Getting people to shop in Old Town is a goal that's shared within in Alexandria's business community. The city's marketing department puts a lot of time and effort into creating a brand that will persuade folks to get out of their cars and walk around the colonial streets where George Washington once strolled. Persuading them is one thing, but finding a parking place is another problem. It's one that Pat Troy, owner of Ireland's Own Restaurant and Pub, says can be solved by offering free public parking on Fridays and Saturdays in December.
"It's only eight days," Troy told City Council members during Saturday's public hearing. "What a lovely holiday gift to get the word out that Alexandria is opening its doors to get people to come and spend their money here. And money means taxes for our revenue."
Troy said that he had received a collect, long-distance phone call — "and it cost me a lot of money, too" — from Santa Claus on the matter. Mayor Bill Euille said that the city government would deliver Santa's request to the proper authorities at City Hall. When a later speaker explained that she had arrived late to the hearing because she was having a hard time finding a parking space, the mayor gave his holiday parking forecast.
"If Pat Troy and Santa Clause get their way, you're not going to be able to find parking at all when it's free," Euille said.
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Relocating 22320
If "Alexandria 22320" were a hit television show, its producers would have to find a new location. The George Mason Station of the Post Office, with its own zip code located in what used to be the lobby of the George Mason Hotel, will be closing early next year. Its lease expires on March 31, and officials are still looking for a suitable replacement — one that would be located in Old Town.
"Time is running out," said Bert Ely, a boxholder at the George Mason Station who depends on the service to run his business. "I am concerned that the post office is not going to be relocated by then."
Ely took his comments to the City Council Saturday morning, delivering an update during the November public hearing at City Hall. When he finished, Mayor Bill Euille agreed that the process was moving at a pace that was almost as glacial as the Post Office itself.
"Trying to get a response from the Postal Service is just like trying to get a letter mailed in a week," said Euille. "For some reason, it just doesn't happen."
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Meeting Deadlines
The modern world is full of deadlines; some are hard and fast while others are more flexible. Contractors and inspectors who are scheduled to renovate part of Shiloh Baptist Church into Agape Christian Academy, for example, have deadlines they need to keep. And church administrators must keep a certain pace to make sure their transition happens smoothly. But the timetable was threatened Saturday morning when a member of the Old Town Village board of directors appeared to request that residents in her development needed more time to respond to the proposed special-use permit needed by Shiloh to allow the operation of a private school with child day care.
"The board received notice of the request for this special-use permit on Nov. 16," said Ellen Dahene, a board member of the 127-unit Old Town Village Condominium Association. "We would like an additional time period so that we can be heard, and so that the council can understand how this is going to impact our neighborhood."
She described the intersection of Jamison Street ends into West Street and intersects with Duke Street as "a nightmare" and said that residents were concerned about congestion at peak traffic hours, when the school would be engaged in dropping off and picking up students. Councilman Krupicka said that other preschools have had problems and said that the City Council could review the permit next year if the Agape Christian Academy created gridlock. Until then, Mayor Euille agreed with Councilman Ludwig Gaines' motion to approve the Planning Commission's unanimous recommendation.
"I'm baffled that this association is just now learning about this," said Euille. "I do appreciate the concern expressed on behalf of the civic association but proper procedures have been followed."