Route 1 Speed, Affordable Housing: Top Greater Alexandria News Of 2022

FORT HUNT, VA — Between crime, transportation and business news, there was a variety of news that interested Greater Alexandria Patch readers in 2022.

Transportation news tends to be a popular topic among readers. This year, a lower speed limit for part of Richmond Highway was recommended. Branding for the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit was announced, and a few station names are being reconsidered as the county develops community characteristics for each station. In other major transportation news, the National Park Service is recommending changes on the southern portion of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and most of the Mount Vernon Trail.

Readers have also kept up with police and fire news. One of the major stories was the Shopping Cart Killer, who is the suspect tied to two bodies found in the Richmond Highway corridor of Fairfax County and others elsewhere in Virginia. The 2020 use-of-force case involving a police officer using a stun gun on a Black man resulted in a settlement. In fire news, a blaze at a Hybla Valley apartment community displaced 64 residents.

Business news tends to be a popular topic among readers. This year, a tourism initiative called Potomac Banks was announced to promote southern Fairfax County. The corridor gained a new locally-run business as Della J's Delectables moved from Springfield to Mount Vernon Plaza. Beyond/Hello, a new medical cannabis dispensary, is now serving the corridor. More affordable housing is coming to the corridor as the North Hill and the Arden developments made progress to open.

Other major stories included the opening of the Hybla Valley Community Center and its workforce training program, the closing of the Mount Vernon Rec Center for renovations, historic overlay district protections for Hollin Hills and mobile home residents speak up about displacement concerns.

Here's a roundup of top Greater Alexandria stories in 2022. Click on the links to learn more.

To stay up to date on Greater Alexandria news in 2023, subscribe to our free news alerts and morning newsletter. If you would like to share story ideas, send an email to Emily.Leayman@patch.com.

Transportation

• Lower Speed Limit Recommended For Part Of Richmond Highway
• Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit Branding Announced
• GW Parkway, Mount Vernon Trail Improvement Plan To Be Presented
• 3 Station Names Revisited For Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit
• Speed Camera Pilot Program Approved By Fairfax County Supervisors
• Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail Project To Kick Off
• Pedestrian, Bicyclist Projects Funded By Fairfax County Supervisors
• Richmond Highway Projects In Transportation Authority's 6-Year Plan
• Transportation Projects In Route 1 Corridor In NVTA Long-Range Plan
• Free Fairfax Connector Bus Fares To Be Studied By County Staff

Business

• Tourism Initiative Promoting Southern Fairfax County Announced
• Della J's Delectables, Parklet Brighten Route 1 Shopping Center
• Zema Market Brings Ethiopian Products To Richmond Highway
• Medical Cannabis Dispensary Opens In Huntington
• Fort Hunt Sharpening Business Works On Knives From Home Workshop
• Huntington-Based Real Estate Company Celebrates 50 Years
• The Arden, Affordable Housing Near Huntington Metro, Sets Opening Date
• North Hill Affordable Units Leasing In Hybla Valley
• Food Business Accelerator Sought For Original Mount Vernon High
• $2 Million Amazon Gift Supports Hybla Valley Affordable Housing
• Free Food For A Year Promotion Planned For New Route 1 Wendy's

Police and Fire

• 2 More Victims Of 'Shopping Cart Killer' Identified by Police
• 'Shopping Cart Killer' Suspect Indicted On 5 Felonies In VA Court
• Use-Of-Force Case In Gum Springs Results In Settlement
• After $11K Reward, Woodlawn Homicide Suspect Arrested
• 64 Residents Displaced By Hybla Valley Apartment Fire
• Richmond Highway Crash Injures 4 In Hybla Valley: Police
• Man Driving 85 Mph On GW Parkway Sentenced For Passenger's Death
• Shooting Injures Man In Huntington, Person In Custody: Police
• Home Depot Employee Pepper Sprayed In Hybla Valley Robbery
• Man Charged In Assault Leading To Woman's Death In Hybla Valley
• $20,000 In Eyeglass Frames Stolen At Richmond Highway Store
• Hybla Valley Shootings Kill 1, Injure Another; Suspect Charged
• Woodlawn Fatal Shooting Of Annandale Man Leads To Arrest: Police
• Driver Charged In Fatal Richmond Highway Crash In Fairfax County
• Mount Vernon House Fire Causes No Injuries

Politics

• Mount Vernon, Franconia District Supervisors Seek 2023 Re-Election
• Supreme Court Justice's Fairfax County Home Draws Protest
• Development News Shared At 2022 Mount Vernon Town Meeting
• Historic Overlay District Protections Approved For Hollin Hills
• Federal Spending Bill Includes Funds For Route 1 Corridor Project
• 4 Richmond Highway Land Use Proposals In Latest SSPA Process
• Stadium Bathrooms, Hiring Incentives In Fairfax County Carryover Funds

Notable People and Groups

• Greater Alexandria Eagle Scout Project Provides Path To History
• French Ambassador Helps Rededicate Marquis de Lafayette Bedchamber
• Officials Rappel Down 14-Story Building To Support Homeless Services
• United Community Award To Be Given To Retired Pastor
• Student Becomes Whitman Middle School's First Virginia Senate Page

Schools

• Fairfax County Superintendent Appointed, Motion To Delay Vote Fails
• Fairfax Schools To Remedy Shortcomings For Students With Disabilities
• West Potomac Seniors Named 2023 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists
• Standards Of Learning Results 2022: How Fairfax Schools Performed
• Student Cell Phone Restrictions Approved For Fairfax County Schools
• Recess Time Adds Balance For Fairfax County Middle School Students
• Shoelace Tying Challenge Proves Popular At Fort Hunt School
• Military-Friendly Purple Star Schools Named In Route 1 Corridor
• Guns Banned At Non-School Facilities In Fairfax County Public Schools
• Parent-Activist Calls School Board's Mask Requirement 'Tyranny'
• 'Privilege Bingo' Class Activity Draws Scrutiny In Fairfax County
• Thomas Jefferson High School Admissions Ruling Appealed
• TJ Admissions Policy Stays For Upcoming Freshman Class: Appeals Court
• TJ High School Ranks First In Nation On 2022 Niche Rankings

Other Community News

• New Lee District Community Center Open In Hybla Valley
• Job Training Hub To Open At Hybla Valley Community Center
• Mount Vernon Rec Center To Close For Multi-Year Renovation Project
• Mobile Home Residents Worry About Housing Loss After Communities Sold
• New Year's Millionaire Raffle $1M Ticket Bought In Belle Haven
• Kitty Rescued From Under Vehicle Hood On Richmond Highway
• Median Rent Increases Near Huntington Metro Stop Since 2021: Report
• Little Food Pantry Installed At Hybla Valley Community Center
• New Mount Vernon Exhibit Opens With Original Washington Artifacts