Alexandria considers expanding pedestrian-only zone on King Street

ALEXANDRIA, Va. ( DC News Now ) — Alexandria is considering a big change to King Street, the popular Old Town dining and shopping destination.

A few years after the city began making portions of the street “pedestrian-only zones,” it is considering expanding the carless portion of the street.

Currently, the unit and 100 blocks are pedestrian-only zones; now, there’s the potential the 200 block will receive the same designation.

Mayor Justin Wilson told city council on Wednesday that he directed city staff to look at developing a pilot program for the 200 block, which could begin after the tree lighting and continue through New Year’s Day.

While he acknowledged there were some concerns raised when he met with businesses and residents, there was also a lot of excitement.

One concern is parking, which Don Juan said needs to be considered in the city’s proposal.

“I’m a pedestrian and a commuter in the area,” he said. “I hope they find a balance between finding the right space for us to park because we do have to make a living.”

Aside from that concern, some business owners and Alexandrians told DC News Now they were optimistic the proposed change would be an improvement.

“I think it would make it a little bit more pleasant just to be able to walk through and not even have to deal with traffic,” Lonnie Marshall, of Alexandria, said.

Raj Malhotra, owner of Bollywood Masala, said he spoke with Wilson and expressed his support for the program. He said his restaurant opened about two months ago, and is hopeful a pedestrian-only zone would help him expand his restaurant’s outdoor seating opportunity.

“[The unit and 100 blocks] have shown us what potential it can bring to businesses once it turns pedestrian-only,” Malhotra said. “We are definitely looking forward to it.”

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