City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MICHAEL MOON, INTERIM DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Permanent Closure of the 200 Block of King Street to Vehicular Traffic.
BODY
ISSUE: Consideration of the permanent closure of the 200 block of King Street to vehicular traffic.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Introduce and pass on first reading Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the ordinance (Attachment 2) approving and authorizing the permanent closure of the 200 block of King Street to vehicular traffic; and
2. Set the ordinance for public hearing and final passage on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
BACKGROUND: In 2021, the City Council approved the permanent closure of the 100 block of King Street, following a temporary closure that had been implemented to provide additional space for pedestrians and outdoor dining during the pandemic. In 2022, after a similar temporary closure, the Council approved the permanent closure of the Unit block of King Street and a portion of the Strand. At the September 10, 2024, City Council meeting, the Council requested staff to explore expanding the street closure to the 200 block of King Street through a temporary pilot program that could help evaluate the merits of a permanent closure (Attachment 3). At the November 16, 2024 meeting, the Council approved a pilot to close the block to vehicular traffic from November 22, 2024, to January 6, 2025, and from March 14 to September 30, 2025.
The 200 block of King Street is a two-way street headed east and west with parking on both sides of the street. Similar to the 100 block of King, the block is predominately commercial. However, this block has a greater mix of retail and...
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