Mayor Asks City Staff to Create Pilot Program to Explore Extension of Pedestrian Zone

ALEXANDRIA, VA-At City Council’s meeting Tuesday night, Mayor Justin Wilson asked city staff to create a pilot program to explore the possibility of extending the King St. pedestrian zone. Councilman John Taylor Chapman joined him in this request. ALXNow first reported the news.

“Since we did the 100 block closure, there’s been a lot of folks who have suggested that we continue farther up,” Wilson said, “and make the pedestrian plaza go all the way to the 200 block to Market Square.”

He proposed that a pilot program could begin during the Christmas tree lighting until First Night (New Year’s Eve).

The city closed the 100 block to traffic four years ago to help restaurants during the pandemic’s onset. This move provided more room for outdoor seating. Then the unit blocks of King and The Strand followed.

The area was permanently closed in 2022. A survey about the zone, published on the city’s website, found that 90 percent of residents and visitors favored the area. The survey was completed by more than 2,000 people.

Wilson shared that he and Chapman spoke recently to business owners and employees about their idea

“I think we heard some good feedback, some support, some concerns,” he elaborated, “but no issues that I think are insurmountable.”

I do think we’ve seen such a successful rollout of the 100 block. It’s caught the attention of not just folks within the city but folks from around the region,” Chapman commented. “I think we have a unique opportunity to expand it and see if it is something that can be expanded.”

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