All results / Stories / Michael Lee Pope
Personality Conflict on the Richmond Highway Corridor
Do residents want to be suburban, exurban or urban?
This summer, residents in Mount Vernon will welcome a new Costco to the Richmond Highway corridor — a big-box retailer with a huge parking lot that will exemplify the kind of suburban and exurban development that has dominated far-flung reaches of the metropolitan region.
Should the Yellow Line Be Extended South Beyond Huntington to Lorton?
Transit study could determine fate of possible Metro extension along Route 1 corridor.
Should the Yellow Line be expanded beyond the Huntington Metro station?
Waterfront Rezoning Put On Hold As Appeals Are Considered
Two challenges in Board of Zoning Appeals, another in Circuit Court.
The Fat Lady has yet to sing an aria for the waterfront plan, and now the controversial upzoning has been put on hold. At least for now.
Silence of the Court
Justices deny public access to shield personal conversations.
The Virginia Supreme Court operates in silence, denying public access to audio recordings of its oral arguments. Unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, which denies video recordings but allows audio recordings, the commonwealth's top appeals court has a complete blackout on public access to proceedings. In a written response to questions from Connection Newspapers, the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Virginia Supreme Court explained that audio records were once public, but the installation of new equipment in January 2008 created new concerns for justices.
Alexandria School Board Considers Budget as Search Continues for Superintendent
Interim leader proposes spending priorities for a system in transition.
Alexandria City Public Schools is in a state of flux. School Board members are conducting a national search for the next superintendent as students are flooding into the city's classrooms. Meanwhile, interim superintendent Alvin Crawley is proposing a 3.3 percent increase over last year's budget, adding $8 million to the existing $235 million operating budget.
Commemorating Hidden History in Arlington and Alexandria
Local 'Green Book' locations may soon be designated historic sites.
Green Book
On the Campaign Trail
Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe is not the standard candidate for higher office.
Aquatics Center On the Ballot
State-of-the-art facility to be considered by voters this fall.
When they head to the polls this November, voters may be thinking of Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps.
Capital Debate
Streetcar funding to take center stage during consideration of capital improvement plan.
For years, the debate over streetcars has been about planning and vision. Now members of the Arlington County Board are about to reach into the pockets of taxpayers, including the $300 million project in the capital improvement plan.
Happyland on Edge: Quiet Suburban Neighborhood Rocked by Unsolved Murders
Residents worried that a serial killer may be on the loose.
The late Ellen Pickering used to call North Ridge "Happyland," a quiet suburban stretch of the city where neighbors knew each other and the most shocking crime that happens is when someone's car is broken into.
Transforming Potomac Yard
Virginia Tech breaks ground for Innovation Campus in Alexandria.
Potomac Yard Groundbreaking
Arlington County Board Considers New Housing Grants
Expanded program would help increasing number of people in poverty.
For Arlington’s poorest residents, the recession is far from over.
Council to Consider Waterfront Master Plan Without Making Zoning Change
Two appeals and a court challenge have put the brakes on zoning changes.
During today's public hearing, members of the Alexandria City Council are set to consider an ordinance officially incorporating the controversial waterfront small-area plan into the city’s master plan.
Contaminated Legacy
From slave plantation to industrial pollution, a hidden history of North Old Town.
The shuttered power plant dominating the landscape in North Old Town has layers of industrial pollution, a hidden history buried under the contaminated soil of the Potomac River Generating Station. Even before the coal-fired power plant was constructed in 1949, the property was home to the American Chlorophyll Company and Potomac River Clay Works. That means the long and complicated task known as "remediating" the property could mean removing everything from coal ash and mercury to industrial fertilizer and hazardous metals.
Virginia Republicans Play Establishment Card
Close primary campaigns for governor and lieutenant governor send GOP candidates to November ballot.
Northern Virginia Poised to Lose Influence
Democratic primary might shift power to Hampton Roads.
Democratic primary might shift power to Hampton Roads.
Islamic Saudi Academy Heads Toward End of its Lease on Richmond Highway
Controversial school to move next year; future of building to be determined.
July will mark the beginning of the end of the Saudi Islamic Academy’s lease on Richmond Highway, ending a long and contentious relationship with a school that opponents consider a training ground for terrorists.
250,000+ Eligible Latino Voters in Virginia
Arlandria is home to one of the largest Salvadoran communities in the country.
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Clash for Mayor: Bill Euille Squares Off with Andrew Macdonald
Candidates for mayor meet in the first of three debates.
In their first of three scheduled debates Tuesday night at George Washington Middle School, three-term incumbent Democrat Bill Euille and independent challenger Andrew Macdonald clashed over the waterfront plan, the Base Closure and Realignment Commission and the scale of development in Alexandria.
Longtime Arlington County Board Memer Chris Zimmerman To Step Down
January departure to open the way for special election in April.
After 18 years on the Arlington County Board, Chris Zimmerman announced last week that he is stepping down to take a position as vice president for economic development of Smart Growth America, a Washington-based advocacy group that promotes walkable neighborhoods near public transit.