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The Alexandria Brief: Tuesday, January 6

Planning Commission takes up Duke Street, green building standards tonight

,   and  Ryan Belmore
6 min read

Table of Contents

Good morning, Alexandria.

Duke Street’s future and the city’s green building ambitions are on the docket tonight as the Planning Commission holds back-to-back sessions. Meanwhile, ACPS revisits its facility-naming process after last month’s dispute.

On this day in 1873, Alexandria opened a temporary smallpox hospital on South Washington Street amid an epidemic sweeping the city.

Here’s what you need to know today.

1️⃣ Planning Commission to discuss Duke Street, Green Building Plan tonight

The Planning Commission holds a work session tonight at 6 p.m. on the draft Duke Street Land Use Plan — the long-awaited framework for one of the city’s most auto-oriented corridors. No public testimony at the work session, but it’s open to attend.

Following the work session is a Planning Commission hearing at 7 p.m., which includes two significant policy items. The Green Building Plan would become a new chapter of the city’s Master Plan, setting standards for sustainable development.

A zoning text amendment on office-to-residential conversions would make it easier to convert aging office buildings to housing. The commission will also hear a specific conversion project at 732 North Washington Street in Old Town North, which seeks a height increase to 55 feet and rezoning.

On the Docket: A weekly preview of city and school board meetings (January 5–10)
Here’s your weekly guide to public meetings in Alexandria — what’s happening, what matters, and how to participate.
The Alexandria BriefRyan Belmore

2️⃣ ACPS Operational Excellence Committee to meet tonight, School Board on Thursday

The ACPS Operational Excellence Committee meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. to discuss next steps on facility renaming procedures. This follows last month’s unanimous vote to name four facilities. The committee will work on standardizing the process, including how philanthropic support factors in.

The Alexandria City School Board will hold its first meeting of 2026 on Thursday evening, with updated committee assignments for two board members and a federal funding application for local private schools among the agenda items.

Alexandria school board to update member assignments, review federal funding plan Thursday
The Alexandria City School Board will hold its first meeting of 2026 on Thursday evening, with updated committee assignments for two board members and a federal funding application for local private schools among the agenda items.
The Alexandria BriefRyan Belmore

3️⃣ Registration for Summer Camp opens soon

The city is gearing up for summer camps, with registration opening Feb. 18 for residents and Feb. 20 for non-residents.

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities will offer camps for children ages 2-17, featuring sports, outdoor exploration, creative arts, STEM challenges, performing arts, and weekly themes.

Alexandria summer camp registration opens Feb. 18
The city is gearing up for summer camps, with registration opening Feb. 18 for residents and Feb. 20 for non-residents.
The Alexandria BriefRyan Belmore

4️⃣ Free program offers a hands-on look at Alexandria Sheriff’s operations

Applications are now open for the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Spring 2026 Community Academy, a free four-week program offering residents an inside look at local law enforcement operations.

The academy will meet on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 7, 14, 21, and 28 at the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center, 2003 Mill Road.

Alexandria sheriff's office opens applications for spring community academy
Applications are now open for the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Spring 2026 Community Academy, a free four-week program offering residents an inside look at local law enforcement operations.
The Alexandria BriefRyan Belmore

5️⃣ What’s happening today in Alexandria

Patchy fog this morning before 10 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 53 degrees. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. It will be partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 45 degrees. Southwest wind around 7 mph.

The sun will rise at 7:26 a.m., and the sun will set at 5:01 p.m. There will be 9 hours and 34 minutes of sun.

Events

Live Music & Entertainment

City of Alexandria

Schools

📰 Extra Extra!

During media availability on Monday, Sen. Mark Warner sharply criticized the Trump administration’s military extraction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, warning the operation sets a dangerous precedent for international law and may have more to do with oil than restoring democracy. (The Alexandria Brief)

Alexandria will hold a community meeting on the Clifford, Fulton, and Manning Storm Sewer Improvement Project on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. (The Alexandria Brief)

Alexandria residents can now earn recognition for making eco-friendly choices at home through the city’s updated Eco-City Homes Recognition Program. (The Alexandria Brief)

Jon DeNunzio has been named chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. (Councilman Canek Aguirre on X)

Arielle Shoshana, a new perfumery, is opening in Old Town. (Fox 5 DC)

The City of Alexandria’s Workforce Development Center’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is creating pathways for youth to grow, lead, and thrive. The 2025 SYEP Annual Report highlights the city’s progress and what’s ahead. (City of Alexandria)

Firefighters extinguished an electrical panel fire in the basement of a townhouse on Morgan Court, according to IAFF Local 2141. Engine 208 arrived first to find smoke coming from the basement. The fire had extension beyond the panel. (IAFF Local 2141/Facebook)

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