PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE OLD TOWN NORTH ARTS & CULTURAL DISTRICT, DEVELOPMENT UPDATES, & MORE
ARTS & CULTURAL DISTRICT UPDATES
Panel Discusses the Current Status of the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District at the NOTICe Spring Membership Meeting
Panel at NOTICe Spring Membership Meeting (image courtesy of NOTICe)
On Thursday, April 10th, the North Old Town Independent Citizens Association (NOTICe) held their Spring Membership Meeting, which was open to the public. The meeting featured a panel discussion on the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District. Moderated by journalist and author Michael Lee Pope, the panel included: Ricardo Alfaro (President of the Board of Trustees for MetroStage), Kelly Martin (Business Development Manager and Project Manager for the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District for AEDP), Diane Ruggiero (Deputy Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Activities), and Ryan Whitaker (Old Town North Alliance President and co-developer of TideLock).
In opening remarks, Alexandria Councilman John Taylor Chapman shared the City’s vision for an Arts & Cultural District that was engaging for the Old Town North community and all Alexandria residents and provided “a level of vibrancy to the neighborhood without overrunning the neighborhood.” Councilman Chapman acknowledged that while lots of planning for the district had taken place, questions remain about whether execution is happening as everyone would like. In closing, Councilman Chapman encouraged residents to share their thoughts and concerns with the new City Council members, many of whom are still learning about the Arts & Cultural District.
Pope immediately focused on the question of why progress on the Arts & Cultural District has been so slow since the idea was set forth in an amendment to the Old Town North Small Area Plan in 2018. Many panelists cited the pandemic as a critical factor in slowing momentum, but panelists also identified other contributing factors. Ruggiero pointed out that the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District is one of the first of its kind to use land use regulations for its creation (based on changes to Virginia state law in 2018). As a result, Ruggiero explained, there are no examples to follow and “we are paving this path together.” Martin noted that while most arts & cultural districts involve the re-purposing of abandoned buildings, the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District is one of the first to build a district from the ground up, and this takes time. Whitaker credited the City for its vision in coming up with the concept of offering density bonuses to developers in order to create an arts & cultural district, but expressed concern about the lack of efficiency and timeliness around the implementation. Whitaker, who shared that his project, TideLock, lost its first arts tenant partly because the approval process was taking too long, acknowledged that City staff always had the best interests of the City at heart, but cautioned that we “can’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.”
The challenge of obtaining funding has been another well-known factor in the slow progress of the Arts & Cultural District, and one that MetroStage has experienced firsthand. MetroStage is currently engaged in a Capital Campaign with a goal of $2.6 million (approximately $2 million has already been raised) and is in the process of value engineering their plans with a new architect to confirm that the $2.6 million estimate still holds. MetroStage is simultaneously working on formalizing a lease with Carr America and the Venue HOA and hopes to start the permitting process before the end of 2025. MetroStage is anticipating a six-month timeline for this current phase, after which they would enter the development phase of building out the interior space. The room erupted in applause when Alfaro said that he looks forward to being able to hold meetings like this one at the new MetroStage, which will have capacity for 150 audience members.
With regard to the recent Request for Expressions of Interest (“EOI”) issued by AEDP, the panel was in agreement that the EOI was a positive step. Martin said that she was impressed with the responses and that Alexandria should be proud of its creative community. Whitaker was equally supportive of the EOI and said he just wished that the EOI had been done earlier in the process because it could have helped facilitate the identification of arts tenants. In the case of Whitaker’s TideLock development, he has explored at least three new alternatives since his first arts tenant walked away, with a proposal pending before Planning & Zoning for a new Arts & Cultural Anchor tenant. Panelists shared their various views on how the City, developers and other stakeholders should be working together to identify and facilitate new Arts & Cultural users in Old Town North.
In addition to offering obvious cultural benefits, panel members also discussed the business opportunity that the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District presents for Old Town North and the City of Alexandria as a whole. Alfaro emphasized the capacity of the arts to “act as an agent for economic development,” and Martin observed that a thriving Arts & Cultural District could capitalize on today’s heightened interest in an experience economy. Whitaker pointed out that the City’s use of density bonuses was a crucial element in making development in Old Town North financially viable.
