Daily Brief: Friday, November 7
ACPS superintendent proposes $340 million capital budget for aging facilities; Conservative group files civil rights complaint against Alexandria over equity policies; and more.
Good morning, Alexandria. Welcome to The Alexandria Brief. I’m Ryan Belmore, and I’ll be bringing you essential Alexandria news every weekday morning.
Here’s what you need to know for Friday, November 7, 2025.
Essentials
Weather: Increasing clouds today, with a high near 64 degrees. South wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Showers are likely tonight, mainly before 3 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 54 degrees. South wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%—new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible.
On Tap This Weekend: Alexandria Film Festival, Suds & Shells, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, live music, entertainment, and much more.
1️⃣ ACPS CIP Budget
Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt presented a proposed $340.4 million Capital Improvement Program budget for fiscal years 2027-2036 at Thursday’s school board meeting, outlining a decade-long strategy to address aging infrastructure and prepare for shifting enrollment patterns.
The 10-year capital plan includes $27.9 million for fiscal year 2027 and focuses primarily on maintaining school facilities and addressing capacity needs as the district works to balance middle school enrollments across its system, according to district documents.
ACPS superintendent proposes $340 million capital budget for aging facilities
Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt presented a proposed $340.4 million Capital Improvement Program budget for fiscal years 2027-2036 at Thursday’s school board meeting, outlining a decade-long strategy to address aging infrastructure and prepare for shifting enrollment patterns.
2️⃣ Potomac Yard flexibility
The Planning Commission voted 6-0-1 Thursday night to approve three amendments shifting more than 1 million square feet from office to residential use in South Potomac Yard’s final blocks, while embracing staff’s recommendation to replace use-by-use density caps with a single 6.1 million square foot maximum that can be any mix of uses.
I watched the meeting live and will have further reporting on this throughout the day.
3️⃣ “All Alexandria Resolution”
A conservative legal organization has filed a federal civil rights complaint against the city, alleging its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies violate federal anti-discrimination laws.
America First Legal Foundation filed the complaint on Wednesday with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, claiming Alexandria’s “All Alexandria Resolution” and related programs constitute unlawful racial discrimination under Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
4️⃣ Affordable rentals
Thirty-six affordable rental units are currently available in Alexandria, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments, according to the city’s Nov. 4 update.
The units are reserved for low- and moderate-income households earning 30% to 80% of the area median income, with rents ranging from $1,458 to $2,558 per month.
5️⃣ Coming up for City Council
The Alexandria City Council will address budget planning and transportation issues during its legislative meeting on Tuesday.
The council will consider establishing guidance for the FY 2027 budget and adopting the process for developing the operating budget and 10-year capital improvement program. City Manager James Parajon will deliver an oral report on the state of the economy.
Extra Extra!
Alexandria City Council will consider accepting an archaeological collection from the Colross estate site during its legislative meeting next week. (The Alexandria Brief)
The Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) announced Thursday it has completed its relocation from 320 South Henry Street in Alexandria to North Palm Beach, Florida. (The Alexandria Brief)
BAR approved alterations and signage at 111 N. Pitt St. for Finn & Fire, a new restaurant replacing Kismet in the Tavern Square complex. Architect Scott McGee described the business as “kind of a surf and turf” restaurant. (The Alexandria Brief)
The Carpenter’s Shelter needs men’s and women’s thermals (Size Medium to 3XL) and handwarmers for their clients at David’s Place and Winter Shelter. Drop Off: 930 North Henry St., Alexandria, VA 22314. (Carpenter’s Shelter/X)
Virginia lawmakers have advanced a $400 million transit funding plan (Virginia Mercury)
Save The Date: The City invites the community to join Mayor Alyia Gaskins and a host of holiday friends at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 22, at 6 p.m. in Market Square. (City of Alexandria)
A Flood Resilience Plan Community Meeting will be held on Monday, November 10. The meeting will include a presentation summarizing the feedback received from the flood survey, draft flood model results, and community vulnerability analysis, a Q&A, and the opportunity to provide input on how flooding impacts the community, according to the city. (City of Alexandria)
“A 21-year-old machinist at Alexandria’s Naval Torpedo Factory named Robert De Shazo Jr. made the first commercially successful autopen, modernizing the design of a 1930s device called the Robot Pen”. (Washingtonian)
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) is among the senators who have introduced the Securing Assurance for Federal Employees (SAFE) Act, legislation that explicitly prohibits the federal government from carrying out reductions in force (RIFs) during a lapse in appropriations. The bill would also reverse RIF actions taken during the current government shutdown. (Senator Warner)
BAR’s Preliminary Docket for its November 19 meeting has been published. (City of Alexandria)
The Board of Zoning Appeals docket for its November 10 meeting has been published. (City of Alexandria)
Investor purchases in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area dropped to 6.3% of home sales in the second quarter — among the lowest of the 50 largest U.S. metros — down from 9% a year earlier. (Realtor.com)