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The Alexandria Brief — AM | Thursday, Feb. 12

George Washington Birthday Parade returns Saturday; Duke Street plan takes shape; all five council candidates back Braddock Road bike project

Ryan Belmore

— 7 min read
The Alexandria Brief — AM | Thursday, Feb. 12

Good morning, Alexandria. The George Washington Birthday Parade is Saturday — Valentine’s Day — with nearly 60 units marching through Old Town from 2 to 4 p.m. Construction around City Hall has forced a modified route, and the city is still working to clear snow along the parade path. Warmer temperatures this week should help.

Also: City planners gave council an update on the Duke Street Land Use Plan ahead of a Feb. 25 community meeting, and all five candidates competing in the Feb. 21 council firehouse primary say they support the Braddock Road bike lane project. Plus, today marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Week — launched by Dr. Carter G. Woodson on this date in 1926.

Here’s what you need to know today.

1️⃣ George Washington Birthday Parade returns Saturday — Valentine’s Day — with modified route

Celebrate Washington’s birthday in his adopted hometown at the oldest and largest George Washington Birthday Parade in the country. (Visit Alexandria)

The nation’s oldest and largest George Washington Birthday Parade is back this Saturday, with nearly 60 units marching through Old Town from 2 to 4 p.m. Construction fencing around City Hall has forced organizers to modify the route: the parade will march north on St. Asaph Street, turn east onto Princess Street, then head south on Pitt Street, ending near Duke Street.

Highlights include the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drums, the Washington Commanders Marching Band, General Washington and Martha Washington in a horse-drawn carriage, and Abraham Lincoln, as Saturday is his birthday.

Mayor Gaskins asked city staff on Tuesday about snow conditions along the route; Deputy City Manager Emily Baker said the city is monitoring but couldn’t guarantee every sidewalk would be cleared. Warmer temperatures later this week could help.

Read more: George Washington Birthday Parade returns Saturday with modified route

2️⃣ Duke Street plan takes shape ahead of Feb. 25 community meeting

The draft Duke Street Land Use Plan organizes the 3.5-mile corridor into four theme areas: Opportunity (blue), Affordability + Growth (gold), Small Business (orange), and Civic + City Campus (purple). (City of Alexandria)

City planners gave council an update Tuesday on the Duke Street Land Use Plan, a 20-year vision for the 3.5-mile corridor stretching from King Street Metro to the Fairfax County line. The next community meeting is Feb. 25 at the Masonic Memorial.

The corridor is home to 130 small businesses and 6,620 rental units — all affordable to households earning up to 80% of area median income. The draft plan organizes the corridor into four themes: opportunity sites for redevelopment, affordability and growth areas to retain existing rental housing, small business concentrations, and the 55-acre city-owned campus.

Read more: Duke Street plan takes shape ahead of Feb. 25 community meeting

3️⃣ All five council candidates back Braddock Road bike project

All five candidates competing in the Feb. 21 City Council firehouse primary say they support the planned Braddock Road Complete Streets project, which would add protected bike lanes and safety improvements along the corridor. The candidates — Sandy Marks, Tim Laderach, Roberto Gomez, Charles Costen-Sumpter, and Cesar Madison Tapia — responded to a questionnaire from the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

“Prioritize life over convenience,” Laderach wrote. “Approve the plan as proposed.” Marks, whose younger son was hit by a car in their neighborhood a few years ago, wrote that “keeping Alexandrians safe and alive has to be the primary goal.” All five also said they would support expanding automated speed camera enforcement beyond school zones, with several emphasizing transparency and equity.

The firehouse primary is Saturday, Feb. 21.

Read more: Council candidates back Braddock Road project, bike safety investments

📰 More from The Alexandria Brief

Council advances program for up to 60 curbside EV chargers. Private vendors would install and operate chargers at no cost to taxpayers.

Kerala-trained chef opens Indian restaurant Friday. Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe opens at Braddock Place with 50-plus dishes, a full bar, and catering.

Fannon to host 18th annual food and clothing drive Saturday. Donations of canned food, dry goods, and winter clothing will benefit ALIVE! Food Bank, Christ House and Carpenter’s Shelter.

Chapman marks 14th anniversary of paramedic’s line-of-duty death. Joshua Weissman was the last Alexandria first responder to die in the line of duty.

Alexandria Festival of the Book coming to St. Paul’s in March. The free one-day event features five historians and biographers exploring America from the Revolution to the Jazz Age.

Gaskins joins National Building Museum panel on equitable cities tonight. The free event at 6 p.m. will explore how policy, design and imagination can shape healthier cities, highlighting waterfront resilience efforts in Alexandria and the 11th Street Bridge Park. Panelists include the author of “Blackfish City,” the museum’s 2025 Big Read selection.

🗞️ In brief

On this day in 1926: Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched Black History Week, choosing the date to commemorate Abraham Lincoln's birthday (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass's birthday (Feb. 14). Black History Week evolved into Black History Month in 1976 — making this year the 100th anniversary of the national recognition of Black history. Historic Alexandria

Northern Virginia launches 'National IQ' innovation district spanning Arlington and Alexandria. The initiative aims to connect defense tech firms, startups, academics, and government to drive economic growth. Technical.ly

Mayor Gaskins highlights "unspoken heroes" in Black History Month forum at ACHS. Gaskins spoke to students at Minnie Howard about her family's history, including her grandmother's appearance in the 2002 book "One Shot Harris," a collection of photos capturing Black life in Pittsburgh from the 1930s to 1970s. Theogony

'School of Rock' brings "spirit, joy, and youthful hopefulness" to Little Theatre of Alexandria. The musical, based on the 2003 Jack Black film, features a cast of talented young performers playing instruments live onstage. MD Theatre Guide

Virginia Theological Seminary awards Dean's Cross to Stephen Colbert and Evelyn McGee-Colbert. The seminary's highest honor recognized Colbert for his work as a satirist "who provokes critical thinking and inspires change" and his wife for her ministry and leadership in the arts. Episcopal News Service

Alexandria Police try a different strategy to recruit officers. Of the 16 people in their recent academy class, 70% entered through the program. WJLA

City accepting applications to host Mobile Art Lab at public events. The art-filled vehicle provides hands-on visual and performing arts activities led by professional artists. City of Alexandria

Editor's note: I was appointed by the City Council on Tuesday night to serve on the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) as a media representative. The LEPC reviews and advises on the city's emergency plans, including those addressing hazardous substances. I'll continue to cover emergency management and will disclose this role when relevant.

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🗓️ Today in Alexandria

Mostly sunny today, with a high near 40 degrees. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 24 degrees. Northwest wind around 8 mph.

Sunrise: 7:02 a.m. | Sunset: 5:42 p.m. | 10 hours & 39 minutes of sun.

High tides: 4:24 a.m. & 4:36 p.m. | Low tides: 9:59 a.m. & 11:19 p.m. | The lunar phase is a Waning Crescent.

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