New mural at Bradley Shopping Centre (Staff photo: James Cullum)
What do the Bradley Shopping Center, Winkler Botanical Preserve and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office have in common?
Well, a quick look at the headlines will give you some idea of the answer: all three of these locations were among the Alexandria locations honored at last week’s 2024 Beautification Awards.
An announcement from the City of Alexandria announced the winners in the residential and three non-residential categories.
The residential category winners primarily spotlighted homes that “promote environmental health and biodiversity through sustainable practices such as using native plants, installing permeable paving, maintaining mowing-free lawns and avoiding pesticides and invasive species.”
“Many of the winners have undertaken the rewilding of their yards, taking steps to create visually appealing native landscapes that both beautify their sites and serve as havens for pollinators,” the city said.
These range from a beautiful duplex garden at 205 Laverne Avenue that attracts monarch butterflies and sparrows to a historic-style garden in Old Town at 112 Cameron Street.
The non-residential winners in each category are as follows:
Architecture Category Winner
Architectural design is the backbone of Alexandria’s visual identity, blending historic charm with contemporary vision, and the award recognizes projects that harmoniously integrate with their surroundings, including adaptive reuse of historic buildings and cutting-edge new construction.
● East: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Headquarters, 600 Dulany Street – Demonstrating a dedication to the art of architecture.
● Center: Potomac Yard – VT Station South Pavilion, 3001 Potomac Avenue – Sustainable initiatives include diverting construction waste from landfills to recycle or reuse, stormwater management to protect local wetlands, and reducing water use through native plantings and efficient plumbing. Artwork is designed to be integrated into the station’s architecture to respond to users’ movements and actions.
● West Side: Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, 1101 Janneys Lane – Built on the site of the original school building that opened in 1943. This is Alexandria City Schools’ first net-zero school, meaning the electricity generated by the school itself will be equal to the energy actually used by the facility.
Community Winner
The awards recognize neighborhood residents and community groups who are committed to improving their local environment. From thoughtfully re-envisioning and maintaining parks to planting vibrant gardens filled with native and local plants, champions of community spirit are making Alexandria shine brighter than ever.
● East: 44 Canal Center Plaza – This center hosts weekly community events that are free to attend. The statues and artwork are fun, unique, and eye-catching, and contribute to the overall beautification of the space.
● Center: Simpson Park, 426 East Monroe Avenue – These gardens are maintained by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. They inspire and educate visitors about native and ornamental plants and trees, and sustainable gardening practices. Many native species are planted throughout the gardens, as well as feature trees and perennials. The gardens showcase four seasons and provide a habitat for local wildlife in the park. There is also a treasure hunt game to learn about native plantings.
● West Side: Winkler Botanical Preserve, 5400 Roanoke Avenue – This 44-acre preserve is an urban retreat with multiple trails, streams, lakes and waterfalls surrounded by woods and native plants. It’s a beautiful, green sanctuary away from the streets of Alexandria.
Commercial Category Winner
Businesses and retail establishments are vital to the aesthetic of a city, and from pedestrian-stopping artistic installations to innovative uses of outdoor space, the winner in this category will transform Alexandria into a vibrant hub of creativity and commerce.
● East: Eisenhower East Community Park, 750 Port Street – Includes plant materials, architecture, maintenance of environmentally sustainable practices and incorporating neighborhood context.
● Central: Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Avenue – Metro DC’s longest-operating brewery is known for its award-winning beers and active community involvement. Located in a state-of-the-art facility, it hosts weekly events and boasts a bike-friendly outdoor area equipped with bike racks and tools; an inviting space surrounded by picnic tables, lighting and trees. Port City employs sustainable and eco-friendly practices and has been awarded a Gold Eco City Business by the City of Alexandria for its environmental efforts.
● West: “Blueprint for Peace” at Bradley Shopping Center (3660 King Street) is a colorful 81-by-17-foot mural created in collaboration with a commissioned artist, students from nearby Alexandria City High School and the shopping center community. The theme is peace and the innocence of childhood. The artists mentored the students, engaging them in the creative process and painting. They discussed safe and welcoming public gathering places and invited community members who passed by to participate in the mural’s installation. The mural adds a vibrant artistic element to the public space and promotes an inclusive and positive community environment.
Vernon Miles is the co-founder and editor of ALXnow. He has been covering Alexandria since 2014 and with Local News Now since 2018. When he’s not reporting, he can often be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.