Alexandria Times Vol. 16, No.11 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper. MARCH 12, 2020 Alexandrians brace for coronavirus outbreak Residents are urged in Virginia was confirmed on Tuesday evening that a D.C. congressman Don Beyer an- ing with us,” Beyer said in a to wash hands, take March 7. As of Wednesday, resident who spent time at nounced on Tuesday that he statement. “They informed precaution there were 23 coronavirus cas- the Immanuel Chapel of the intended to self-quarantine us that the timeline of his BY LUKE ANDERSON es confirmed in D.C., Mary- Virginia Theological Sem- after coming in contact with infection began shortly after land and Virginia, according inary has a confirmed case someone with the virus. our contact on February 28.” As the COVID-19 coro- to the Washington Post. of coronavirus. The health “This afternoon my wife The Centers for Disease navirus continues to spread There have been no re- department is urging any- Megan and I were contacted Control is recommending globally, Alexandria residents ported cases in Alexandria, one who visited the chapel by the Virginia Department that people frequently wash and businesses are bracing although the virus is touch- between Feb. 26 and March of Health to share details their hands with soap and wa- for an outbreak. Some are al- ing the city indirectly. 4 to monitor themselves for with us about the illness of ter for at least 20 seconds or ready feeling the impact. The Alexandria Health symptoms for 14 days. a friend who tested posi- The first case of the virus Department announced on Alexandria resident and tive for COVID-19 after din- SEE COVID-19 | 10 King Street pedestrian zone takes shape City staff propose from there, the current de- on May 16. The pilot would maintaining one-di- sign diverges significantly last through October or rectional traffic from previous pedestri- November. BY CODY MELLO-KLEIN an-only concepts. The concept behind Staff proposed keeping To close or not to close? one directional eastbound SEE KING ST | 8 The question has been at traffic with one lane dedi- the heart of ongoing con- cated to travel and one ded- INSIDE versations about whether icated to pick up, drop off the 100 block of King Street and delivery and valet ser- Budget should be made into a pe- vices. Parking on the south City employees request destrian-only zone. side of the block would be higher pay at budget Those discussions be- used to expand the pedes- public hearing tween the city and business trian walkway and extend Page 6 owners and residents in outdoor seating on that and around the 100 block side of the street. With ve- PORT CITY of King Street have evolved hicle traffic integrated back quite a bit, resulting in city into the pilot, the changes staff’s first presentation of would now apply through- FLAVOR the King Street Place con- out the week instead of just PHOTO/ANNA JAEGER pa cept to council on Tuesday. on weekends, as was the ee ge Like previous versions case in the pedestrian-only s of the design, the proposed design. 15 St. Patrick's Day Parade pilot program would re- The city plans to seek A cheerful leprechaun waves from a float in Alexandria's move parking on the 100 council approval on April annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. See more photos on page 4. block at all times. However, 14 with a projected launch Matthew McCarthy 703-236-1366 ® NOVA 4617 Duke St, Alexandria 2 |MARCH 12, 2020 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Christine Roland Garner Wishing you a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Since 1988 The time to sell is now. Let me put my 32 years of experience to work for you! KING’S CLOISTER BRADDOCK HEIGHTS $ 1,475,000 $1,399,000 - Contract Pending Lovely 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath brick and stone colonial with attached garage built by a prominent builder in 1948 as Gorgeous 5 bedroom 4.5 bath brick colonial with a 2 car garage located across from the communi - his personal residence. Over 4,600 sq. ft. of interior space ty park in an elegant enclave of home just over 1 mile to the King St. METRO. Recently updated with generous room sizes, tall ceilings, custom built-ins from top to bottom with high end finishes. Open floor plan, tall ceilings, detailed woodwork and and 3 fireplaces. Many recent updates including a brand hardwood floors on 2 levels. Gourmet eat-in kitchen, family room with gas fireplace and study. new Master bath and replacement windows throughout. Huge recently finished lower level with gym, 5th bedroom, full bath and recreation room. Upper Spacious fenced lot features a large flagstone patio, outdoor level with 4 bedrooms and 3 renovated baths including the Owner’s suite with 2 walk-in closets. fireplace, irrigation system and exterior lighting. ROSEMONT OLDE