At the end of the evening, the panel was in agreement that everyone would like to see a thriving Arts & Cultural District in Old Town North. In a discussion of what can be done to accelerate progress on the Arts & Cultural District, Whitaker urged the City to move quickly and efficiently and suggested that perhaps the DSUP approvals should delegate more ability to Planning & Zoning to be flexible as they navigate the creation of this District. Martin suggested that the success of the Arts & Cultural District depends on getting buy-in from corporate sponsors and philanthropists and indicated that it is possible that future development projects might include a requirement of partial developer funding to help build out arts tenant spaces. Whitaker agreed that if developers could build this requirement into their projects at the outset and the density bonuses justify the financial commitment, it might be feasible for developers and a huge help for arts & culture tenants who struggle to acquire funding. Speaking as President of the Old Town North Alliance, Whitaker said that the Alliance would work to advance implementation of the Arts & Cultural District by continuing to be a “squeaky wheel” advocating for continued progress toward transforming plans into reality.
Initial Responses to AEDP Request for Expressions of Interest in the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District
On April 11th, AEDP’s Kelly Martin sent out an update on the Request for Expressions of Interest for the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District (which formally closed on March 31st, but appears to still be open on the AEDP website). The update indicated that AEDP was inspired by the enthusiastic response to the request and that they are reviewing the submissions to identify potential matches with available spaces in Old Town North. The update noted that the final decisions on leasing opportunities rest with the building owners/developers and are subject to City approval. AEDP further explained that this EOI process was not intended to be limited to identifying users for spaces that are available in Old Town North now or in the near future, but would also help AEDP to “understand and elevate interest in arts and cultural uses across the city, and over the long term.” Finally, the update promised more specific updates “soon.” Stay tuned!
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Planning & Zoning Launches Series of Bi-Monthly Virtual Community Meetings
The City of Alexandria Planning & Zoning Division has announced a series of bi-monthly virtual community meetings designed to keep the public informed about larger development projects. The first meeting will be held Thursday, April 24th at 6pm and will provide updates on multiple projects including Robinson Terminal North and the City Hall Renovation.
To attend the meeting, visit: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W_cW0MynTRaWyGX4xDIFwA
Meeting ID 969 2430 2365
Passcode: 654350
Dial-in: 301.715.8592
May Meetings on HRP Group’s Potomac River Generating Station (PRGS) Redevelopment
HRP Group has announced May dates for a series of meetings regarding a “refresh” of their PRGS redevelopment in advance of submitting their next Development Special Use Permit (DSUP) submissions. These presentations will be focused on the residential buildings in Block B & C and on the publicly accessible open space. Follow-up meetings will be scheduled for June along with a virtual community meeting (dates TBD). The May meeting dates are as follows:
Urban Design Advisory Committee Serving Old Town North (UDAC)
Wednesday, May 7th
9am
Alexandria Park & Recreation Commission
Thursday, May 15th
7pm
https://www.alexandriava.gov/rpca/alexandria-park-and-recreation-commission
Alexandria Waterfront Commission
Tuesday, May 20th
7:30am
https://www.alexandriava.gov/rpca/alexandria-waterfront-commission
For more information about the PRGS redevelopment, visit:
UPCOMING EVENTS IN AND AROUND OLD TOWN NORTH
Thursday, April 24th
Thursday Farmers Market Returns to Montgomery Park
Montgomery Park (Parking lot at 901 N. Royal St.)
Thursdays, 3pm - 7pm
The Old Town North Community Partnership has announced the return of the Thursday Farmers Market to Montgomery Park from 3pm to 7pm every Thursday. The Sunday Farmers Market will continue to be held every Sunday from 9am to 1pm.
For more information, visit:
https://oldtownnorth.org/farmers-market/
Friday, April 25th
The Art League Presents, “Draw-a-thon” at The Art League @ Slaters
Image courtesy of The Art League
800 Slaters Lane
10am - 10pm
Immerse yourself in art for a 4-hour block ($50) or all day long ($125) at The Art League Draw-a-thon this Friday, April 25th. The Draw-a-thon will feature 12 hours of monitored life drawing, two rooms with live models, and a mix of gesture drawings and extended poses. This event is open to artists of all skill levels. Bring your sketchbooks, brushes, and pencils!
To register, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-art-leagues-draw-a-thon-tickets-1330837774609
Friday, April 25th
The Art League Presents, “The Art of Comedy”
(Rescheduled from March 7th)
1201 N. Royal St.
7pm - 9pm
Enjoy a night of comedy in the new Art League space at Muse. Featuring traditional stand up from Matt Chrzanowski, Alex Tyminski, and Izzy Gelfand and an improvisational set from Winston Hodges.
To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-art-of-comedy-tickets-1275150843499?aff=erelexpmlt
Hotel AKA Presents: Lalita Method Pilates Mat Classes on the Terrace
Saturday Mornings and Monday Evenings Through June
Lalita Method Pilates Mat Class (image courtesy of Hotel AKA Alexandria)
625 First St.
Enjoy pilates on the beautiful terrace at Hotel AKA Alexandria. Classes will continue on Saturday mornings and Monday evenings through June. Bookings may be made two weeks in advance - classes fill up fast, so don’t delay!
