Broken windows and graffiti on a building at the corner of Prince and S. Washington streets. Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet
Right in the center of Alexandria. Washington and Prince Streets. Billed as a hotel-retail conversion project. No work has been done for well over a year. The badly damaged sidewalk, exposed demolition, broken windows, graffiti and degraded temporary boarding up make it a highly visible eyesore and a safety hazard. There’s even a faded “Hole” sign leaning up against the building. The building and property are accidents waiting to happen. Has the look of an abandoned building project.
Take a look at the temporary shoring supporting much of the upper structure. I’m not an engineer or construction expert, but it sure doesn’t look structurally sufficient for what has become the long term. These guys even failed demolition reviews and site surveys in 2019 and early 2020. How do you fail a demolition review?
There are no open building permits. They all expired long ago. The investors have done nothing with the building since at least early 2020.
Here’s a challenge to Justin Wilson and others. 699 Prince Street is an eyesore, accidents waiting to happen, and maybe even structurally defective. Let’s see some action and results.
John Skibinski
Alexandria