West End | ALXnow

Pavilions, open space and more retail proposed for old Landmark Mall site

Published September 5, 2023 at 2:30PM | Updated September 6, 2023 at 12:33PM

A rendering for Pavilion 2 on block N of the WestEnd Alexandria development (via City of Alexandria)

(Updated 12:30 p.m.) The massive WestEnd Alexandria project is taking shape, as the Planning Commission tonight will weigh in on a number of proposals by site development partner Foulger-Pratt.

Nearly half the 52-acre West End Alexandria development is devoted to the Inova at Landmark (the eventual home of Alexandria Hospital), and the rest of the property has been divvied into a multi-block town center. The redevelopment will include new apartment buildings, pavilions, restaurants, rooftop open space and more.

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Suspect ‘dangerously’ eludes Alexandria police after West End residential burglary

By James Cullum

Published September 1, 2023 at 10:45AM

Alexandria police are investigating a July 24, 2023, residential burglary in the 5400 block of Taney Avenue (via Google Maps)

Alexandria police are investigating a residential burglary in the 5400 block of Taney Avenue that led to a car being stolen and a dangerous police chase.

No arrest has been made since the incident occurred on July 24. The victim told police that her window screen and a kitchen window were broken and her purse and Land Rover were stolen, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The woman reportedly said she bought the vehicle a few days before and last saw it that morning before going to sleep at 3 a.m.

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No injuries reported after driver crashes Mercedes into Van Dorn Plaza bar

By Vernon Miles

Published August 23, 2023 at 4:35PM

El Texano Bar & Grill after a crash on Wednesday morning (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The front entrance to El Texano Bar & Grill is boarded up after a driver crashed their Mercedes-Benz into the building this morning.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) at the bar in the Van Dorn Plaza shopping center (514 S Van Dorn Street).

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Alexandria Police: No arrests after multiple shots fired incidents this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published August 22, 2023 at 3:45PM

The 4700 block of Kenmore Avenue (image via Google Maps)

There were no injuries, but also no arrests, after two shots fired incidents this past weekend around Alexandria.

The first was on the 4700 block of Kenmore Avenue, just across from Francis C. Hammond Middle School in the West End early Saturday morning.

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Police: No arrest after man sprayed with substance and robbed in Fairlington

By James Cullum

Published August 11, 2023 at 1:00PM

A man was robbed in the 3000 block of Park Center Drive in Fairlington on the morning of August 7, 2023 (via Google Maps)

A 52-year-old Alexandria man suffered minor injuries after being sprayed in the face with an unknown substance and then robbed in Fairlington, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

APD reported the incident at around 2 a.m. on Monday via Twitter. Police said that three unknown suspects approached the victim and that one of them sprayed him in the face before he was robbed of personal items.

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‘Tenant’s Rights’ program planned for West End renters next week

By Vernon Miles

Published August 8, 2023 at 9:50AM

Southern Towers (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

After years of battling between residents at Southern Towers and building management, a program next week aims to help renters get a better understanding of their rights.

The Tenant’s Rights workshop, presented by Mary Horner of Legal Services of Northern Virginia, is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 17, at 1 p.m. at the Workforce Development Center (4850 Mark Center Drive).

News

Police investigate back-to-back shots fired incidents in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published August 7, 2023 at 1:15PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating two back-to-back shootings early Sunday and Monday in the West End.

Police were notified of multiple gunshots on Sunday at around 2 a.m. in the 200 block of N. Pickett Street near Holmes Run. Officers in the area heard the shots, according to scanner traffic, although no injuries were reported or arrests made.

News

Police: Four teens robbed by masked gang at Duke Street bus stop

By James Cullum

Published August 4, 2023 at 10:45AM

Four teens were robbed by six masked suspects at a bus stop near the intersection of Duke and N Donelson Streets on Monday, July 31, 2023 (via Google Maps)

Four Alexandria teenagers were robbed by six masked suspects on Monday (July 31) at a bus stop in the West End, according to police.

The juvenile victims, all 16 years of age, were not injured in the incident. At around 9:15 p.m., the victims were waiting at a bus stop near the intersection of Duke Street and N. Donelson Street when the suspects pulled up in a black Toyota Corolla.

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Alexandria’s first-ever ‘Best of the West’ business showcase is Saturday

By James Cullum

Published August 3, 2023 at 9:30AM

The first-ever Best Of The West is on Saturday, August 5, at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (via WEBA/Facebook)

West End businesses and restaurants will be showcased this Saturday at the first-ever Best Of The West business showcase.

The free event by the West End Business Association (WEBA) will be held at Patrick Henry Recreational Center (4653 Taney Avenue) from noon to 5 p.m., and the event will showcase restaurants, florists, grocers, nonprofits and Realtors who make their home in Alexandria’s West End.

News

Mieza Blendery, a craft beer brewery, opens in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published August 1, 2023 at 10:55AM

Alex Lynch of Mieza Blendery at 109 Clermont Street in Alexandria's West End (courtesy photo)

Like yeast in a beer barrel, Alex Lynch has been patient for the last several years.

In June, the D.C. native had enough beer brewed to open Mieza Blendery at 109 Clermont Street in Alexandria’s West End. With 12 distinct flavors this season, Lynch opened his tasting room to the public.

News

What’s next for plans to bring more affordable housing and pedestrian safety to the West End?

By Vernon Miles

Published July 31, 2023 at 11:05AM

Southern Towers (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s long-term plans for the West End go back to 1992 and the city is in the process of bringing some of those up to date to address the current needs; namely housing.

The city’s “updated community vision” aims to address housing vulnerability and affordability in an area that’s traditionally been home to some of the city’s last bastions of market-rate affordable housing.