The Alexandria Brief: Friday, January 23
Governor declares state of emergency ahead of weekend storm, Kay-Wyatt proposes $406.5 million ACPS budget, and a vacant Eisenhower Avenue office building will become 377 affordable apartments.
Good morning, Alexandria.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency Thursday ahead of a major winter storm expected to bring up to 15 inches of snow this weekend. Meanwhile, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt proposed a $406.5 million budget that could force “difficult decisions” if city funding falls short. And a building that’s sat empty for more than two decades is getting new life as affordable housing.
Here’s what you need to know.
1️⃣ Virginia declares state of emergency; up to 15 inches of snow possible this weekend
Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency Thursday ahead of a major winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to Virginia beginning Saturday and lasting through Monday morning.
“Our top priority is the safety of every Virginian,” Spanberger said. “State agencies are mobilized, and we are working closely with local governments and utility partners. Everyone should stay informed, avoid travel when possible, and take precautions to protect themselves and their families.”
The National Weather Service strengthened its language overnight Friday, saying a major winter storm is now “expected” after characterizing it as “possible” just a day earlier. The winter storm watch remains in effect from Saturday evening through Monday morning.
2️⃣ Kay-Wyatt proposes $406.5 million ACPS budget for FY 2027
Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt proposed a $406.5 million budget for fiscal year 2027 at Thursday’s School Board meeting, warning that limited city funding could force “difficult decisions, including potential reductions to programs and staff.”
The proposed operating budget of $374.5 million represents a 3.7% increase over the current fiscal year. According to the district, the plan focuses on ACPS’s first collectively bargained agreements with employee unions, staff recruitment and retention, and services for English Learners and students with disabilities.
“This budget is not just numbers on a page,” Kay-Wyatt told the board. “It represents people.”
3️⃣ Mayor proposes February primary for possible Council vacancy to align special election with April referendum
Mayor Alyia Gaskins said Thursday she is working with City Council colleagues to consolidate city-run special elections this spring to avoid spending $150,000 on multiple election days, a plan that would require holding a City Council Democratic primary as soon as February if Councilman Kirk McPike wins his House of Delegates race.
Speaking at a Rosemont Citizens Association meeting, Gaskins outlined the timing challenge: McPike won a Democratic party-run firehouse primary for House District 5 on January 20 and faces Republican Mason Butler in the February 10 state-run general election. If McPike wins, he will resign from the Council, triggering a city-run special election.
Under Alexandria’s charter, the city must hold that special election within 40 to 60 days of the vacancy. But Virginia will also hold a statewide referendum on redistricting on April 21.
4️⃣ Vacant Alexandria office building to become 377 affordable apartments
A 600,000-square-foot office building that has sat vacant for more than two decades will be converted into 377 affordable housing units under a partnership between the city, developer Stonebridge, and Amazon’s housing fund, the partners announced Thursday.
The building at 5001 Eisenhower Ave. was constructed in 1973 for the U.S. Army Materiel Command, according to the city. The Army relocated to Fort Belvoir in 2003, and the building has remained empty since, contributing roughly 3% to Alexandria’s overall office vacancy rate.
5️⃣ Lineberry makes her case for Senate District 39: ‘I want to win the seat’
Republican Julie Robben Lineberry says she wants to win the Senate District 39 special election — but acknowledges the math is against her.
“I’m no Pollyanna to politics,” Lineberry said Thursday in a live conversation with The Alexandria Brief. “I didn’t think, oh my gosh, I’m going to come in here and flip a Democratic seat that’s been a Democratic seat for... well, long ago.”
Lineberry, a longtime Alexandria resident and retired realtor, is running against Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker in the Feb. 10 special election to fill the seat being vacated by Sen. Adam Ebbin.
Read the full story, watch, and/or listen
6️⃣ ACHS senior featured in New York Times for college essay on preserving Black history
Alexandria City High School senior Zhi McMillan was featured in the New York Times this month for a college application essay about his work preserving the history of an African American cemetery.
