Daily Brief | June 9

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Tuesday, June 9 — the 160th day of 2026, with 205 days left in the year. This newsletter is now serving 5,951 Alexandrians, 263 of whom keep it free for the other 5,688. Thank you.

Tonight is the big one — two big ones, actually. The City Council legislative meeting at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center includes a City Manager briefing on the $135 million financing term sheet for the former Potomac River power plant redevelopment and the police chief's new five-pillar Public Safety Plan. Closed executive session at 6:15 p.m., regular meeting at 7 p.m. At the same time, the Alexandria City School Board holds an add/delete work session on its FY 2027 budget at the School Board Meeting Room beginning at 6 p.m. — the working session that will shape Thursday's final budget adoption vote.

In today's news: Mayor Alyia Gaskins, members of City Council, and developers broke ground Monday on Aspect, the first residential community at the former Landmark Mall site — a milestone nearly four years in the making for one of the largest projects in the city's history. The ACHS PTSA's year-end newsletter is raising alarm over the city's W. Braddock Road safety study and claims ACPS was not consulted, but city records show ACPS staff helped produce the 2023 audit the study is built on. And Spice Kraft swept the top judges' and people's choice prizes at Sunday's 17th Annual Taste of Del Ray.

A few notes for the rest of the week: Wednesday afternoon and evening, expect heavy traffic on W. Braddock Road near Episcopal High School from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a ticketed event. Thursday is the day the school board adopts its final FY 2027 budget. Friday is the last day of school for Alexandria City Public Schools students, ending the 2025-26 school year. And Sails on the Potomac and ALX Jazz Fest arrives at the Old Town waterfront Friday through Sunday.

Here's what you need to know today.

Thanks for reading,

- Ryan Belmore

1️⃣ City officials, developers break ground on Aspect at former Landmark Mall site

An aerial rendering of the completed WestEnd Alexandria district, with the Aspect residential buildings and central plaza at center. Aspect will be the first residential community delivered at the 52-acre former Landmark Mall site. (Rendering courtesy of Foulger Pratt / City of Alexandria)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins and city officials broke ground Monday on Aspect, the first residential community to anchor the long-planned redevelopment of the former Landmark Mall, marking a milestone in one of the largest projects in the city's history.

"Today, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the Aspect, which is the first residential community on site," Gaskins wrote on social media. In a separate video posted June 8, she said the moment comes nearly four years after demolition began at the site.

W. Braddock Road in front of Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, part of the corridor the city is studying for safety and access changes. (Google Street View)

A year-end newsletter to Alexandria City High School families has put a spotlight on the city's W. Braddock Road and N. Howard Street safety study, relaying concerns from what it calls some school staff and community members that lane changes could worsen congestion and slow emergency response, and stating that the city did not consult Alexandria City Public Schools during the project's development. The city's own records complicate that account and show ACPS staff helped produce the 2023 audit the study is built on.

The ACHS PTSA's June 8 "Celebrating Our Titans" edition urges families to comment through the city's online feedback form, open through July 3, and publishes a letter from PreeAnn Johnson, the acting administrator of the Minnie Howard Campus, opposing the project. Outgoing PTSA President Missy Estabrook said Johnson's letter was first written about a different segment of Braddock Road — the eastern stretch near the Metro, where the city has approved removing turn lanes and parking — but that Johnson asked it run to register her opposition to all phases of the city's Braddock Road work, including in front of the Minnie Howard Campus.

3️⃣ City warns of traffic near Episcopal High School for Wednesday event

The city is warning residents to expect heavier-than-usual traffic near Episcopal High School on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

The advisory covers the 3900 block of W. Braddock Road from about 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 10, citing a ticketed event at the school. The city is urging residents who live in or travel through the area to allow extra time, and said officers from the Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County police departments will help manage traffic.

4️⃣ Spice Kraft sweeps both top prizes at 2026 Taste of Del Ray

Restaurant teams and award winners gather with their certificates at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray, held Sunday, June 7, at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields. The sold-out food festival drew top Del Ray restaurants competing for judges' choice and people's choice honors. (Del Ray Business Association)

Spice Kraft swept the top honors at the 2026 Taste of Del Ray, winning first place in both the judges' choice and people's choice categories, the Del Ray Business Association announced.

The restaurant's butter chicken pot pie and avocado bhel chaat earned the No. 1 spot from both the event's judge and the festival's attendees, who cast votes on their favorite bites.

Two major civic meetings tonight, a tall ships festival this weekend, and a packed week of Alexandria stories in between. If you find this newsletter useful, share it with a neighbor — local journalism grows when readers pass it along.

