The Alexandria Brief: Monday, January 26
Winter storm dumps 7 inches on Alexandria; city facilities closed Monday
Good morning, Alexandria. Hope you're staying warm.
The city is shut down, but there's still plenty of news from a busy weekend of digging out, city council action, and election updates.
Here's what you need to know.
1️⃣ Alexandria digs out; brutal cold ahead
A winter storm dumped 7 inches of snow on Alexandria over the weekend, and city officials are urging residents to stay off roads Monday as crews work to clear streets. All city facilities are closed, DASH buses are not running, and Metro is operating on a limited Sunday schedule. Trash collection has been pushed back one day for the rest of the week.
The cold isn’t letting up. Monday’s high will only reach 28°F, with overnight lows dropping to 4°F and wind chills as low as -3. Single-digit nights are expected through Friday. The winter warming shelter at 2355-A Mill Road is open around the clock until Wednesday morning.
Read more - Winter storm dumps 7 inches on Alexandria; city facilities closed Monday.
2️⃣ Two Democrats jump into race for potential Council vacancy
The race to succeed Councilman Kirk McPike is already taking shape — even though the seat isn’t vacant yet. Tim Laderach, an attorney, pharmacist, and Navy reservist, announced his candidacy Sunday, one day after former Alexandria Democratic Committee chair Sandy Marks became the first to enter the race. Both are running for the seat McPike would vacate if he wins the Feb. 10 House District 5 special election.
Laderach, a two-time Del Ray Citizens Association president who chairs the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission, is pitching “day one readiness” and a campaign built on being “in the room” for city decisions. Marks, who served two terms as ADC chair, is promising progressive leadership and the ability to hit the ground running. Mayor Alyia Gaskins said she hopes to announce the special election timeline this week, with plans to align the Council race with the April 21 redistricting referendum to save about $150,000. That would mean a firehouse primary in late February if multiple candidates seek the nomination.
Read more - Tim Laderach announces Alexandria City Council campaign and Marks first to announce Council bid ahead of potential McPike vacancy.
3️⃣ Council adopts green building standards after marathon debate
City Council approved a new Green Building Plan on Saturday that will require new multi-family residential buildings to meet an Energy Use Intensity target of 35, a compromise reached after more than three hours of testimony from 28 speakers and extended debate over how to balance climate goals with housing production. The plan makes Alexandria the most aggressive jurisdiction in Northern Virginia on building energy efficiency.
Staff had recommended an EUI of 38, while the Planning Commission pushed for 30. Councilman Canek Aguirre offered the substitute motion that split the difference, saying stricter targets were “very doable” for mid-rise buildings but less certain for high-rises. Environmental advocates argued efficient buildings protect residents from rising energy costs, while developers warned that overly ambitious targets could slow housing production. Mayor Alyia Gaskins acknowledged the difficult landing but said the city will revisit the standards in two years.
Read more - Council adopts Green Building Plan with compromise 35 EUI target.
4️⃣ Torpedo Factory search paused over 18th-century ship
City Council unanimously rejected the Torpedo Factory Art Center management RFP on Saturday, sending it back for revision after concerns that the solicitation failed to address a potentially transformative addition: an 18th-century ship hull being conserved for return to the city in 2028. The vessel was discovered during waterfront construction in 2015, and the city funded its conservation with the goal of eventually exhibiting it in Alexandria.
Ivy Whitlatch, chair of the Alexandria Archaeological Commission, told council that the RFP’s silence on the ship was a problem for potential bidders, since housing it in the Torpedo Factory could affect studio space, revenue, and renovation timelines. Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, who made the motion to reject, said including the ship could provide useful feedback even if bidders say they can’t accommodate it. Staff said the revised RFP could return within weeks.
Read more - Council delays Torpedo Factory operator search to address historic ship’s future.
5️⃣ More from The Alexandria Brief
Crooked Beat Records announced Saturday it will close its Del Ray location at the end of the month, less than two weeks after flooding damaged hundreds of vinyl records at the basement-level shop. Read more
The Alexandria Brief tracks Alexandria’s state legislators in Senate District 39 and House Districts 3, 4, and 5. Read more
Over the past few weeks, I’ve listened to a lot of rhetoric about the firehouse primary process. Publisher's Note: Don't blame the process. Change it.
The City of Alexandria has joined a coalition of 38 local governments urging a federal court to halt the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis-St. Paul, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Read more
The Alexandria Planning Commission will consider five development proposals at its Feb. 3 public hearing, ranging from a major townhome development seeking a time extension to an upscale bodybuilding gym with a rooftop workout area. Read more
Mayor Alyia Gaskins will take on a national leadership role as incoming vice chair of the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, a coalition of more than 550 mayors partnering with the No Kid Hungry campaign to expand children’s access to nutritious food. Read more
A bill by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria, to provide free breakfast to all K-12 students in Virginia is advancing through the General Assembly with bipartisan support. Read more
🗓️ Today in Alexandria
Mostly sunny, with a high near 28 degrees. Northwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 4 degrees. Wind chill values as low as -3. West wind 6 to 11 mph.
Sunrise at 7:18 a.m., sunset at 5:22 p.m. There will be 10 hours & 4 minutes of sun.
Events & Things To Do
All Day: Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week throughout Alexandria
9 a.m.: Monday Morning Coffee Club at Rosemont Cellar
6:30 p.m.: Joggers & Lagers at Port City Brewing Company
Live Music & Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant: Traditional Irish Music Session at 7 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Epicure on King: Open Mic at 7 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Jim West at 6 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Colby Sard at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria
Government: Closed | Flag: Full Staff | Trash & Waste Collection: 1-day slide
Closed due to weather:
Chinquapin Park
Minnie Howard
All Alexandria libraries
All city museums
City government facilities and courts
Cancelled:
City Council/School Board Subcommittee meeting
Landmark/Van Dorn Community Coalition meeting
Citizen Corps Council meeting
Environmental Policy Commission meeting
Postponed:
America250 Commemoration Kickoff at The Lyceum
Still on:
5 p.m. — Visit Alexandria Board of Governors meeting (virtual)
7 p.m. — Traffic and Parking Board meeting (virtual)
7 p.m. — Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority regular meeting
Alexandria City Public Schools
All Day: Teacher Work Day- No school for students
5 p.m.: CANCELLED: Joint City Council/School Board Subcommittee Meeting
Find the ACHS sports calendar here.
Alexandria Library
Closed due to inclement weather.
📰 Extra! Extra!
A plow truck overturned in the area of South Van Dorn Street and Eisenhower Avenue on Sunday, closing the road to traffic and knocking out power for several hours. (WTOP)
Alexandria record store closing after devastating flooding, seeking new location. (WTOP)
On this day in Alexandria history
On January 26, 1937, the Alexandria City Council approved a proposal by Dr. Robert South Barrett who offered to provide funds to the City to erect a public library in memory of his mother, Dr. Kate Waller Barrett. Previously, the Alexandria Library was a private subscription library with subscribers paying an annual membership fee. The site chosen for the new facility at 717 Queen Street had been used as a Quaker burial ground, but The Society of Friends granted a 99-year lease for use of its property as a site for the new building. The Alexandria Library Company then signed an agreement with City Council, turning over its collections to the City, and Council agreed to include operating expenses for the public library in its future operating budgets.