The Alexandria Brief: Wednesday, April 8

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Wednesday, April 8 — the 98th day of 2026, with 267 days left in the year. You're one of 5,731 neighbors reading this morning.

Budget season enters its final stretch tomorrow. Add-delete proposals are due by the end of the day — that's when council members formally put forward their additions, deletions, and amendments to the FY2027 budget. The $5.6 million gap between the city manager's proposal and the School Board's request remains the central tension, and the School Board fired back Tuesday with a statement defending its transparency in collective bargaining. The School Board meets tomorrow night, where it will take up the revised police MOU, and more.

Tonight, state education officials visit Minnie Howard at 6 p.m. for a listening session as part of Governor Spanberger's statewide tour. If you've got something to say about the state of Virginia's public schools, this is your chance.

We're 13 days out from Election Day. More than 12,000 ballots have been cast or requested so far.

Here's what you need to know today. Thanks for being here and for reading.

~ Ryan

1️⃣ Pedestrian struck at Braddock Road intersection amid debate over corridor safety

Alexandria Police shared this map on Saturday, April 4. (APD)

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Saturday afternoon at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and East Braddock Road—one of three major intersections the city's Braddock Road Corridor Improvements Project would redesign—as opponents and supporters of the project debate whether the corridor requires safety upgrades.

The crash occurred at approximately 4:05 p.m. April 4, according to the Alexandria Police Department. The pedestrian, an adult male, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment.

The driver remained at the scene and was cited for Failure to Pay Full Time and Attention, police said. The intersection was blocked for approximately two hours during the investigation.

The Mount Vernon/Braddock intersection is one of three intersections where the Braddock Road project would consolidate turn lanes and create shorter pedestrian crossings. The Traffic and Parking Board voted 6-0 on February 24 to approve the project, which opponents have appealed to City Council.

2️⃣ State education officials to hold Alexandria listening session tonight at Minnie Howard

Minnie Howard Campus at Alexandria City High School (ACPS)

State education leaders will visit Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus this evening as part of Governor Abigail Spanberger's statewide effort to hear directly from communities about the state of Virginia's public schools.

The Virginia Department of Education selected Alexandria City Public Schools as the Region 4 stop on the Commonwealth Listening Tour: Speak Up for Virginia's Future.

3️⃣ Del Ray's Crab Shack Music marks 10 years with anniversary concert June 12

Crab Shack Live! will take place on Friday, June 12 at 6 p.m. (Crab Shack Live!)

A Del Ray home that doubles as one of Alexandria's most quietly influential music studios will throw open its doors in June for the 10th anniversary edition of Crab Shack Live.

Alexandria native Jack Kilby will celebrate a decade of Crab Shack Music on Friday, June 12, at 211 E. Oxford Ave., with a concert running from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and hosted by Deacon Izzy. Known locally as "The Shack," the century-old house has evolved into a fully equipped recording studio, lesson space, and live music venue where Kilby has produced more than 50 releases, taught over 20 students, and hosted countless local artists.

"Crab Shack has always been about creating a space where people can make music at a high level but still feel completely at home," Kilby said. "Ten years in, it's amazing to see how many artists and students have been part of that story."

Editor's note: The Alexandria Brief is a sponsor of Crab Shack Live 2026. Publisher Ryan Belmore and his wife, Jen, have attended the event since moving to Alexandria in 2021. The Alexandria Brief believes in the power of music and the community it creates, and is proud to support Jack Kilby's efforts to engage, educate, and inspire students. What Kilby has built is a true Alexandria original — and exactly the kind of story The Alexandria Brief exists to tell and support.

4️⃣ Three Alexandria seasonal spots mark return of rooftop and waterfront bar season

Good Fortune rooftop reopens on April 18th (Hotel Heron)

Spring is bringing back some of Alexandria's most popular seasonal destinations, with two waterfront bars and a rooftop spot all open or set to reopen this month.

Catboat Pizza Bar and Good Fortune set to reopen this month; Pier Bar already back

5️⃣ Two programs remain in adult field trip series exploring Alexandria's African American history

For the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, venture out on a four-part field trip series for adults highlighting African American history around Alexandria. (Historic Alexandria)

Two evening programs remain in a four-part adult field trip series exploring Alexandria's African American history, with the next session taking place on Thursday at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum.

The series, organized by the Office of Historic Alexandria, is modeled after school field trip programs but expanded for adults, offering extra time with artifacts, primary sources, and hands-on activities. Earlier sessions took place at Freedom House Museum and the Alexandria Black History Museum.

