Alexandria Openings, Closings For MLK Jr. Day, Inauguration 2021

Alexandria has a double holiday week coming up. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday that county government usually closes for, but the county also designates Inauguration Day as a holiday when it occurs every four years.

King's birthday is Jan. 15, but the federal holiday falls on the third Monday of January. This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 18. Since the holiday is considered a day of service, residents can check Volunteer Alexandria for volunteer opportunities. The National Park Service also holds its first fee-free day at Great Falls Park and other nationals parks with entrance fees.

Inauguration Day will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 20. President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in at noon, but visitors are discouraged from visiting DC like in past years. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued a joint statement urging Americans to avoid traveling to DC due to the COVID-19 pandemic and potential of violence after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Nevertheless, Jan. 20 is a holiday for Alexandria city government.

Below are the openings and closings to know for Monday, Jan. 18 and Wednesday, Jan. 20 around Alexandria.

City of Alexandria government offices: Closed on Jan. 18 and 20.

Courts: The Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk's Office, Alexandria Circuit Court, Alexandria General District Court, and Alexandria Juvenile Court and Domestic Relations District Court are closed on Monday, Jan. 18, and Wednesday, Jan. 20. The Court Service Unit will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18, but open on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

Alexandria City Public Schools: The school district is closed on Jan. 18. Virtual classes will be held on Jan. 20.

Animal shelter: On Jan. 18, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only. To make an appointment, visit AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt-By-Appointment. On Jan. 20, The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will be closed. For an animal emergency or wildlife concern, call 703-746-4444.

DASH Bus: On Jan. 18, DASH bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule. On Jan. 20, bus service will run on a regular schedule. The free King Street Trolley remains suspended until further notice, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit dashbus.com for more information.

Department of Motor Vehicles: The state DMV office at 2681 Mill Road is open by appointment only due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Walk-in services are not available at this time.

Health department: Alexandria Health Department services at 4480 King Street and at the Flora Krause Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard Street) will be closed Monday, Jan. 18. and the Teen Wellness Center (3330 King Street) will be closed on Jan. 18. All facilities will be open on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Health Department COVID-19 case investigations and contact tracing operate daily regardless of holidays.

Historic Alexandria: All Historic Alexandria museums and sites are closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For virtual resources and more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the child protective services hotline at 703-746-5800; the domestic violence hotline at 703-746-4911; the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline at 703-746-3401; the adult protective services hotline at 1-888-832-3858; and the sexual assault hotline at 703-683-7273.

Impound facility: The city’s Impound Facility (5249 Eisenhower Avenue) will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18, and Wednesday, Jan. 20. The Impound Facility is closed every Saturday and Sunday, and on all observed City holidays. Fees will continue to accrue on Saturdays and Sundays, but not on holidays.

Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches and the Alexandria Law Library (520 King Street) will be closed, along with talking books, telephone and curbside services, on Jan. 18 and 20.

Metro: Metro announced service changes for inauguration week from Friday, Jan. 15 through Thursday, Jan. 21. Metro will close 13 stations inside the security perimeter, including 11 stations on Friday and two on Saturday. Closed stations from Jan. 15 to 21 are: Farragut North, Judiciary Square, Union Station, Archives, Arlington Cemetery, Farragut West, McPherson Square, Federal Center SW, Capitol South, Smithsonian and Federal Triangle. Stations closed from Jan. 16 to 21 are Metro Center and Gallery Place. Buses will operate on normal weekday and weekend schedules, except for Inauguration Day. On Jan. 20, buses will run on a Saturday schedule.

Post offices: Closed on Jan. 18.

Recreation, nature and art centers: On Jan. 18 and 20, Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility and the Charles Houston and Patrick Henry Recreation Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All other City recreation and nature centers will be closed. Torpedo Factory Art Center will be closed on Jan. 18, and open on Jan. 20.

Trash and recycling collection: Residential trash and recycling will not be collected on Jan. 18. Collection services will be delayed by one day that week: Monday’s collection will be on Tuesday; Tuesday’s collection will be on Wednesday; Wednesday's collection will be on Thursday; and Thursday’s collection will be on Friday. The Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Collections Drop-off Center (3224 Colvin St.) will be closed on Jan. 18. Visit the Resource Recovery web page for more information.

Virginia Railway Express: There is no VRE service on Jan. 18 through Jan. 20. For more information, visit www.vre.org.