The Alexandria Brief: Wednesday, January 28
McPike resigns from council; Potomac Yard Metro hits $385 million; city manager calls ice storm worst in 30 years
Good morning, Alexandria. Councilman Kirk McPike announced his resignation last night, setting the clock for another special election. At the School Board, parents continued fighting proposed cuts to language programs while the teachers’ union signaled opposition to a healthcare cost shift. And City Manager Jim Parajon told council the ice storm required 20 passes on Duke Street and 300 dump trucks of ice hauled out of Old Town and Del Ray.
City offices and facilities open at 10 a.m. Circuit Court is closed. ACPS is virtual today.
Here's what you need to know today.
1️⃣ City digs out from worst ice storm in 30 years
Alexandria is entering a third day of disruptions as crews work around the clock to clear what City Manager Jim Parajon called the worst ice storm in 30 years. City offices and facilities open at 10 a.m. Circuit Court is closed.
Parajon told the council Tuesday night that the combination of 7 inches of snow followed by hours of sleet and freezing rain created solid ice that required more than 20 passes on Duke Street alone—compared to one or two in a typical storm. Crews hauled roughly 300 dump truck loads of ice out of Old Town and Del Ray, an unusual measure Parajon said hasn’t happened “in a long, long, long time.”
Primary roads are now 100% passable, but residential streets remain icy. A cold weather advisory is in effect until 11 a.m., with wind chills as low as 8 below zero. Another advisory kicks in at 7 p.m. through Thursday morning. There’s a 30% chance of more snow Saturday night.
ACPS is holding a virtual learning day—check Canvas or Clever by 8 a.m. for schedules. Trash collection is canceled Monday through Wednesday with no make-up runs.
Read more: City manager: Ice storm worst in 30 years, required 20+ passes on major roads | Mayor Gaskins addresses storm frustrations | ACPS goes virtual Wednesday
2️⃣ McPike resigns from council as early voting begins Saturday
Councilman Kirk McPike announced his resignation Tuesday night, effective Feb. 9—one day before the special election in which he’s the Democratic nominee for House District 5. He faces Republican Mason Butler.
McPike’s departure triggers another special election within 40 to 60 days. Two candidates have already announced: former Alexandria Democratic Committee chair Sandy Marks and Tim Laderach, chair of the Economic Opportunities Commission. Mayor Gaskins is working to align the council race with the April 21 redistricting referendum to save about $150,000.
Meanwhile, in the Senate District 39 race, Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker faces Republican Julie Robben Lineberry for the seat being vacated by Sen. Adam Ebbin.
Early voting runs Saturday through Feb. 7 at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 N. Royal St. The League of Women Voters is hosting a virtual candidate forum Sunday—SD39 at 1:30 p.m., HD5 at 2:45 p.m.
Read more: McPike announces resignation from City Council effective Feb. 9 | Early voting begins Saturday for Feb. 10 special elections | | League of Women Voters to host candidate forum Sunday
3️⃣ Parents, union push back on ACPS budget proposal
Opposition to proposed cuts to Latin and Chinese language programs continued at a virtual School Board budget hearing Tuesday night, while the teachers’ union signaled it will fight a proposed shift in healthcare costs.
The $406.5 million budget would eliminate two Latin teaching positions and one Chinese position at the district’s two middle schools. Latin would move entirely online; Chinese would shift to a hybrid model with one teacher covering both schools.
The Education Association of Alexandria is pushing for competitive pay—and no change to the current healthcare premium split. The budget proposes shifting 5% of premium costs from employer to employee, saving $2 million for salary increases under the district’s first collective bargaining agreement.
Board member Ryan Reyna noted that outside collective bargaining funds, the budget is essentially flat. The board adopts its budget on Feb. 19.
Read more: Parents, teachers continue push against language program cuts at ACPS budget hearing
4️⃣ DC region is the only major metro in America losing jobs
New federal data confirms what City Manager Jim Parajon warned about two weeks ago: the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area is the sole large U.S. metro experiencing job decline.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday that the region lost approximately 48,500 jobs over the past year—a 1.4% drop. Every other large metro in the country is either growing or flat. DC itself lost 32,400 jobs, a 4.2% plunge that gives it the nation’s highest unemployment rate at 6.7%.
