Personality Conflict on the Richmond Highway Corridor
Do residents want to be suburban, exurban or urban?
This summer, residents in Mount Vernon will welcome a new Costco to the Richmond Highway corridor — a big-box retailer with a huge parking lot that will exemplify the kind of suburban and exurban development that has dominated far-flung reaches of the metropolitan region.
School Board to Reconsider Middle School Reorganization
Members ask superintendent to evaluate four years of middle school data.
When students arrived at Hammond Middle School for the first day of classes in the fall of 2009, they were stepping into three different schools: Hammond 1, Hammond 2 and Hammond 3.
Alexandria City Council Approves Historic Tax Increase
After ousting two Republicans, all Democratic council hikes tax rate four cents.
Members of the Alexandria City Council unanimously supported a historic four-cent hike in the tax rate this week, raising the average residential property tax bill $314 to $4,888.
Business Matters
A quiet stretch of Eisenhower Avenue is about to get a new lease on life — nightlife, to be exact.
A Firehouse Mystery: Who Vandalized Two Antique Dalmatian Statues?
Two separate statues damaged on opposite sides of Old Town in late-night crime.
Ever since they were donated to the two Old Town fire stations a few weeks ago, the antique Dalmatian statues have stood as silent witnesses to the life of Alexandria's firefighters.
Horse Trading at City Hall as Council Members Approach Budget Deadline
Warwick Pool to remain open for the short term; holiday lights to stay dim during the summer.
The Warwick Pool is likely to stay open for another year, although what happens beyond that is a mystery. But the holiday lights along King Street will likely go dark during the summer months, despite one councilwoman's longtime quest to persuade her colleagues otherwise.
Should Some Businesses Be Taxed at a Higher Rates Than Others?
Lee District Supervisor clashes with his own advisory group over BPOL taxes.
Why should consultants be taxed at a higher rate than contractors? Is it fair to hit up businesses that do research and development for twice as much as retail merchants?
Federal Officials Audit T.C. Williams to Follow $6 Million in Federal Funds
Three-year program dubbed school 'persistently lowest achieving.'
For two days this week, a team of federal officials from the U.S. Department of Education were in Alexandria to follow the money.
Two Hour Vendors: Arlington County Doubles Time Allowed for Food Trucks
One-hour restriction spiked; expanding vending zones is next on the menu.
Every hour, food-truck vendor Amir Mohammed would have to shut down his propane tank, and get behind the wheel of Baba's Big Bite food truck to find a new parking space.
Athenaeum Wants Your Vote to Fund Restoration in Online Contest
Leaders at the Old Town landmark suggest voting early and often.
Do you love the Athenaeum? If the answer is yes, executive director Catherine Aselford is asking for your vote.
Business Matters
Del Ray is known as the place where Main Street still exists. Now it's also a place where adults can eat sushi without the threat of hearing a crying baby.
Newly Elected School Board Members Clash Over Raises for Teachers
Now budget heads to City Hall, where council members will determine appropriation.
School Board members traditionally try to present a unified front to City Hall, where members of the Alexandria City Council have the final say over how much money is transferred to the Beauregard Street headquarters of Alexandria City Public Schools.
Alexandria Set to Exceed Debt Ceiling, Raising Concerns About Bond Rating
City leaders say borrowing is necessary to finance future of Alexandria.
Alexandria is about to hit the roof, literally.
Council Notebook
Once upon a midnight dreary, while Alexandria Poet Laureate Amy Young pondered weak and weary.
Federal Money for Streetcars Derailed; Arlington Leaders Vow to Press Ahead Anyway
Critics call for independent cost-benefit analysis; county manager refuses to answer questions.
Plans for Arlington officials to receive federal money for a proposed $250 million streetcar line have been derailed, although county leaders say they are pressing ahead anyway.
Massive Resistance from an Eyewitness
Civil rights pioneer explains segregation to diverse group of students.
As the students assembled in a conference room at Campbell Elementary School, it was clear that the Rev. James M. Kilby had his work cut out for him. How would a 71-year-old civil rights pioneer explain massive resistance to this diverse crowd of students — a group that included not only whites and blacks but also Hispanics and Indians?
West End Rezoned
Council approves plan to demolish thousands of garden apartments.
Like many of the residents who live along Beauregard Street, Salam Jawad is unsure about the future. Since he came to America last year, he's been trying to find his way in a new culture and a new environment.
