How much do some Alexandrians hate the proposed Old Town waterfront redevelopment plan? They hate it so much they’re willing to get up early on a Saturday morning to form a human forcefield on King Street before the Alexandria City Council meets that day.
Residents and business owners, in conjunction with the Greater Alexandria Preservation Alliance, plan to gather at 8 a.m. for a Hands Across the Waterfront rally at the foot of lower King Street to urge council members to reject the current waterfront development plan “that will tarnish Old Town’s historic charm,” a press release says.
Organizers said they hoped the rally would send the message to the City Council that “the current development plan is terrible for local residents and existing small businesses, and ignores the historic charm” of Old Town.
“I hope the City Council will remember they took an oath to represent the best interest of Alexandria residents, not the financial interest of commercial developers,” said organizer Boyd Walker.
The City Council has a scheduled work session at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the Draft Waterfront Small Area Plan ahead of the council’s expected final vote on June 25.
