The Alexandria City Council held its Legislative Meeting on April 28, 2026, at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center. The meeting opened with proclamations, followed by oral reports from council members, a detailed presentation on the Potomac River Generating Station (PRGS) redevelopment proposal, approval of a resolution authorizing revenue bonds for the Ladrey rehabilitation project, adoption of the FY 2027–2031 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development, and approval of the council schedule. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM.
City Manager Parajon, AEDP CEO Stephanie Landrum, Deputy City Attorney Bonnie Brown, and Assistant City Manager Julian Gonzalez presented a proposal to redevelop the 19-acre former coal-fired power plant site on the Potomac River. The project would create up to 2.5 million square feet of mixed-use development (including up to 2,000 dwelling units) with over five acres of public open space. The developer, HRP Group, requests a 30-year tax increment financing (TIF) of up to $135 million to cover public infrastructure, environmental remediation, and site readiness. The TIF would be backed by new tax revenues generated by the project (not existing city revenues) and structured through a Community Development Authority (CDA). Total private investment is projected at $2 billion, generating an estimated $1 billion in gross incremental tax revenue, of which $770 million would be available for city services after debt service. The first phase aims for completion by 2030, with council consideration of a performance agreement in June 2026. Councilmembers expressed broad support, noting the need for housing and the project’s alignment with economic development priorities. Public engagement continues through May.
Council approved Items 10–12 by roll-call vote (Item 13 considered separately):
Okay, there has been a motion by Councilman Aguirre and a second by Councilwoman Green to approve the electronic participation resolution. Madam Clerk, this is a roll call vote. Please call the roll. Councilman McGeary. Councilwoman Green. Councilman El Nuby. Okay, Madam Clerk, next item. Moment of silence and pledge of allegiance. Okay, it is our practice to begin each meeting with a moment of silence followed by the pledge. We ask that if you are able to stand, please join us. And whereas Arab Americans embody resilient family values, strong work ethic, dedication to education, and diversity in faith and creed that have added strength to our great democracy. And whereas the celebration of Arab American ancestry and cultural heritage educates our fellow Americans encounters misconceptions, bigotry, anti-Arab hate, civil right abuses, and harmful stereotyping. And whereas Arab Americans joined all join all Americans in the desire to see a peaceful and diverse society where every individual is treated. You may have a cry. Whereas Arab Americans join all Americans in the desire to see a peaceful and diverse society where every individual is treated equally and feels safe. And whereas the extensive contributions and rich heritage of Arab Americans have helped us build a better nation. Now, therefore, I, Abdel Nubi, on behalf of Aliyah Gaskins, mayor of the city of Alexandria, Virginia, and on behalf of the Alexandria City Council to hereby proclaim April 2026 to be National Arab American Heritage Month in the City of Alexandria. And I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens, all while recognizing and expressing deep gratitude for the contributions that Arab Americans have made to the city of Alexandria and our country. And we encourage our citizens to join us in this special observance and recognition. In witness thereof, I hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Alexandria to be a fixed this 28th day of April 2026. Thank you. And I'll pass the mic to our guests to introduce themselves briefly. Okay. Hi, my name is Janine Katad. This is little Leanne. I'm a employee with the City of Alexandria and very proud to be here this evening. Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon. My name is Mo Safelde. I'm a former council member here in the City of Alexandria. Glad to be here. I'm uh employee of the City of Alexandria for 27 years and proud to be here. Abdullahi Abdul, I'm a school board member from District C of the city. I'm glad to be here. Thank you. And thank you all for being here this evening to celebrate this great occasion. Um Madam Mayor, you know, as an Arab American myself, as an elected official in this city, you know, I really appreciate how our cities always um inclusive celebrating this this these occasions, how our city celebrates our diversity, and these occasions are you know an opportunity for everyone to celebrate their identity, whoever they are, um people who may be, you know, second guessing if they have a place in our society or in our city because of their identity. I think these opportunities are a great reminder that you know everyone belongs no matter who they are, and I hope you know those who um maybe you know, again questioning you know whether they belong or not, seeing uh Arab American elected officials and former elected officials and city employees and all of that that inspires them to realize that they too have a place in our society and in our community. Um America is the land of the dreams. America is um an inclusive place. Um I'm proud to be an Alexandrian, um obviously proud to be an American. Um my colleagues, I appreciate um your support and hopefully to pass this proclamation. And with that, Madam Mayor, I move to approve the proclamation. Okay, there has been a motion by Councilman Al Nubi and a second by Councilman Green to approve the proclamation. Is there any further discussion? Um I just want to quickly say something I really appreciate about the first line of the proclamation is it speaks to the many ways that Arab Americans have contributed to our community. And I think each of you standing here as elected officials, as employees, but also when I look out into the audience, we have poets, we have artists, we have advocates, we have faith leaders, we have neighbors and friends, so just want to recognize all of the many ways in which our community comes together to celebrate and recognize important cultures and traditions, but also the ways in which you are shaping our city every single day through your words, your actions, and the power of your voice. So thank you again for recommending and reading the proclamation, and thank you to all of you who are here. Um what I will say is typically we'd have like a photo or uh big way of doing this.