Apartments planned for construction at 901 N. Pitt Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria
It’s been another busy week in Alexandria.
This week’s top stories focused on development projects across the city, from Old Town North to Carlisle to the West End. News of the mixed-use projects comes as affordable housing advocates protest against rising prices and call for more support from the city.
On the political front, City Council Member Aria Gaskins recently won two races in the Democratic mayoral primary. Gaskins led the way in fundraising, raising $149,107 and having $69,425 on hand, according to her quarterly campaign finance report released Monday. Her opponent, Vice Mayor Amy Jackson, raised $59,984 and had $22,682 on hand, while former real estate developer Steven Peterson raised $44,700 and had $14,019 on hand.
Gaskins also won handily in a recent Alexandria Democratic Committee primary poll with 81% of the vote, followed by Jackson with 16% and Peterson with 3%. The primary will be held on June 18.
On Tuesday, we reported on a new movement to return Alexandria City Council to ward/district representation. While the nine members of the Alexandria City School Board are divided into three districts, the seven members of the City Council are city-wide and represent the entire city. Communities for an Accountable City Council describes itself as a nonpartisan group of city residents who are “angered by a stubborn Alexandria City Council that is not accountable to our community and neighborhoods because of Alexandria’s city-wide ward election system.”
A poll this week asked whether the city council should return to a ward system. Of more than 500 votes, 57% were in favor and 43% were against.
The most read articles this week were:
Memo: Old Town North building sold for $15.4M, to be converted into mixed-use apartments (8,413 views) City of Alexandria considers big plans for property next to Eisenhower Avenue Metro station (4,987 views) Alexandria City Council approves new “district” at former Vulcan Materials site (4,603 views) CVS to close in Taylor Run area of Duke Street (3,611 views) Affordable housing advocates rally outside Alexandria City Hall (3,559 views) Fist fight turns into gunfight in Lincolnia, no arrests (3,351 views) Memo: Fundraiser raises thousands for biker killed on Duke Street (2,390 views) Local organization forms to put Alexandria back on the ballot (2,303 views) Old Town Lee Mystic BBQ & Grill opens on Street (2,235 views)
Have a safe weekend!
