition of Juneteenth, last month the owner of Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats in Old Town partnered with Rachel Tracey of D.C.-based Historic America tours for their first Soul Food Saturday. So far, meals have included shrimp and grits and Jamaican jerk chicken.

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Alexandria exhibition for vintage and bizarre cars returns this fall

By Vernon Miles
Car at the 2019 Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, photo courtesy Spotted MP

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, a celebration of eccentric mid-20th century vehicles, is scheduled to make a comeback this September.

The event started in 2019 and was a success, bringing thousands of visitors from the region to Old Town. The event, sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank, was scheduled to make a comeback in 2020 but… you know. After several delays, the second annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style is scheduled for Sept. 5 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Galactic Panther Art Gallery to open on King Street in Old Town — “Galactic Panther, a new art gallery at 1303 King St. in Alexandria, will open in early August. The art gallery is a partnership between internationally-exhibiting artist Eli Pollard and Erik Meundel, who is the current owner of ESP Tea & Coffee.” [Alexandria Living]

Alexandria Fire Department graduates three recruit schools — “The Alexandria Fire Department officially graduated Recruit School 49 on Thursday, July 22, and Recruit Schools 50 and 51 on Friday, July 23 at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial after postponing the ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. AFD welcomed and celebrated 45 new firefighter/EMTs.” [Patch]

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August sidewalk sale on track to be largest in city history

By Vernon Miles
Shopper at 2020 Sidewalk Sale, via Visit Alexandria/Facebook

The city’s annual sidewalk sale is scheduled for August 14 and 15, and according to Visit Alexandria, the program is on track to be the largest one so far.

According to Visit Alexandria, over 70 local boutiques have signed up for the seasonal sale. The sale is located along several city sidewalks in Old Town and Del Ray, with a focus this year on the pedestrian-only blocks at 700-1100 King Street. The stores will be featured in outdoor exhibits with deeply discounted merchandise.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum
The George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Old Town, Alexandria. (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Del Ray Italian restaurant to close — “Rosemarino D’Italia will close its doors after Wednesday, July 28 at its Alexandria location in Del Ray, after serving up Italian cuisine to its customers for the past eight years there, according to manager Edward Camacho.” [Alexandria Living]

Work starts on new Athleta store in Old Town — “Construction has started on the former La Tasca restaurant on King Street as the building owners make space for a store for Gap, Inc. athletic brand Athleta.” [Alexandria Living]

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