Waterfront Work Group Releases Final Report

After six months and hundreds of hours of debate, the Waterfront Plan Work Group on Tuesday morning released its official recommendations on redevelopment of the city’s riverside.

As expected, it addresses issues such as traffic congestion, parking, development and the environment, among many other things.

“The work group did what we were asked to do—lay out the issues presented for consideration. There are a lot of complex issues here and there was never an expectation that the group would come to a consensus,” said Nate Macek, who also chairs the city’s Waterfront Committee. “Our role was to highlight areas of agreement and disagreement.”

Among the group’s major recommendations are better quality parks, quick city action to create a more robust King Street where it meets the water, and a host of studies such as parking, traffic and the environment.

Macek noted that it will be the city’s determination as to how and when to take action on those recommended studies.

City Councilman Paul Smedberg, who was a non-voting member of the group, also spoke at the event, saying that he did not believe these requests for studies should delay a vote on the issue.

Bob Wood added that the group is recommending that the city appoint a new senior director to the waterfront and the plan should have its own budget.

“This plan costs $40 to $50 million and our recommendations found potential adjustments,” he said. “While the plan should strive to pay for itself the waterfront should compete strongly for city funds; all improvements should not only fund a local neighborhood."

The report also addresses how to treat Robinson Terminals North and South. Macek noted that members of the work group agreed generally that they did not want any development there to be totally residential.

“There are ways you can integrate residential with other uses on those sites,” he said. “Let those public spaces be active.”

At an earlier morning press conference in Market Square, Citizens for an Alternative Alexandria Waterfront Plan criticized the city’s plan, saying it will result in further congestion.

“We are not against all development,” said Co-founder Andrew Macdonald. “We want compromise,” adding that City Council has one constituency—property owners and developers.

CAAWP Co-founder Boyd Walker said the city’s plan is a “framework for hotel development on the historic Alexandria waterfront.”

The Waterfront Plan Work Group and City Council will host a work session on Jan. 10 when the group is expected to officially present its report to council members. City Council will hear more public comment on the matter during its Saturday, Jan. 21 morning meeting, when it is expected it will vote on the plan.

Editor's Note: For more Old Town Alexandria Patch articles on the Waterfront Redevelopment, click here. Follow us on Twitter at @alexandriapatch and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/oldtownalexandriapatch.