Citizens for an Alternative Alexandria Waterfront Plan is hosting a “mailing party” Tuesday evening in an effort to fundraise for the citizens seeking to squelch city efforts to rezone parts of the riverside, allowing development such as hotels.

CAAWP leader Andrew Macdonald said the group seeks to raise about $50,000 for legal fees, but hopes that some of the work related to the case will be offered pro bono.

“This is a VERY important mail out. The three petitioners, Marie Kux, Beth Gibney, and April Burke, as well as Mark Mueller and Bert Ely, both of whom have been integral to the legal process, need our support in reaching out to donors to pay for the legal bills incurred as a result of the petition effort,” reads a marketing effort by CAAWP, which is not a party in the suit but supporting its efforts. 

Waterfront landowners Kux, Gibney and Burke recently filed a lawsuit that is currently before Alexandria Circuit Court asking that their petition be approved. The petition would prompt a supermajority, or at least 6-1, vote by City Council to pass the waterfront plan. Council on a 5-2 vote passed the waterfront plan, but not the rezoning amendment because it is tied up in legal issues.

"The City Council's vote was a reflection of the majority of residents who support the plan. We would hope the efforts of ALL citizens would focus on reuniting our community, accepting the vote and moving our community in more positive direction," said Gina Baum, representing Waterfront for All, a group of citizens supporting the city's plan. "It is their prerogative to sue, but citizens should be aware there is also a cost to the city to defend the case. There will be many points throughout this process where citizens will have additional input [such as through a special permitting process]. We do feel that continuing to battle legally is a tremendous disservice to the community and the democratic process."

The event takes place at Pat Troy’s in Old Town at 4:30 p.m.