Alexandria's office vacancy falls to 18.8%, but Old Town's is rising
AEDP's mid-year report shows the city giving back 160,400 square feet while Northern Virginia absorbed 302,274. Carlyle remains the weakest submarket at 27.7%
Government & Politics
City Hall, elections and campaigns, budget and policy debates, development and zoning, transportation, and the decisions shaping Alexandria — local, regional, and state.
Alexandria resident named to lead Virginia's new digital service team
Andrea Fletcher, previously the first chief digital strategy officer at the federal Medicare and Medicaid agency, will oversee an effort to modernize state websites and vet technology contracts
Beyer criticizes ‘Republican price tag’ ahead of November midterm elections
Challengers say congressman hasn’t improved affordability despite long tenure, as race shapes up around voters’ fiscal strains
Police won't publish Flock camera locations and have no plans to shorten data retention
APD answered three questions from the Brief on Saturday, three days before council receives an update on the license plate reader program
EPA proposal could leave the public in the dark on data center plans
The EPA proposal would eliminate a federal requirement that states notify the public and seek comment before issuing air pollution permits for data centers and other industrial facilities.
City will launch recreation campaign at William Ramsay, with a new mural and a Friday night party
"Where You Belong" starts Sept. 18 at the West End center. The city describes it as both a new look and the start of a broader investment, without saying yet what that investment includes.
Council returns from recess Tuesday with Flock camera update, tax bill for furloughed federal workers
The first regular legislative meeting since June 23 also brings reports on the economy and City Hall construction, two Russell Road vacation ordinances and 15 contested board appointments
Postal Service work to comply with Trump's executive order is rushed, sloppy, whistleblower contends
The U.S. Postal Service is poised to launch a hastily built, error-riddled computer system that could jeopardize the process of mail voting relied upon by one-third of all voters, according to a whistleblower statement.
Federal judge effectively blocks new state law limiting Virginia’s cooperation with ICE
Existing immigration enforcement agreements may continue, but localities remain barred from joining the federal program for the first time.
Alexandria parking permits to be mailed by Friday after vendor delay
Mayor Alyia Gaskins said residents do not need to pick up a sticker in person, contrary to what their tax bills say. Current permits are valid through Nov. 15.
Unexpected asbestos pushes City Hall renovation back 10 weeks
Crews found it in the 1960s south façade and two interior courtyards. Completion is now expected in fall 2028, and the visible demolition starts this month.
Inside Virginia’s city halls, concerns, confusion rise with Flock surveillance protests
A VCIJ review of thousands of public records shows widespread misunderstanding and mistrust of Flock Safety – even inside city halls and police headquarters.
Developer to give Braddock West update at Sept. 9 meeting
Council approved a three-year extension in November. The 180-unit project has been approved since 2021.
City hires contractor for invasive species work in 11 parks this fall
Alexandria has also asked residents to stop clearing and trimming vegetation in parks on their own, saying unapproved work can interfere with restoration efforts.
Supreme Court lets White House continue construction on Trump’s $400 million ballroom
A divided Supreme Court on Monday allowed the White House to continue construction on a $400 million ballroom project as lawsuits play out.
Alexandria's Christopher Pierce joins Virginia's LGBTQ+ Advisory Board
Circuit Court Clerk Greg Parks, whose office Pierce worked with on the state's case management system, will administer the oath Thursday. Alexandria now has two residents on the 21-member board.