(Updated at 8 p.m.)Â More than 2,200 West End residents are without power after a transformer fire in the area of Seminary Road and N. Beauregard Street, according to Dominion Energy.
The Alexandria Police and Fire Departments responded to the transformer fire at around 4 p.m., and to direct traffic since the lights are down in the area, according to dispatches.
Dominion Energy says in their outage map that a crew has been dispatched to the area, and that crews are working to restore power by 10 p.m.
There are a little over 2K @DominionEnergy customers in the West End of the City currently experiencing an outage.
If you are out, please call 866.366.4357 or report online at:https://t.co/P7thQdZmld pic.twitter.com/5gAaonywkU
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) April 12, 2024
The Alexandria Police Department released a D.C. man after put on a harness and got stuck on the Seminary Road Bridge that runs across Interstate 395 on Sunday.
APD and the Alexandria Fire Department responded to a psychiatric emergency at around 8:15 a.m., and found the 62-year-old man with a harness wrapped around his waist and “strapped to the bridge,” police said in a dispatch.
After being unable to locate air bags or mattresses, AFD found a 24-foot-tall ladder, which the man used to climb down to N. Van Dorn Street, according to dispatches.
The entire incident was over by 8:40 a.m. and resulted in Virginia State Police and APD shutting down the northbound Seminary Road exit, as well as a portion of N. Van Dorn Street.
The man reportedly told police that he was trying to “retrieve personal property when he got stuck.” He was released after safely reaching the ground, according to APD.
APD did not release any other information on the man with the harness.
Police and fire crews have reopened lanes of the I-395 N ramp from Seminary Rd. above N Van Dorn St after they worked to free a subject who harnessed himself to the bridge and attempted to lower himself down to retrieve personal property when he got stuck. There are no injuries.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) April 7, 2024
Here's the scene from the 8a hour as fire, EMS, and police dealt with the man who harnessed himself to the bridge at Seminary Rd. This was westbound over N. Van Dorn at the I-395N ramp. The traffic-cam video doesn't show the person, but thanks to all who alerted me to the… https://t.co/k9CljTve29 pic.twitter.com/T4gCeY8Jvu
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) April 7, 2024
The City of Alexandria announced last week that four existing bike lanes will be getting new protection, including physical barriers, this summer.
Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services announced the change last week — but it turned into a pretty busy news week after that.
The city will add four buffers to bike lanes on:
- King Street (Janneys Lane to Radford Street)
- North Van Dorn Street (Braddock Road to Menokin Drive)
- Pegram Street (Polk Avenue to North Pickett Street)
- Seminary Road (North Howard Street to Quaker Lane)
The City of Alexandria website said each of the streets currently has painted buffer zones but no physical barriers. While many of the physical barriers on bike lanes are obviously not strong enough to stop a car, it still provides a physical demarcation that helps keep drivers out of the bike lane.
While the Seminary Road bike lane conjures to mind heated discussion over traffic impacts, the city said the new barriers will have no impact on traffic.
The bike lanes are expected to be installed sometime this spring or summer.
This spring, the City will upgrade four existing bicycle lanes to protected bike lanes! By creating physical barriers between cyclists and the road, we’re improving safety for riders of all ages and abilities. Learn more about the upcoming projects: https://t.co/6hZJdlnKxh pic.twitter.com/KyjTegEGZh
— Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services (@AlexandriaVATES) March 26, 2024
ALXnow will be running a series of City Council candidate interviews through the local election filing deadline on April 4.
The economic potential for the $2 billion Potomac Yard arena deal is maintaining the interest of Alexandria City Council Member Alyia Gaskins.
Gaskins is running for mayor and says that a good deal for Alexandria means more city representation on the Virginia Stadium Authority board, which would own and finance the future home of the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals.
Gaskins says that she’ll carefully dissect the proposal “if and when” it comes before City Council and that her four key issues are on the city’s representation on the Virginia Stadium Authority board, as well as how the project impacts labor, housing, and transportation.
“A good deal is one that has strong labor protections, a commitment to affordable housing and new transportation investments,” Gaskins told ALXnow. “It is also one in which we have the majority of authority on the, but the majority of seats on the stadium Authority Board.”
A House version of the bill to create the board was approved earlier this month, but the Senate version of the bill is currently stalled.
