waterfront | ALXnow

Kitschy pink public art installation scheduled for unveiling later this month

Published March 8, 2022 at 9:45AM

I Love You park design, via City of Alexandria

The new kitschy “I Love You” public art installation at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street) is scheduled to be unveiled on March 25.

The new installation by Miami artists Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt features illuminated neon pink lights spelling out “I Love You” mounted on a 15-foot high display and will “bathe visitors in a soft pink hue,” a press release from the city described with an unusual touch of sensuality. The color scheme had earlier been described by Office of the Arts Director Diane Ruggiero as “Pepto-Bismol pink.”

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Stretch of waterfront could get new permanent railings

By Vernon Miles

Published March 1, 2022 at 9:40AM

Area proposed for new railing, image via City of Alexandria

A stretch of the waterfront could be getting new permanent railings after being stuck with unsightly temporary fencing for years.

The area of the waterfront at 1 Pioneer Mill Way, where BARCA Pier & Wine Bar is, could be getting a new permanent railing.

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City looking at creating more King Street pedestrian-only blocks

By Vernon Miles

Published February 16, 2022 at 3:55PM

Rendering of the unit block of King Street with street closure (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria could be converting another block of King Street to a pedestrian-only zone this spring.

At a meeting of the Waterfront Commission earlier this week, city staff presented both plans for a pilot to close the waterfront end of King Street and examined the future of the 100 block of King Street, which has been permanently closed and converted into a pedestrian zone.

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City looks to tamp down on buskers, leafblowers, and other noises

By Vernon Miles

Published January 25, 2022 at 2:45PM

Using a leaf blower on the snow on King Street, Feb. 18, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is hoping to cut back on the noise nuisance from leafblowers and street buskers.

At a Waterfront Commission meeting last week, city staff discussed changes made to the noise code in December.

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Waterfront Commission slams rushed timing and poor planning for Torpedo Factory overhaul

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2021 at 3:00PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (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.