Interim Waterfront Park: City Council Explores Next Steps

IMAGES from presentation Tuesday night on Interim Fitzgerald Square at foot of King Street, to City Council

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The City’s Waterfront Plan envisions a new public plaza at the foot of King Street called Fitzgerald Square, with construction anticipated to begin as soon as late 2017.

The new park will encompass the current location of King Street Park and the land on either side now occupied by the Old Dominion Boat Club. The overall concept for Waterfront public spaces was approved in 2014, but it may be a decade or more before the planned flood mitigation infrastructure is in place and the permanent park can be constructed.

The plaza encompasses the City-owned properties of 1 King Street and 2 King Street, and the existing King Street Park, totaling about 1 acre of land.

City Council members weighed in Tuesday night with their opinions on some of the design elements for Fitzgerald Square.

Lighting

Councilwoman Del Pepper said a nautical lighting design selected by the consultant and getting the most positive feedback on AlexEngage is "not hitting a home run with me." Mayor Allison Silberberg agreed and said the lighting should reflect a sense of place, and the current selection doesn't reflect Old Town Alexandria.

Other members disagreed, saying the lighting should be de-emphasized and that the lighting that is the current frontrunner is a nod to ship/marine design.

Trees

Silberberg said she was interested in specifics on plans for any tree removal and prefers that any significant trees not be removed to the design plans.

Creating a focal point

The mayor noted at Tuesday night's meeting that with the George Washington Masonic National Memorial anchoring the top of King Street, the foot of King Street, at the waterfront, needed a focal point and suggested a round medium-sized fountain. She noted that the sound of the water would add to the ambiance near the waterfront. "This is a gateway to the city and that's kind of missing here," she said.

Councilman John Chapman was the only member who raised any concerns about that idea, saying that the City already has a fountain at Market Square; he suggested instead public art depicting the City's past.

Outdoor movies, ice skating

When the Old Dominion Boat Club moves to Prince Street, the City envisions a variety of uses for the public space, including possible outdoor movie nights, ice skating in the winter, etc.

City Manager Mark Jinks said that demolition of the boat club should begin in June and construction of the club's new building should take 12 to 14 months. Chapman brought up the idea of keeping the building there but most of the other City Council members immediately weighed in that they want to tear it down and move forward with the current plans.

The next steps for creating the interim Fitzgerald Square are:

• Revise and finalize design concept
• Begin detailed design and site analyses
• Planning Commission and City Council approvals: Fall 2016
• Construction anticipated: Late 2017/early 2018

Watch a discussion here by City Council Tuesday night and also watch a presentation and video about the design: