Developer Moves Forward with Plans to Redevelop Waterfront Property
Carr Hospitality seeks approval for concept even though zoning has yet to be approved.
One of the ghosts haunting the Alexandria waterfront is Samuel Cummings, international arms dealer who owned a warehouse now at the center of a controversial redevelopment proposal.
Reclusive Former Sheriff Dies; Mystery of His Wife’s Murder Remains Unsolved
After years on the public stage, Jim Dunning withdrew after the death of his wife.
James Herbert Dunning, the once popular sheriff who became increasingly reclusive after the mysterious 2003 murder of his wife, died last week at his home in Hilton Head, S.C.
Business Matters
One of the most distinctive buildings on the waterfront is about to be gutted and renovated.
Inaction May Cause Federal Officials to Create Health-Care Exchange for Virginia
January 2013 is the deadline for the commonwealth to create authority for exchange.
Virginia is suffering from deadline fever, although Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is calling for a second opinion.
Week in Alexandria
As the race to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Jim Webb heads into the long hot political summer season, both candidates are trying to capture the attention of Northern Virginia voters.
Despite Failing Grade on Transparency, Law Enforcement Officials Resist Opening Access
Advocates for public access remain frustrated by persistent lack of transparency.
Back in March, Virginia received a failing grade from the State Integrity Investigation as the result of a systematic lack of transparency.
Week in Alexandria
This election year will be like none other in the city’s long history, as the City Council election will take place in November for the first time. It will also feature a special election to fill a vacant seat in the House of Representatives in which a City Council member will be on the ballot.
Business Matters
How about this heat? Like death and taxes, this weekend’s heat wave is an inevitable fact of life. But it’s also an opportunity to make money.
Even in Closed Cases, Police Maintain Culture of Secrecy
Public must rely on information police agencies choose to share, even if it's wrong.
In December of 2008, the Fairfax Police Department chased 19-year-old Hailu Brook across the county line into Arlington and shot him dead.
Islamic Saudi Academy Heads Toward End of its Lease on Richmond Highway
Controversial school to move next year; future of building to be determined.
July will mark the beginning of the end of the Saudi Islamic Academy’s lease on Richmond Highway, ending a long and contentious relationship with a school that opponents consider a training ground for terrorists.
Arlington and Alexandria Agree to Move in Different Directions on Corridor
Street car to move forward in Arlington; its future is uncertain in Alexandria.
Some say time heals all wounds. For leaders in Arlington and Alexandria, it may also be the solution to a disagreement about how to move forward with a regional transit system.
Council Notebook
City Council members have taken a bite out of crime.
Business Matters
Seating is now on the menu at Del Ray Pizzeria, where customers can order thin-crust pizza in a restaurant with thick selection of chairs.
More Clang Coming to Del Ray
New free service along Mount Vernon Avenue to cost $1 million a year.
Del Ray is sometimes called the “little neighborhood that could,” a reference to its history as a home for railroad workers at Potomac Yard.
On the Campaign Trail
For many years, Alexandria voters did not use paper ballots at all. They simply walked up to an election judge and announced their vote in public, a process known as “viva voce.”
Insiders Prevail in Hotly Contested Primary for Alexandria City Council
Incumbents and former incumbents win, pushing back calls for change.
Despite calls for change at City Hall, Alexandria voters sent a message Tuesday that they like the recent direction of city government, and they selected a slate of candidates that continues the status quo.
Say Goodbye to Instant Elections: New Voting System to Yield Much Slower Results
Registrar to have all precinct results driven to headquarters before posting results.
Remember when Alexandria precinct returns were posted to the Internet a few minutes after the polls closed? Well, forget about it.
Unpredictable Democratic Primary Heads into Final Stretch
Historic election has 14 candidates seeking six slots on the ticket for November general election.
The future of Alexandria is on the line as 14 Democrats seek six seats on the Alexandria City Council in a hotly contested Democratic primary June 12.
Voters to Determine Republican and Democratic Candidates for House and Senate
Low turnout expected in June 12 primary.
Election officials are expecting an extremely low turnout for the June 12 primary, ranging from 3 percent in Arlington to 15 percent in Alexandria.
New Restrictions on Washington Street to Be Installed This Summer
Initiative comes after 600 accidents in the last five years.
For years, Washington Street has been one of the most dangerous roads in Alexandria.
Week in Alexandria
The waterfront is no stranger to debate, and now another potential clash is brewing.
On the Campaign Trail
Remember when Alexandria precinct returns were posted to the Internet a few minutes after the polls closed? Well, forget about it.
Old Dominion Boat Club Settles With Feds, Continues to Fend Off City Hall
40-year old lawsuit comes to an end as city officials make plans for parking lot.
It’s been almost 40 years since the Richard Nixon administration filed a series of lawsuits against property owners along the waterfront.
Week in Alexandria
It’s been almost 40 years since the Richard Nixon administration filed a series of lawsuits against property owners along the waterfront.
14 Candidates Seek Six Seats in Historic Democratic Primary
Voters to determine if they like recent direction of city or not.
Are voters pleased with the direction of the city? Or are they looking for a new set of leaders? That will be the central question for the Democratic primary on June 12, when voters will select six candidates that will appear as the party’s slate for City Council in the November election.
Registrar Expects Six Times as Many Voters in Primary Compared to Caucus
Traditional firehouse caucus had 2,000 voters; citywide primary could draw as many as 12,000.
Alexandria Registrar Tom Parkins is forecasting a 12 percent to 15 percent turnout for the June 12 Democratic primary, which would mean about 9,600 to 12,000 voters are expected to show up at the city's precincts on Election Day.