📰 In brief

A pedestrian was struck at North Van Dorn Street and Sanger Avenue on Tuesday afternoon and transported to the hospital. The road was closed between Maris Avenue and Taney Avenue until approximately 6:19 p.m. The Alexandria Brief has reached out to APD for additional details. (APD)

As President Donald Trump escalated threats to destroy Iranian civilian infrastructure ahead of an 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline, every member of Alexandria's congressional delegation responded with sharp condemnation — and a unified call for Congress to return to Washington. (The Alexandria Brief)

Alexandria native and Olympic medalist Noah Lyles and fellow Olympic medalist Junelle Bromfield were married in Trenton, Georgia, on April 4. (Vogue)

ACPS School Board leadership released a statement Tuesday defending its collective bargaining transparency and pushing back on city requests to participate directly in negotiations. The board's FY27 request leaves a $5.6 million gap with the city manager's proposal; ACPS says it has already cut $7.5 million, including 13.8 positions. (ACPS School Board)

Want to give back? The Citizen Corps Council hosts an information night on Monday, April 20 — learn about the teams that keep Alexandria prepared and share input on a new preparedness survey. (City of Alexandria)

In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria, and the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center are hosting a series of events and activities. (City of Alexandria)

Ashford Hospitality Trust has sold the Hilton Alexandria Old Town to Lodging Capital Partners for $58 million. This is the second time Lodging Capital Partners has owned the property. After owning it for five years, the company sold it to Ashford Hospitality Trust in 2018 for $111M. (BISNOW)

Governor Abigail Spanberger signed legislation on Tuesday to "strengthen schools, make sure students are set up for long-term success, and keep kids safe and healthy both in and out of the classroom". (Gov. Spanberger)

April 21 Special Election: As of April 6, 6,485 residents have voted early in person, and 5,523 have voted by mail-in ballot (10,324 ballots have been sent). The ballot includes a contest for City Council as well as a proposed statewide constitutional amendment on redistricting. Early voting continues today at 132 N Royal Street. (City of Alexandria)

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Sunny today, with a high near 55 degrees. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 36 degrees. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 6:41 a.m., sunset at 7:38 p.m. 12 hours & 56 minutes of sun.

High tide at 1:20 a.m. & 1:09 p.m. Low tide at 6:56 a.m. and 8:01 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Gibbous.

🗓️ Things To Do

6:30 p.m.: Sushi & Cider at Lost Boy Cider
7 p.m.: Murphy’s Run Club at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
Atlas Brew Works: Bingo at 7 p.m.
Augie's: Mackenzie Ryan at 5 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Jay Byrd at 8:30 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Pete Chauvette at 6 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Kenny Kohlhaas at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
Southside 815: Rook Richards at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: Luna with Jeffrey Lewis at 7:30 p.m.

🏛️ City & Schools

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

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
8 a.m.: Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission
5:30 p.m.: Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors Meeting
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
6 p.m.: Tax Time is Here! File for Free! — free tax prep for eligible residents
6:30 p.m.: Children, Youth and Families Collaborative Commission
7 p.m.: Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing
7 p.m.: Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities

📚 Alexandria Library

All day: Footsteps of History - Virtual Walking Challenge (virtual)
All day: Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art at Barrett Branch Library
All day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
All day: America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up at Burke Branch Library
All day: Tiny Art Show: Tiny Chair Edition at Beatley Central Library
All day: The Great American PoeTREEs at Beatley Central Library
10 a.m.: Twice Loved Plushies at Beatley Central Library — accepting donations through April 20
10:30 a.m.: 1s and 2s Time at Beatley Central Library
10:30 a.m.: Stitcher's Space at Burke Branch Library
11 a.m.: Just Babies at Barrett Branch Library
11:30 a.m.: 1s and 2s Time at Beatley Central Library
5 p.m.: Spitfire Club at Duncan Branch Library
5:30 p.m.: English Language Learning Workshop at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: Digital Skills For Life (En español) at Duncan Branch Library
6 p.m.: Knit Nite! at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: Literary Virginia Book Group (virtual)
6:30 p.m.: English Language Learning at Duncan Branch Library

📜 On This Day in History

Alexandria Almshouse. (Alexandria Library Special Collections). East Monroe Avenue, at Route 1

On April 8, 1861, "an election was held to determine the Overseers of the Poor. This four-member board was responsible for the Almshouse, the publicly-funded poorhouse where indigent tenants worked, growing their own food on a large tract of farmland". (Historic Alexandria)