“As you know, I’m the one who’s going to be in the weeds going through each and every page to really evaluate what has come to us and is it something that’s going to deliver for Alexandria,” Gaskins said. “I can’t speculate now until I see specifically where we are on each of those areas, because I don’t think it works without all of them.”
On the issues
Gaskins said she had to take a pause and that she was disappointed after seeing the Alexandria School Board’s recent budget request. The Board asked for $21 million more than what was allocated from the city in last year’s budget, prompting an outcry from Mayor Justin Wilson, and a fiscal year 2025 budget proposal from the City Manager that does not include $10 million in additions from the School Board.
Gaskins said that City Council was briefed in the fall about a potential reduction in real estate values, and that the decline would mean a substantial revenue reduction in the city, potentially resulting in cuts to city services.
“I thought seeing then a budget that calls for such an addition at a time when we are facing some tough economic situations was really a little disappointing,” she said. “At the same time, we all are fighting for the same thing. We want our teachers to be the best paid, and to be the most supported in the region. We want our kids to have the greatest academic outcomes that they can achieve. Our two bodies will have to figure this out, starting tonight at our work session.”
Gaskins also said that the city needs to pause as it evaluates the second phase of its zoning for housing initiative. Last year, City Council controversially its upended its residential zoning policies by eliminating single family zoning. She said that the first phase focusing on housing production and that the city also needs to look at homeownership programs, tenant protections and preventing housing displacement should be refined.
“I don’t think we need to add anything else,” she said. “We need to focus on doing that and doing that well.”
On the double-digit Virginia American Water rate hikes, Gaskins said that she wants to get retroactive refunds for residents who may see their water bills significantly hiked.
“I think it’s excessive and it could be harmful to our residents,” Gaskins said of the increase. “The numbers I’ve seen show that if this rate goes through as planned, some of our residents could see upwards of a 50% increase in their bills.”
On public safety, Gaskins said that the citywide uptick in violent crime is “unacceptable,” and that the Alexandria Police Department needs to create a strategic plan that “clearly articulates” how it is being tackled. She also said that the recently released community crime map will help residents understand what’s happening.
“It’s not just uncomfortable, I think it’s unacceptable,” Gaskins said. “And I think that communication between our public safety professionals and our residents is an important piece of our crime prevention strategy that has to be strengthened.”
About Alyia Gaskins
Gaskins, who was elected to City Council in 2021, is running in the Democratic primary on June 18. She’s married with two young children and moved to the with her family from Fairfax County in 2016. She’s been a senior program officer at Melville Charitable Trust for three-and-a-half years, before which she worked as a a public health strategist with the Center for Community Investment and the National League of Cities.
She’s a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was raised by her single mother, Francine Smith, and her paternal grandmother Marilyn Parker. Gaskins said that her mom regularly worked two or three jobs at a time, mostly as a paraprofessional and librarian at Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Parker died last month, and Gaskins said that the loss has been difficult.
“It’s definitely been hard, because every big moment I can think of in my life, my grandma has been by my side,” she said. “I think the only kind of saving grace is she taught and she instilled in me a faith and a joy that surpasses understanding. And so when the days are hard, I can still smile because I know I know she’s with me.”
If elected, Gaskins will be the first Black female mayor of Alexandria.
“When I think about what it would mean to be the first Black female mayor, honestly, sometimes I can’t even put it into words, like it’s something that is overwhelming,” she said. “It’s something that is humbling, and it’s something that would fill me with tremendous joy.”
Gaskins has a bachelor’s degree in medicine, health and society from Vanderbilt University, a master’s in urban planning from Georgetown University, and a master’s of public health from the University of Pittsburgh and a certificate in municipal planning from the University of Chicago.
She was elected to City Council in 2021, and previously served on the city’s Transportation Commission, where she said that her experience with the Seminary Road bike lane controversy convinced her that the city needs to improve outreach to impacted communities.
Communication-wise, Gaskins said she had no notice from Mayor Justin Wilson when he announced he wasn’t seeking reelection on Dec. 1. She announced her intention to run on Dec. 4, as did her fellow Council Member Vice Mayor Amy Jackson.
