Athletic Field Lights, Waterfront Pedestrian Zone Up For Consideration

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Athletic field lighting at schools and the permanent King Street unit block pedestrian zone are on the Alexandria Planning Commission agenda for Tuesday.

The Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall Council Chamber. Residents may attend in person or join virtually through Zoom (by phone at 301-715-8592, webinar ID: 912 2434 4615, password: 157659).

Here's a look at what the Alexandria Planning Commission will consider Tuesday.

King Street and the Strand Pedestrian Zone

The Planning Commission will consider whether to recommend the permanent pedestrian zone in the unit block of King Street and part of the Strand along Alexandria's waterfront. The streets have been closed to vehicular traffic since Memorial Day weekend. The temporary closure is extended through Nov. 20 as the city considers the pedestrian zone's future.

The 100 block of King Street next to the unit block is already permanently closed to vehicular traffic. The temporary closure applies to the King Street block closest to the waterfront as well as the Strand between Wales Alley and King Street. The closures to vehicular traffic apply to all vehicles except emergency and municipal maintenance vehicles.

The pedestrian zone provides additional space for pedestrians to walk, as well as opportunities for businesses to utilize outdoor space. According to a city staff report, pedestrian traffic increased in the King Street unit block due to reduced vehicular traffic with the 100 block closure and the popularity of Waterfront Park.

In a city survey, 89 percent of 1,694 respondents said they support continuing the pedestrian zone permanently, while 78 percent called the zone very positive, 12 percent said positive, 2 percent said neutral, 3 percent said negative and 2 percent said very negative. There were also concerns about the pedestrian zone shared by 1,367 respondents, with 26 percent pointing to traffic backups on Union Street more than before, 23 percent saying trash cans are full more often and people riding bikes in the space creates more conflict than before, and 21 percent citing concerns about parking or turning around on the Strand.

If recommended by the Planning Commission, the permanent closure of the King Street unit block and part of the Strand will be considered by City Council on Nov. 12.

Field Lights at Alexandria Schools

The Planning Commission will consider whether to recommend special use permits for athletic field lighting. The lighting is proposed at athletic fields at Francis C. Hammond Middle School, George Washington Middle School, Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School, Patrick Henry K-8 School, and Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.

If approved, the lighting would be added in the current fiscal year 2023 at Francis C. Hammond Middle School, George Washington Middle School and Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School. City Council had already approved funding for athletic field lighting at two locations in the fiscal year 2023 budget. With additional funding, the city could add lighting at three in fiscal year 2023, Patrick Henry K-8 School in fiscal year 2024 and Eugene Simpson Stadium Park field in fiscal year 2025.

The city's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities has been looking for locations to install lighting to accommodate Alexandria's growing scholastic and community program needs with limited field resources. Under an agreement with the city and Alexandria City Public Schools, athletic fields are reserved for student use during school hours but can be used by the public and recreational programming outside school hours.

See individual reports on lighting proposals for George Washington Middle School, Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School, Patrick Henry K-8 School, Eugene Simpson Stadium Park and Francis C. Hammond Middle School.

City Council consideration is scheduled for Nov. 12.

Duke Street affordable housing proposal

A 94-unit multifamily affordable housing development called Witter Place is proposed at 2712 Duke Street by nonprofit Community Housing Partners. The community would serve households making between 40 percent and 60 percent of the area median income. Partially below-grade parking would be provided. It would replace an existing car sales and service dealership. The existing Lindsay Cadillac would continue to use it as a temporary location until mid-2024, which would allow the proposed redevelopment to move forward.

With the proposal, the land use would change from "commercial general" to "residential high" along with a maximum building height increase from 35 feet to 60 feet. The density would increase from 0.75 to 2.253 floor area ratio.

If recommended by the Planning Commission, City Council will consider the proposal on Nov. 12.