BELHAVEN TOWNE $810,00 - SOLD $744,000 - Contract Pending Totally updated 2 bedroom, Light filled 4 bedroom 3.5 bath 3 bath townhouse in a prime end townhouse on a spacious location just a few blocks to 7,958 sq. ft. lot across from the the King St. Metro, shopping Belle Haven golf course and a and restaurants in Old Town few blocks from the riverfront. and Carlyle & Del Ray! Light Hardwood floors on 2 levels, filled living room with a fire- 2 wood burning fireplaces and place, dining room with a bay freshly painted interior. Master window and adjoining reno- suite with modified en suite vated kitchen with access to bath with soaking tub and walk- an enclosed porch. Walk-out in shower. Finished walk-out lower level with 3rd full bath lower level with 4th bedroom, and family room with a wood 3rd full bath and family room burning fireplace. Two upper with wet bar and French doors level bedrooms with new full to the deep fenced yard with baths and a walk-in closet in flagstone patio. the Master suite. Christine Garner (703) 587-4855 Weichert My Priorities Are Simple...They’re Yours! For additional information & Photos, Go to: www.ChristineGarner.com WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM MARCH 12,2020 | 3 WEEKLY BRIEFING City calls for redevelopment of affordable housing The Alexandria Redevel- “This an important step, total of 477 units of affordable Moonlight and Magnolias opment and Housing Au- this is a big step,” Mayor Jus- housing, according to ARHA. FEB. 29 – MAR. 21 thority put out a call for de- tin Wilson, who serves on ARHA’s goal is to achieve velopers to redevelop five the ARHA Redevelopment a balance of one-third low-in- Join Little Theatre for a funny affordable housing properties Committee, said at Tuesday come housing, one-third work- and affectionate comic romp that takes the audience behind the in the city, according to a Feb. evening’s legislative meeting. force housing and one-third scenes as three writers craft one of 25 request for qualifications. “There’s a lot of work still left market rate units in each of the most beloved screenplays of By issuing an RFQ, the city to do, but this is good prog- the five sites in order to create all time, “Gone with the Wind.” aims to establish private part- ress in our work to rehabili- more mixed-income commu- nerships to assist in its ongo- tate, refresh and renew public nities, according to the RFQ. Disclaimer: There will be peanuts used on stage for this production. ing efforts to provide more, housing in our city.” This isn’t the first time and better quality, affordable The five properties iden- the city has issued a request 600 Wolfe St, Alexandria | 703-683-0496 housing. In order to enter into tified for potential redevel- for development partnerships the partnership, developers opment are Andrew Adkins, to overhaul its affordable WWW . THELITTLETHEATRE . COM would have to commit to the Samuel Madden, the Ladrey housing. In 2013, ARHA tar- city’s one-for-one replace- High Rise, Yale Drive – for- geted seven housing sites, in- ment of the site’s affordable merly known as Cameron cluding Hopkins Tancil, with housing, per a resolution that Valley – and Hopkins Tancil. a similar request. council passed last year. The properties account for a [email protected] 1 9 / 2 0 Hermitage Northern Virginia gets a new look Season Independent and assist- Hermitage, which has includes enhancements to the ed senior living community been on the West End since first-floor dining room, lob- Hermitage Northern Virginia 1962, is licensed to house 200 by, library, bistro, concierge is undergoing renovations to residents. Renovations began area and chapel, according to its first floor, according to a in February and will last the Hermitage. news release. next few months. The project [email protected] BRANDENBURGS Craftmark Homes constructs West & BREW End townhome community Friday, March 20, 2020 Craftmark Homes an- The new community, The four-level townhomes 7:30 p.m. nounced in February that called Fillmore Place of West feature nine-foot ceilings and homes are now for sale in its Alexandria, is walking dis- a rooftop terrace, according to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church new luxury townhome com- tance to the new West Alex the release. They are currently 228 S. Pitt Street munity at 5112 Fillmore Ave., development and The Shops for sale starting at $800,000. Alexandria, VA 22314 according to a news release. at Mark Center. [email protected] $40 adult/ $5 youth Casual Dress BACH: Brandenburg Concertos No. 3* & No. 6 *with original material by Jonathan Kolm HANDEL: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba & Alexander’s Feast Beer provided by: (703) 548-0885 • www.alexsym.org 4 |MARCH 12, 2020 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Erin go Bragh The 39th annual St.