Virginia Supreme Court Sends Wales Alley Case Back to Alexandria
Key issue still unresolved: Does city have authority to deprive use of alley to Boat Club?
The Virginia Supreme Court has overturned a decision from the Alexandria Circuit Court about the use of a public alley in Old Town, but the case is not over ye
Changes Coming to Penn-Daw
ow that comprehensive plan has been amended, development application is imminent.
Now that the county’s comprehensive plan has been changed to allow for higher density at the Penn-Daw Shopping Plaza, Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay says he expects Combined Properties to file an application for redevelopment any day.
Alexandria to Exceed Debt Limits
Officials say city is in no danger of losing credit rating.
Alexandria is on the verge of exceeding its own debt limit, and the city’s budget-advisory committee is warning that any additional borrowing could jeopardize the city’s credit rating.
On the Campaign Trail
The Beauregard small-area plan is shaping up to be one of the hottest election issues in this campaign cycles.
Council Notebook
The Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals is facing a legal challenge to its recent decision on the waterfront, and city officials are denying them an opportunity to have legal counsel.
Candidates for Mayor Clash Over Environmental Impact of Watetrfront Plan
Report on health of Potomac River highlights differences between candidates.
A river runs through the candidate for mayor.
City Attorney Says Board of Zoning Appeals Does Not Need Legal Representation
Rare lawsuit pits city officials against their own board.
What happens to members of city boards and commissions who get sued by the city government? It’s an awkward question, one that Alexandria now faces in the Alexandria Circuit Court.
City Council Approves Massive Development over Bitter Opposition
Beauregard boom may be felt at the ballot box in the Democratic primary.
Once again, members of the Alexandria City Council cast aside hours of bitter opposition to support a controversial plan.
First-time Candidate Versus Longtime Congressman
Former Navy pilot hopes to defeat Moran with charges of conflict of interest.
Former Navy pilot Bruce Shuttleworth’s campaign to oust U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) in the Democratic primary is fashioned as an indictment, a campaign in which the issues are framed as an attack on the incumbent.
Opposing Factions of Democrats Emerge in Hotly Contested City Council Primary
Four different political action committees endorse rival slates of candidates.
With four weeks until the Democratic primary for Alexandria City Council, the city’s Democrats are forming opposing factions in the hotly contested race.
On the Campaign Trail
A river runs through the candidate for mayor.
Week in Alexandria
What happens to members of city boards and commissions who get sued by the city government? It’s an awkward question, one that Alexandria now faces in the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Potential Compromise Emerges in Corridor Dispute Between Arlington and Alexandria
Is a treaty of Four Mile Run in the works to iron out differences between neighboring jurisdictions?
Back in October 2010, Northern Virginia Streetcar Coalition chairman Tim Lovain feared what he called a “disaster” on the horizon — transit corridor commuters may be facing a day when they would have to get off an Arlington streetcar and board an Alexandria bus.
Business Matters
City leaders may be taking on more debt than Alexandria can handle. That’s the conclusion of the Budget and Fiscal Advisory Commission, which presented its annual report Tuesday night.
Council Notebook
It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Councilman Frank Fannon. No, he’s not Superman. But Mayor Bill Euille is praising Fannon for quick thinking and fast action in coming to the assistance of a citizen in need.
Council Members Dip Into Rainy-Day Fund to Avoid Raising Tax Rate
Unanimous budget will raise average residential property tax bill by $52.
Taxpayers can expect to pay more money now that members of the Alexandria City Council have adopted a tax rate for the coming year that will increase the average residential property tax bill by $52.
Northern Virginia Bill Signing Puts Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence in Spotlight
A rare moment of bipartisanship between Republican governor and Democratic legislators.
Strangulation will be punished more aggressively to combat violence against women. Campus police will work with other police agencies to crack down on domestic violence of unmarried couples. And the telephone number for a human trafficking hotline will be placed in the restrooms at strip clubs across Virginia.
Incumbents and Candidates Face Difficult Test as City Council Campaign Heats Up
Rival groups of Democrats endorse slates of candidates for June 12 primary.
The fiercely competitive Democratic primary for the Alexandria City Council is about to get even more intense this weekend, as current council members take up the most controversial development proposal since the waterfront plan.
Treaty of Four Mile Run?
A potential compromise to ongoing dispute between Arlington and Alexandria.
Back in October 2010, Northern Virginia Streetcar Coalition chairman Tim Lovain feared what he called a "disaster" on the horizon — transit corridor commuters may be facing a day when they would have to get off an Arlington streetcar and board an Alexandria bus.
May Day at City Hall: Democratic Primary Puts Heat on Candidates
Recent unpopular decisions may mean trouble for two incumbents and two former incumbents.
Hector Pineda is one of thousands of residents who live in the sprawling series of garden apartments on the city’s West End, which has been one of the last remaining spots in the city for low-income residents.
On the Campaign Trail
Politicians are always squeamish about raising their own salaries, especially when the budget season is closely tied to an election.
Week in Alexandria
Councilman Paul Smedberg and Councilwoman Alicia Hughes clashed repeatedly this week about when and how council members should consider a proposal to add Sunday deliveries for Meals on Wheels.
Last-Minute Budgeting As City Council Members Negotiate Final Budget Agreement
Elected officials consider everything from extending library hours to increasing salaries.
Hold your wallet. The Alexandria City Council is putting the final touches on the budget for fiscal year 2013, and the long list of priorities could mean more taxes.
Arlington and Alexandria Fighting for Limited Pool of Federal Funds
One wants federal money for Columbia Pike, the other wants funds for Potomac Yard.
Arlington County and the City of Alexandria are each vying for an increasingly limited amount of federal transportation funding, leading to a conflict between the neighboring jurisdictions.