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The Alexandria Brief: Tuesday, January 20

Firehouse primary polls open 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Duke Street workshops begin tonight; man dies in Sheriff's custody

,   and  Ryan Belmore
6 min read

Table of Contents

Good morning, Alexandria. It’s election day — again.

Four Democrats are competing in today’s House District 5 firehouse primary to replace Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker. Last week’s Senate District 39 results didn’t come in until approximately 2:30 a.m., after volunteers hand-counted 4,647 ballots from four locations. Tonight should be quicker — House District 5 is entirely within Alexandria, with just two polling places. We’ll have the results as soon as they come in.

Elsewhere: A 60-year-old man in the custody of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office died Monday at an area hospital. The city kicks off three Duke Street Land Use Plan workshops tonight at Port City Brewing. And the Waterfront Commission meets this morning to discuss proposed improvements to the Mount Vernon Trail.

Here’s what you need to know today.

1️⃣ Today: House District 5 firehouse primary — here's what you need to know

Four Democrats filed by Sunday’s deadline and will appear on Tuesday’s firehouse primary ballot: Kirk McPike, Eileen Cassidy Rivera, Greg Darrall, and Chris Leibig. (AlexDems.org)

Polls are open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at two locations:

  • Charles E. Beatley Jr. Library, 5005 Duke St.
  • Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St.

In ballot order, the candidates are: Kirk McPike, Eileen Cassidy Rivera, Greg Darrall, and Chris Leibig. Only residents registered to vote in House District 5 may participate. Check your district at whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov. Voters will be asked to affirm their identity as Democrats before casting a ballot.

House District 5.

What’s next

The winner will face Republican Mason Butler in the Feb. 10 special election. That same ballot will feature the Senate District 39 race between Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and Republican Julie Lineberry.

Read more

2️⃣ Man in Alexandria Sheriff’s custody dies at area hospital

A 60-year-old man in the custody of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office died Monday morning at an area hospital where he was being treated for chronic medical conditions, authorities said.

Ricardo Roberts, of Alexandria, died at 5:09 a.m. at Inova Fairfax Hospital, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office.

Read more

3️⃣ Duke Street Land Use Plan workshops continue

The city hosts three community workshops this week for residents to weigh in on the Duke Street Land Use Plan. Each session covers the same material presented at December’s open house, with facilitated conversations with staff and neighbors.

The workshops are scheduled for:

  • Tonight — 6:30–8 p.m. at Port City Brewing (3950 Wheeler Ave.)
  • Wednesday, January 21 — 6:30–8 p.m. at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Ave.)
  • Thursday, January 22 — 6:30–8 p.m. at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Ave.)

Registration is encouraged at research.net/r/AlexandriaVA-DSLUPworkshop. The online community open house closes January 23.

Read more

4️⃣ Waterfront Commission to discuss Mount Vernon Trail improvements

The Waterfront Commission meets this morning at 7:30 a.m. to discuss proposed National Park Service improvements to the Mount Vernon Trail and waterfront near the former Potomac River Generating Station site.

NPS is preparing an environmental assessment that includes replacing the aging metal cage section of the trail with a boardwalk, adding a non-motorized watercraft launch, enhancing trail connections, and installing new overlooks along the Potomac River. Emergency stabilization work on the trail is expected to begin this winter or spring.

The commission will consider whether to submit a formal comment letter to NPS. Public comments on the project must be submitted by February 12 at parkplanning.nps.gov/oldtownnorth.

The commission meets at the Lee Center Gold Room (1108 Jefferson St.).

5️⃣ Gaskins to join National Building Museum panel on equitable cities

Mayor Alyia Gaskins will join urban planners and a science fiction author at the National Building Museum next month for a discussion on building healthier, more equitable cities.

The free event, “In Pursuit of Healthy and Equitable Cities,” is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 12.

Gaskins will appear alongside Anna McCorvey, senior equitable development manager for the 11th Street Bridge Park, and Sam J. Miller, author of “Blackfish City.” Emily Badger, urban policy reporter for The New York Times, will moderate.

Read more

🗓️ Today in Alexandria

Sunny today, with a high near 30 degrees. West wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 16 degrees. Northwest wind around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening.

Sunrise at 7:22 a.m., sunset at 5:15 p.m. There will be 9 hours & 53 minutes of sun.

Events & Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

City of Alexandria

Alexandria City Public Schools

Alexandria Library

📰 Extra! Extra!

Crooked Beat Records is cleaning up and deciding whether to stay at its Alexandria, Virginia, location after two floods hit the business. (WTOP)

“Standing just outside the iron fencing surrounding Virginia’s Capitol in downtown Richmond on Monday, Alexandria resident Gerald Vandendries hoisted a semi-automatic rifle and scanned the crowd gathering for Lobby Day — an annual ritual for gun rights supporters that carried renewed urgency this year”. (Virginia Mercury)

On this day in Alexandria (via Historic Alexandria)

  • 1874: An ice blockade on the Potomac broke after the river had been largely impassable for four days. Most ferries were able to resume their trips between Alexandria and Washington, though not all wharves were accessible.
  • 1942: The Alexandria City Council authorized the purchase of an ambulance for the first time. Alexandria’s first ambulance was acquired in the 1930s, but it was paid for with donations after members of the Potomac Truck and Engine Company, which had organized the first rescue squad in Alexandria, raised money to purchase one.

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