waterfront | ALXnow

Published November 19, 2021 at 3:00PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in March 2020 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Torpedo Factory plan took a direct hit from the Waterfront Commission as Commissioners criticized staff for a rushed timeline that gives little room for public and commission feedback.

Plans are in the works to potentially overhaul the structure of the Torpedo Factory, with options like new cafe space on the first floor or artistic changes like a new glassblowing studio all being considered. But at a Waterfront Commission meeting earlier this week, the group unanimously voted to sent a letter to the City Council warning about the inadequate time given to considering public feedback at the end of the process.

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Tall Ship Providence sails to seasonal finish line, still offers weekend tours

By James Cullum

Published November 10, 2021 at 2:45PM

The Tall Ship Providence sails on the Potomac River. (Via Tall Ship Proidence)

After sailing through perilous economic waters, the Tall Ship Providence just shored up weekly tours until next spring.

The nonprofit is still tabulating the numbers, but expects that since launching in June 2020, thousands of visitors have been welcomed aboard the Tall Ship for tours and cruises. The Providence is a replica of the first naval warship commissioned by the Continental Congress in 1775, and visitors are welcomed aboard by an actor portraying Captain John Paul Jones.

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Archeologists discover new pieces of early 19th century waterfront brewery in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published November 9, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated November 9, 2021 at 5:00PM

19th century brewery on the waterfront, via AlexArchaeology/Twitter

(Updated 5 p.m.) Alexandria has a long history of beer, from Port City to prohibition, and a new excavation on the waterfront is sifting through one of the city’s older breweries.

City archeologists are currently at work at the Roberdeau’s Wharf/Harborside site (400 South Union Street), where they recently found a brick furnace and a coal bin associated with the circa 1830s brewery, according to the Alexandria Archaeology Museum’s Twitter account.

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Alexandria’s holiday boat parade returning next month

By Vernon Miles

Published November 3, 2021 at 1:15PM

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights (photo via Visit Alexandria/Facebook)

Visit Alexandria has announced the return of the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights early next month.

The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. The event is planned to feature dozens of brightly lit boats cruising along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline, Visit Alexandria said in a press release.

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Photos: Scenes from the Friday flood in Old Town

By ALXnow.com

Published October 29, 2021 at 5:45PM

Heidi DeuPree and Keith Harmon canoeing down Union Street in Old Town, Friday, October 29, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

After reaching a high water mark around 3:30 p.m. at high tide — with some help from the rainfall — waters are starting to recede for now in Old Town.

Today, a combination of rains and coastal flooding brought the Potomac up to 5.99 feet, making today a “moderate flood” by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) standards. The record high is 8.7 feet from Hurricane Isabel in 2003. The National Weather Service warned that more flooding is anticipated at high tide around 4 a.m. tomorrow morning (Saturday), though it’s not forecast to get quite as high as water levels were this afternoon.

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BREAKING: Flooding in Old Town as Potomac River nears high tide

By Vernon Miles

Published October 29, 2021 at 2:30PM

Flooding in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Staff from Alexandria Toyota desperately piled sandbags in front of Chadwicks (203 Strand Street) as floodwaters started to swell and shut down several blocks of Old Town.

The National Weather Service has issued an areal flood warning for Alexandria, in addition to a coastal flood warning in place until Saturday.

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Old Town braces for days of anticipated waterfront flooding

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 5:30PM | Updated October 28, 2021 at 9:31PM

A cyclist rides through high tide on lower King Street, October 28, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 9:30 p.m.) High water levels in Old Town marked the start of what could be several days of tidal flooding around Alexandria.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect starting tonight (Thursday) at 8 p.m. and running until 2 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 30). The National Weather Service warned that high tides could flood parts of the city, particularly along the waterfront.

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Kitschy new art installation coming to Waterfront Park

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 2:45PM

I Love You park design, via City of Alexandria

The city has unveiled plans for the next art installation in Waterfront Park, which will be in place at the park for most of next year.

At a meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission Meeting, Diane Ruggiero, deputy director of recreation, parks and cultural activities and two-time ALXnow quotee this week, outlined the initial plans to work with R&R Studio in Miami on a new display meant to evoke joy and happiness after a dour couple of years.

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Coastal flood warning in effect for Alexandria starting tonight

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 9:45AM | Updated October 28, 2021 at 11:19AM

The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning that low-lying areas of Alexandria could see as much as two or three feet of tidal flooding for the next few days.

In a coastal flood warning, the NWS said from tonight (Thursday) at 8 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 30), high tides could flood parts of the city — particularly along the waterfront.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published October 15, 2021 at 3:30PM

This week saw possibly the most contentious meeting between the City Council and School Board in years for a debate over School Resources Officers that ultimately culminated in the Council voting to temporarily restore the program. The reversal has been advocated by school officials and some parents, but was lamented by advocacy group Tenants and Workers United that saw it as a step-backward for racial justice.

The following day, ACPS was also hit with lockdowns at Alexandria City High School’s King Street and Minnie Howard campuses and Hammond Middle School, though police later said initial calls about a school shooting were unfounded. At the same time, a gas leak near Potomac Yard led to two homes being evacuated and the temporary closure of Richmond Highway.

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City rethinks waterfront flood mitigation plans after seeing the price tag

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 9:50AM

Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The foot of King Street flooded with water is a dramatic visual that comes up nearly every time there’s flooding in Alexandria, but the city is facing some sticker shock for a long-planned fix.

At a meeting of the Waterfront Commission Flood Mitigation Committee this week, city staff presented a variety of plans that could help combat flooding on the waterfront, from a pair of cost-conscious options to options that put focus more on results than staying within budget.