RCA Newsletter: August 2026

Jol Silversmith

Aug 31

3 min read

The Rosemont Citizens Association is 100% volunteer-driven, but it is readers, members, and donors like you who power it—thank you! Would you consider a gift to the RCA to keep it moving forward?

DONATE

Reminder: September Meeting & RCA Elections!

A reminder that the RCA’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 (7pm at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 100 West Luray Avenue), and will include board elections. If you’re interested in serving, please let us know - info@rosemontcitizens.org. We will also have Reba Winstead, the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Volunteer Alexandria, as a speaker; September is National Preparedness Month. In addition, if you can’t attend in person, we are continuing to experiment with making meetings available for remote viewing - the link will be https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82178812836?pwd=OGh6czB6eHB3VEJaQVovbGc2T29YZz09

Save the Date: Oktoberfest

Please plan to join us on Sunday, October 4 between 1-6pm for an Oktoberfest celebration at the Rosemont Cellar at 2 East Walnut Street (note the new location this year), with drinks and food available from the restaurant and games and entertainment organized by the RCA on its parking lot. Please stay tuned for further details.

Last RCA Happy Hour of the Season!

Please join us for our last regular in-person happy hour of the year at the Rosemont Cellar, 2 East Walnut Street, on Wednesday, September 9, 5pm to 7pm. The first 20 attendees get a free drink!

Virginia Elections

Early voting for the November 3 election will begin mid-September. The U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives will be on the ballot, in addition to three state constitutional amendments.

Neighborhood Businesses

The RCA website includes a list of physical businesses in the neighborhood (https://tinyurl.com/437mu8mx) but we would like to expand it to include home-based businesses, as well as businesses owned by Rosemonters even if located outside of the neighborhood. If you would like to be added, please email us at mailto: jol@thirdamendment.com

PELT Committee

Russell Road Safe Routes to School Project

The PELT committee will be meeting with representatives from the city’s Transportation and Environmental Services (TES) Department on 8/31 to discuss the city’s 8/7 response to the July 27 Traffic and Parking Board vote to support Concept 2 of the Russell Road Safe Routes to Schools Project. The TES Director has determined that “pursuing a new alternative, Alternative C, will significantly improve pedestrian safety while balancing neighborhood concerns, and satisfy the Board's request that staff look for additional parking to support Noami Brooks Elementary School… Concept C will install painted curb extensions at the intersections of Russell Road with West Myrtle Street, West Chapman Street, West Oak Street, and West Maple Street to improve pedestrian visibility and reduce crossing distances. In addition, the project will install median refuge islands at the intersections of Russell Road with West Masonic View Avenue and West Walnut Street.” Concept C will also make the following on-street parking changes:

Removal of five on-street parking spaces on the 400 block of Russell Road
Removal of five on-street parking spaces on the 500 block of Russell Road
Removal of one on-street parking space on the 700 block of Russell Road
Removal two on-Street parking spaces on the 800 block of Russell Road
Addition of five unrestricted on-street parking spaces on the 600 block of Russell Road
Addition of two loading/unloading spaces on the 600 block of Russell Road, as requested by the school for parents and visitors needing short-term access
Addition of six on-street parking spaces on Johnston Place

A summary of the 8/31 meeting with TES will be reported out to the community.

Hoof’s Run Culvert Maintenance Progress

Hoof’s Run improvements below the tennis courts are moving right along! The contractor has completed the demolition and preparation for the concrete pour on the first section of the culvert. The first concrete pour is scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2026, between 9am and 2pm.

Temporary 'No Parking' signs have been placed on Marstellar Place and are in effect on Monday, August 31, 2026, from 7am to 5 pm. City staff will be on-site to oversee operations.

Resources from Alexandria Sheriff’s Office

The Alexandria Sheriff’s office offers a house-watching service (https://www.alexandriava.gov/sheriff/away-from-home-check). Additionally, the Sheriff continue to offer “Project Lifesaver” to help track adults and children with special needs (https://www.alexandriava.gov/sheriff/project-lifesaver).