Port City Dispatches: St. James Group Moves On, Waterfront Happenings, Dog Park Lights, Brooke Curran and Chicken Out

Here are some of this week's important, interesting and fun stories concerning Alexandria and its people.

From the City of Alexandria Patch sites:

St. James Group Withdraws Sports Complex Proposal — By Drew Hansen and Raytevia Evans, Del Ray Patch

The St. James Group announced Tuesday it is withdrawing its proposal to develop Joseph Hensley Park in Alexandria into a sports and entertainment complex.

The proposed colossal sports complex included a multitude of amenities currently not available in the city, including an Olympic-sized indoor pool, ice-skating rinks, indoor golf facility and much more. The St. James Group was seeking a 40-year lease on the land, or possibly longer.

Just in case you need it, here’s more evidence Alexandria has gone to the dogs.

Alexandria’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities has filed an application for a special-use permit requesting lighting for the dog park within Simpson Stadium Park.

Waterfront Market Seeks Input on Offerings — By Drew Hansen, Old Town Alexandria Patch

The Waterfront Market, a new quick-service eatery preparing to open in the Torpedo Factory Arcade near City Marina, is seeking input through an online survey on what potential customers would like to see offered at the restaurant.

Chicken Out Closes at Bradlee Shopping Center — By Drew Hansen, West End Alexandria Patch

Chicken Out at Bradlee Shopping Center recently closed to make way for a new chain.

Work is underway to open a Zöes Kitchen in the vacant storefront, located at 3644 King St. next to Atlantis Pizzeria and Family Restaurant.

Alexandria's Credit Rating Outlook Moves to 'Stable' — By Drew Hansen, Old Town Alexandria Patch

Moody’s Investor Service upgraded Alexandria’s credit rating outlook to “stable” as a result of moving the U.S. government’s triple-A rating to the same outlook last month, the city announced in a Tuesday press release.

Alexandria was one of 37 local governments and four states that were upgraded to a “stable” outlook from a “negative” outlook.

Arlington Deputy to Face Grand Jury in Shooting Death of Alexandria Man — By Drew Hansen, Del Ray Patch

Craig Patterson, an Arlington County sheriff’s deputy facing first-degree murder charges in the death of  Alexandria resident Julian Dawkins, will face a grand jury after a judge said Tuesday there is probable cause in the case, according to WJLA.

During Tuesday’s hearing, a recording of Patterson’s 911 call was played for the first time.

Waterfront Warehouses Not Included in Sale of Washington Post — By Drew Hansen, Old Town Alexandria Patch

The Washington Post announced Monday it will be sold to Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, for $250 million in cash.

Robinson Terminal Warehouse Corporation is included in the sale, but, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission filing, “the wharves and warehouses on the Alexandria, VA waterfront owned by Robinson Terminal Warehouse” are among the excluded assets of the deal.

Police Seek Help Identifying Suspects in String of Robberies — By Drew Hansen, Old Town Alexandria Patch

Police in Virginia and Maryland are seeking the public’s help in identifying suspects involved in a series of recent commercial burglaries in Alexandria, Fairfax and Arlington Counties and Charles County, Md.

In eight recorded burglaries since July 29, the suspects used force to gain entry into restaurants, including multiple Dunkin Donuts locations, during early morning hours.

From elsewhere

Brooke Curran has run over 60 marathons, raising over $200,000 — By St. John Barned-Smith, The Washington Post

Twelve hours after logging her usual eight-mile run, Brooke Curran runs easily along the National Mall, exhibiting the mile-devouring lope that she has perfected running more than 60 marathons across the world over the last four years.

“I can drink a whole pot of coffee, but nothing makes me feel more alert than going for a run,” said Curran, 44, dressed in a white tank top, running shorts and a pair of pink and black running shoes.

Waterfront hotel proposal resurfaces — By Derrick Perkins, Alexandria Times

Carr Hospitality is back at it again more than a year after the company floated — and then promptly shelved — a plan for turning a waterfront warehouse into a boutique hotel.

Earlier this month planning department staff received the company’s reincarnated design for 220 S. Union St. Changes include an uncovered alleyway between the proposed hotel and the neighboring property as well as decreasing the number of rooms to 120.

A Field of Their Own — By Jim McElhatton, Alexandria Times

City groundskeeper William Douglas sits alone on a bench by the right-field foul line when the Alexandria Aces play home games during the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League season.

But before players and coaches arrive at Frank Mann Field, Douglas and his colleagues, Charles Brown and Willie Ruffin, are a whirlwind of activity. The trio can be found as early as 7 a.m. cutting, edging and trimming what’s considered the best natural turf field in the 12-team league.

City Attorney Gave Green Light to Hensley Before All Documents Were Reviewed — By Michael Pope, Alexandria Gazette Packet

Recently unearthed documents from city and state archives show Joseph Hensley Park is protected by the Land and Water Conservation Act, which financed development of the city-owned property in the late 1970s. As a result, the St. James Group announced this week that it's "disappointed to announce" that it will be withdrawing its proposal to use public land for private gain. The developments come a week after City Attorney James Banks concluded that the Land and Water Conservation Act funding from the 1970s "no impediment" to entering into a 40-year lease with the developer.

10 Charged in Area Identity Theft — By AlexandriaNews.Org

Ten individuals have been charged in Alexandria for their alleged involvement in a large-scale identity theft ring operating in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area since at least January 2012. Two additional defendants were already in state custody when federal charges were filed.