To reserve your spot, visit:
https://lalitamethod.com/pages/reformer-pilates
Sunday, April 27th
PNC Alexandria Half Marathon
Image courtesy of the PNC Alexandria Half Marathon
6am - 11am (road closures)
7am - 9:30am (heaviest runner traffic)
Come cheer on runners in the PNC Alexandria Half Marathon this Sunday, April 27th. (This race was formerly known as the GW Parkway Classic). The event also includes a 5K Run and a Kidz Docs Dash. All runs finish in Old Town North with a celebration in Oronoco Bay Park featuring a beer garden and live music.
The race route will directly impact the following streets the morning of the race:
All streets surrounding City Hall: King Street, N Fairfax Street, N Royal Street, and Cameron Street
Washington Street between King Street and Green Street
N Royal St between King Street and Wythe Street
Pitt St between Wythe Street and Cameron Street
Green Street between Washington Street and Union Street
Union Street between Franklin Street and Pendleton Street
For more information and a complete list of street closures, visit:
Saturday, May 3rd
Made in ALX Spring Makers Market
Port City Brewing (3950 Wheeler Ave.)
12pm - 5pm
Shop from over two dozen local makers while you enjoy beer from local favorite Port City Brewing and delicious food from La Tingeria.
For more information, visit:
https://www.madeinalx.com/s/stories/spring-makers-market-at-port-city-brewing-co-may-3
Thursday, May 8th
Alexandria Economic Summit
The Westin Alexandria (400 Courthouse Square)
3pm - 7pm
Don’t miss this “important community conversation about Alexandria’s economic health and outlook” organized by the City of Alexandria and AEDP.
For more information and to register, visit:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/EconomicSummit
Sunday, May 11th
Mother’s Day Brunch at Hotel AKA’s a.lounge+bar
Image courtesy of Hotel AKA Alexandria
625 First St.
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Hotel AKA’s a.lounge+bar with a special Jazz Brunch featuring a seasonal menu including red velvet waffles, French crèpes, goat cheese salad, Edwards Ham Benedict, an indulgent oyster bar, and more. All diners will receive a complimentary amuse bouche and all mothers will receive a complimentary tulip.
To reserve a table, visit:
Monday, May 12th and Tuesday, May 13th
MetroStage at the Lyceum Presents:
A Roberta Flack Tribute Concert: Simply Roberta
Performers for Simply Roberta (image courtesy of Metrostage)
The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)
7pm
Join MetroStage for this tribute concert to the legendary Roberta Flack. Featuring Linda Harris with David Cole, Pete Frassrand, Emory Diggs, Manny Kellough (May 12th), Greg Holloway (May 13th), and special guest Steve Novosel. The May 12th show is sold out, but limited tickets are still available for May 13th.
To purchase tickets for May 13th, visit:
Wednesday, May 28th
Old Town North Alliance Night at Royal Restaurant (Open to All)
Dine at Royal Restaurant on Wednesday, May 28th from 4pm - 10pm and support the Old Town North Alliance. Enjoy a delicious meal and connect with other members and prospective members who are invested in the implementation of the Arts & Cultural District and the future of Old Town North!
To make a reservation, visit:
https://royalrestaurantva.com/
NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES
Image courtesy of Jula’s on the Potomac
Get the best seat in the house for Alexandria’s 276th Birthday Celebration by reserving a table at Jula’s on the Potomac on Saturday, July 12th. These reservations won’t last, so act quickly!
To reserve your spot, visit:
Congratulations to Hotel AKA Alexandria for earning a spot on the ballot for Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards!
To vote for Hotel AKA Alexandria, visit:
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards
Tune in to WETA for a WETA Arts program focused on the local theater scene that features host Felicia Curry’s preparations to perform in a MetroStage tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. last year and includes Curry’s reflections on how the local theater scene nurtures talent.
For airtimes, visit:
https://theatreweek.org/events/weta-arts-april-2025
The City of Alexandria’s Beautification Commission is now accepting nominations for the Alexandria Beautification Awards. Nominations are due by June 15th. In 2024, Canal Center won a Community Beautification Award for their unique artwork and weekly community events. Consider nominating another Old Town North venue for 2025. Categories include: Residential, Excellence in Architecture, Community, and Commercial.
For more information and to make a nomination, visit:
https://survey.alexandriava.gov/s3/2025-Beautification-Award-Nominations