Waterfront Gamble
City Council members poised to consider allowing hotels and increasing density.
By Michael Lee Pope
May 12, 2011
Image courtesy of Department of Planning and Zoning
City Council members will be considering designating the parking lot of the Old Dominion Boat Club as a new public park known as Fitzgerald Square.
"This weekend, members of the Alexandria City Council will consider a plan that would reshape the waterfront for generations to come. The plan under consideration would designate the Old Dominion Boat Club parking lot as a new public park known as Fitzgerald Square, although it’s unclear how that would happen considering the club’s resistance to the idea. It would also overturn a longstanding ban on hotels along the waterfront and increase density at three sites where hotels are envisioned. Finally, it would increase the height limit at one of the sites where one of the hotels would be located.
Critics of the plan are calling for a delay, but Mayor Bill Euille says his intention is to take action on Saturday.
"This plan might not be perfect, but at least it’s a way to move forward," said Euille. "Unless there’s a reason not to vote for this on Saturday, I’d like to go ahead and take action..."
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