News Briefs
Pedestrian Struck, Critically Injured
A driver hit a pedestrian causing her life-threatening injuries on the evening of Nov. 17. At approximately 6:20 p.m., Alexandria Police responded to the report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle in the 100 block of North Ripley Street. The adult female suffered critical injuries and was transported to the hospital. The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene. Traffic flow on North Ripley Street was blocked for a short time while investigators contacted possible witnesses. The APD Crash Team is investigating this incident. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident is asked to call Crash Team Investigator M. Garcia at 703.746.6178.
Woman Found Dead in Vehicle on King Street
On Nov. 27, 2023 at approximately 8:11 a.m., an adult female was discovered deceased in a vehicle in the 4300 block of King Street.
The Office of the Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.
While the investigation is ongoing, police say they currently believe there is no immediate cause for public concern. APD continues to investigate this incident and urges anyone with information to call our non-emergency line at 703.746.4444. Tips can be provided anonymously.
Health Department to Host Community-Wide World AIDS Day
Alexandria Health Department will hold World AIDS Day Exhibit and Commemoration on Friday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Redella S. “Del” Pepper Community Resource Center. The event is free for all to attend.
The event will feature artwork submitted by local individuals and organizations commemorating those who have been affected by AIDS. Attendees can view the art pieces and discuss ongoing efforts to prevent HIV and AIDS in Alexandria.
Light refreshments will be provided.
At 4:30 p.m., Mayor Justin Wilson will join attendees to give a proclamation on World AIDS Day.
The event will also include free, confidential HIV testing conducted by Neighborhood Health. To learn more about HIV and AIDS in the City of Alexandria, and how you can help prevent infection in our community, visit AHD’s HIV Testing webpage.
View full event details on the City calendar and learn about transportation and parking on the Del Pepper Community Resource Center’s webpage.
Open House on Duke Street Service Roads and West Taylor Run Projects
On Thursday, Dec. 7, the City will host an in-person open house on proposed safety improvements to West Taylor Run Parkway. This public meeting will take place from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road.
During the meeting, staff will give a brief presentation on updated options for the service road and right-turn lane improvements that are part of the West Taylor Run Parkway and Duke Street intersection project. Following the presentation, staff will be available to answer questions and provide additional information about each option.
Staff will also share information about the Cambridge Road and Duke Street intersection and the service road between Cambridge Road and West Taylor Run Parkway at this meeting.
The West Taylor Run project is focused on enhancing safety and access for people who walk, drive, bike, and take transit through the intersection of West Taylor Run Parkway and Duke Street. The project scope also includes providing new access onto Telegraph Road east of the West Taylor Run intersection.
To learn more about the project, including additional details on the service road and right-turn lane options, visit the Duke Street and West Taylor Run Project web page.
Flood Mitigation Grants Open to All Property Owners
The Flood Mitigation Grant Program is now open to all property owners because the city removed the requirement to show past flooding. The grant program was also updated to increase the maximum amount of the 50/50 matching funding for eligible flood mitigation measures on association common areas up to $25,000.
Since its inception in August 2021, the Grant program has had more than 250 applications approved and more than $770,000 granted to property owners. Over the past year, program leaders have noticed a drop in participation. Staff believe this is partly due to the properties with past flooding having likely already applied for and received grant funding. Therefore, the requirement to document past flooding was removed to allow for proactive mitigation measures for properties that are at risk of flooding.
The maximum matching grant for association common areas has also increased from $5,000 to $25,000. This update came after City staff received direction from the Ad Hoc Advisory Group to explore ways to provide an increased maximum matching amount for flood mitigation efforts installed in association common areas.
Individual condominium owners may still apply for up to $5,000 of matching grant funding for their units.
The program offers 50% reimbursement of the completed project costs, up to $5,000, for implementing eligible floodproofing measures on their property following staff review. Floodproofing and mitigation techniques provide a quick, short-term mitigation effort to protect properties while larger capital projects are considered. The grant will be similar to the City’s backflow preventer grant program.
Alexandria Archaeology Launches Report Finder
Alexandria Archaeology Report Finder (AARF) is a new online interactive map that allows residents and researchers to search by location. You can explore the numerous archaeological and historical studies conducted throughout the City of Alexandria over the past 60+ years. The City already offers the Alexandria Archaeology Bibliography of documentary and archaeological reports.
This new tool presents the projects in an easy-to-use, interactive map of the city that shows the locations of various historical and archaeological research projects.
“There is so much history beneath our feet in Alexandria and this archaeology report finder tool provides a platform to continue to add to the database of history. So many questions remain to be explored about people in the past and the reports presented here will help guide the way,” says Dr. Eleanor Breen, City Archaeologist.
The most recent report uploaded into the AARF and included in the online bibliography is, “Managing Alexandria’s Derelict Merchant Fleet.” This report, produced by Alexandria Archaeology, summarizes and contextualizes the work undertaken on four historic ships unearthed along the city’s waterfront, primarily focusing on the period after their excavation through to their preservation. This report, and nearly 400 others, can be accessed through the new AARF.