Bradlee Shopping Center, Port City and more celebrated in Beautification Awards | ALXnow

What do the Bradlee Shopping Center, Winkler Botanical Preserve, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office all have in common?

Well, the headline sort of gives away the answer, but: all three were among locations in Alexandria honored in last week’s 2024 Beautification Awards.

A release from the City of Alexandria noted the winners in residential and three non-residential categories.

The residential winners primarily highlighted homes that “champion environmental health and biodiversity through sustainable practices such as using native plants, installing permeable pavements, maintaining no-mow lawns, and avoiding pesticides and invasive species.

“Many winners have embraced re-wilding their yards, taking steps to beautify their properties while creating visually appealing native landscapes that also serve as havens for pollinators,” the City said.

These ranged from a beautiful duplex garden at 205 Laverne Avenue that attracts monarchs and sparrows to a historically-styled garden in Old Town at 112 Cameron Street.

The non-residential winners in their categories are listed below:

Architecture Winners 

Architectural design is the backbone of Alexandria’s visual identity, blending historical charm with contemporary vision. This award recognizes projects that harmoniously integrate with their surroundings, whether through adaptive reuse of historic buildings or cutting-edge new constructions.

● East: United States Patent and Trademark Headquarters, 600 Dulany Street – Demonstrated commitment to the art of architecture.

● Central: Potomac Yard–VT Station South Pavilion, 3001 Potomac Avenue – Sustainable practices include construction waste diverted from landfills for recycling or reuse, rainwater management to help preserve local wetlands, and reduced water usage through native plantings and efficient plumbing. The artwork is designed to integrate into the station architecture in a way that responds to the motion and movement of users.

● West: Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, 1101 Janneys Lane – Built on the site of the original building that opened in 1943. This is the first net zero ready school for the Alexandria City Public Schools, so the power generated for the school itself will be matched by the energy actually used by the facility.

Community Winners 

This award honors neighborhoods and community groups that go above and beyond to enhance the local environment. Whether it’s the thoughtful reimagination and maintenance of parks to planting vibrant gardens, filled with native and local flora, these champions of community spirit make Alexandria shine brighter than ever.

● East: 44 Canal Center Plaza – This center holds weekly community events that are free to the public. The statues and artwork are fun, unique, and eye-catching, contributing to the overall beautification of the space.

● Central: Simpson Park, 426 East Monroe Avenue – These gardens are maintained by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. They heroically inspire and educate visitors about native and ornamental plants and trees, and sustainable gardening practices. There are many native plants throughout the garden along with distinctive trees and perennials. The garden showcases all four seasons and provides a habitat for local wildlife in the park. They even have a scavenger hunt for the public to learn about native plantings!

● West: Winkler Botanical Preserve, 5400 Roanoke Avenue – The 44-acre preserve provides an urban refuge. It includes multiple trails, streams, a lake, and a waterfall surrounded by forest and native plants. It is a stunning, green sanctuary away from the Alexandria cityscape.

Commercial Winners  

Businesses and commercial establishments are crucial to the City’s aesthetic appeal. From artistic displays that stop pedestrians in their tracks to innovative use of outdoor spaces, the winner of this category transforms Alexandria into a vibrant hub of creativity and commerce.

● East: Eisenhower East Community Park, 750 Port Street – Includes plant materials, architecture, and the inclusion of environmentally sustainable practices maintenance and neighborhood context.

● Central: Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Avenue – This longest-operating brewery in Metro Washington DC is renowned for its award-winning beers and vibrant community engagement. Located in a state-of-the-art facility, it hosts weekly events and boasts a bike-friendly outdoor area with bike racks and tools. Surrounded by picnic tables, lights, and trees, it’s an inviting space. Port City has adopted sustainable, eco-friendly practices and received a Gold Eco-City Business from the City of Alexandria for its environmental efforts.

● West: Blueprint for Peace at Bradlee Shopping Center, 3660 King Street is a colorful, 81’x17’ mural created in collaboration with the commissioned artists, students from the nearby Alexandria City High School, and the community at the shopping center. The theme is peace and childhood innocence. The artists mentored and involved the students in the creative process and painting. They engaged in conversations about safe and welcoming public gathering spots and invited passing community members to join in the mural’s installation. It serves as a vibrant, artistic addition to the public space and promotes an inclusive and positive community environment.