The Alexandria Brief: Thursday, Dec. 18
French bakery fills Foxtrot space, school board votes on capital plan, and Beyer introduces parkway safety bill
Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Thursday, December 18, the 352nd day of the year. There are 13 days left in 2025.
On this day in 1900, a cave-in caught several men working on the extension of Southern Railway tracks around Hunting Creek. Most escaped serious injury, but one suffered a broken collarbone. A hundred twenty-five years later, Alexandria is still reshaping itself — this time with a 10-year school construction plan, City Hall renovations, and a new French bakery on King Street.
Here’s what you need to know today.
~ Ryan
Do you have a story idea, news tip, or a delicious recipe I should know about before I host Christmas Eve dinner? Hit reply or email me at ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
1️⃣ Maman opens, rain moves in, and Carbon Leaf plays the Birchmere
French bakery and cafe Maman opens its Old Town location today at 701 King St., filling the space left vacant when Foxtrot closed earlier this year. The first 100 guests in line when doors open at 8 a.m. will receive a branded tote bag and a nutty chocolate chip cookie with purchase. Starting at 1 p.m., the first 50 guests get a flower with purchase.
On the weather front, today starts mild with a high near 55 degrees, but rain arrives after 3 p.m. and intensifies overnight with gusty winds up to 39 mph. Expect a half to three-quarters of an inch by morning.
For entertainment, Carbon Leaf plays the Birchmere at 7:30 p.m., Ice & Lights continues at Cameron Run, and trivia nights run across town at Port City, Lost Boy Cider, Aslin, and Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe. The Tall Ship Providence hosts a shanty sing-along at 8 p.m. Alexandria’s libraries have a packed schedule, from line dancing and a “Knives Out” sequel screening to a wreath-making workshop and Dungeons and Dragons.
2️⃣ School board to vote on capital plan that defers Cora Kelly, converts Jefferson-Houston
The Alexandria City School Board will vote tonight on a 10-year, $282.3 million capital plan that defers the Cora Kelly School modernization from 2028 to 2036 and converts Jefferson-Houston to a middle school to address overcrowding.
The board advanced the plan in a 6-3 vote on Tuesday. It comes in under the city manager’s $285.8 million spending guidance and well below the superintendent’s original $340.4 million proposal. The Jefferson-Houston and Patrick Henry conversions, which cost roughly $39.7 million combined, aim to relieve George Washington Middle School, which operates at 126 percent capacity.
The board will also vote on naming athletic fields after former Mayor Kerry Donley and NFL player Keith Burns following a public hearing that drew strong community support.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at 1340 Braddock Place.
3️⃣ City launches Business Passport Program to spotlight Duke Street corridor
Alexandria is launching a Business Passport Program in January to encourage residents to visit small businesses along Duke Street as the city updates the corridor’s land use plan for the first time since 1992.
The program runs through September 2026 and is open to businesses within a half mile of Duke Street. Participating businesses will display a QR code for customers to scan and check in. The five visitors who hit the most stops win a $25 gift card.
The initiative comes as the city plans for the corridor’s future, home to roughly 600 small businesses and the 2,100-unit Foxchase development. In a summer poll, 51 percent of business owners said retaining small businesses was a top priority, while traffic and congestion ranked as the biggest barrier.
Business owner workshops are scheduled Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. and Jan. 16 at 5 p.m.
4️⃣ Beyer bill would let Park Service keep G.W. Parkway speed camera revenue
Rep. Don Beyer introduced legislation this week that would allow speed camera fines on the George Washington Memorial Parkway to fund safety improvements on the road where they’re collected, rather than flowing to a federal crime victims fund.
A 2021 Park Service study found drivers on the parkway routinely travel 8 to 12 mph over the speed limit and recommended automated enforcement. But the agency lacked authority to keep the revenue — until now. Beyer’s bill would let the Park Service spend fine money directly on road maintenance, camera installation and parking facilities without waiting for Congress to appropriate funds.
The legislation comes after a state bill that would have let Virginia police enforce traffic laws on the federally owned parkway died in a House committee earlier this year.
5️⃣ City Hall services relocating in January ahead of major renovation
Alexandria will complete the relocation of remaining City Hall offices by January as the city prepares for significant renovations to the 100-year-old building and Market Square.
The City Manager’s Office, Mayor and City Council offices, City Clerk and Planning and Zoning will move to Tavern Square at 421 King St. City Council chambers will relocate to the Del Pepper Resource Center at 4850 Mark Center Dr., with the first meeting there set for Jan. 13.
The Old Town Farmers’ Market will temporarily move to the 100 block of North Royal Street and the Tavern Square courtyard. Some services will be paused or offered only virtually during the mid-January transition.
Extra Extra!
Find seasonal information on holiday happenings in Alexandria, gifts and decorations, charitable giving opportunities, safety tips, how to make your holiday “greener,” and more. (City of Alexandria)
Alexandria police arrested one woman and are searching for two others after a robbery on King Street last week. The entire incident was captured on camera. (WUSA9)
A Brown University student from Alexandria has returned home to Northern Virginia following a deadly shooting on campus. (DC News Now)
Learn the history of Alexandria, Virginia. (Fox 5)
Gretchen Bulova, director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, walks through Alexandria, Virginia, discussing its planned programming for America’s 250th commemorations. (Fox 5)
Speaking of Bulova, she was nominated by voters on Tuesday as the Democratic Candidate in Virginia HD-11. (WTOP)
On Capitol Hill
From the offices of Alexandria’s congressional delegation:
Senator Warner joined colleagues in urging the FCC to reverse a proposal that would weaken broadband price transparency labels for consumers. He and Sen. Tim Kaine applauded Senate passage of the ROTOR Act, aviation safety legislation responding to the January crash near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people. Warner also welcomed a CMS proposal making it easier for Medicare Advantage enrollees to switch plans when their doctor leaves their network. And the Senate passed the Intelligence Authorization Act, which Warner said provides resources for the intelligence community while maintaining oversight. (Sen. Warner)
Senator Kaine and Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., introduced the Student Loan Tax Elimination Act to remove “origination fees” charged on federal student loans. “Student loan debt is holding Virginia families and the overall economy back,” Kaine said. He also applauded Senate passage of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes provisions he secured to support servicemembers and their families and boost Virginia’s defense industry. Kaine and Sen. Warner welcomed Senate passage of the ROTOR Act, aviation safety legislation responding to the January crash near Reagan National that killed 67 people. (Sen. Kaine)
Rep. Beyer introduced the Parkway Safety and Reinvestment Act, which would allow speed camera revenue on the George Washington Memorial Parkway to fund safety improvements and maintenance rather than flowing to a federal crime victims fund. He also joined bipartisan leaders of the Joint Economic Committee in requesting information from federal agencies on efforts to crack down on overseas scam networks, which cost Americans an estimated $10 billion last year. (Rep. Beyer)