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ALEXANDRIA, VA — Between family-friendly celebrations and adult parties, there's no shortage of New Year's Eve events around Old Town Alexandria to help welcome 2024.

This is the 29th year of First Night Alexandria, a family-friendly New Year's Eve event culminating with fireworks at midnight. The festivities will begin at 2 p.m. on Dec. 31 with a day full of activities, activations, dance parties, live music and more.

New this year will be a twilight fireworks display at 6 p.m. on the Alexandria waterfront. The earlier show is aimed for families who want to enjoy the show with kids.

Other features of this year's event are a Fun Hunt for ticketed attendees and block party at Market Square from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with music, a "Cool Happy New Year" demonstration and fun before the twilight fireworks display.

Tickets are required to access First Night Alexandria venues, but the fireworks are free to attend. Some of the fireworks viewing areas include Canal Center Plaza (Center Canal Plaza), Rivergate Park (2 Montgomery St.), Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.), Founders Park (351 North Union St.), Waterfront Park (1A Prince St.), Windmill Hill Park (501 South Union St.), Fords Landing boardwalk (99 Franklin St.), Jones Point Park (Jones Point Dr.) and George Washington Masonic Temple (101 Callahan Dr.).

Road closures for the event include: the 100 block of N. Royal Street from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., 200 and 300 block of King Street from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., 100 block of N. Fairfax Street from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Union Street between Duke and Prince Streets from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Here is a look at some additional events happening near Alexandria:

In the United States, one of the most popular New Year’s Eve traditions is the dropping of the giant ball in New York City’s Times Square. Other U.S. cities have adopted iterations of the ball drop — the Chick Drop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and the giant Potato Drop in Boise, Idaho, for example.

Virginia's twist on the ball drop includes events like Chincoteague Island's Pony Island Horseshoe Drop & Costume Promenade, Cape Charles's Dropping of the Crab Pot, Fincastle's New Year's Eve Bell Ringing and Portsmouth's Olde Towne Scottish Walk.

The end of one year and beginning of another is often celebrated with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” a Scottish folk song whose title roughly translates to “days gone by,” according to Encyclopedia Britannica and History.com.

The history of New Year’s resolutions dates back 8,000 years to ancient Babylonians, who would make promises to return borrowed objects and pay outstanding debts at the beginning of the new year, in mid-March when they planted their crops.

According to legend, if they kept their word, pagan gods would grant them favor in the coming year. If they broke the promise, they would fall out of God’s favor, according to a history of New Year’s resolutions compiled by North Hampton Community College New Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Many secular New Year’s resolutions focus on imagining new, improved versions of ourselves.

The failure rate of New Year’s resolutions is about 80 percent, according to U.S. News & World Report. There are myriad reasons, but a big one is they’re made out of remorse — for gaining weight, for example — and aren’t accompanied by a shift in attitude and a plan to meet the stress and discomfort of changing a habit or condition.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is traditionally a little slow, but there was still plenty of news around Alexandria.

The top story was yet another office-to-apartment conversion planned for Old Town North, part of a trend of developers moving away from office space in the wake of the Covid pandemic and using those buildings for sorely needed housing.

The most-read stories this week were:

Image via Google Maps

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Alexandria podcast returns to tackle 2024’s big elections

A group of women Alexandria women are on a mission to ensure no candidate is just a name on a ballot in Alexandria.

The Liberally Social podcast, started back in 2021 to explore the 13 candidates running for City Council, has come together again to profile two candidates who could shape policy in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS).

In the mix of Potomac Yard arena news and the holidays, the School Board special election to replace School Board Member Willie Bailey has flown a little under the radar.

Real estate agent and former Parks and Recreation commissioner Gina Baum is running against Tim Beaty, a substitute teacher in ACPS and former Global Strategies Director at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The podcast interviewed both candidates in 30-minute profiles posted earlier this week.

Liberally Social has a rotating group of hosts, but the school board candidates were interviewed by Alexandria Democratic Committee chair Sandy Marks, Marta Schantz, a senior vice president at the Urban Land Institute, Kristen Weber, a senior director at the National Center for Youth Law, and Anh Phan, former outreach representative for Sen. Mark Warner.

