Development and Arts & Cultural District Updates & May Events Round Up

 

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES


HRP ALX Project
 

Virtual Community Meeting  

On Monday, May 4th, HRP Group hosted a virtual community meeting to discuss its plans for the redevelopment of the former power plant in Old Town North. The first phase of the development includes Blocks B & C and the associated open space to be delivered with those blocks. HRP Group has submitted four Development Special Use Permits (DSUPs) for this phase: Block B, Block C, Waterfront Open Space, and Rail Corridor Open Space. 

Deconstruction efforts could start as early as mid-2027, and would initially be focused on interior abatement and preparation work.

HRP Group plans to share a recording of the May 4th community meeting on their project website in the coming weeks. 

TIF Proposal

On Tuesday, April 28th, the City of Alexandria announced that it is considering a request from HRP Group for $135 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) over roughly 30 years for the redevelopment of the former power plant. The proposal calls for the City to facilitate $135 million in net infrastructure proceeds, to be disbursed in two phases, via bonds issued by a newly created Community Development Authority that will include only property owned as part of this redevelopment. These funds would be used for deconstruction and public infrastructure improvements such as roads, utilities, and open space. The TIF would draw from future tax revenue generated by the redevelopment, specifically real property tax, sales and use tax, discretionary meals tax, and transient lodging tax. 

For more information on the TIF proposal, visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/PRGS

The Alexandria Brief has written a comprehensive article on the City’s introduction of the TIF proposal at the April 28th City Council Legislative Meeting, which can be found here. 

Upcoming Meetings/Hearings 

The Planning Commission will consider the Phase I and Open Space DSUPs at the June 2nd Meeting. A term sheet for the TIF proposal will be introduced at the June 9th City Council Legislative Meeting. The TIF proposal and the four DSUPs will be considered at the June 13th City Council Public Hearing.  

HRP Group will hold dedicated community meetings specifically focused on deconstruction and construction, as outlined in the Construction Management Plan, per the City’s requirements and oversight.

 

TideLock 

The TideLock project welcomes its first residents this week. The project consists of The Residences at TideLock (65 condominium units), Current (169 rental units), a 5,000 sq. ft Arts Anchor space, and 2,000 sq. ft of retail space.  Co-developers Community Three and Whitaker Investment Corp. will be installing a sculpture on site (Beacon III) and are planning for a mural as well. The project will also feature historic interpretation installations regarding the City Annexation Line and the Cross Canal neighborhood. 

For information on leasing at Current (1055 N. Fairfax St.) click here. 

For information on condos at The Residences at TideLock (1111 N. Fairfax St.) click here.
 

425 Montgomery St. 

The 425 Montgomery project is running on schedule and developer Carr Properties hopes to be welcoming the first new residents into the property at the end of 2026.  

Please note that the project has extended its noise variance permit to allow for extended roofing work hours on Saturdays during the month of May. Roofing activities will take place between 7am and 6pm on Saturdays.  Carr Properties appreciates your patience as they work to complete roofing operations as quickly as possible and will make every effort to minimize noise and overall impact.

Ladrey Apartments 

Last week the City authorized the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) to issue up to $20 million in revenue bonds to finance the rehabilitation of the Ladrey Apartments. The project is being co-developed by ARHA, Winn Companies, and IBF Development. Winn Companies expects to start construction in the first quarter of 2027. The developers have committed to adding some form of public art to the property as part of the rehabilitation. 
 

1201 E. Abingdon

This office-to-residential conversion project is being developed by The Pinkard Group. The project is moving forward on schedule with most of the exterior building demolition activities wrapping up in the next few weeks. The site crane will be arriving in the latter half of May, and the addition to the building on the South side of the site should be coming up out of the ground in the next few months. 

 

Robinson Terminal North

The power line on the site is being moved at the moment by Dominion.  Once that is completed (hopefully by later this summer), developer Rooney Properties will begin grading the east site out of the floodplain.

 

ARTS & CULTURAL DISTRICT UPDATES

 

Business and the Arts Grant will Help Fund OTNA’s Initiative to Design, Fabricate, and Install Arts & Cultural District Lightpole Banners

 

Last month OTNA was selected as a recipient of a Business and the Arts grant from the Office of the Arts. The $7,500 matching grant will help fund the design, fabrication, and installation of lightpole banners demarcating the main corridors of the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District. OTNA is grateful to the City of Alexandria and the Office of the Arts for this opportunity. 

