RCA Newsletter: July 2026

Jol Silversmith
Jul 31
4 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?

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Fourth of July Success!

Thanks to all who attended and volunteered at our annual Fourth of July celebration at Brooks Elementary! A special additional thanks to our sponsors (pictured) and other special guests such as Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Council Member Sandy Marks, State Delegate Kirk McPike, State Senator Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Sheriff Sean Casey, Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez, Cub Scout Pack 135, and local musician Marian Hunter (who performed the National Anthem). We hope to see everyone again next year!

Save the Date: Oktoberfest

We’re still finalizing plans, but please tentatively mark your calendar for an Oktoberfest celebration at the Rosemont Cellar on Saturday, October 3.

August Happy Hour

Please join us for our next in-person happy hour at the Rosemont Cellar, 2 East Walnut Street, on Wednesday, August 12, 5pm to 7pm. The first 20 attendees get a free drink!

Primary Elections

There will be primaries on August 4 for the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives and for the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. August 1 is the last day for early voting. For more information please visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/Elections.

RCA Elections/Next Meeting

The RCA’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, and will include board elections. If you’re interested in serving, please let us know - info@rosemontcitizens.org.

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

The city plan to implement road safety improvements along Russell Road near the Naomi Brooks Elementary School was presented at the July 27 Transportation Parking Board (TPB) meeting. The TPB voted (5 to 2) to support a modification to Concept 2.

This option would remove 20 parking spots along Russell Road but keep the speed tables and keep parking restricted in the 600 block of Russell. The city had proposed adding two spots back in the 600 block under both Concepts 1 and 2. The modified Concept 2 also requires the city to work with the Brooks administration and teachers to address on-street parking concerns.

Background

The city had developed two concepts for Russell Road safety improvements around Brooks Elementary and recommended Concept 1 to the TPB. Concept 1 included painted curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalk markings, and improved ADA curb ramps at six intersections, and a new pedestrian crossing at West Chapman Street.

Proposed parking modifications included the removal of:

• one on-street parking space on the 800 block of Russell Road,

• two on-street parking spaces on the 600 block of Russell Road,

• one on-street parking space on the 500 block of Russell Road, and

• two on-street parking spaces on the 400 block of Russell Road.

Concept 2 included the removal of four spaces on the 300 block of Russell Road, six on the 400 block, six on the 500 block, one on the 700 block and three on the 800 block. The removal of the parking spots would permit the construction of a median refuge islands at West Masonic View Avenue, West Walnut Street and West Maple Street in addition to painted curb extensions.

Possible Next Steps

The TPB recommendation is not a final decision. Under city code section 5-8-5, the city’s Director of Transportation and Environmental Services (TES) is “charged with administering changes to traffic controls and on-street public parking in the city and has the authority to establish rules and regulations to do so. In this administration, the director shall consider the recommendations of the board, where the matter is required to be reviewed by the board prior to administering a change. In the event the board’s recommendation does not fully support the director’s proposed action, the director shall notify the board in writing of his decision and reasoning for taking alternative action. This information shall be made available to the public.” At this time, we do not know if the TES Director will support the TPB Board recommendation.

The TPB decision can also be appealed pursuant to Section 5-8-6 (a-d) of city code which allows a traffic control established by the TES director and reviewed by the board at a public hearing to be appealed to City Council by a group submitting a petition signed by at least 25 city property owners or residents. An appeal must be filed with the clerk of City Council within 15 days of the board’s recommendation to the director which would be no later than August 11. Alternatively, an appeal can be filed of the TES director’s notice of alternative action, which would place the deadline in mid-August. Council would then hold a public hearing and could retain, remove or change the measure.

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).