Alexandria Wants More Curbside Business With ‘Parklet’ Program Expansion

Published October 5, 2020 at 5:00PM

Enjoying the weather and outside seating on lower King Street in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City Council on Tuesday will consider a proposal to further ease outdoor restrictions for restaurants, retail stores and health and fitness businesses.

Participants will be allowed to set up outdoor dining in parking spaces outside of their establishments, according to a staff report that Council will review at its monthly legislative meeting.

“The Old Town Business and Professional Association (OTBA) will coordinate the designation of parking spaces for outdoor dining use and communicate that to Planning & Zoning,” notes the report. “Participants must comply with modified guidelines of the Parklet Program, including the location of parking spaces for outdoor dining away from corners or on streets with a high traffic volume.”

Live entertainment is still not permitted.

If approved, the expanded rules would be in effect until March 31, 2021.

About the Author

James Cullum

Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.