The last moves of Alexandria’s City Council and staff have been announced, as the years-long renovation project at City Hall and Market Square is just around the corner.
The various arms of the city government will be operating from swing spaces until 2028, when the project is expected to be completed. With more than 300 city staffers already moved to temporary offices, the project will start construction this spring, according to the city.
Next month, City Council chambers will move to the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive), as will the city’s Department of Finance in-person operations for taxpayers, which will be open on the second floor from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
“For patrons needing to drop off payments, there will be a drop box located at Bankers Square (100 N. Pitt Street),” the city said in a release.
Meanwhile, the mayor, City Council, city manager’s office, city attorney, the city clerk and the Department of Planning and Zoning will relocate to Tavern Square at 421 King Street.
The first City Council meeting at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
The renovation will also temporarily move the popular Old Town Farmers’ Market, which will also move across the street to Tavern Square.
Today’s City Hall building was constructed in 1871 following a fire that destroyed the city’s original 1817 town hall. Many additions were made to the building and Market Square over the next century, notably in 1961, 1967, and 1981.
The space was first designated as a market and city hall space in 1749, the year of Alexandria’s founding.
Services temporarily affected
The following services will be affected during this transition next month, according to the city.
- Jan. 13-15 — Services will be available virtually at alexandriava.gov/CityManager or by calling 703-746-4300
- Jan. 16 — All services fully resume
Mayor and City Council Offices
- Jan. 14-20 — Services will be paused
- Jan. 21 — Services will be available online at alexandriava.gov/Council or by calling 703-746-4500
- Jan. 23 — All services fully resume
- Jan. 14-20 — Services will be paused
- Jan. 21-23 — Services will be available online at alexandriava.gov/CityClerk or by calling 703-746-4550
- Jan. 26 — All services fully resume
- All services, except for those offered in-person, will continue as usual
- Jan. 6-9 — In-person services not available
- Jan. 12 – All services fully resume
Department of Planning & Zoning
- Jan. 15-20 – In-person services not available. Virtual assistance is available at alexandriava.gov/Planning or by calling 703-746-4666
- Jan. 21 – All services fully resume
- Jan. 9, at 5 p.m. — Last day of in-person services at City Hall
- Jan. 12 — In-person services resume at 4850 Mark Center Drive, suite 2011, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Payments may also be made at the Bankers Square dropbox (100 N. Pitt St.), at alexandriava.gov/Finance, or by calling 703-746-4800