Alexandria faces outsized risk. About 20% of the city’s workforce holds federal jobs—roughly 13,000 residents—compared to 12.5% regionwide. Signs of stress are already showing in the housing market: November home sales fell 11% while active listings jumped nearly 50%.
Parajon presents his proposed FY 2027 budget on Feb. 24.
Read more: Every major metro in America is adding jobs except the one Alexandria calls home
5️⃣ Council approves final $35 million for Potomac Yard Metro
City Council unanimously approved an additional $35 million Tuesday night to close out the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station project, bringing the total cost to $385 million.
WMATA notified the city last May that the budget was insufficient to cover outstanding change orders and contractor claims. The funding comes from the Potomac Yard Fund balance—generated by special tax district revenues—not the general fund. In exchange, the city receives a global settlement releasing it from all current and future claims. The station opened in May 2023.
Council also endorsed DMVMoves, a 25-year regional transit plan calling for $460 million in new annual Metro funding starting in fiscal year 2028. Virginia’s share would be $142 million; Alexandria’s specific contribution hasn’t been determined.
Read more: Potomac Yard Metro cost rises to $385 million after council approves final $35 million
🗓️ Today in Alexandria
Hazardous Weather Outlook | Cold Weather Advisory
Increasing clouds today, with a high near 23 degrees. Wind chill values as low as zero. Mostly cloudy tonight, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 7 degrees. Wind chill values as low as -2 degrees.
Sunrise at 7:17 a.m., sunset at 5:25 p.m. There will be 10 hours & 7 minutes of sun.
Things To Do
All Day: Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week throughout Alexandria
6 p.m.: Author Event: Ashley Elston in conversation with Elle Cosimano at The Lyceum
7 p.m.: Murphy’s Run Club at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Mantis at 8:30 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Pete Chauvette at 6 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Kenny Kohlhaas at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: Jesse Cook at 7:30 p.m. (Cancelled)
The Light Horse: Trivia at 7 p.m.
City of Alexandria
Government: Open at 10 a.m. | Flag: Full Staff | Trash & Waste Collection: Delayed
2 p.m.: Alexandria Community Policy & Management Team meeting (virtual)
4:30 p.m.: Commission for Women volunteer info session (virtual)
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
Alexandria City Public Schools
All day: Synchronous virtual learning for students
Find the ACHS sports calendar here.
Alexandria Library
10:30 a.m.: Stitcher’s Space at Burke Branch Library
10:30 a.m.: 1s and 2s Storytime at Beatley Central Library
11 a.m.: Just Babies storytime at Barrett Branch Library
2 p.m.: Ken Burns’ American Revolution watch party at Burke Branch Library
5:30 p.m.: English Language Learning conversation workshop at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: Knit Nite for ages 8-18 at Beatley Central Library
7 p.m.: Romance Book Club (virtual)
7 p.m.: Author talk with Liz Moore (virtual)
📰 In brief
Redistricting amendment struck down: A Tazewell County judge ruled Tuesday that the proposed constitutional amendment allowing mid-decade redistricting was improperly adopted, blocking the planned April 21 referendum. Democrats say they’ll appeal. The ruling could affect Alexandria’s plans—Mayor Gaskins had hoped to align the City Council special election with that date. Virginia Mercury
Bedroom fire on Merton Court: Firefighters responded to a garden apartment on Merton Court Tuesday night with smoke showing, according to Alexandria Firefighters Local 2141. Crews extinguished a bedroom fire. The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.
Warner, Kaine call DCA crash ‘preventable’: Virginia’s senators said Tuesday that the NTSB’s findings from its year-long investigation confirm the January 2025 midair collision that killed 67 people “should never have occurred.” They blamed an overstretched system, overwhelmed air traffic controllers, and the FAA's inaction on safety recommendations. The senators renewed calls to remove flight slots from Reagan National, saying the findings confirm long-standing concerns about squeezing more flights into constrained airspace.
Utility Resource Fair Saturday: The city is hosting a Utility Resource Fair on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. Virginia American Water, Dominion Energy, and AlexRenew will be on hand to discuss energy-saving strategies, assistance programs, and payment plan options.
Amazon Fresh closing Sunday: The Potomac Yard store at 3801 Richmond Highway will shutter after less than two years as the company closes all Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go locations nationwide. Amazon is shifting investment to Whole Foods.