The Alexandria Brief: Friday, March 20

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Friday, March 20. Spring arrives at 10:46 a.m.

The forecast is cooperating: highs near 70 today with showers tonight, then mostly sunny and 66 Saturday, partly sunny and 77 Sunday.

This weekend: Old Town's Bloom Together runs through Sunday at more than 20 boutiques — visit 15 stores for a chance at $1,000 in gift cards. Saturday at 1 p.m., join artist Alicia Eggert for the opening of "Now or Never" at Waterfront Park, the latest Site See public art installation. And Rep. Beyer and local governments host the Rising to Meet the Challenge Resource Fair for federal workers and contractors on Saturday morning.

Last night's Potomac Interceptor town hall delivered some striking numbers: DC Water's bypass system prevented nearly 2 billion gallons of sewage from reaching the river, and the agency is seeking a $50 million federal disaster declaration.

And in a separate announcement, and as The Alexandria Brief first reported, Mayor Gaskins and the Interfaith Council launched the Fresh Start Initiative — a privately funded effort to clear $1 million in ARHA back rent for nearly 500 households.

Here's what you need to know today.

Apologize for the delay today. Ghost is looking into the issue with sends.

1️⃣ Officials: Bypass system prevented 2 billion gallons from reaching Potomac; $50M disaster declaration requested

Town Hall on Potomac Interceptor Response (Screenshot/City of Alexandria)

The emergency bypass system installed days after the Potomac Interceptor collapse prevented nearly 2 billion gallons of sewage from reaching the Potomac River, DC Water's chief operating officer told a town hall Thursday night at the Lee Center — and the agency is now seeking a federal disaster declaration totaling just over $50 million to cover the costs of the crisis.

The event, hosted by Mayor Alyia Gaskins, was the first community hearing held by a Virginia jurisdiction since the Jan. 19 pipeline collapse triggered the region's largest sewage emergency in recent memory. DC Water, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Department of Health, and other agencies fielded nearly two hours of questions from residents gathered in person and online.

2️⃣ Alexandria's General Assembly delegation recaps 2026 session at Chamber ALX breakfast

From left, Virginia Bulger, Transurban; Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring; Del. Kirk McPike; Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker; Del. Alfonso Lopez; and Chamber CEO Joe Haggerty pose for a photo at the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce's General Assembly Breakfast on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town. (Ryan Belmore/The Alexandria Brief)

Alexandria's four-member General Assembly delegation gathered Thursday morning at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town to debrief on the 2026 legislative session before a room of business leaders, local officials, and community members — offering a candid look at what Richmond accomplished and the challenges still ahead.

The annual General Assembly Breakfast, presented by Transurban and hosted by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, drew Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring, Del. Alfonso Lopez, and Del. Kirk McPike. Also in attendance were City Councilman John Taylor Chapman, City Manager James Parajon, and School Board Member Alexander Crider Scioscia.

The session adjourned last week without a finalized budget, and the delegation made clear the work is far from over. At the center of the standoff is a sales and use tax exemption for data centers — worth roughly $1.54 billion in uncollected revenue annually — that the Senate budget partially rolls back and the House is reluctant to touch.

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3️⃣ Mayor Gaskins, Interfaith Council, and Alfred Street Baptist join forces to clear $1 million in ARHA back rent

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority headquarters. A new initiative announced Thursday will clear approximately $1 million in back rent owed by close to 500 ARHA households. (ARHA)

On the same morning that the state legislators told a room full of business leaders that Virginia needs $400 million a year to meaningfully address its housing crisis, a group of Alexandria faith congregations pledged to raise $1 million to keep hundreds of families from losing their homes.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins and the Mayor's Interfaith Council announced Thursday the Fresh Start Initiative — a privately funded partnership that will clear approximately $1 million in back rent owed by close to 500 households at the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, connect residents to financial empowerment resources, and require ARHA to strengthen its own internal systems. Alfred Street Baptist Church has pledged to lead the fundraising effort, committing to raise the full amount.

"This is about more than clearing balances — it's about creating pathways to stability," Gaskins said. In a follow-up message to The Alexandria Brief, she framed the initiative as a reset for both sides. "This should be both a fresh start for residents and for ARHA. Residents will receive ongoing financial empowerment programming and support. ARHA will focus on new internal systems and management."

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📰 In brief

Here's a look at all that's happening this weekend, including events, live music, entertainment, and more. (The Brief)

The Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital, "The Twig", has pledged $2 million to Inova's new campus. (The Brief)

The Alexandria Brief is growing — and looking for paid contributors made possible by readers like you. (The Brief)

City Council will host its next legislative meeting on Tuesday, where it will consider a final funding request for the Arlandria affordable housing project, adopt the Alexandria Age-Friendly Plan, and more. (The Brief)

Construction begins on first mixed-use building at former Landmark Mall site (Biz Journals)

CityHouse Old Town, "Alexandria's first completed office-to-residential conversion", opens. (Popmodo)

ACPS took some time on Thursday to celebrate essential workers. (George Mason Elementary School)

The Alexandria Director of Planning and Zoning has approved a Change of Ownership Special Use Permit for a restaurant at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue. Current Business: Little Birdie. Previous Business: Benny DiForza's. (City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria Director of Planning and Zoning has approved a Change of Ownership Special Use Permit for a private parking lot at 115-117 East Howell Avenue. (City of Alexandria)

Visitors are invited to experience the special exhibition, “Lewis Cass White: Preserving the Legacy of Fort Stevens,” at Fort Ward before it closes on March 29. (Fort Ward/City of Alexandria)

As of March 18, 2,304 residents have voted early in person for the April 21 Special Election, and another 9,944 have requested mail-in ballots. Early Voting is available today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 132 N Royal Street. (City of Alexandria)

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Increasing clouds, with a high near 70 degrees. Showers likely tonight, mainly before 1 a.m. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 50 degrees.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 7:11 a.m., sunset at 7:20 p.m. 12 hours & 9 minutes of sun.

High tide at 9:54 a.m. and 10:26 p.m. Low tide at 4:06 a.m. and 4:50 p.m.

The moon phase is a Waxing Crescent.

🗓️ Things To Do

All Day: Bloom Together shopping event throughout Old Town
8 a.m.: WEBA Coffee & Collaboration: Mastermind Morning at Valletta Espresso Bar
11 a.m.: Chela Mexican-Style Lager Release at Port City Brewing
5 p.m.: Wine & Watercolors with Shop Made in VA
7 p.m.: Tarot Readings with Cats at Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe & Wine Bar
7 p.m.: A Taste of Virginia at Ivy Hill Cemetery

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: Karaoke at 8:30 p.m.
Aslin ALX: Comedy show at 8 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Merlon Devine at 9 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s: Faraway at 9:30 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Lacklustre at 8:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Punk Rock Food Drive featuring American Television, Crossed Key at 7 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Mike Leverone at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7:30 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: The Muckers & Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Culp at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: Tom Rush, Brendan Cleary, and John Gorka at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Lloyd Braun Band at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.