James Lewis

Infrastructure / Transportation Increase the City’s focus on pedestrian safety to prevent tragedies. Economy Pilot incubator programs that foster the next generation of Alexandria businesses and create collaboration. Infrastructure / Transportation Use the annual vehicle tax notice program to educate drivers of safety related to pedestrians and bicyclists. Housing Expand the existing first-time homebuyer program and improve it functionality to allow families to build generational wealth. Healthcare Prioritize investments that expand access to mental health services, especially within ACPS. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Ensure competitive salaries and strong collective bargaining rights for our firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement. Education Expand ACPS’ successful and unique bilingual immersion programs. Environment / Energy Accelerate the City’s Energy and Climate Change Action Plan to achieve net carbon zero before 2050. Environment / Energy Increase on-site renewable power generation and EV-charging on City properties, apartment buildings and condominium communities. Economy As a small business owner and Vice President of the West End Business Association (WEBA,) Jimmy is committed to a strong, diverse and robust business community in Alexandria. Housing Increase the City’s stock of affordable housing, especially around public transit hubs. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Increase access to mental health resources to reduce recent strikes in crime, gun violence, drug usage and overdose deaths. Education As a proud graduate of public schools, Jimmy is committed to ensuring a world-class education for all Alexandria students. Quality public education vital for our children’s and Alexandria’s future. City Council must work with the elected School Board to assess priorities and target resources to increase equity and performance. Infrastructure / Transportation Retain a robust transit and multi-modal network to create viable and efficient alternatives to driving. Infrastructure / Transportation Targeting resources to the highest-impact capacity projects with an all-of-the-above approach to reduce flooding immediately. Environment / Energy Mitigate residential flooding that pushes pollutants and debris into our waterways, the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. Healthcare Prevent individuals with mental health challenges from being criminalized and placed into the criminal justice system. Education Address overcapacity with immediate and creative solutions while making necessary long-term capital investments. Infrastructure / Transportation Manage congestion, especially along mainroads, to reduce travel times for all users, regardless of mode. Environment / Energy Ensure science and data underpin City decisions and policies. Education Support students, families and staff in closing lingering learn gaps created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing Protect and expand the City’s existing low-income housing stock, while ensuring existing housing is safe. Infrastructure / Transportation Working with over-impacted communities to identify and pilot solutions for wider adoption throughout the City. Healthcare Aggressively expand access to overdose reversal medications, like narcan, and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) programs to support individuals fighting addiction. Infrastructure / Transportation Creating incentives to transition large impermeable surfaces to more sustainable options that reduce runoff and allow for a more natural flow of water. Economy Ensure affordable housing so businesses can recruit and retain workers. Education Empower ACPS to recruit and retain high-quality teachers through higher salaries and strong collective bargaining rights. Economy Advocate with state leaders for greater authority to prioritize local businesses for City contracts, especially businesses owned by people of color, women and veterans. Housing Encourage developers and public-private partnerships to increase affordable housing beyond the incentives provided by bonus density provisions. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Empower community members to fight back against overdose deaths through increase training and access to overdose reversal drugs, like narcan. Economy Maintain strong support for Visit Alexandria and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP,) which generate massive return on investment. Environment / Energy Protect and expand the City’s mature tree canopy and green spaces.