RCA Updates: January 2025

About The Rosemont Citizens Association

The Rosemont Citizens Association is a 100% volunteer-run organization working to promote the interests and welfare of its members.

Everyone who resides or owns a property in Rosemont is automatically a member; we rely on contributions from citizens like you to sustain our mission and operations.

Contributions to RCA, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, are not tax deductible.

Please consider a gift to the RCA today!

January Meeting Minutes

Thanks to all who attended our January 15 meeting.  Michael Razak of the City gave a presentation on the “Marcus Alert” initiative and mental health resources that can be drawn upon as an alternative to law enforcement.  Some additional information is available at https://www.alexandriava.gov/adult-behavioral-health/mental-health-crisis-programs.

Additionally, Jamie Conrad provided a presentation on an anticipated proposal to prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in Alexandria; specific language has yet to be circulated by the City Council, but a preliminary discussion was held on January 28 (see https://alexandria.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=c7380f9f-5060-4e11-a030-e3ba8577eac5.pptx). We expect to circulate updates when the issue moves forward.

Additionally, the City recently issued a proclamation honoring Katy Cannady, a former Rosemont resident and RCA board member, for her decades of civil advocacy; the members at the meeting by acclamation authorized the Board to issue its own statement honoring Katy. For more information, see https://alextimes.com/local-news/alexandria-honors-katy-cannadys-lifetime-of-service/.

At the end of the meeting, members were asked for input on the concept of holding some meetings in a virtual format, to enable easier attendance, but also continuing to hold in-person events.  The RCA will plan to circulate some further ideas for feedback about what works best for members in the near future.

PELT Committee Update

A Statistical Snapshot of Rosemont – 2023 Census Data

Recent U.S. Census data from 2023 provide a detailed picture of Rosemont with informative charts and graphs. Census Tract #2015 is the area between King Street and Braddock Road, bounded in the West by Ivy Hill Cemetery and in the East by the railroad tracks. The complete data set is available at   Census Tract 2015, Alexandria, VA – Profile data – Census Reporter.

Population: 4,136 people in an area of 0.5 square miles.

Housing Units: 1,517 housing units. About 86% are single-unit houses and 72% are owner-occupied.

Households: 1,442 households with an average of 2.6 persons per household. About 76% of the households are married couples.

Length of Occupancy: About 46% of people moved into their current home in 2015 or later, 37% between 2000 and 2014, and only 16% prior to 2000.

Age: The median age is 38.7 years. About 32% are below 30 years of age, 33% between 30 and 50 years, and 35% over 50 years.

Commute Times: Residents travel an average of about 29 minutes to their job. About 35% drive alone, 9% drive in carpools, 15% use public transportation. About 33% of people work at home.

To dig deeper into the data, check out the one-page summary below or go directly to the link above. You will find the actual distribution graphs for each data element, as well as more complete categories and definitions.

These data certainly inform us about the planning and infrastructure challenges facing our community.

Rosemont Sewer Improvements

The City is starting work on sanitary sewer improvements on  the 200 and 300 blocks of East Oak Street, to be followed in March by similar work on the unit and 100 blocks of East Maple Street.  The projects will include the installation of a temporary sewer while the work is in progress, daytime street closures, and parking restrictions.  Affected houses should receive information directly; an overview is available at https://www.alexandriava.gov/capital-projects/project/sanitary-sewer-capacity-upsizing-project-no-1, including specific planning documents and a copy of a presentation provided earlier this month.

Additionally, prior to the main work, the City also planning to reline sewers and perform other work on East Oak Street between Wayne Street and Little Street, and on Mount Vernon Avenue between East Walnut Street and East Oak Street.  Again, more information should be provided directly to residents.

As neighbors may recall, the next few years will see significant construction in and around Rosemont, including for a major storm sewer project on Commonwealth, and new rail bridges at Commonwealth and King.  Additional information about the projects, including the most recent update by City staff to the Transportation Commission about the rail bridges, is available at https://www.alexandriava.gov/transportation-planning/project/king-commonwealth-streetscape-improvements; a direct link to a recent presentation’s discussion of the rail bridges is https://www.alexandriava.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/25-1-22%20Presentation.pdf#page=29.

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) and will offer another edition of its “academy” introducing community members to its operations in March 2025 (https://www.alexandriava.gov/academies/sheriffs-community-academy).

Next RCA Meeting: March 20, 2025

Please plan to join us for the next general meeting of the Rosemont Citizens Association, on Thursday, March 20, 2025, 7pm, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 100 West Luray Avenue.  We hope to see you there!

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Jol Silversmith

President, RCA