“I had no special inside knowledge or anything like that,” Gaskins said. “What I watched over the past several months is what Justin has said, that he’s thinking about it and we’ll find out the decision. I thought to myself, I’m going to be ready no matter what that decision is. I want to be ready to run.”
Gaskins is leading in fundraising among her Council colleagues, raising $46,000 with $34,000 on-hand as of Dec. 31, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Jackson has raised $16,900, and has $15,800 on-hand. The next financial disclosure deadline for the candidates is at the end of this month.
Gaskins says that she gets four-to-five hours of sleep on a good day, and that her family is committed to seeing her conduct city business.
“What I do think I’ve been able to create in my life and will do as mayor is a harmony where I have found a way for all of the pieces to work together,” she said. “I recognize the demands that will be on my time, then it makes sense that will be on my family’s time. But this is something that we are fully committed to doing as our unit and making sure that as a unit we can serve and continue to deliver.”
The Democratic primary is June 18.
I'm running for Mayor to build an Alexandria that works for all of us. Watch, share, and join our grassroots campaign today! pic.twitter.com/hGf80NTjDV
— Alyia Gaskins (@Alyia4ALX) December 4, 2023
Join hosts Pat Miller & Gayle Reuter for a kid-friendly Meet & Greet in Del Ray with Alyia this Saturday, March 9th. RSVP at https://t.co/haTJBmQ3qX and let's discuss the future of our community together! #DelRay #MeetAndGreet pic.twitter.com/dW3PUzB3JA
— Alyia Gaskins (@Alyia4ALX) March 6, 2024
We've been loving the doors on the West End! Join us this Saturday morning at 9:00 to share Alyia's message of a safe, accessible, and affordable Alexandria. Sign up at https://t.co/lOZLj2DY0p. #everyweekendeverydoor pic.twitter.com/I6OfVIZE45
— Alyia Gaskins (@Alyia4ALX) March 5, 2024
The City of Alexandria wants federal help to make the stretch of Seminary Road northwest of I-395 safer.
The City Council is slated to review a grant application to the United States Department of Transportation for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program for up to $1 million to conduct a planning study on Seminary Road between Library Lane and North Beauregard Street — right in front of Southern Towers.
“Nearly all of the intersections along this segment of the Seminary Road corridor have been identified for safety enhancements as part of the Vision Zero program, Safe Routes to School Walk Audits, community feedback, and the Alex West planning process,” the memo from Adriana Castaneda, director of Transportation and Environmental Services, said. “These intersections cannot be addressed in isolation; a more holistic assessment of the corridor is needed to determine how to mitigate the issues and understand their impact on traffic.”
The memo said the goals of the new transportation plan would be promoting alternative modes of transportation, such as walking, biking and public transit, along with improving accessibility and reducing congestion.
The planning would also include a traffic study, analysis and design alternatives for the Seminary Road interchange.
The grant requires a 20% local match for a maximum of $200,000 from the city. The city is offering to make a 25% match of $250,000 to make the proposal more competitive.
“The City anticipates fulfilling this requirement with developer contributions previously secured for this area,” the memo said.
The grant application is scheduled for a vote at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
The memo notes that the funds awarded through the grant must be obligated by September 2028 and fully spent by September 2033.
A 25-year-old Alexandria man is being held without bond after allegedly shooting an adult male in the face with a BB gun on Monday night inside a hotel in the 5000 block of Seminary Road.
Police said that the victim sustained a non-life-threatening wound after getting shot with a BB gun at around 11:30 p.m. and was transported to a local hospital. The victim called 911 and told police that he was shot in the face by a coworker, according to the police scanner.
The suspect, Marcos Santos, Jr., was charged with malicious wounding and discharging an air gun in a public place. APD said that Santos remained at the scene after the incident.
The incident is under investigation, according to APD. Anyone with information on this incident can contact the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
NEWS RELEASE: Please see the update concerning the assault that occurred last night in the 5000 block of Seminary Road. A BB gun was used in the incident. pic.twitter.com/CyTD45WLVk
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) January 23, 2024
The 367-unit residential development The Rutherford is headed to Planning Commission review tomorrow and makes use of a relatively recent new policy that codified an older trade.
