Request for Proposals
The City of Alexandria, the Carlyle Community Council and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership are seeking proposals for a firm to design, plan and execute programming as part of the Carlyle Vitality Initiative. The request for proposals can be found on the City of Alexandria’s procurement page. Proposals are due on December 17, 2018 at 4:00 PM EST.
This Week: Events & Activities
The Potomac Yard Metrorail Implementation Work Group (PYMIG) held a meeting to provide Potomac Yard Metrorail Station project up-dates on the project design, and amendment to the Development Special Use Permit (DSUP) on Monday.
The Alexandria City Council will hold a work session with the State General Assembly delegation (Tues. 11/27, 5:30 – 7:00 PM, City Hall, Council Chamber, 301 King St.).
The Alexandria City Council will then hold their regularly scheduled Legislative Meeting where items of interest include consideration of the City Legislative Package for the 2019 Virginia General Assembly Session, Receipt of the Proposed Strategic Facilities Plan and a Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project Update (Tues. 11/27, 7:00 PM, City Hall, Council Chamber, 301 King St.).
The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership will hold their regularly scheduled board meeting (Thurs. 11/29 at 8:00 – 10:00 AM, AEDP Boardroom, 625 N. Washington St. Suite 400).
Alexandria’s most spectacular holiday celebration, The Campagna Center’s Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and Parade, draws nearly 30,000 individuals and families. Tourists travel from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region to participate in this celebrated community event. Dozens of Scottish Clans, pipe and drum bands, Scottish dancers, re-enactment groups, Scottie dogs, dignitaries and, of course, Santa Claus will march through the streets of Old Town (Sat. 12/1 at 11:00 AM, Old Town Alexandria).
At sundown later that day, Alexandria’s harbor shines as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise the Potomac River at the historic waterfront for the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. D.C. media personality Tommy McFly of 94.7 Fresh FM will serve as the parade announcer. Enjoy festivities out on the dock from 3 to 7 p.m. and inside the Torpedo Factory Art Center from 2 to 9 p.m. At 3 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive by fireboat at the Alexandria City Marina and then walk into the Torpedo Factory Art Center to greet children and families (Sat. 12/1 at 5:30 PM, City Marina).
Del Ray will continue the holiday celebrations with their Annual Tree Lighting and the lighting of the luminaries. The event features an appearance by Santa Claus, who will lead carols and sit for photos with children. Continue the celebration (and start your holiday shopping!) with a stroll down Mount Vernon Avenue, which will be illuminated by thousands of luminarias, and vote for your favorite in the neighborhood business association’s annual Christmas tree decorating contest (Sat. 12/1 at 6:00 PM, Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, Mt. Vernon Ave. & E. Oxford Ave.).
Upcoming: Events & Activities
Shop local this holiday season! AEDP and Hotel Indigo have partnered to host local, woman-owned businesses for weekend pop-ups this holiday season. December 1 and 2 will feature Mom & I by EK, a mother-daughter-run jewelry company with pieces inspired by handmade Turkish designs. Mom & I by EK hires women in Turkey who hand-make the jewelry, helping them support themselves and their communities. A portion of proceeds from the pop-ups will be donated to Act for Alexandria, an organization that distributes grants for revitalization of the Alexandria area and community. (Sat. 12/1 & Sun. 12/2 at 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, The Hotel Indigo Library, 220 S Union St.).
The Del Ray Business Association will host a pop-up retail market featuring local artisans and home-based businesses on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, located at the intersection of Oxford and Mount Vernon Avenue. (Sun. 12/2 at 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, Mt. Vernon Ave. & E. Oxford Ave.).
In the News
REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT
Editorial: Amazon’s biggest incentive may have been Virginia Tech – The Roanoke Times
Q&A: Virginia Tech’s president on the future Alexandria hub near HQ2 – Washington Business Journal
Alexandria leaders see Amazon HQ2 as economic boom, not traffic nightmare – WTOP
An Amazonian Deal- Decision encompasses Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard – Alexandria Gazette
Amazon FAQs: What Northern Virginians are asking – and being told – about the impact of second headquarters – Washington Post
Economic Spin-Off: Amazon expected to buoy employment, businesses, tax base. – Alexandria Gazette (Page 3)
Why Amazon’s HQ2 might be better for New York than for Virginia– CNN
Can Amazon Really Rename a Neighborhood?– CityLab
Alexandria Hotel Named Best Renovation In Northeast – Old Town Patch
ECONOMY & COMMUNITY
Amazon HQ2 Decision Spurs Major Change To Potomac Yard Metro – Old Town Patch
Amazon HQ2 expansion means tough fight for talent in DC area and New York City – WJLA
After Amazon announcement, Va. schools prepare for new students, partnerships – Washington Post
City Takes Permanent Control of Torpedo Factory – Alexandria Times
BUSINESS & RETAIL
The biscuits that helped Virginia land Amazon are coming to Tysons Galleria – Washington Business Journal
New Restaurant Coming to King Street – Alexandria Living Magazine
Meet D.C.’s new crop of retailers – just in time for holiday shopping – Washington Business Journal
Cider Company Seeks To Open In Alexandria – Patch
Shop Owners Use their Spaces to Build Business and Community – NBC Washington [VIDEO]
How Plogging Turns an Ordinary Workout into a ‘Treasure Hunt’ – PBS Newshour [VIDEO]
Plans Move Ahead for New Del Ray Restaurant – Alexandria Living Magazine
New Restaurant Coming to King Street – Alexandria Living Magazine