EXCLUSIVE - Red Hot and Blue coming to Carlyle?

According to a well-placed source in the neighborhood, Rite-Aid won't be the only new business going into the renovated building at the corner of Eisenhower Ave. and Hooffs Run Drive. 

Rumor has it that Red, Hot and Blue will be joining the Rite-Aid and an unnamed "burger joint" in this behind-schedule location. The Rite-Aid was due to be open in January, and the construction doesn't seem to be moving at a very fast pace.

Alexan Carlyle - new apartments sometime next year

An article in the Alexandria Times by Sarah Mills discusses the new 280-unit apartment complex going in on Hooffs Run across from the Jungles Gym - it's due to be finished in the summer of 2009. This is what it looks like today - a big hole in the ground.

Alexan Carlyle is being developed by Trammell Crow and will feature a pool, clubhouse, business center and exercise room.

For some perspective - the above shot was taken from east on Hooff's Run Drive. Behind the photographer is Jungle's Gym, to the right is the Thrifty car repair center, and to the left is the future Carlyle Plaza One.

Dispute over 10 acres in Carlyle - sewage plant or high-rise?

The Alexandria Times and Washington Post both have stories about the dispute between one of the founding families of Alexandria and the Sanitation District over 10 acres of land in the southeast corner of the Carlyle neighborhood. Mr. Hooffs wants to sell it to be developed as a high-rise office building (for approximately $40 million). The Sanitation District wants to take it for expansion of the sewage plant and take it via eminent domain (of course the owners would probably get far less than what they want for it). The Alexandria City Council is set to vote on Mar. 15 - the city stands to lose millions in tax revenue if the Sanitation District wins.

As someone who lives and works in Carlyle, people are always stopping me on the street asking for directions. More than once I have had someone ask me "where is the go-kart track"? I didn't know where it was myself, as it has been closed for some time. But when I read about this issue I learned finally where the go-karts used to be. Too bad, as it would be a fun place to have in the neighborhood. Oh well.

From the south end of Hooffs Run Drive - this is the abandoned go-kart track (above) on the south side of the land in dispute. The Beltway is to the right. Behind the photographer is an entrance to the jail. In the picture below is the Thrifty car repair center - to the left is the Alexan Carlyle project and to the right is the go-kart track. The red building to the rear is the current sewage treatment plant. The go-kart track and the Thrifty center are both part of the land in question.

Like the cherry blossoms

(or whatever they are) along Eisenhower Avenue, we're back!

Updates ...

From sources ...

Robeks on Ballenger Avenue (smoothies, wraps, salads) will be open around the end of next week.

Bruegger's Bagels are on target to open by the end of October.

Rite-Aid on Eisenhower is supposed to be open February of next year, but I can't really figure out - are they completely tearing that building down at 2000 Eisenhower Avenue, or just going to use the shell for the Rite-Aid? Anyone know?

I need to write about something other than restaurants, but it seems that that's about the only news ...

Starbucks Open!

Now we are a real urban neighborhood ... love em or not, Starbucks is here and open - corner of John Carlyle Street and Ballenger Avenue. They opened last Friday.

Now all those examiners at the PTO can get their caffeine fix for the end of the fiscal year!

California Tortilla coming?

According to the Alexandria Planning Commission docket for September, California Tortilla is applying to open a new location at Hoffman Town Center next to Ted's Montana Grill, Cold Stone Creamery, Bread and Chocolate, and Galae Thai. California Tortilla is a fast-food Mexican restaurant with numerous locations already in the Northern Virginia area.

Also, on the Planning Commission docket for October is approval for Jamba Juice coming to Foxchase Shopping Center.