The project is a multifamily building set on a 4.5 acre site at 5000 Seminary Road, next to the Hilton Mark Center. Of those 367 units, 25 will be committed affordable units. The developer is also contributing $811,547 to the Housing Trust Fund.
The staff report noted that The Rutherford is the first application within the Beauregard Small Area Plan to use the increase in density in exchange for housing approved back in 2020. The practice was a longstanding one for developments in Alexandria, but The Rutherford is the first in the Beauregard area to use the new official guidelines.
“The applicant noted that the proposed project is the first application within the BSAP to involve an increase in density following the adoption of the 2020 Housing Policy Update and underscored its efforts to maximize the total affordable housing contribution,” the report said. “Pursuant to the BSAP, developer contributions are charged on net new development and are intended to offset plan-wide and neighborhood-specific impacts to infrastructure, public facilities, affordable housing, and other city priorities by new development.”
The project is also set to have 405 parking spaces in two levels of underground parking. A presentation on the project notes that city staff are currently recommending approval of the project.
The project’s development special use permit, coordinated sign permit and transportation management plan are scheduled for review on Tuesday, June 6.
(Updated 2:50 p.m.) The westbound lanes of Seminary Road between the 4600 and 4700 blocks — near Francies C. Hammond Middle School — have reopened following a two-vehicle car crash that temporarily shut down traffic.
Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) spokesperson Raytevia Evans said the call for an accident went out around 2 p.m.
“AFD units were dispatched, including rescue squad to help get a car door open,” Evans said. Two individuals sustained nonlife-threatening injuries, and both are being transported for additional treatment.”
Evans said police are at the scene of the incident and road closures were in place for the westbound side of Seminary Road.
Notification:: Due to a two-vehicle car crash, the 4600-4700 westbound lanes of Seminary Road are temporarily closed. Non-life-threatening injuries were reported. APD and AFD are on scene. pic.twitter.com/fp5pFRSgSW
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) March 17, 2023
James Cullum and Vernon Miles
Image via Google Maps
The conversion of a high-rise West End office building into a 212-unit apartment tower has been completed, according to developer PRP.
Washington, D.C.-based firm PRP bought the 12-story, 209,000-square-foot property at 4900 Seminary Road in 2018. The property is named Sinclaire on Seminary, and average apartments are 850 square feet in size with ceilings up to 10-feet-tall.
The conversion is the latest in a trend that’s seen Alexandria’s office uses increasingly being turned into residential space. A study last year found that Alexandria took the fourth spot in a national ranking of cities experiencing office-to-residential conversions.
“Find your place to land in sun-filled studio, 1, & 2 bedroom residences,” PRP says on its website. “Stunning kitchens and baths with sleek and modern finishes balance with energy-efficient washers, dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers by General Electric. Sinclaire’s responsibly repurposed apartments come complete with high 9′-6″ ceilings, large operable windows, oversized closets, and smart-lock entries.”
The building is next to the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center and the Seminary Road exit off Interstate 395.
Kettler is managing the property, and amenities include more than 4,000 square feet of ground floor retail space, indoor parking and outdoor lounge areas with fire pits.
Photo via Google Maps
The Alexandria Housing Development Corporation has been rebranded as “Housing Alexandria.”
No official word on the name change has yet to be released on AHDC’s website, but residents at its numerous properties were notified via email. Additionally, Housing Alexandria’s 14-story Park Vue apartment complex (511 Four Mile Road) in Arlandria has been renamed “The Square at 511.”
Housing Alexandria says that the strategic rebranding will mean a rollout of new logos.
“Along with this change in the company name, we will also adopt new logos to fully express our initiative of continued improvement,” Housing Alexandria told residents. “The re-branding, however, shall not affect the manner in which we operate our business, as well as the organizational structures of the company.”
The City of Alexandria website has also recognized the new name in its listing of affordable housing partners.
The rebranding is part of the organization’s 2021-2025 strategic plan, as it pursues “a brand that differentiates us from our peers and helps us more clearly express our values.”
“AHDC residents and community members will be able to identify our brand and work more efficiently,” the nonprofit said in the plan. “Increased presence will yield more community advocates, resident voices, and financial support for AHDC.”
Housing Alexandria is developing a 500-unit affordable housing complex at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road in Arlandria as well as an affordable homeowner development on Seminary Road.
