The City of Alexandria is making a mistake by recommending a new hotel and restaurant at 115 South Union St. The city hotel occupancy rate is lower than the surrounding cities and there is no need to destroy yet another historic street in the name of tax revenue in the form of a hotel. Most of the time when people think Alexandria they think of Old Town and for many they imagine the cobblestones of Prince Street (hence the dozens of photographers on any given day taking engagement pictures, wedding pictures and capturing any myriad of other special occasions).
Residents and businesses alike need to work together to maintain the ecosystem of Old Town and if any one group outweighs the other the balance and charm of our city is lost and with it goes what we all fight and argue for and against.
Should the city allow 115 S. Union Street to move forward as planned, it continues a slippery slope we have already engaged in of destroying the very reason the tourist dollars come to our great city — our charm and history. How much longer will the residents of Prince Street and other historic streets continue to uphold their part of the ecosystem by investing financing, time and love to maintain immaculate homes when they are being squeezed out and seen as a burden to corporate hotels and chain restaurants.
The city leaders need to stop, breathe and realize the race to “modernize” our city may provide a short-term gain but in the long run destroy the very nature and ecosystem that makes our city great.
Brandon Hensley
Alexandria