Arena, Dog Poisoning Attempt, Metro Opens: Top Del Ray News Of 2023

ALEXANDRIA, VA — There was plenty of news that interested readers around Del Ray in 2023, from development and business news to road safety initiatives.

Business and development is naturally one of the top topics in the neighborhood. One of the year's biggest stories came recently with the announcement of a proposed arena and entertainment district in Potomac Yard. Meanwhile, the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus and Oakville Triangle developments are making progress. We also said goodbye to businesses like Elo's Italian and Stomping Ground and hello to new businesses like Zuki Moon, Rubia's Tacos, Gustave Boulangerie, Crooked Beat Records and Dos Hermanos Fine Tex-Mex and the returning Rosemarino D'Italia.

Readers were following major transportation milestones like the opening of the Potomac Yard Metro, introduction of school zone speed cameras and reopening of a bridge between Arlington and Alexandria.

Some crime stories received notable interest, including an attempted dog poisoning leading to a suspended sentence, a fatal stabbing in the Del Ray neighborhood, the shooting of a fugitive by federal authorities at the Potomac Yard Shopping Center and more.

In political news, Mayor Justin Wilson announced he won't run for a new term, while Councilmember Alyia Gaskins and Vice Mayor Amy Jackson are running for mayor in 2024. Zoning for Housing was approved, and flood mitigation projects are making progress with planning.

In school news, Alexandria City High School got a new principal after Peter Balas left for an Arlington position. Mount Vernon Community School's principal earned a Washington Post principal of the year award but left the school district. A special election is set for January after School Board member Willie Bailey resigned.

Here are the top stories of 2023 in Del Ray. Click on each link for more coverage, and be sure to subscribe to Del Ray Patch for more news in 2024.

Business and Development

• Washington Capitals, Wizards Move From DC To NoVA Outlined
• 'Not A Final Deal': Alexandria Mayor Addresses Sports Arena Proposal
• Replacement Restaurant For Stomping Ground Opens In Del Ray
• Elo's Italian To Close In Alexandria's Del Ray Neighborhood
• New Restaurant Opens In Former Elo's Italian Location In Del Ray
• Founding Farmers To Open Location At Alexandria's Oakville Development
• Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Construction Milestone Reached
• Rosemarino D'Italia Makes Return To Del Ray
• Kaizen Tavern Replaced With New Concept In Del Ray
• Del Ray On Most Endangered Historic Places List In Virginia
• New Lena's Loft Concept Brings Cuban Flair And Flavors
• Major Construction Milestone Met At Inova's Oakville Triangle Facility
• Business Owner Helps Crooked Beat Records Find New Del Ray Location
• Piece Out Del Ray To Temporarily Close For Expansion
• Del Ray Restaurant's Outdoor Area With Smoker OK'd Despite Complaints
• Del Ray's Dog Bar To Transform Under New Ownership
• Alexandria Native Gives Back As Children's Counselor In Del Ray
• Hops N Shine Gets Limited Outdoor Approval, Advice From Councilmembers
• Ting Internet Debuts In Limited Part Of Alexandria
• New Coffee Guide To Highlight Alexandria's Locally-Owned Shops
• Hawaiian Shaved Ice Business Ready To Make Waves In Del Ray
• Themed Cocktail Bar Dreampt Opens At Del Ray Pizzeria
• French Cafe Bistro To Open In Del Ray's Former Bean Creative Building
• Nectar Coffee and Wine Bistro Owner Continues With Cleaning Business
• Notable Signs Around Alexandria The Creation Of Del Ray Shop
• Del Ray Farmers Market Wins 2023 Heart Of Del Ray Award
• T.J. Maxx To Open Relocated Store In Alexandria's Potomac Yard
• Del Ray Photographer Finds Passion In Home Organizing
• Delivery Truck Frustrations Prompt New Loading Zone In Del Ray
• Lawsuit Pauses Minority-Owned Business Grant Program In Alexandria
• Major Affordable Housing Development In Alexandria Breaks Ground

