Del Ray Meet-n-Greet Monday March 14
March 9th, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Real Estate News
The Del Ray Citizens Association’s (DRCA) 10th Annual Meet-n-Greet will take place on Monday, March 14 in the George Washington Middle School Cafeteria from 7-9:00pm.
Originally designed to introduce new residents to local businesses, the Meet-n-Greet is now a forum for city agencies, city council members and city programs, as well as our own Del Ray initiatives.
A favorite area for this real estate agent at the Meet-n-Greet is the Developer’s Corner. This is an incredible opportunity to meet with the City’s Department of Planning and Zoning and see scale models of current and future development projects.
This year expect to see designs and/or models for
- Potomac Yard
- The Calvert project
- Waterfront Small Area Plan
- Projects in Arlandria
You’ll also have a chance to meet representatives from the Sheriff’s Department, the Fire Department, the Real Estate Assessment Office (that could be an interesting conversation!) and much, much more.
It will also be your chance to join the DRCA and sign up to volunteer for annual Del Ray events like Art on the Avenue.
See you Monday night -
Michael
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Del Ray Residents Tackle Traffic – Part Two
March 2nd, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Real Estate News
Yesterday we gave you a brief overview of how our once quiet residential street has become a thoroughfare for trucks making their way to businesses on Mt. Vernon Avenue. Today, what we are doing about it.
After a neighborhood meeting led by Barbara King and Denise Maleug, the decision was made to take a multi-pronged approach. First, a letter was sent to the businesses on Mt. Vernon Avenue.
The letter, signed by over 50 residents of East Howell Avenue, included information on the city code about “NO THRU TRUCKS, maps showing alternate, legal truck routes and our commitment to identify and report offending trucks.
At the same time, the letter expressed our support for Mt. Vernon businesses and the desire for Del Ray to maintain its small town character.
Second, a similar letter was sent to the Del Ray Citizens Association and the Del Ray Business Association alerting them to our concerns and asking for community support.
Third, our group is working with Bob Barbacz and Richard Baier in the City’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services to install the signs on Rt. 1 that are so sorely missing – and that should have been installed at the time the Monroe Street Bridge was completed.
And this is just the beginning! Other items on our agenda include more four way stop signs, cross walks and curtailing car traffic cutting through from Rt. 1 to points beyond.
What can YOU do? Be a good neighbor. Obey the speed limit. If you are giving folks directions on how to get to your favorite spot in Del Ray, send them via Monroe Avenue or Mt. Vernon. STOP at stop signs. Watch out for pedestrians. Be a good neighbor.
If you see a commercial truck on a residential street, get a license number or the name of the company and call and voice your concern.
Join the “angry mob” – it’s a great way to meet your neighbors!
Michael
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Del Ray Residents Tackle Traffic – Part One
February 27th, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Del Ray Business Association, Real Estate News
Just a few short years ago when the Monroe Street Bridge was still a “dog leg” over the railroad tracks, Monroe Avenue was the main commercial thoroughfare to Mt. Vernon Avenue and beyond.
Now, with a gleaming new bridge but a rerouted Monroe Avenue, East Howell Avenue, a narrow residential street, has become a preferred route for trucks en route to Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Spurred by the site of a two tier car carrier making its way down East Howell Avenue to Alexandria Audi in January, neighbors Barbara King and Denise Maleug sent out a rallying cry for a recent Sunday afternoon gathering.
Thirty year residents, new comers, young parents, singles and couples all joined in one voice to protest:
- illegal truck traffic
- the lack of four way stop signs and cross walks
- speeders and
- the sheer volume of traffic now evident on the street.
On hand to listen and offer suggestions was Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupika. First and foremost on every one’s mind was the illegal truck traffic on East Howell Avenue.
While completing the Monroe Street Bridge and moving full steam ahead with the development of Potomac Yard, the City of Alexandria failed to add any signage to Rt. 1 (North or South) indicating that NO THRU TRUCKS are allowed on East Howell Avenue despite a turn lane and a stop light.