New Class, Old Divisions
Demographic data for T.J. class of 2017 show lack of diversity at governor's school.
Even as federal regulators look into a civil-rights complaint about the lack of diversity at Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology, recently released demographics show that the number of black and Latino students is dropping. According to a report released last week by Fairfax County Public Schools, 8 percent of students who apply are Hispanic while only 3 percent of those who are accepted are Hispanic.
Coalition Wages War on Brick Sidewalks in Old Town
Group calls for action now, before more brick sidewalks are installed in new development.
They may be charming, but many people say Alexandria's brick sidewalks have become a dangerous burden. Now they are asking City Hall to do something about it.
Hunting Towers Sold
New owners tell city leaders they will preserve affordable housing.
For years, people who live in the twin towers at the southern edge of Old Town have lived with a sense of dread.
Alexandria Leaders Engage in Risky Business at Potomac Yard
City taxpayers are about to assume financial risk for new Metro station.
Alexandria taxpayers are about to gamble on the future, rolling the dice on development at a former railroad yard to fund a new Metro station.
Massive Resistance in Warren County Explained to Diverse Arlington Crowd
Civil rights pioneer explains segregation to fourth-grade students.
As the students assembled in a conference room at Campbell Elementary School, it was clear that the Rev. James M. Kilby had his work cut out for him.
Thousands of Families are Living with Uncertainty on the West End
City Council to consider plan that would demolish hundreds of low-end garden apartments.
On the windswept streets of the city's West End, many poor and Latino residents say they are living with a sense of uncertainty.
Hunting Towers Sold
New owners tell city leaders they will preserve affordable housing.
For years, people who live in the twin towers at the southern edge of Old Town have lived with a sense of dread. That's because their landlord is the Virginia Department of Transportation, which purchased the buildings during construction of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
War on the Waterfront
Iron Ladies file another lawsuit challenging city's efforts to upzone three sites.
When the dispute between Old Town and City Hall was at its height last year, 20th Century Fox movie "Iron Lady" was in the theaters celebrating the life of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. So when Old Town residents April Burke, Beth Gibney and Marie Kux filed a lawsuit against the city, the trio was dubbed the "Iron Ladies" — a tip of the hat to the steely determination of the former prime minister.
The Indispensable Library
$40 million facility now taking shape at Mount Vernon Estate; opening set for September.
Drivers zooming along Mount Vernon Memorial Highway are seeing history in the making. There, nestled in the thick woods of George Washington's estate, is a construction zone that will shape how future generations will view a figure historian James Thomas Flexner dubbed "The Indispensable Man."
Mount Vernon Estate Moves Closer to Opening Indispensable Library
$40 million facility to open in September.
Drivers zooming along Mount Vernon Memorial Highway are seeing history in the making.
Debate About Public-Private Partnerships Will Have Lasting Consequences in Arlington
Second bid not required by guidelines adopted by Arlington County Board members last year.
Arlington County will make "best efforts to promote robust competition" and "strive to have more than one proposal" under consideration for the public-private partnership to construct a streetcar on Columbia Pike.
Competition For Streetcars?
Debate about public-private partnerships will have lasting consequences in Arlington.
Arlington County will make "best efforts to promote robust competition" and "strive to have more than one proposal" under consideration for the public-private partnership to construct a streetcar on Columbia Pike. But opponents fear that guidelines, approved after a contentious County Board meeting last year, do not require competition.
Arlington Streetcar: Desire or Disaster?
County residents are divided on the value of installing streetcars on Columbia Pike.
The $250 million Arlington streetcar is moving full speed ahead, with federal officials on the verge of announcing whether or not the project will be partially funded by Uncle Sam.
Alexandria City Public Schools Administration Costs $3.6 million a Year
Administrators pull down competitive salaries for Northern Virginia.
In the classic Depression era tune "Nice Work if You Can Get It," Ira Gershwin describes "a man who only lives for making money" as one who "lives a life that isn't necessarily sunny." Here in Alexandria, the sun is not always shining on the Alexandria Public Schools central administration headquarters on Beauregard Street. But it is raining cash.
What to Call the Corridor: Is it Route 1 or Richmond Highway?
Politics of language reveals deep divisions about a shady past and an uncertain future.