Transportation

• Potomac Yard Metro Station Opening Connects DMV Communities
• Speed Camera Enforcement To Start In Alexandria After Warning Period
• Object On Track Tied To Train Derailment Between Arlington, Alexandria
• Bridge Reopening Celebrated By Arlington, Alexandria Officials
• How Rent Prices Changed Near Alexandria Metro Stops Since 2022
• DASH To Celebrate Record Ridership Milestone Under Fare-Fare Policy
• Mini Roundabout Endorsed For Intersection In Alexandria
• Alexandria Ranked Among Best Places To Live Without A Car

Crime and Safety

• Attempted Dog Poisoning In Del Ray Leads To Suspended Jail Sentence
• Del Ray Homicide Of Centreville Man Leads To Charge: Police
• 'Senseless Violence': 1 Person Killed In Alexandria Shooting
• PETA Doubles Reward In Case Of Meat Embedded With Fish Hooks
• Alexandria's Fifth Homicide Of 2023 Leads To Arrest
• Shooting In Arlandria Results In Arrest: Alexandria Police
• Fugitive Shot By Federal Marshal In Alexandria Shopping Center: Police
• Shooting Of Woman In Alexandria Leads To Arrest
• Pedestrian Injured In Crash On Mount Vernon Avenue In Del Ray
• Del Ray Restaurant Manager Killed In Baltimore County Crash
• Sudden Death In Alexandria Reclassified As Homicide: Police
• Overall Violent Crimes Down, Gun Crimes Up In Alexandria: Police
• Inmate's Death In Alexandria Jail Leads To Lawsuit Against Feds

Schools

• After Fatal Student Stabbing, Support For Youth Recommended
• Peter Balas Leaving Alexandria Schools To Take Arlington Role
• New Principal Selected For Alexandria City High School
• Alexandria School Board Member Willie Bailey Resigns
• Alexandria School Principal Named Washington Post Principal Of Year
• New Elementary Principals, School Board Leaders Announced
• Costumed Shark, Bunny, Ballerina Read To Students In Alexandria
• Vape Detection Systems Installed At Alexandria High School Campuses
• Special Education Teacher Recruitment Boosted By ACPS, GW Partnership
• Middle School Athletics Floated For Alexandria Public Schools
• Book Vending Machine Donated By PTA Introduced To Alexandria Students

Politics and Government

• Mayor Justin Wilson To Not Seek Re-Election In 2024
• Alexandria Election Results 2023: Incumbents Win, Dems Claim Majority
• Zoning For Housing Approved, A 'Powerful Tool' For Housing Supply
• Third Collective Bargaining Agreement To Be Funded In Alexandria
• Guaranteed Income Program Recipients Chosen In Alexandria
• Alexandria City Attorney Joanna Anderson To Retire
• Cheran Cordell Ivery Named As Replacement City Attorney In Alexandria
• Vice Mayor Amy Jackson Runs For Alexandria Mayor
• Alexandria City Council Member Alyia Gaskins To Run For Mayor
• James Lewis Seeks Election To Alexandria City Council In 2024
• Same Real Estate Tax Rate Approved In Alexandria City Budget
• Confederate Street Renaming Proposal Up For Review In January
• Cautious Optimism On Flood Mitigation Work: Alexandria Advisory Group
• Major Stormwater Capacity Project Moving To Design Phase
• Abortion Zoning Access Approved By City Council After Disruptions
• Some Alexandria Services Moving To New Mark Center Facility

More Community News

• Renovation Plan For Del Ray's Largest Park Approved
• New ALIVE Food Hub Opens In Del Ray To Serve Residents In Need
• Alexandria Population Rebounds Slightly After Pandemic Drop
• Pirate Display, Other Best Decorated House Winners Named In Del Ray
• Visit Alexandria Unveils First Major Rebranding Since 2013
• Niche 2023 Best Cities To Live: Alexandria Ranks On National List
• Meatball-Inspired Tournament Hosted By Alexandria Restaurant
• Refunds For Alexandria Water Utility Customers Expected
• For 102-Year-Old Alexandria Woman, Hobbies Don't Have Age Limit
• Fundraising Helps Alexandria Homicide Victim's Family Remain In Home
• Alexandria Ranks In Top 50 Of Best Cities For Renters In U.S.
• Alexandria Ranks Among Best 50 Places To Live For Families: Fortune