“We’ve got two very different candidates on the ballot,” said Schantz. “From what I’ve gleaned, they’d engage in school board members in different ways, with different priorities and passions and a different way of doing business. That’s one big takeaway from what I’ve learned.”

The podcast doesn’t endorse candidates and asks every candidate the same questions, from personal questions to thoughts on specific topics affecting Alexandria.

“It’s very egalitarian, it’s the same prompt, and we just listen,” Schantz said. “Our listeners are smart… We try not to poke holes or be too ‘gotcha’, we let the candidates speak for themselves.”

“And sometimes we say ‘they just said that,'” Phan said. “Invariably, when it gets published, when [listeners] hear what outside the box things get said, it gets noticed.”

Even as one election nears on Jan. 9, another significant election looms later this year. Mayor Justin Wilson is not seeking reelection and Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and City Council Alyia Gaskins have both thrown their hats into the ring to replace Wilson.

Additionally, Jackson and Gaskins running for Mayor leaves two empty seats on the City Council that will be up for grabs.

“There’s so much speculation about the City Council election,” said Schantz.

“Everybody is running,” Marks joked, “and nobody is running.”

Marks said while the Potomac Yard is one of the most talked about issues, she’s hopeful that election discourse can focus on other fundamental issues.

“People want to talk about the arena because it’s feisty, but there are a lot of other things happening in the city,” Marks said.

Schantz said she hopes that election discourse can address climate change and equity issues affecting the city. While both are national and international issues, Schantz said there’s much that elected leaders can do at a local level.

“We act where we have the influence,” Schantz said. “Everyone has an impact to make on climate change, on equity, on being a good human. There are so many things you can do locally. If everyone sat in a dark corner and said ‘no one makes a difference,’ then no one would do anything.”

Marks said she hopes the podcast helps Alexandrians get to know more about their candidates and helps humanize them for the electorate.

“It started with ‘how can we do voter education?'” Marks said. “Because there are so many candidates, it’s difficult to do a deep dive with each one, so you get charts with checkboxes, yes or no on specific issues.”

Marks also said she hopes the podcast helps understand that the city’s elected leaders are people too. Marks said, particularly since Donald Trump’s election in 2016, she’s seen an uptick in online conspiracy theories, even at a local level.

“Getting to know them personally dispels some of that,” Marks said. “It’s about inoculating the social electorate against fear.”

Phan said that while online interactions have gotten more polarized, she gets some hope from the fact that returning to in-person human interactions has helped combat some of the vitriol.

“This really helps dispel some of that cynicism that might occur when you talk about electoral politics,” Phan said. “I mean, you have to be a little ‘called to it’ to be running for public office. That’s not something that should be squashed. The podcast gets you to know them as a human person, reinforcing the idea that they are trying to do something in the community. That makes me feel better; more idealistic.”

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ALEXANDRIA — The Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals could be headed to Virginia.

State officials and Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which owns the basketball and hockey franchises, on Wednesday unveiled plans to create a $2 billion entertainment district in Alexandria that would include a sports arena, a practice facility for the Wizards, a performing arts venue and an expanded esports facility, coupled with new retail, residential, restaurants, hotels, conference facilities and community gathering spaces.

Located along the Potomac River in the Potomac Yards neighborhood, the proposed district would be adjacent to the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus and near Amazon HQ2, with access to air, bus and rail services.

In a release Wednesday, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin called the project “the most visionary sports and entertainment development in the world, bringing together entertainment, sports, and technology in the most advanced innovation corridor in the United States: a once-in-a-generation and historic development for the commonwealth, sports fans, and all Virginians.”

The win for the Old Dominion comes at the expense of Washington D.C., which this week made a last-minute pitch to keep the teams in the city, offering $500 million in financing for an $800 million renovation of the arena the teams have been using in downtown D.C.

