The Alexandria Brief: Monday, March 9

Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Monday, March 9 — the 68th day of 2026, with 297 days left in the year.

Opponents of the Braddock Road bike lane project filed an appeal Friday with more than 50 signatures, triggering a City Council review of the Traffic and Parking Board's 6-0 approval. The project includes protected bike lanes and parking removal between Russell Road and West Street.

Tonight is the first public hearing on the FY 2027 budget — 5:30 p.m. at 4850 Mark Center Drive. The School Board is requesting a 3.5% appropriation increase; the city manager proposed 1.5%, leaving a $5.6 million gap. Council votes Tuesday on a resolution to fund ACPS by spending category, starting in FY 2028.

And Saturday's St. Patrick's Day parade drew thousands to Old Town as grand marshal Rook Richards led the Ballyshaners' 43rd annual procession down King Street. "Being born and raised here, it's just such an honor," Richards told the crowd.

Here's what you need to know today.

1️⃣ Alexandria's St. Patrick's Day parade draws thousands to Old Town

The clouds hung low over Old Town Alexandria on Saturday morning, but by the time the Ballyshaners 43rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade stepped off, the sun had found its way through — and thousands of spectators had already lined the route from Wolfe Street to King.

Mike "Rook" Richards, the Alexandria-born musician tapped as this year's grand marshal, took a moment at the microphone to address the crowd before the procession got underway.

"Being born and raised here, it's just such an honor to be up here with all y'all," Richards said. "I can't say thank you enough. Thank you for being here."

2️⃣ Opponents appeal Braddock Road bike lane approval to City Council

Opponents of the Braddock Road Corridor Improvements Project filed an appeal Friday with more than 50 signatures, according to media reports, triggering a City Council review of the Traffic and Parking Board's unanimous decision to approve protected bike lanes and parking removal.

Margaret Janowsky and Brittney DePiano submitted the appeal to the City Clerk's office on March 6, Fox5 DC and ALXnow reported.

The appeal comes less than two weeks after the board voted 6-0 to approve the project following a six-hour hearing on February 23 that drew 66 speakers—approximately 37 in support and 29 opposed.

3️⃣ First chance for public to comment on FY 2027 budget comes today

Alexandria residents will get their first formal opportunity to weigh in on the city's fiscal year 2027 budget Monday evening, when City Council convenes a special public hearing at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center.

The hearing, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at 4850 Mark Center Drive, is the first of two public hearings on City Manager James Parajon's proposed operating budget. It comes as the city navigates a difficult economic backdrop: federal workforce reductions have pushed the city's unemployment rate to 3.8%, and a softening housing market has raised concerns about revenue, critical given that more than 60% of the city's operational revenue comes from property taxes.

Parajon presented his proposed budget to the council on Feb. 24. The spending plan covers city operations and Alexandria City Public Schools, as well as a capital improvement program running through fiscal year 2036.

📰 In brief

Police searching for missing Alexandria woman last seen Saturday. Michelle Marshall, 35, was last seen near the 400 block of Swann Ave. at 2:20 p.m. Anyone with information should call 703-746-4444. The Alexandria Brief

School Board releases budget explainer as council vote approaches. Chair Michelle Rief and member Alexander Crider Scioscia outline how ACPS reached its 3.5% appropriation request and what comes next. ACPS School Board

Alexandria unemployment up sharply as private sector contracts, new Brookings data shows. Unemployment rose 1.10 percentage points year over year; the private sector shed 2.20% of jobs; personal bankruptcies up 28.4%. Council receives workforce briefing on Tuesday. The Alexandria Brief

City Council to vote Tuesday on school funding overhaul and maximum tax rate. The agenda includes a resolution to fund ACPS by spending category, starting in FY 2028, and the first reading of the 2026 property tax rate ordinance. Meeting at 7 p.m. The Alexandria Brief

St. Elmo's Del Ray closes today for refresh. The flagship Mount Vernon Avenue café is shutting down for "the next chapter"; pop-up at Piece Out during the closure. No reopening date announced. The Alexandria Brief

The Commodore hosted friends and family night at new Old Town location. The restaurant at 220 N. Lee St. teased a "big announcement" coming today — possibly an opening date. The Commodore

Two Alexandria chefs compete on "Top Chef" season 23, premiering tonight. Anthony Jones (Dirty Habit) and Jonathan Dearden (KNEAD Hospitality) are the only D.C.-area contestants. 9 p.m. on Bravo. The Alexandria Brief

Early voting underway for April 21 special election. Cast ballots at 132 North Royal Street, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ballot includes City Council race and redistricting referendum. City of Alexandria

On this day in Alexandria's history: In 1855, stockholders for a new cemetery held a meeting to elect a president and board of directors. The location, later named Ivy Hill, was described in the Alexandria Gazette as "most beautiful." Historic Alexandria

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Sunny, with a high near 73 degrees. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 49 degrees. Calm wind.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

🗓️ Things To Do

9 a.m.: Monday Morning Coffee Club at Rosemont Cellar
10:15 a.m.: Baby Time at Duncan Branch Library
10:30 a.m.: Senior Bingo at Burke Branch Library
11 a.m.: Storytime in the Reading Garden at Beatley Central Library
11:15 a.m.: Baby Time at Duncan Branch Library
12:15 p.m.: Concerts at Christ Church: Jason Abel & Sean Burns, piano at Christ Church
1 p.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) at Burke Branch Library
4 p.m.: Restful Readaloud at Beatley Central Library
5 p.m.: Dungeons & Dragons at Burke Branch Library
5:30 p.m.: English Language Learning Workshop at Beatley Central Library
5:30 p.m.: Teen Takeover at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: The Enneagram: A Map for Self-Discovery at Duncan Branch Library
6:30 p.m.: Joggers & Lagers at Port City Brewing Company
7 p.m.: Diversity Book Club - "Summer of '69" (virtual)

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
Clyde’s at Mark Center: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant: Traditional Irish Music 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 & Schools

Government: Open | Schools: Open | Flag: Half Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open
12:30 p.m.: Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Board
5:30 p.m.: FY 2027 Budget Public Hearing
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open
6 p.m.: ACPS Advanced Academic Services Advisory Committee
7 p.m.: Human Rights Commission - Executive Committee
7 p.m.: Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee

One more thing: 5,602 Alexandrians now subscribe to The Alexandria Brief. If this newsletter helps you stay informed about what's happening in our city, don't keep this a secret - tell a friend, neighbor, or coworker about what I'm doing here!