William Shakespeare’s Juliet once famously asked, “What’s in a name?” Her question was based on a feud between warring families. But here in Mount Vernon, two warring factions are divided about a different name — the major highway that runs from the Beltway to the Occoquan River.
Governor Approves Conditional Budget for Medicaid Expansion
Vote-swapping operation traded transportation votes for Medicaid money.
Half a million uninsured Virginians may be eligible for Medicaid under an agreement now being worked out in Richmond — a deal in which Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell agreed to include Medicaid expansion as part of the budget if Senate Democrats supported a transportation package.
Parents Rally to Save FACE as Alexandria School Board Considers Budget Cuts
Board members must close a $3 million gap before sending budget to City Hall.
Dozens of parents appeared before members of the Alexandria School Board last week with a simple plea — save FACE.
Cloud Hangs Over Troubled Alexandria School As Governor Considers Takeover
Future of Jefferson-Houston is in doubt, even as state and local leaders strike new agreement.
Even as central administrators in Alexandria have finally entered into a memorandum of understanding with state leaders to turn around a troubled school, Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is considering legislation that would seize control from local leaders.
Alexandria City Council Rezones Waterfront Despite Massive Opposition
Six-to-one vote opens the door to higher density and overturns longstanding ban on hotels.
Members of the Alexandria City Council cast what may become one of the most important votes in their career last weekend, approving a controversial zoning change that would triple density at three sites slated for redevelopment compared to what’s there now.
Will Route 1 Corridor See Improvements as a Result of Transportation Agreement?
Playing the money game on Richmond Highway.
People in Mount Vernon have been talking about widening Route 1 for decades.
How Much Money Does Your School Administrator Make?
Alexandria school system has some of the highest paid administrators in the region.
The administrator in the corner office at your local school is sitting pretty with a six-figure paycheck.
Arlington County to Reconsider Financial Commitment to Artisphere
A new sphere of influence at the government-owned arts center.
The future of Artisphere will be either a masterpiece or a dud — opening up the Rosslyn space to an uncertain future.
Week in Alexandria
What’s the difference between a map amendment and a text amendment?
Council Notebook
Want to know how much city officials are going to charge you for the privilege of living in Alexandria? Check the advertisements.
List of Rejected Budget Cuts Reveals Thinking Behind Budget Proposal
Cuts that were cut may become key as budget season moves forward.
Imagine a world without school crossing guards or security screening at the courthouse — a city so strapped for cash it closes one of its fire stations and eliminates life insurance for its retired workers.
State May Takeover Struggling Alexandria School After Decade of Failure
Increasing pressure for progress at Jefferson-Houston School.
A decade of efforts to improve Jefferson-Houston School have failed, and now state leaders are increasing pressure on Alexandria City Public School leaders to turnaround the turnaround.
Alexandria City Council Poised to Rezone Waterfront
City manager declines to talk about developers interested in the waterfront.
Can City Manager Rashad Young name any developer who is interested in the waterfront?
Alexandria Police Shield Information on Officer-Involved Shooting
Law-enforcement officials use exemption to withhold incident report.
Why did Alexandria police officers kill Taft Sellars?
Neighbors Press Hybla Valley Walmart to Install Wheel Locks on Shopping Carts
Cleanup crews say carts clog Little Hunting Creek.
Betty Scutt pushes her shopping cart through a ragged parking lot of the Walmart on Richmond Highway in Hybla Valley.
Development Money At Issue As Arlington Prepares For Fiscal Year 2014
Residents say the county is too willing to accept density at their expense.
Hold your wallets. It’s that time of year again.
Beauregard Waiting Game: Half the Affordable Housing Units Are a Decade Away
Supporters of the plan praise set-aside units; opponents fear complacency and inaction.
For the thousands of people who live in low-slung garden apartments on the West End, the future is an ever-present worry.
Wrecking Ball Budget Includes Four New Schools in the Coming Decade
Three elementary schools to be demolished; one new school at a site to be determined.
Over the course of the next decade, Alexandria school superintendent Morton Sherman wants to spend $357 million in an ambitious plan of demolition and construction - replacing existing facilities with new buildings and adding a new school.
Expanding the First Aid Battlefield Toward Mental Health
Legislators to consider $2 million for Mental Health First Aid.
The idea of first aid dates back to Order of St. John, a medieval society of knights that offered training in how to treat common battlefield injuries.