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Mai Thai in Old Town wants to turn waterfront parking lot into outdoor dining area

By James Cullum
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After years in limbo, a parking lot along Alexandria’s waterfront could be turned into an outdoor dining area for a local restaurant.

Mai Thai (6 King Street) last month submitted a request to the city to license four city-owned spaces in the eight-space parking lot in the rear of the building.

The restaurant offers outdoor dining, and the extra 912.5 feet of space would allow for the addition of 44 seats, according to the application.

The city has been looking for different uses for the property since 2019. The city acquired it along with the former Old Dominion Boat Club building property.

The restaurant is asking for a one-year license, after which the restaurant would pay the city month-to-month. They’re asking to pay $828.33 per month, or $9,940 per year for the outdoor dining area.

The last day for public comments on the special use permit application is March 27.

About the Author

  • 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.