The Alexandria Brief: Tuesday, Dec. 16
Zoning lawsuit plaintiffs signal appeal; city seeks housing feedback; Del Ray honors its stars; Alexandria remembers McArthur Myers
Good morning, Alexandria. I’m Ryan Belmore, founder and publisher of The Alexandria Brief.
The zoning lawsuit saga continues as plaintiffs signal an appeal after clearing their legal bills. Meanwhile, the city wants your input on affordable housing strategies and your help filling dozens of board seats. Plus, Del Ray celebrated its community champions, and a beloved local historian is being honored across town.
Here’s what you need to know today.
1️⃣ Starting the week in Alexandria
Bundle up, Alexandria. Tuesday will be sunny but cold, with a high near 38 degrees and calm winds. Tonight will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 27 degrees.
It’s a busy day around town. The West End Business Association kicks off early with its annual breakfast meeting at Silver Diner, while the Old Town North Alliance holds its annual meeting at Hotel AKA Alexandria. City Hall is buzzing with public meetings, including the Waterfront Commission, Human Rights Commission, Budget & Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee, and Commission for the Arts. The School Board meets for its second Capital Improvement Program work session. And residents can weigh in on Alexandria’s 2026 legislative priorities at a pre-legislative town hall at 7 p.m. at Minnie Howard Campus.
Looking for something festive? Ice & Lights: The Winter Village opens at Cameron Run at 5 p.m., Lost Boy Cider is hosting a holiday cookie decorating class, and the Lyceum is offering late-night holiday shopping followed by an Irish Christmas concert. For live music, Mac McAnally takes the stage at The Birchmere at 7:30 p.m.
2️⃣ Zoning fight might not be over
The Coalition for a Livable Alexandria has cleared $45,000 in legal fees in just three weeks, triggering a deal with law firm Dunn, Craig & Francuzenko to forgive the remaining $41,000 of $86,000 in outstanding bills. The fundraising success clears the way for a potential appeal after Judge H. Thomas Padrick Jr. ruled in the city’s favor last month, dismissing the lawsuit challenging the City Council’s 2023 Zoning for Housing initiative. Under Virginia law, plaintiffs have until Dec. 26 to file a notice of appeal.
The lawsuit, filed in January 2024 with 10 plaintiffs, has seen significant attrition. The coalition itself was dismissed for lack of standing, and four individual plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew this year. Court records indicate the remaining plaintiffs include Phylius Burks, David Rainey, Joshua Carias Porto, John E. Craig, and Joyce Pastore.
3️⃣ Del Ray honors community leaders, caps record year of giving
The Del Ray Business Association celebrated the neighborhood’s biggest contributors at its annual Holiday Luncheon on Monday, presenting Star Awards to five community members and a $10,000 check to ALIVE! from the 10th Annual Candy Cane Bar Crawl. Real estate leader Jen Walker received lifetime achievement recognition for nearly 30 years of shaping Del Ray’s identity — founding Cinema Del Ray, sponsoring the Halloween parade and Best Decorated Home contest, and backing countless community initiatives. “If it wasn’t for Jen believing in our many early projects 30 years ago, I believe Del Ray wouldn’t be what it is today,” said Gayle Reuter, who presented the award.
Other honorees included Jeff Wallingford of Taqueria Poblano (Outstanding Business), Sgt. Matt O’Malley of the Alexandria Police Department (City Star), volunteer Eva Hartman (Citizen Star), and Alexandria City High School senior Sebastian, who has logged more than 300 volunteer hours since August (Student Star). DRBA President Lauren Fisher opened by noting several attendees were absent, having gone to pay respects at the funeral of McArthur Myers.
4️⃣ City seeks input on affordable housing, condo strategies
The city’s Housing 2040 initiative is accepting public feedback on two sets of draft recommendations aimed at preserving affordable housing and strengthening condominium communities. Comments will be accepted through Jan. 4 and will help shape a second draft planned for mid to late February. Residents can submit feedback through online forms available in English, Spanish, and Amharic on the city’s website.
The feedback period comes as Alexandria grapples with a steep decline in affordable housing. The city has lost nearly two-thirds of its naturally affordable units since 2000 — some 11,000 apartments that once housed working families are now priced beyond their reach. Another 900 subsidized affordable units face expiring commitments by 2040 if their affordability isn’t extended. In November, housing officials unveiled a 40-strategy plan to address the crisis, though many key tenant protections require state legislative approval and funding sources remain uncertain.
5️⃣ Remembering McArthur Myers
Alexandria is honoring beloved local historian and community activist McArthur Myers, who passed away on Dec. 4, with a week of remembrance. Funeral services were held on Monday at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Through Dec. 21, residents are invited to pay tribute by placing small bouquets of flowers at some of the many historic markers Myers championed throughout the city. An interactive map on the city’s website shows all the marker locations.
Myers dedicated his life to ensuring Alexandria’s African American history — good and bad — would be told throughout the city. As a member of the African American Heritage Trail Committee, he led the creation of two waterfront trails illuminating the history of the Black community over several centuries. He worked tirelessly to ensure the city’s lynching victims, Benjamin Thomas and Joseph McCoy, would never be forgotten, and partnered with RiverRenew to install new interpretation signs at the Alexandria African American Heritage Park.
Extra Extra!
The Alexandria Transportation Commission will consider grant applications totaling more than $60 million at its Wednesday meeting, including funding to make Metrobus rides free for middle and high school students. (The Alexandria Brief)
Alexandria City Council is seeking applicants to fill 78 vacancies across 32 of the city’s more than 70 boards and commissions, with applications due Jan. 2. (The Alexandria Brief)
The City of Alexandria has rolled out a redesigned Alex311 portal, with an updated mobile app set to follow on Dec. 22. (The Alexandria Brief)
Construction is set to begin this month on a long-awaited project to address flooding at Douglass Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria’s largest African American burial ground. The city will hold a pre-construction meeting today at 2:30 p.m. at the cemetery, 1421 Wilkes St. (The Alexandria Brief)
Alexandria menorah lighting brings light and unity after the Sydney attack. (DC News Now)
On Dec. 9, the ACHS girls’ varsity basketball team secured its first win of the 2025-26 winter sports season, defeating the Wakefield High School Warriors 51-45. (Theogony)
Starting January 2026, the DASH City Hall/Market Sq stop (ID: 4000820) at N Fairfax St & King St will be relocated around the corner to 302 King Street (across from Coldwell Banker Realty). This temporary move will be in place through early 2028, during the renovation of City Hall/Market Square.
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High schoolers on the A28 are already acting like Metrobus is free.