Ooops! There is a NO THRU TRUCKS sign located on East Howell Avenue – waist high and approximately 25 feet from the intersection and visible only after a truck has already made the turn from Rt. 1.
At the same time the City failed to add any signs on Rt. 1 (North or South) indicating that Monroe Avenue, despite its convoluted restructuring, is still the main commercial thoroughfare to Mt. Vernon Ave and beyond.
Tomorrow – what we are doing and how you can help.
Michael
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Del Ray Named in National Poll of Top Ten Revitalized Neighborhoods
February 26th, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Real Estate News
This morning on MSN.com Del Ray was named in a national poll of Top Ten Revitalized Neighborhoods.
This is what the site has to say:
“In its heyday, Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood was home to families of workers at the bustling Potomac Yard, which in the 1930s was one of the busiest rail yards on the East Coast. But as train culture began to wane and the rail yard closed in the 1980s, the neighborhood fell on hard times and entered a long season of blight.
In the late 1990s, residents rediscovered the narrow grid of streets filled with tightly packed homes and a charming main street within commuting distance of Washington, D.C. Today, Del Ray sports a mix of single-family homes, condos, apartments and businesses. The neighborhood’s main street, and the center of much of the community’s activities, is Mount Vernon Avenue.”
Del Ray Farmers Market
For those of us who have longed called Del Ray home, this characterization is nothing new. We moved here over 20 years ago and I remember my wife telling her parents that it was a “transitional neighborhood.” I’m not sure even that softened the shock the first time they came to visit!
But hey, look at us now! If you have even thought about buying in Del Ray I would love to show you my neighborhood. Give me a call at 703.927.4554 and let’s get started.
Michael
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Barkley Square Gourmet Doq Bakery and Boutique Closes in Del Ray
February 7th, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Real Estate News
Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery and Boutique in Del Ray has closed its doors.
Owner Kristina Robertson announced the closing in a short but heart felt email to the Del Ray/Rosemont/Beverley Hills community on Friday, Feb. 4.
Kristina moved her business from Old Town to Mt. Vernon Avenue almost three years ago and was, from the very beginning, a neighborhood fixture.
Doggie Yappy Hours, Adoption Days, wine and cheese benefits – Kristina did them all.
In her announcement Kristina noted that her landlord was selling the property and while she would no longer have a physical location she would continue to sell her treats at the Del Ray Farmers Market and through her Web site.
Her dog walking and pet sitting business, Karing by Kristina, will also continue.
We’re going to miss you Kristina!
Michael
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MV Big Flea Shop and Drop – The Best Thrift Store in Alexandria
January 19th, 2011 Categories: Del Ray
Are you ready? This Saturday, January 22 signals the grand opening of the MV Big Flea Shop and Drop – the Best Thrift Store in Alexandria!
The brainchild of Del Ray resident Joseph LaMountain, the MV Big Flea is a yearly fundraiser for the Mount Vernon Community School PTA.
Started just three years ago, the “Big Flea” has grown into an almost year round extravaganza with permanent storage for donations, an Ebay site, corporate partners and a host of volunteers. Last year the Big Flea raised over $25,000, exceeding all expectations.
And the MV Big Flea Shop and Drop? Your chance to donate and buy, all at the same time! The storage space for the Big Flea doubles as a store where you can browse and buy any of the donated items. It’s cash and carry only so be prepared.
The Shop and Drop, at 719 North St. Asaph, will be open this Saturday, January 22 and Saturday from 2:00 – 4:00pm and Saturday, February 12.
Then, starting in March, the Shop and Drop will be open every Saturday until the big, one day sell off on April 30th at the Mt. Vernon Community Center.
What a great opportunity to support a neighborhood school and clean out your basement all at the same time!
And if you need a new house for all the bargains that you’ll find at the Shop and Drop, give me a call at 703.927.4554 and we’ll do a bit more shopping.
