Politics & Government
King Street's Twinkling Lights to Be Turned Off Soon
Some merchants were hoping the holiday lights would stay on longer to beautify the streets and attract more tourists and shoppers.
ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The City announced Monday that the lights that twinkle in the trees along Old Town Alexandria's King Street, the City's main thoroughfare, will be turned off come March 31, until the holiday season returns later this year.
The decision is "consistent with the City’s FY 2016 budget appropriation," the City noted in its announcement.
The display will return to King Street the third week of November and continue through March 31, 2017, the City said.
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Some area merchants had hoped the lights would stay on longer.
"I think it's premature," said David Martin, owner of Goldworks at 1400 King St., who has been in business for 26 years. Martin has spearheaded fundraising efforts in the past to keep the lights turned on.
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"Tourists love them," he said. "They make Alexandria what it is."
Also see: Old Town Is No. 1 Among Downtowns in America: Survey
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