Community Corner
Arena, Confederate Names, Zoning For Housing: 2023 Top Old Town News
Top news of 2023 included fish hooks in meat injure dog, student fatal stabbing, Duke Street in Motion, Metro opening and more.
ALEXANDRIA, VA — There was plenty of news that interested readers around Old Town Alexandria in 2023, from development and business news to transportation initiatives.
Business and development is naturally one of the top topics in the neighborhood. One of the year's biggest stories came recently with the announcement of a proposed arena and entertainment district in Potomac Yard. A future restaurant concept was announced for a historic warehouse on the waterfront, while the Samuel Madden public housing redevelopment plan was approved. We said hello to new businesses like Thompson Italian, The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar, Lady Camellia Tea Room, Elaine's, Lily's Chocolate & Coffee and Mieza Blendery and expect new businesses like Pupatella, Call Your Mother Deli and Tatte Bakery & Cafe.
Readers were also following major transportation milestones like the opening of the Potomac Yard Metro, approval of the Duke Street in Motion plan, introduction of school zone speed cameras and proposal to introduce weekend Virginia Railway Express service.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Some crime stories received notable interest, including the sentencing for the fatal stabbing of an Alexandria high school student, an attempted dog poisoning leading to a suspended sentence, a sonic boom heard around the region, shooting of a fugitive by federal authorities at the Potomac Yard Shopping Center, fish hooks embedded in sausages left out for dogs, and more.
In political news, Mayor Justin Wilson announced he won't run for a new term, while Councilmember Alyia Gaskins and Vice Mayor Amy Jackson are running for mayor in 2024. Zoning for Housing was approved, and the Confederate street renaming process is underway.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In school news, Alexandria City High School got a new principal after Peter Balas left for an Arlington position. The Minnie Howard high school campus project reached a milestone, and a student earned a perfect AP exam score. A special election is set for January after School Board member Willie Bailey resigned.
Here are the top stories of 2023 in Old Town Alexandria. Click on each link for more coverage, and be sure to subscribe to the free Old Town Alexandria Patch for more news in 2024.
Business and Development
- Washington Capitals, Wizards Move From DC To NoVA Outlined
- 'Not A Final Deal': Alexandria Mayor Addresses Sports Arena Proposal
- New Restaurant To Open In Former Columbia Firehouse Location
- Royal Restaurant To Be Overseen By Matt And Tony's Owner
- Tatte Bakery & Cafe Seeks To Open On Alexandria's King Street
- Thompson Italian Opens Second Location In Old Town Alexandria
- Pupatella Seeks To Open Alexandria Location
- The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar Opens In Old Town Alexandria
- Lawsuit Pauses Minority-Owned Business Grant Program In Alexandria
- Major Affordable Housing Development In Alexandria Breaks Ground
- Lady Camellia Tea Room Finds New Life On Alexandria Waterfront
- Eddie's Little Shop and Deli Opens On Alexandria's King Street
- Restaurant Concept Announced For Waterfront Warehouse In Alexandria
- New Businesses, Developments, Experiences: What's New In Alexandria
- Hotel AKA Adds New Luxury Accommodations In Alexandria
- Alexandria Bier Garden Rebrands From Village Brauhaus
- Samuel Madden Redevelopment Gets Alexandria City Council Approval
- Hawaiian Bad Ass Coffee Comes To Alexandria, Plans More NoVA Openings
- Nonprofit Gets Extension At Site Of Future Redevelopment In Alexandria
- Lily's Chocolate & Coffee Opens In Old Town Alexandria
- Elaine's Restaurant Brings Alexandria, Egypt To Alexandria, Virginia
- Tall Ship Providence Returns, Provides New Tour In Alexandria
- Atlas Brew Works To Open Location With Andy's Pizza In Alexandria
- Nando's Moves To Alexandria's Carlyle Neighborhood
- Expanded Restaurant Joins Waterfront Dining Around Alexandria In 2023
- Old Town Alexandria Business Owner To Open New Toy Store
- Old Town Business Improvement District Gets Renewed Interest
- A La Lucia Pushes Back Closing Amid Old Town North Redevelopment
- French, Italian-Inspired Boutique Plans Old Town Alexandria Opening
- DC-Based Framing Company Opening Shop In Old Town Alexandria
- Mieza Blendery Brings New Kind Of Beer Making To Alexandria
- New Cookie Shop Opening In Old Town Alexandria
- Call Your Mother Deli Plans New Location In Alexandria
- Gelato Shop Hit By Car In Alexandria Partially Reopens
- Founding Farmers To Open Location At Alexandria's Oakville Development
- Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Construction Milestone Reached
- New Lena's Loft Concept Brings Cuban Flair And Flavors
- Major Construction Milestone Met At Inova's Oakville Triangle Facility
- Ting Internet Debuts In Limited Part Of Alexandria
- New Coffee Guide To Highlight Alexandria's Locally-Owned Shops
Transportation
- Potomac Yard Metro Station Opening Connects DMV Communities
- Bus Rapid Transit Concept For Duke Street Endorsed By City Council
- Speed Camera Enforcement To Start In Alexandria After Warning Period
- Object On Track Tied To Train Derailment Between Arlington, Alexandria
- Bridge Reopening Celebrated By Arlington, Alexandria Officials
- How Rent Prices Changed Near Alexandria Metro Stops Since 2022
- DASH To Celebrate Record Ridership Milestone Under Fare-Fare Policy
- Mini Roundabout Endorsed For Intersection In Alexandria
- Alexandria Ranked Among Best Places To Live Without A Car
- Virginia Railway Express Weekend Service, Fare Increases Proposed
- 'Slow Zone' For E-Scooters, E-Bikes Tested In Alexandria Neighborhood
Crime and Safety
- Loud Boom Heard Across DC Area; Officials Suspect Military Flight
- Teen Sentenced In Alexandria High School Student's Fatal Stabbing
- Juvenile Pedestrian Struck By Car, Others Nearly Hit In Alexandria
- Embezzlement From Old Town Alexandria Restaurant Leads To Indictment
- Interpreter For Army Identified As Homicide Victim From Alexandria
- PETA Doubles Reward In Case Of Meat Embedded With Fish Hooks
- Metrorail Driver's Action At Alexandria Station Leads To DWI Charge
- Multiple Cases Of Gunshots Fired In Alexandria In 1 Day, Arrest Made
- Stolen Car Nearly Strikes State Trooper In Alexandria, 2 Arrested
- Carjacking In Alexandria Leads To Teen's Arrest In DC
- Car Stolen In Old Town North Recovered By Alexandria Police
- Fire Alarm System Was Shut Off When Alexandria High-Rise Fire Occurred
- Killing Of Alexandria Woman With Down Syndrome Leads To Conviction
- Alexandria Shooting Suspect 'Mistakenly Released' In Maryland
- Motorcycle Crash Injures Driver Near King Street Metro In Alexandria
- 2 Alexandria Bank Robberies Lead To Charges For MD Man
- Tip Jar Theft At Old Town Alexandria Restaurant Shown On Video: Report
- Fugitive Shot By Federal Marshal In Alexandria Shopping Center: Police
- Inmate's Death In Alexandria Jail Leads To Lawsuit Against Feds
- Overall Violent Crimes Down, Gun Crimes Up In Alexandria: Police
- Fatal Fentanyl Overdose Leads To Sentence For Alexandria Drug Dealer
- 'I Can't Breathe' Display In Cop Car Violated City Policies: Police
- Speeding U-Haul Involved In Alexandria Pursuit: Police
- Stolen Vehicle Leads To Arrests Of Juveniles In Alexandria: Police
- Shooting At Man In Wheelchair Prompts Alexandria Man's Conviction
- Attempted Dog Poisoning In Del Ray Leads To Suspended Jail Sentence
- 'Senseless Violence': 1 Person Killed In Alexandria Shooting
- Alexandria's Fifth Homicide Of 2023 Leads To Arrest
- Shooting In Arlandria Results In Arrest: Alexandria Police
- Sudden Death In Alexandria Reclassified As Homicide: Police
Schools
- Alexandria High School Campus Project Reaches Major Milestone
- After Fatal Student Stabbing, Support For Youth Recommended
- Peter Balas Leaving Alexandria Schools To Take Arlington Role
- New Principal Selected For Alexandria City High School
- Alexandria School Board Member Willie Bailey Resigns
- Alexandria City High School Student Earns Perfect AP Exam Score
- Alexandria School Principal Named Washington Post Principal Of Year
- New Elementary Principals, School Board Leaders Announced
- Costumed Shark, Bunny, Ballerina Read To Students In Alexandria
- Music Camp Hits The Right Note For Alexandria Student Musicians
- Vape Detection Systems Installed At Alexandria High School Campuses
- Special Education Teacher Recruitment Boosted By ACPS, GW Partnership
- Middle School Athletics Floated For Alexandria Public Schools
- Book Vending Machine Donated By PTA Introduced To Alexandria Students
Politics and Government
- Confederate Street Renaming Proposal Up For Review In January
- Mayor Justin Wilson To Not Seek Re-Election In 2024
- Alexandria Election Results 2023: Incumbents Win, Dems Claim Majority
- Zoning For Housing Approved, A 'Powerful Tool' For Housing Supply
- Third Collective Bargaining Agreement To Be Funded In Alexandria
- Some Alexandria Services Moving To New Mark Center Facility
- Guaranteed Income Program Recipients Chosen In Alexandria
- Alexandria City Attorney Joanna Anderson To Retire
- Cheran Cordell Ivery Named As Replacement City Attorney In Alexandria
- Vice Mayor Amy Jackson Runs For Alexandria Mayor
- Alexandria City Council Member Alyia Gaskins To Run For Mayor
- James Lewis Seeks Election To Alexandria City Council In 2024
- Same Real Estate Tax Rate Approved In Alexandria City Budget
- 2023 Residential Property Values Continue To Rise In Alexandria
- Cautious Optimism On Flood Mitigation Work: Alexandria Advisory Group
- Special Events Policy Update Approved By Alexandria City Council
- Major Stormwater Capacity Project Moving To Design Phase
- Teen Lynching Victim Recognized With Historic Marker In Alexandria
- Abortion Zoning Access Approved By City Council After Disruptions
- Helicopter Noise In Northern Virginia Tackled Through New Measures
More Community News
- Alexandria Population Rebounds Slightly After Pandemic Drop
- Carpenter's Shelter To Operate Second Emergency Homeless Shelter
- Visit Alexandria Unveils First Major Rebranding Since 2013
- Niche 2023 Best Cities To Live: Alexandria Ranks On National List
- Refunds For Alexandria Water Utility Customers Expected
- DC Guide For Neurodiverse Kids Created By Alexandria Family
- For 102-Year-Old Alexandria Woman, Hobbies Don't Have Age Limit
- Second Part Of African American Trail To Be Launched In Alexandria
- Fundraising Helps Alexandria Homicide Victim's Family Remain In Home
- Alexandria Boys And Girls Club Has Fun With Hands-On Science
- Campagna Center Gets $4M From Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
- Alexandria Ranks In Top 50 Of Best Cities For Renters In U.S.
- Alexandria Ranks Among Best 50 Places To Live For Families: Fortune
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