The Alexandria City Council unanimously adopted the Open Space Action Plan that was recommended by the city’s Open Space Steering Committee. Two parcels were particularly controversial when the Action Plan was discussed at a recent public hearing. Members of the Old Dominion Boat Club objected to their parking lot being on the plan and expressed concern that their building might also be taken for open space on the waterfront.
On Tuesday night, council adopted a plan with revised language that took the Boat Club’s building off the list. “Begin and pursue the process for the acquisition of all or part of these properties except for the property at 1 King Street that is occupied by the Old Dominion Boat Club building,” the adopted Action Plan now reads.
The parking lot, however, remains on the acquisition list. “As to the property at 1 King Street, staff and the mayor will initiate discussions with ODBC and, based on these discussions, will present a recommendation to council at a later date,” the language now reads.
The Action Plan includes preserving as open space seven parcels of land on the waterfront. These include the properties at 200, 204, 208 and 210 Strand, 0 Prince Street and 1 and 2 King Street. Also on the short-term Action Plan is the Mt. Vernon Trail property, a linear strip of land behind Hunting Towers, 1204 to 1206 S. Washington Street. This land will be used as an alignment for the Mt. Vernon Trail. The city is currently holding discussions with VDOT, who owns that property.
“This plan will give us a waterfront to rival any in the world,” said Councilman Rob Krupicka.
Planning for the waterfront will begin in earnest in the spring.