McMillan was one of several students profiled in a Jan. 13 article examining how high school seniors are navigating college essays amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity initiatives. While many students told the Times they were avoiding topics related to race, gender, or immigration status, McMillan chose to write about his identity.
7️⃣ Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen Bar lands spot on Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants list
An Alexandria eatery with roots tracing back to the Waldorf Astoria has earned a place among the nation’s best restaurants, according to Yelp’s annual ranking.
Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen Bar secured the No. 100 spot on Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants 2026, the review platform’s 13th annual list announced Tuesday, highlighting the highest-reviewed dining establishments across the country.
8️⃣ More from The Alexandria Brief
The following stories are also new since our last newsletter.
Rosemont Citizens Association votes to expand opposition to parking removal on Braddock Road
Alexandria City Council to consider regional transit plan, Potomac Yard Metro funding Tuesday
Free tax prep available for Alexandria residents earning up to $69,000
🗓️ Today in Alexandria
Winter Storm Watch in effect from Jan. 24, 7 PM until Jan. 26, 7 AM
Cold Weather Advisory in effect from Jan. 23, 8 PM until Jan. 24, 10 AM
Partly sunny today, with a high near 43. Light northwest wind increasing to 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as low as -5. Blustery, with a north wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Sunrise at 7:20 a.m., sunset at 5:19 p.m. There will be 9 hours & 58 minutes of sun.
Events & Things To Do
All Day: Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week throughout Alexandria
All Day: Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week throughout Alexandria
Live Music & Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: Karaoke and Second Sun Band at 8:30 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Timmie Metz Band at 9 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s: Run For Cover at 9:30 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Mr. Hentry and Side Hustle at 8 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Adam Knudsen at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: Matt Benden at 7 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Rook Richards and Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Chay Vicious at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: Devotion: An Earth, Wind & Fire Experience at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Lights Out By 8 at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria
Government: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash & Waste Collection: 1-day slide
6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center
8:30 a.m.: Health and Safety Coordinating Committee
10:45 a.m.: CYFCC Ad Hoc Meeting with City Council Member at Cameron Cafe
4:30 p.m.: Commission for Women Executive Meeting (virtual)
5:30 p.m.: Legislative Subcommittee Meeting (virtual via Zoom)
6 p.m.: Tavern Games Night: Bicentennial Mania at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
Alexandria City Public Schools
All Day: Professional Learning Day - No school for students
Find the ACHS sports calendar here.
Alexandria Library
All day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
All day: Winter Lego Building Contest
10:15 a.m.: Baby Storytime at Burke Branch Library
11 a.m.: Downsizing: Moving to a Smaller Home at Beatley Central Library
2 p.m.: Musical Movement at Burke Branch Library
3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday! at Burke Branch Library
📰 Extra! Extra!
On this day in Alexandria history - January 23, 1866: An act was passed by the City Council to establish a paid City Fire Department for Alexandria. (Historic Alexandria)
“As Alexandria prepares for a high-impact winter storm this coming weekend, student anticipation of school closure is high. However, due to the ACPS inclement weather policy, traditional snow days may be a thing of the past”. (Theogony)
Two former Alexandria police officers are in the news - Former assistant chief Easton McDonald has been chosen as Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s next chief, and Courtney Ballantine, who served for 25 years, has been named chief at Georgetown University Police Department.
The Law Enforcement Professionals Ball, a “formal event celebrating the dedication and service of the military and civilian law enforcement and emergency services officials, both active and retired,” will take place at The Westin Alexandria Old Town on March 20. (US Army)
Congressman Don Beyer on Thursday opposed both pieces of the FY26 appropriations “minibus”. (Beyer)
A bill sponsored by Del. Charniele Herring is working its way through the General Assembly and will solidify the body's ability to put the state into RGGI and set up the market cap trade process. (Virginia Mercury)
A bill sponsored by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker would provide free breakfast to K-12 students. (Virginia Mercury)