Michael
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Del Ray Resident Pat Miller Named Alexandrian of the Year
January 3rd, 2011 Categories: Del Ray, Real Estate News
Photo by James Cullum AlexandriaNews
Del Ray resident and business owner Pat Miller has been named Alexandrian of the Year by AlexandriaNews.org.
We are lucky enough to know Pat through the Del Ray Business Association and can’t think of a more deserving recipient.
Pat is the driving force behind Art on the Avenue, chair of the Alexandria Commission on the Arts and, on a daily basis, co-owner of “A Show of Hands“. And that’s only the beginning of a long list of contributions to our community.
Her enthusiasm for Del Ray and Alexandria is palpable and she has created a large tent where all are welcome to participate.
Congratulations Pat! You’re the best!
Michael
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November 2010 Real Estate Market Report for Del Ray, Rosemont and Temple Hills in Zip Code 22301
December 30th, 2010 Categories: Del Ray, Market Reports
In January we will be able to give you a much better look back at 2010 as a whole but for now, let’s take a look at the November 2010 Real Estate Market Report for Del Ray, Rosemont and Temple Hills in Zip Code 22301.
The number of sales was almost identical but there was a very slight drop, -1.5%, in the average home sale in November 2010 as compared to November 2009.
A closer look at the high list prices though shows two million dollar + houses on the market in November 2009 while the highest list price in November 2010 was well under the $900,000 mark.
Even better news comes with the average number of days on the market. In November 2009, the average was 75 but in 2010 it dropped to 35 – a great sign for both buyers and sellers.
| November Del Ray, Rosemont, Temple Hills (22301 zip) |
2009 |
2010 |
| Av. List Price |
$659,629 |
$623,587 |
| Av. Sold Price |
$623,309 |
$613,591 |
| Low List Price |
$209,000 |
$479,000 |
| Low Sold Price |
$209,000 |
$473,000 |
| High List Price |
$1,475,000 |
$849,000 |
| High Sold Price |
$1,175,000 |
$839,000 |
| # of Home Sales |
17 |
16 |
| Av. Days on Market |
75 |
35 |
As always, these numbers represent a wide variety of properties and locations within the 22301 zip code.
For more information and a free competitive market analysis that reflects your neighborhood and property, call me at 703.927.4554.
Michael
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Shop Del Ray in Alexandria for All Your Holiday Needs
December 7th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Del Ray, Things to Do
Shop Del Ray in Alexandria for All Your Holiday Needs! It’s no secret that we love Del Ray. It’s been our home for the past 20 years and we think it’s a pretty special place.
The Del Ray Business Association, of which we are a proud member, has put together this terrific video on why you should shop Del Ray in Alexandria for all your holiday needs. After all, it’s where Main Street Still Exists.
Michael
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Pictures with Santa Claus in Del Ray and Old Town Alexandria
November 30th, 2010 Categories: Del Ray, Old Town, Things to Do
This weekend is your chance to get pictures taken with Santa Claus in both Del Ray and Old Town Alexandria.
On Friday night, Dec. 3, Del Ray will celebrate the holiday season with luminarias, a tree lighting, singing and, of course, Santa Claus. Professional photographer Mark Blackburn will be on had to take pictures – all courtesy of the Del Ray Business Association.
Festivities get started at 6:00pm at the site of the Del Ray Farmers Market at Oxford and Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Santa Claus will also make an appearance in Old Town Alexandria at the Old Town Firehouse at the corner of Prince and Royal. Santa’s appearance here is a fund raiser to support the Helping Hands Relief Fund.
For a donation of $10 you can use your own camera and take pictures (and lots of them) with Santa or use the photographer on hand. Santa is in residence from 11:00am -3:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5.
And to top it off, Santa always makes an appearance in the Scottish Walk Parade – also scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4 in Old Town Alexandria.
Ho, ho, ho,
Michael
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