📰 In brief

The City Council's legislative meeting this evening carries a dense agenda spanning the city's economy, a major redevelopment financing proposal, a new policing framework and the first formal step toward adopting next year's budget. A closed executive session begins at 6:15 p.m., with the regular meeting set for 7 p.m. at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center. (The Alexandria Brief)

The City of Alexandria reminds taxpayers that the first half 2026 Real Estate tax, Refuse fee, and Stormwater Utility fee are due June 15, 2026. The calendar year 2026 Real Estate tax rate is $1.135 per $100 of assessed value. (City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria’s Office of Housing is continuing to accept applications for the affordable homeownership units at the Residences at Tidelock lottery. (City of Alexandria)

Governor Abigail Spanberger on Friday announced higher education board appointments that include two Alexandria residents: Jessica Killeen, a senior manager at Deloitte, was named to the James Madison University Board of Visitors, and Frank Conner, retired from Covington & Burling LLP, was named to the Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors. (Office of the Governor)

Region

A federal judge has approved a consent decree requiring Virginia election officials to accept certain voter registration applications submitted by college students, resolving a lawsuit that alleged students were being improperly denied registration over missing dormitory-related details. (Virginia Mercury)

Sports

Daylen Lile hit a go-ahead single in the ninth inning after CJ Abrams' tying base hit, and the Washington Nationals rallied against closer Keaton Winn to spoil Logan Webb's impressive outing and beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3 on Monday night. (The Alexandria Brief)

The Washington Nationals continue their series at San Francisco tonight at 9:45 p.m., looking to build on Monday's late-inning comeback win.

Caitlin Clark's 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left gave the Indiana Fever a 78-76 victory over the Washington Mystics on Monday night. (The Alexandria Brief)

The Alexandria Aces try to snap a two-game skid tonight on the road at the D.C. Grays, 7 p.m. at Robert J. Talbot Field at Catholic University.

Tonight's council meeting, Thursday's school board budget vote, weekend festivals, Croatia's World Cup base camp — covering Alexandria takes time. 263 readers fund this newsletter so every Alexandrian can read it free. If you'd like to support that work, join them with a monthly, annual, or one-time contribution.

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83 degrees. Light south wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning.

Tonight: A slight chance of showers after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68 degrees. South wind around 7 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 5:42 a.m., sunset at 8:32 p.m. 14 hours & 50 minutes of sun. High tide at 3:17 a.m. & 3:38 p.m. Low tide at 9:49 a.m. & 9:48 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Crescent.

🗓️ Things To Do

7 a.m.: Grand Opening of Live Alive Organic Cafe
6 p.m.: Queens on Kings Street June Social at Chadwicks
6:30 p.m.: Community Lodgings’ 2026 Annual Fundraiser: Under the Stars at ALX Community - Waterfront
7 p.m.: Dash Bracket Fighting Tournament at Continues Arcade
7 p.m.: Beer Yoga at Port City Brewing Company

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Justin Gillen Trio at 9 p.m.
Atlas Brew Works ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Cooper Mill: Music Bingo at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 6 p.m.
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Scott Kurt at 6 p.m.
Lost Dog Cafe: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pete Baker at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Trivia at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Commodore: Trivia at 7 p.m.
The Garden Del Ray: Trivia at 7 p.m.

🏛️ City of Alexandria

City Government: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time
6 a.m.: Chinquapin Pool Open at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center
8:30 a.m.: ARHA Planning and Development Committee Meeting at ARHA Board Room, 401 Wythe St.
8:45 a.m.: Supplemental Retirement Plan Pension Board Meeting at Lee Center
8:45 a.m.: Fire and Police Officers Pension Plan Board Meeting at Lee Center
4 p.m.: Minnie Howard Pool Open at Minnie Howard campus
4:15 p.m.: Commission on Employment Regular Meeting at Del Pepper Community Resource Center
4:30 p.m.: Old Town Pool Open at Old Town pool
5 p.m.: 2026 Flora K. Casey Public Health Award Ceremony at Del Pepper Community Resource Center
6 p.m.: Sister Cities 250th Planning Sub-committee at Lily's Chocolate and Coffee
6:15 p.m.: City Council Legislative Meeting at Del Pepper Community Resource Center
7 p.m.: Commission for Women Meeting at Redella "Del" Pepper Community Resource Center (hybrid)
7 p.m.: Alexandria Transit Company (ATC) Board Committee Meeting (virtual)
7 p.m.: Alexandria Community Remembrance Project Committee of Inquiry Meeting at Alexandria Black History Museum
(City of Alexandria calendar)

📚 Alexandria Library

10 a.m.: Twice Loved Plushies at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
10:15 a.m.: Family Storytime — Martes de niños at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
10:15 & 11:15 a.m.: Mr. Gabe at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
10:30 a.m.: Bilingual Storytime — Hora de cuentos bilingüe at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
10:30 a.m.: Story Time at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
11 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Time — La hora de los bebés y los niños at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
1 p.m.: Trans-Atlantic Book Club: Alexandria & Helsingborg — "The Games of Night" by Stig Dagerman at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
2 p.m.: Baby and Toddler Play Date at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
2 p.m.: Author Talk — "Eat Your Ice Cream" with Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel (virtual)
5 p.m.: Duncan and Dragons — Arkipeligo at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library (waitlist)
6:30 p.m.: Summer Teen Volunteer Orientation at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
(Alexandria Library calendar)

🏫 Alexandria City Public Schools

6 p.m.: School Board Work Session - Adjusted CF & CIP Add/Delete Work Session at School Board Meeting Room
6:30 p.m.: Budget Advisory Committee Meeting at ACHS Guidance Conference Room
(ACPS calendar)

Got a story idea, news the city should know, or a calendar event we missed? Send it to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.

The Alexandria Brief

Alexandria, Va., news and information you won't find anywhere else.

Publisher: Ryan Belmore, an Alexandria resident and journalist.