News

City to discuss future land usage on Duke Street during work session tomorrow

By James Cullum
The Duke Street Land Use Plan will cover the area between Alexandria's Union Station and the former Landmark Mall property (via City of Alexandria)

The Planning Commission will host a work session tomorrow (Tuesday) on a draft plan for the future of Duke Street.

Still in its infancy, the Duke Street Land Use Plan is intended to guide city officials in the development of the Duke Street corridor from the former Landmark Mall to Alexandria Union Station. The document is expected to be ready for City Council consideration and adoption from late 2026 to early 2027, according to the city.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. tomorrow in room 1305 of the Redella S. “Del” Pepper Community Resource Center at 4850 Mark Center Drive.

The Commission will discuss land use themes, including areas with “potential for reinvestment and redevelopment” for new housing and retail and the potential for city-owned areas, as well as “areas with concentrations of existing commercial uses that can accommodate a diversity of small businesses and promote entrepreneurial activity,” according to a city presentation.

Land use themes along the Duke Street Corridor (via City of Alexandria)

The Planning Commission will review public survey results and discuss the following:

  • The development of guiding principles, including creating walkable neighborhoods
  • Promoting economic opportunities, and the retention and growth of small businesses
  • Creating well-connected streets, alleys and sidewalks
  • Supporting a variety of travel choices
  • Pursuing new neighborhood-serving parks and public open spaces
  • Increasing supply and diversity of housing options for households of all incomes
  • Concerns about traffic, safety, and congestion
  • Desire for bike, transit, and pedestrian improvements
  • Concerns about loss of housing affordability
  • Desire to keep neighborhood serving retail & businesses
  • Desire to prioritize green space
  • Interest in expanded and improved amenities

By the time the document is adopted, a number of major projects along Duke Street will be open or nearing completion.

The first buildings in the sprawling WestEnd development are expected to open in 2026, followed by the opening of Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark in 2028.

Duke Street Land Use Plan timeline (via City of Alexandria)

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.