Permanent Pedestrian Block Proposal For New Location Heads To City Council

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Another block reserved for pedestrian use could become a realty in Old Town Alexandria if City Council gives approval Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Alexandria City Council will consider the permanent closure of the 200 block of King Street to vehicular traffic. There are already permanent pedestrian zones in the 100 block of King Street, the unit block and the Strand. Tuesday is first reading, and a final vote would be scheduled for Sept. 13. The Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board had recommended the permanent closure in July.

Alexandria City Council had approved the 200 block to be a pedestrian zone as a pilot program in November 2024. The first phase of the pilot ran from Nov. 22, 2024 to Jan. 3, 2025 to coincide with the holiday season. The second phase is in progress from March 14, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2025.

An online feedback form over the summer with 1,800 responses found 87 percent support making the pedestrian block permanent. In addition, 12 of 16 business owners on the block support the proposal.

According to a memo from the city's Transportation and Environmental Services, the 200 block is a two-way street with retail and restaurant uses as well as two upper-floor residences and the Alexandria Visitor Center. The closure of the block to pedestrian use would permanently remove 17 parking spaces, including two-hour metered parking and one 15-minute space for the visitor center.

The city completed traffic studies before and during the 200 block pilot program. The analysis showed a 35 percent average increase in eastbound vehicular volumes on Cameron, Prince, and Duke Streets and 32 percent westbound during the pilot. City staff noted the traffic was well distributed among the streets and did not cause congestion issues.

City staff believe the 200 block closure will have a positive impact on city meals and sales tax revenues. The report pointed to a 41 percent revenue increase from fiscal years 2019 to 2024 in the 100 block of King Street. The 100 block became a pedestrian zone in May 2020, and the change was made permanent in October 2021. The unit block and the Strand were added as a pedestrian zone over Memorial Day weekend 2022, and the permanent pedestrian zone was approved in November 2022.

City staff are working with businesses on the block to encourage participation in the parklet and outdoor dining program. Two businesses have a parklet permit and two others have expressed interest. The city staff report to City Council noted most businesses have not set up outdoor spaces due to costs of equipment if the block does not remain pedestrianized beyond September and challenges with bringing retail outside. The report noted a need for funding for installing platforms, which was done in the 100 block.

Like the other pedestrian zones, the 200 block features a 22-foot-wide space allowing for emergency vehicle access. If a permanent pedestrian block is approved, city staff will request funding for dire department-approved bollards similar to ones at King and Union Streets. The city had added new and extended existing loading and pick-up/drop-off locations at the King and Fairfax Street intersection.