The conversion of some King Street blocks to pedestrian zones has been a fairly popular move. Now, the city is merging those long-term planning efforts with waterfront flood mitigation, hopefully streamlining improvements to the 100 and unit blocks of King Street.
A report prepared for a Traffic and Parking Board meeting later today (Monday) said the city is looking at long-term plans for the pedestrian zones as well as incorporating the project into the broader waterfront flood mitigation plans.
“Staff have been working closely with the Department of Project Implementation and representatives from the community to advance the Lower King Street Long Term Closure Project,” the report said. “The long-term project seeks to create a more active and engaging pedestrian and user experience in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.”
The report said combining the projects should help streamline various design elements and run a little more efficiently.
“By combining the two projects into a single delivery, the City will ensure the design, stormwater, utility, infrastructure elements, and construction sequencing of the two projects are fully coordinated to maximize efficiency and reduce costs and risks to the City,” the report said.
Design for the Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project — now including the Lower King Street Long Term Closure Project — is scheduled for design in the summer and fall 2025, with construction to start in fall 2025.
A public presentation and open house on the projects is scheduled for 7 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Charles Houston Rec Center (901 Wythe Street).
