Letter to the Editor: Stop 'Icing' the Waterfront

To the Editor:

At the end of football games, when a team is close to defeat from a last-second field goal, the losing team will often call a time-out – called “icing the kicker.” It’s a stall tactic that coaches use to possibly get in the kicker’s head so that he’ll miss and keep the game alive.

It doesn’t often work.

The Citizens for an Alternative Alexandria Waterfront Plan seem to be playing by the same rules. Faced with certain defeat, the CAAWP has sought to permanently delay a vote by City Council on the waterfront.  Worse, they’ve negotiated in bad faith, pocketing every compromise then complaining that they’re not being heard.

It’s been over two years now, with nearly 100 meetings to get input from Alexandrians on the Waterfront Plan. We’ve been heard in this process and what Alexandria wants is an economically viable Waterfront for all of us.

CAAWP’s so-called plan is badly named – it’s not a plan, it’s a string of ideas, many without any economic or legal viability.

It's past time that we have a waterfront for all that’s a good mix of retail, small hotels, parks and other public access and flood mitigation. The city can’t afford to delay any more. CAAWP’s tactic of “icing the kicker” should be treated for what it is – a gambit to prevent any progress – and Council should move forward with a vote to approve the compromise waterfront plan that has emerged from two years of research, planning, and negotiations.

Sincerely,
Sean Holihan