Retailers and restaurateurs representing the 100 block of King Street in Old Town will meet with the Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning today to discuss a pilot program to close the block to traffic on weekends this summer.
The closing is part of an effort to open the street to pedestrians — something the roughly 20 restaurants and retail shops located on the block hope will boost business. But worries about parking and the impact on nearby residents have repeatedly pushed the project to the back burner.
“You close down the street and you take away two dozen parking spaces,” said Eric Forman, an urban planner with the city. “Vehicles would have to find an alternate route. If there’s opposition, it’s related to traffic.”
The idea of limiting King Street to foot traffic has been around for years, said Forman. But pushing the program through seems plausible this time because the business community has gotten on board.
The fact that the restaurants on King Street received approval last year for outdoor seating may be the key to making the program work.
“We’re working pretty hard on it,” said Patti Krieger, who owns the Silver Parrot, a jewelry store at 113 King St. “Since the restaurants got outdoor seating, they’re more interested in it. [Outdoor seating] cuts into walking space. This is going to bring people in because they’ll have more room to walk.”
However, the program won’t get off the ground until at least June, when Planning and Zoning expects to take the proposal to the City Council. On May 10, the department will present the program to the Old Town Civic Association to discuss concerns with area residents.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Restaurants on the 100 block of King Street include:
» 100 King
» Bugsy’s Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar
» The Fish Market
» Il Porto
» Landini Brothers
» Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream
» The Wharf
» O’Connell’s Restaurant & Bar
Retail Shops on the 100 block of King Street include:
» Artcraft Collection
» Decorium
» Silver Parrot