Under the proposed deal with Virginia, which was approved by the state’s Major Economic Incentives Commission earlier this week, the state would set up a new authority that would issue $2 billion in bonds for the district. Monumental would have a 40-year lease of the site and would repay the bonds annually through rent payments, arena parking revenues, district naming rights and incremental taxes generated by the development. The company would also invest $403 million into the proposed project, and Alexandria would contribute $56 million toward the construction of the performing arts venue and $50 million for an underground parking facility.

The governor’s office has said the state will make no upfront investment in the project and local residents will not be subject to any tax increases for it. The authority will own the land and buildings built under the proposal.

At a Wednesday morning announcement at Potomac Yard, Youngkin said the project “would first and foremost be good for the Virginia taxpayer.”

“That’s exactly what this project represents,” he said. “No upfront investments, harnessing the financial horsepower of the future incremental taxes and other revenues with an estimated $12 billion of economic contribution to Virginia and the city of Alexandria over the coming decades.”

Ted Leonsis, CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, called Virginia a “fantastic state,” noting, “You’re also the only state, the most successful state without professional sports teams.”

“So I think this is a big, big moment that is kind of a capstone for that journey of making Virginia a major driver and a major part of this whole new economy where sports and technology are the big drivers of what a community stands for,” he said.

The project, which is expected to open in late 2028, will require backing from the General Assembly to come to fruition. Legislators will have to approve the creation of the new Virginia Sports and Entertainment Authority that will be the issuer of the bonds, a proposal expected to come before the legislature in the upcoming session that starts in January.

While the Major Economic Incentives Commission has already backed the idea, Virginia lawmakers have balked previously at getting involved in sports team developments. During the last session, the General Assembly abandoned legislation to bring the Washington Commanders to Virginia following concerns over the use of tax revenue and team culture. The Commanders are now under new ownership.

Commanders sale could revive Virginia General Assembly interest in stadium relocation

The potential sale of the Washington Commanders is reviving interest among Virginia lawmakers in pitching the franchise on relocating its stadium and commercial complex to the commonwealth. Last year, the Virginia General Assembly abandoned legislation that offered the Commanders incentives ranging from $300 million to $1 billion amid growing concerns over the use of potential … Continue reading Commanders sale could revive Virginia General Assembly interest in stadium relocation

A handful of protesters turned out Wednesday, yelling over officials’ remarks and urging policymakers to focus on other issues affecting Virginians, such as potential cuts for Metro and a lack of housing.

Patrick Hedger, a Virginia resident and executive director of the nonprofit Taxpayers Protection Alliance, said he believes stadium subsidies are a poor use of public funding and Monumental is “playing off of a bunch of really closely located jurisdictions” to finance an arena.

Hedger said that he’s concerned the governor is “saddling taxpayers with this new debt and this new burden.”

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, said local, state and federal leaders will need to build on the investment by improving existing transit and engaging with the community.

“Our job is to make sure that the neighborhoods adjacent here in Potomac Yard, across Route 1 in Del Ray and other surrounding neighborhoods, feel engaged and know that their quality of life will be protected,” Warner said. “And at the end of the day, their quality of life will be improved from this investment.”

Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, said she’s encouraged that “there is a dedication to do the work to ensure that is not disproportionately impacting our most vulnerable in our community.”

“I know, like many of you, [I] have been looking for a bipartisan agreement that will meet our community’s values and ultimately benefit the local community, Alexandria and commonwealth,” she said. “I look forward to turning this framework into an incredible project beginning as a venue for the entire community.”

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A dozen state lawmakers in Virginia voted unanimously to approve a plan to construct an 8 million-square-foot sports and mixed-use campus in Alexandria, Va., hoping to lure the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals from Washington, D.C.

If the project moves forward, it would be in partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the owner of the NBA and NHL franchises.

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The vote, which took place Monday by the state’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission, approved a new sports district which would consist of a new arena for both teams to use, a 3,000-seat music and entertainment venue, a conference center, hotels, and the headquarters for Monumental.

The complex would be built on land owned by JBG Smith (JBGS) Properties in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood, according to The Washington Post. Monumental would lease the Alexandria property for 30 years, according to the paper.

