Alexandria city staff rejected a local group’s alternative proposal to redevelop the city’s waterfront, calling the plan financially unfeasible and legally indefensible. But Citizens for an Alternative Alexandria Waterfront Plan say they’re ready to pursue “any action,” including a lawsuit, if the city goes ahead with its own plan to redevelop the waterfront with boutique hotels and residential buildings.
It’s the latest chapter in an ongoing dispute between the city and the citizens group, whose members say the city’s plan will increase density and mar the historic character of the waterfront. CAAWP members drafted a 200-page alternative waterfront plan in late October that calls for the city to buy plots of waterfront land on which it can build museums and parks instead of the privately developed hotels the city’s plan envisions.
CAAWP estimates that its plan would cost $80 million to $109 million – twice the price of the city’s plan, city officials say.
City staff contends that CAAWP’s plan won’t generate enough revenue for the city because the group greatly overestimated the revenue potential of small museums. That funding shortage could force the city to borrow money to fund the plan’s development, potentially sending Alexandria over its debt limit.
“To myself and staff this plan seems to attempt to minimize change, not manage it,” said Acting City Manager Bruce Johnson. “If there were an alternative plan that could work we’d certainly be interested in it, but our final conclusion is that this isn’t it.”
CAAWP co-chairman Andrew Macdonald says his group takes issue with the city’s findings and is prepared to fight to enact their plan. The group was to meet Monday night to discuss their next move.
“Their plan is too expensive for Alexandria. It would cost us dearly as a national landmark town,” Macdonald said. “Their plan will result in huge damage to the city.”
The city’s Waterfront Work Group is still reviewing the alternative plan. The Alexandria City Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on a waterfront plan Jan. 28.
