Photo by Mary Ann Barton
Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg
Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg speaks to constituents Jan. 27 at Tempo restaurant in the City's West End.
Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg will kick off her re-election campaign Sunday, Feb. 11 from 3-5 p.m. at Los Tios restaurant in Del Ray.
The Mayor faces opposition in the Democratic primary, set for June 12, from Vice Mayor Justin Wilson, who announced Friday that he has gained the backing of two former Alexandria mayors, Kerry Donley and Bill Euille. Donley and Euille lost to Silberberg in the 2015 Democratic primary for mayor.
Wilson kicks off his mayoral campaign Sunday, Jan. 28, at 3 p.m. at Live Oak Restaurant in Del Ray.
Wilson has about $34,000 cash on hand as of Dec. 31 in his campaign war chest, according to Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP). Silberberg has nearly $7,000 on hand as of Dec. 31, according to VPAP.
About 75 Alexandria residents showed up Saturday morning to Tempo Restaurant on Duke Street for Silberberg's monthly coffee, where local issues are hashed out.
Many in the audience discussed their disappointment about the City Council's 6-1 (save Silberberg) vote — a tough one, most of the council members noted — to allow development plans to move forward on what's known as Karig Estates behind Beth El Hebrew Congregation on Seminary Road. Six council members sided with recommendations made by the city planning commission staff, going against the synagogue, some neighbors and environmentalists who turned out in force to express their opposition at the Jan. 20 City Council public hearing. The developer has been working with the City for the past two years on the plan.
The audience Saturday morning applauded Silberberg for voting "no" on the development plan.
Silberberg noted that she would welcome bringing back funding for acquiring open space; City Council moved to sunset that set-aside funding as part of its fiscal year 2014 budget.
Other hot topics Saturday morning included:
- Deciding where to display the 18th-century ship found in Alexandria and being preserved at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
- One resident asked why the City's public schools were not taking more advantage of free tours of historic museums and properties in Alexandria.
- Concern that a new push for a controversial Business Improvement District plan will return.
Landmark Mall
One resident asked when the Howard Hughes Corporation will begin redevelopment of Landmark Mall. All mall stores have closed except Sears. Macy's closed in late 2017 and the space will be used by Carpenter's Shelter to house residents while the Old Town shelter is renovated.
"Howard Hughes is a very complicated site — three owners. And Howard Hughes had to buy out everyone," Silberberg said Saturday morning. "They had to buy out all these property owners and they weren't very nice about it. There's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes. But they are moving forward on their plans as quickly as they can. It's definitely a top priority."
"We are doing everything we can to push that ahead. I know it's frustrating. It will be really nice when it's done," she said.
