West End | ALXnow

Alexandria hosting youth mental health first-aid training on Oct. 15

Published October 2, 2025 at 4:30PM

DCHS is conducting youth-focused mental health first-aid training on Oct. 15, 2025, at 4850 mark Center Drive (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is conducting an eight-hour mental health training session for adults on identifying warning signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse disorders, the effects of illness, and treatment options.

The free session, hosted by the city’s Department of Community and Human Services, will take place on Wednesday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4850 Mark Center Drive. Registration is required. The session is open to “parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers and other caring residents,” according to DCHS.

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7-story, 402-unit apartment building on Mark Center Drive heads to Planning Commission

By James Cullum

Published September 29, 2025 at 12:00PM

A proposal to redevelop a vacant lot at 4880 Mark Center Drive into a multi-unit apartment building heads to the Alexandria Planning Commission on Nov. 6, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

A proposal to build a seven-story residential multi-unit building with 402 units in Alexandria’s West End is scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Maryland-based Bozzuto Development Company is presenting the plan to redevelop the vacant four-acre lot at 4880 Mark Center Drive, which is bounded by the Winkler Botanical Preserve and near the Seminary Road exit to Interstate 395.

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Alexandria advisory group to discuss former Landmark Mall progress

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 24, 2025 at 9:45AM

Rendering of WestEnd Alexandria (Credit: WestEnd Alexandria)

The Eisenhower West Landmark Van Dorn Implementation Advisory Group will meet Monday, Sept. 29, to discuss progress on the redevelopment of the former Landmark Mall site and other West End projects.

The advisory group will meet at 7 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Ave. The agenda includes progress on the WestEnd development and updates on other key West End projects.

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Kody Imports to take over Rosenthal Landmark Honda on Duke Street

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2025 at 1:30PM

Rosenthal Landmark Honda at 5125 Duke Street (via Google Maps)

Waldorf-based Kody Imports recently filed paperwork with the city to officially change ownership of Rosenthal Landmark Honda (5125 Duke Street), a longtime car dealership in Alexandria’s West End.

Waldorf-based Kody Holdings, which owns a dozen auto dealerships in Maryland, bought the dealership near Cameron Station for an undisclosed sum, according to the change of ownership filing. City property records haven’t yet listed the sale, but the property was last assessed at $7.3 million in value by the city in January. Rosenthal Landmark Honda bought the 120,000-square-foot property for $3.85 million in 2005.

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Systems Planning and Analysis expansion into Alexandria leads this week’s top stories

By James Cullum

Published September 12, 2025 at 3:47PM

Officials cut a ribbon at Systems Planning & Analysis announcement on Sept. 11, 2025 (staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Here’s a rundown of our top stories.

Our top story this week is on the Thursday, Sept. 11, announcement that Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA) will expand its Alexandria headquarters and create 1,200 new jobs over the next five years as part of a $46.9 million investment across Northern Virginia. The defense contractor bought, and will renovate, a 239,000-square-foot office building at 2001 N. Beauregard Street. Attendees at the announcement included Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.

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Woman charged with using West End hotel room for prostitution

By James Cullum

Published September 10, 2025 at 3:15PM

Alexandria police cruiser (File photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria police have charged a 26-year-old woman with using a West End hotel room for prostitution.

The woman was arrested Aug. 13 and charged with residing in a bawdy place after police observed multiple men entering and leaving her room at the Days Inn, 110 S. Bragg St., according to a search warrant affidavit. The woman was released on a summons and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 11.

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Alexandria hosting Recovery Month Celebration on Sept. 17

By James Cullum

Published September 8, 2025 at 1:45PM

Ben Brenman Park (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is hosting its Recovery Month Celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive).

The free event from the city’s Department of Community and Human Services will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. and includes live music, food trucks, and local resources to help with the recovery from opioid addiction. More from the city is below.

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Alexandria seeks public feedback on plans for West End transit hub

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 6, 2025 at 8:25AM

Image: Figure 9 from the 2019 Landmark/Van Dorn Small Area Plan Chapter of the Master Plan, Chapter 10 indicating proposed location of Transit Center. (Credit: City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria is asking for public feedback on a proposed transit center that will serve as a key transportation hub in the city’s West End.

The new West Alexandria Transit Center will be located on the site of the redeveloped Landmark Mall, which is being transformed into a mixed-use community called WestEnd. The Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES) is seeking input on conceptual designs for the new facility, according to a press release sent to ALXnow.

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Visit Alexandria to announce marketing plans and the city’s hotel/tourism revenue

By James Cullum

Published September 4, 2025 at 1:51PM | Updated September 4, 2025 at 3:00PM

Visit Alexandria's annual meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 (via Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria’s tourism impact, economic trends, upcoming business openings and more will be unveiled later this month in Visit Alexandria‘s annual meeting.

Alexandria’s tourism bureau will hold its annual meeting at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center (5000 Seminary Road) from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25. Tickets cost $40 for Visit Alexandria members and $95 for non-members.

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275-unit workforce housing project at former Landmark Mall site goes to Planning Commission

By James Cullum

Published September 2, 2025 at 11:45AM

A rendering of the 275-unit, seven-story work force housing multifamily building on Block D of the former Landmark Mall property, as seen from the northeast (via City of Alexandria)

A proposal to build a 275-unit workforce housing multifamily apartment building on the southwest portion of the sprawling WestEnd development is heading to the Alexandria Planning Commission.

Plans for the seven-story development from landowner Foulger Pratt and its partner Landmark Holdings LLC call for a seven-story structure with 210 parking spaces (a reduction from the 327 required spaces), with 80% of the units available for between 80% and 120% area median income. The proposal heads to the Planning Commission on Thursday, Oct. 9.

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GSA searching for Alexandria office space leads this week’s top stories

By James Cullum

Published August 29, 2025 at 3:30PM

National Science Foundation at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via NSF)

It’s been quite a week in Alexandria. Here’s a rundown of our most-read stories.

Our top story is on the General Services Administration launching an official search for office space in Alexandria to relocate the National Science Foundation after the agency was displaced from its Eisenhower Avenue headquarters. In a presolicitation notice, GSA announced it needs between 240,000 and 280,000 square feet of Class A office space for a 48-month lease, with occupancy required by the end of November.