 

MetroStage 

MetroStage continues to make progress towards opening its new theater space at Venue. MetroStage expects to submit drawings to the City within the next two weeks for permitting. Once the permits are received, the construction is expected to take six months. 

The theater will be equipped for stage performances and film screenings. MetroStage intends to continue the cabaret series currently hosted at The Lyceum in their new space and the new theater will also become the permanent home of the Alexandria Film Festival. 

MetroStage continues to fundraise as the project has become more elaborate and more costly over time. Please click here to make a donation. Contributions of all sizes are welcome.

 

Ceremony for Unveiling of Potomac Midair Collision Memorial Set for June 1st at 5:30pm in Rivergate City Park

Rendering of the Memorial (Image courtesy of the City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria announced earlier this week that a ceremony will be held in Rivergate City Park on June 1st to unveil a memorial to the 67 people who lost their lives in the midair collision over the Potomac river in January 2025. 

The ceremony will take place from 5:30pm to 7pm in the northeast corner of Rivergate City Park (2 Montgomery St.) and will be co-hosted by Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va.  The design of the memorial was created in partnership with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. The memorial will be composed of a commemorative bench, engraved bricks, trees, and a descriptive sign.  

For more information, visit:

https://www.alexandriava.gov/parks/city-memorial-for-victims-of-potomac-mid-air-collision

 

MAY EVENTS ROUND UP

 

Saturday, May 9th, 11am - 11:50am 

Hotel AKA and LaLita Method present:
Pilates on the Terrace

Image courtesy of Hotel AKA

625 First St.

Start your Saturday off right with an invigorating pilates mat class on the beautiful terrace at Hotel AKA. Classes on the terrace will also be offered on May 30th and June 6th. 

Reserve your spot here. 

 

Saturday, May 9th, 2pm - 3pm 

532Yoga Arts & Culture presents: Sound Healing Therapy 

500 Montgomery St. 

Enjoy this musically meditative experience with Shamanic healer Jenny Perez Curandera. Sound healing therapy has been shown to promote relaxation and reduce stress - the perfect Mother’s Day gift! 

Reserve your spot here. 
 

Sunday, May 10th is Mother’s Day

 

Make your reservations now at one of these fabulous Old Town North restaurants for brunch or dinner (or both!). Click on the restaurant names below to make your reservation:

Jula’s on the Potomac
Mother’s Day brunch or dinner with a beautiful waterfront view. Jula’s now offers dinner every Sunday from 5pm - 9pm. 

a.lounge+bar at Hotel AKA
Enjoy an elegant Mother’s Day brunch accompanied by a live violinist. 

Hank’s Oyster Bar
A special three-course Mother’s Day brunch featuring baby beet salad, halibut with an orange beurre blanc, and raspberry cheesecake. 

Royal Restaurant
Offering Mother’s Day specials for brunch and dinner including lemon-ricotta pancakes and a pistachio-crusted halibut.

Oak Steakhouse (brunch from 12pm - 4pm; dinner from 4pm -8pm) 
Classic steakhouse favorites with seasonal touches. 

 

Starting May 10th

Royal Restaurant presents: Rosé All Summer

 
 

730 N. Saint Asaph St. 

Sip your way around the world by sampling rosés from California to Provence and beyond. Grab your passport at any location with your first glass of rosé. Collect stamps by visiting each location and enjoying a featured rosé. Fill your passport to get a $25 gift card and the chance to win $1,000.  

 

Monday, May 11th

Registration for Art League Summer Classes Opens

Don’t miss out on the great class offerings at The Art League this summer! Registration for the summer term starts Monday, May 11th - click here for information on how to register.

 

Wednesday, May 13th, 5:30pm

NOTICe Spring Party & Friend-Raiser

Marina Towers (501 Slaters Ln) 

All who live, work, and play in Old Town North are welcome at the spring party for NOTICe, Old Town North’s civic association.  Mayor Alyia Gaskins will be the guest speaker. 

RSVP here. 

