Save River Farm, Speed Study: Top Greater Alexandria News Of 2021

FORT HUNT, VA — While 2021 continued to be overshadowed by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, there was a variety of news that interested Greater Alexandria Patch readers.

We are sharing the top stories of 2021 for Greater Alexandria Patch. Our site covers news in the Alexandria addresses in Fairfax County, including around the Route 1 corridor. We also share relevant stories from the City of Alexandria.

One of the top stories was River Farm, a local landmark that was George Washington's farms, being taken off the real estate market. After it was put up for sale, opposition from local residents as they feared the local landmark could be sold and no longer offer public access. But the American Horticultural Society changed course and is seeking to protect it from redevelopment with funding help.

Transportation news tends to be one of our popular topics. A speed study is underway for Richmond Highway to determine if the 45 mph speed limit should change. On the southern part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway south of the City of Alexandria, a safety study was released, leading to recommendations such as a road diet on parts.

In the police and fire category, we recalled the one-year anniversary of the February 2020 South Alex fire, Fairfax County's largest dollar loss fire. Other notable stories included a historical marker for escaped Mount Vernon slave Ona Judge, large items found during cleanup of Little Hunting Creek, a proposal for colocating emergency housing and the Penn Daw fire station and more.

To stay up to date on Greater Alexandria and Fairfax County news in 2022, subscribe to our free news alerts and morning newsletter. If you would like to share story ideas, send me an email at Emily.Leayman@patch.com.

Here are Greater Alexandria's top stories of 2021:

Transportation

• I-495 Express Lanes Extension East Of Springfield To Be Studied
• Richmond Highway Speed In Fairfax County To Be Assessed In Study
• Road Diet, More Safety Improvements Coming To GW Parkway
• Safety Study Released For Southern Segment Of GW Parkway

Business

• Uncle C's Chicken And Waffles Set To Open On Route 1
• Java Loco Set To Open At Mount Vernon Plaza
• Roy Rogers Reopens At Belle View Shopping Center After 2019 Fire
• Richmond Highway Corridor Market Assessment Study Presented
• What Readers Want In Vacant Restaurant Space In Hybla Valley

Police and fire

• 1 Year Ago: South Alex Fire Causes $48 Million In Damages
• Child Porn Case Leads To 30 Charges For Mount Vernon Man
• Sandburg Middle School Student Accused Of Sexual Offense
• Deceased Person Found At Huntington Metro, Information Sought
• Motorcyclist Dies In Crash On Jeff Todd Way In Mount Vernon
• Pedestrian Dies In Richmond Highway Crash In Fort Belvoir
• Man Found Dead In Groveton Apartment: Police
• Safe Exchange Zone Opens At Mount Vernon Police Station
• Huntington Apartment Building Fire Injures 1 Person
• Pedestrian Walking On Capital Beltway Killed In Alexandria
• Hybla Valley Fire Displaces 2 Residents: Fire Department
• Motel Fire Causes No Injuries On Richmond Highway
• Woodlawn Area House Fire Displaces 2 People
• Sexual Exploitation Of Kids Gets Alexandria Man Prison Sentence

Other community news

• River Farm Reopens To Public As New Executive Director Takes Over
• Save River Farm Momentum Builds With State, Local Support
• Shopping Carts, More Trash Removed From Little Hunting Creek
• Storck: Relocated Fire Station, Emergency Housing At Beacon Hill
• Ona Judge Historical Marker To Be Unveiled On Juneteenth
• New Hope Housing Director To Retire After 30 Years
• Thomas Jefferson Named Top High School In U.S. Again: U.S. News
• TJ High School Admits 550 Students Under New Admissions Policy
• Fairfax Judge Denies Request Related To TJ Admissions Policy