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79.6% Say Yes to Pedestrian-Only Lower King Street in Informal Survey

On May 19, 2019, the first two blocks of King Street were closed to pedestrians-only for the 1st Annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style.(Photo by John David Coppola/The Zebra Press)

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Using an informal Facebook poll, Zebra asked readers to weigh in yay or nay on closing the 100 block of King Street to cars on weekends. 495 votes were cast, with 79.6% voting yes to supporting the proposal put forth by Mayor Justin Wilson and Councilman John Chapman.

The Transportation Commission is enthusiastic about it and has already given it the rubber stamp. Now the plan is being shopped to various civic organizations with an city-wide publc open house scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 23 from 2 – 4 p.m. at 201 N. Union St., Suite 110 Alexandria, VA 22314.

Some concerns include ride sharing and food deliveries but the City is proposing pick up and drop off zones. Other issues challenge the traffic flow and some businesses have expressed strong sentiments against the plan saying their “regular customers drive” to their shops and that they will lose revenue.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the project on Feb. 25 and, if approved, the closure would start on April 18.

Mary Wadland

Mary Wadland is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Zebra Press, founded by her in 2010. Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Mary is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, VA and has lived and worked in the Alexandria publishing community since 1987.

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