 

Thursday, May 14th, 5pm

Grand Opening of Hank’s Pasta Bar

(Official launch of dine-in service is
Thursday, May 7th)

818 N. Saint Asaph St. 

Stop in and try out the new restaurant within a restaurant at Hank’s Pasta Bar.  Located on the second floor of the building that houses Hank’s Oyster Bar, Hank’s Pasta Bar offers delicious Italian antipasti, pasta dishes, and desserts. Hank’s Pasta Bar makes it easy to dine out - allowing you to select your seats and order at your own pace from a QR code on the table. 

The first 50 dine-in guests each day from May 14th to May 17th will receive a complimentary glass of prosecco (or equivalent N/A beverage) with their meals.

Click here to check out the Hank’s Pasta Bar menu. Hank’s Pasta Bar does not take reservations.

 

Friday, May 15th, 5pm - 7pm 

The Art League Presents - An Artist Talk at Muse Studio One

“Inheritance of Vision: The Art of Robert and Celia Liberace”

Celia Liberace (image courtesy of The Art League) 

 

Muse Studio One (1201 N. Royal St.) 

Visit Muse Studio One to view the exhibit, “Inheritance of Vision,” and hear from father and daughter artists Robert and Celia Liberace as they discuss “their shared devotion to the human figure, their distinct artistic paths, and what it looks like when legacy and independence occupy the same canvas.” 

Wine and light refreshments will be served. 

RSVP here -  the event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. 

 

Saturday, May 16th & Sunday, May 17th, 9am - noon

Made in ALX presents: Free Crafts for Kids

 

415 King St.

Saturday’s free craft will feature a special event inside the store around “7 Days of Sophie,” a recently released book about the adventures of Sophie the dog. Sunday’s craft will be outdoors and will feature customizable wooden car ornaments to align with the Festival of Speed and Style! 

 

Sunday, May 17th, 10am - 3pm 

7th Annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style:
A 2026 Tribute to Ferrari

Original artwork by Tom Kuester for the 2026 Old Town Festival of Speed & Style 

 

The 7th Annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style fills the streets of Old Town with a wide array of rare and exceptional vehicles plus live music and a special fashion show featuring outfits designed to complement the vehicles. This year's event includes a special tribute to Ferrari. 

Funds raised by the Festival and the High Octane Ball on Saturday, May 16th will be donated to ALIVE!, Community Lodgings, and the Breast Cancer Collective. 

The title sponsor for the event is Burke & Herbert Bank. Other event sponsors include: Hotel AKA Alexandria, Current - TideLock, Royal Restaurant, and the Old Town North Alliance. 

The Old Town North Alliance will have a table in front of Made in ALX (415 King St.) during the event - please stop by and say hello!

More information about the event can be found here. 

Sunday, May 31st
Fill-the-Truck for ALIVE!

 

Montgomery Park (901 N. Royal St.)

Please help "Fill the Truck" again on Sunday, May 31st from 9am to 1pm at the Old Town North Farmers Market in Montgomery Park (901 N. Royal St.). Your non-perishable food contributions will be delivered to ALIVE!, an Alexandria organization that serves 20,000 individuals/month providing a wide range of services from food to transitional shelter to eviction prevention.

Save-the-Date for Chalk-A-Block 2026

 

Neighborhood Notes

Oak Steakhouse (image courtesy of Rey Lopez, Eater DC

 

Congratulations to Oak Steakhouse for making Eater DC’s list of the Best Steakhouses Around DC. 

Thanks to all who gave during Spring2Action - the event raised over $3.5 million for Alexandria non-profit organizations. 

Jula's on the Potomac is now serving dinner every Sunday from 5pm to 9pm. 

The Thursday Farmers Market is now open from 3pm to 7pm in Montgomery Park. 

Free Yoga in the Fresh Air in the Montgomery Park gazebo from 11am to 12pm starts Sunday, May 17th (weather permitting). 

Perfect Pita (951 N. Fairfax St.) has reopened following a temporary closure for renovations. Check out the newly renovated space (and soon to be added outdoor seating) Monday through Friday from 7am to 4pm and Saturday from 8am to 3pm. 

OTNA Business Members, be sure to take advantage of the free resources provided by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership. 

For more information about upcoming workshop and training opportunities offered by AEDP, visit:

https://alexandriaecon.org/small-business/small-business-programs/

 

Don’t miss these regularly scheduled events in and around Old Town North!

Linda Vitello