Monumental has not said whether it would definitely move the pro teams from D.C. to Virginia, and requests for comment have not been immediately returned. It was unclear whether the development would go forth without an agreement to bring the teams to the area.

If the project did go forward, Monumental would contribute hundreds of millions of dollars of its own into the project, two people briefed on the matter told the Post.

The plan further calls for Virginia to create a stadium authority to build and own the mixed-use development, which would allow the developers of the project to utilize municipal bond rates to finance construction.

“Monumental Sports & Entertainment is committed to delivering the best fan experience, winning championships, giving back to our communities, and becoming the most valuable regional sports and entertainment enterprise in the world so that we can continue to reinvest in our fans and community,” the company said in a statement. “Our commitment to the DMV is unwavering and we look forward to sharing plans for future investments.”

The project would next need to be passed by the Virginia General Assembly and the Alexandria City Council. Both votes are scheduled for early 2024.

A new Metro station recently opened in Potomac Yard, and the neighborhood is the future site of Virginia Tech’s Innovation Center. It’s also nearby Amazon’s HQ2.

While it’s no lock that Monumental would move its teams from the Capital One Arena in Downtown D.C., owner Ted Leonsis has hinted that he would be open to move the teams. The company recently requested $600 million in public funding from the District for a planned renovation and if not approved, that could be the catalyst for a move.

“We are hoping to undergo major redevelopments soon that will change much of the external part of the building,” Leonsis wrote on his Ted’s Take blog earlier this year. “The visions and plans for Capital One Arena 2.0 are major, but the fans, players and employees deserve it.”

The arena opened in 1997, and Monumental’s ground lease is set to expire in 2027. Monumental owns the arena but leases the land from the District.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday announced a $2 billion public-private partnership to create a world-class entertainment district in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard adjacent to the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.

This 9 million-square-foot district developed by JBG SMITH will feature the global corporate headquarters for Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), an industry-leading arena for both the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards, a Monumental Sports Network media studio, the Wizards practice facility, a performing arts venue, and an expanded esports facility in addition to bringing new retail, residential, restaurants, hotels, conference, and community gathering spaces, according to the news release from the governor’s office.

“This is the most visionary sports and entertainment development in the world, bringing together entertainment, sports, and technology in the most advanced innovation corridor in the United States: a once-in-a-generation and historic development for the commonwealth, sports fans, and all Virginians. The commonwealth will now be home to two professional sports teams, a new corporate headquarters, and over 30,000 new jobs – this is monumental,” Youngkin said.

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“The Commonwealth of Virginia is truly a catalyst for innovation, and this transformational project represents a unique opportunity for the region's premier sports and entertainment company to forge meaningful connections with Virginia Tech and other corporate partners in the region, including Amazon, Boeing, and Raytheon. This district will generate tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact, creating a prime regional destination,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick.

Ted Leonsis, owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, sported a Virginia Tech tie at Wednesday’s announcement event at Potomac Yard. Gov. Youngkin, Leonsis, and Sen. Mark Warner were among the speakers at the news event.

Located on the Potomac River just across from Washington, D.C., the entertainment district is easily accessible by all modes of transportation and is minutes from the newly opened Potomac Yard-VT Metro Station, Ronald Reagan National Airport, community bike paths and foot trails, and underground parking. Joining National Landing as part of Potomac Yard, the entertainment district will be adjacent to the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus and near Amazon HQ2, creating opportunities for unique partnerships between MSE and Virginia Tech focused on entrepreneurship, sports analytics, immersive technologies, and innovative new business and media strategies.

“We’re excited by Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s plans to be our neighbor in Potomac Yard,” Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said. “We believe in the great potential of this location and are eager to welcome others who are passionate about this community and building an exciting and vibrant future together.”

This public-private partnership is subject to legislative approval by the Virginia General Assembly and the City of Alexandria. In the upcoming General Assembly session, legislators will be asked to approve the creation of a new Virginia Sports and Entertainment Authority.