More Affordable Units Planned With Approved Southwest Quadrant Redevelopment

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A completely affordable housing redevelopment in the Southwest Quadrant of Old Town in partnership with Alfred Street Baptist Church won unanimous approval from Alexandria City Council on Saturday.

The project calls for redeveloping one block of the 34-unit Olde Towne West affordable multi-unit community into a multifamily building with 145 affordable units at 598 South Alfred Street. The redevelopment is a partnership between Alfred Street Baptist Church and The Community Builders. According to a city staff report, Alfred Street Baptist Church owns the committed affordable community of Olde Towne West, with 75 townhouse-style units over three land parcels. The site sits in an area that was an African American settlement between 1790 and 1810 known as "The Bottoms."

The 34 affordable units on the block come from project-based vouchers for households making 30 percent of the area median income. Thirty-four units will remain affordable to 30 percent of the area median income through project-based vouchers. Another 20 units will be set aside for households making 50 percent of the area median income, and the remaining 91 will be for households making 60 percent of the area median income.

The current 50 percent of the area median income is $57,400 for one person, $65,600 for two people and $81,950 for four people.

Councilmember John Taylor Chapman highlighted the project's ability to keep the 30 percent area median income units.

"As we talk about losing affordability within the city, some of the most challenging units to try to keep are those 30 percent [area median income] and below, because those are deeply affordable units where a landowner has made the distinct decision to try to save a really, really fleeting amount of affordability," said Chapman. "And so I certainly appreciate this project taking aim at some of those."

Councilmember Jacinta Greene praised Alfred Street Baptist Church and faith-based organizations for their work on affordable housing and other causes.

"Thank you to you and to the faith community for always stepping up to help those in need, not just in the affordable housing realm, but also food insecurity and many other things," said Greene. "And the perseverance to get to this point is admirable."

Mayor Alyia Gaskins highlighted the project preserving long-term affordability, giving residents the right to return and providing green space and a high-quality building.

"I think it's just a commitment to make sure that not only are we committed to passing more affordable homes in our city, we're making sure that they're being done in partnership with stakeholders in our community, but also to the highest quality, so that everyone can also live with dignity and respect," said Gaskins.

While initial plans called for development of a second block of Olde Towne West, the applicant will submit plans for the second block at a later time.

"We think it is a wonderful project," said Mary Catherine Gibbs, the attorney representing the applicant. "It is the first of a couple that you're going to see. But we need this one to be successful in order to make it so that we get to the next one."

The project calls for a private courtyard, public pedestrian paths on the north and south ends, and developer-contributed improvements to the eastern part of Wilkes Street Park bordering the site. There are 94 parking spaces proposed in a one-level underground garage, including four ADA accessible spaces.

Chapman asked how the city is preparing for increased traffic from development from multiple projects in the neighborhood. The Olde Towne West site is also adjacent to the Heritage at Old Town redevelopment project.

"I just want to be realistic with what we're going to see in terms of vehicles in that vicinity when we have full built out of the area," said Chapman. "We are aware of multiple projects, not just this one, but the potential future [on] Patrick Street, Henry Street, as well for that redevelopment."

Planning and Zoning director Paul Stoddard noted the neighborhood is impacted particularly by peak evening traffic going southbound. Stoddard said the city anticipates residential travel patterns will be different than the through traffic heading southbound in the evening.

City staff and the developers have worked on a relocation plan for tenants, allowing them to temporarily relocate during the project and have the right to return to completed units.

"We've actually had three meetings with the residents already to assure them that they are going to be provided with assistance to relocate, as well as the right of first refusal to come back to these units," said Gibbs. "That is going to be their right, and they are going to be helped throughout this process."

The city staff report says construction could begin in mid-2027 following resident relocations. The project will also seek Low Income Housing Tax Credits in 2026 and could request gap funding from the city.