Waterfront Redevelopment Sites

Three redevelopment sites are highlighted in the planning area, those being Robinson Terminal North and South, as well as the Cummings-Turner Block located between Prince and Duke Streets along The Strand. The Plan contains specific recommendations regarding improvements to these sites, including public access, monetary and other contributions for public amenities. Learn about development activity occurring within the boundaries of the Waterfront Plan.

Cummings-Turner Block: 220 S. Union Street - Carr Hospitality

During 2012, Carr Hospitality went under contract to purchase the Cummings Warehouse building at 220 S. Union Street, located at the north end of the Cumming-Turner Block. The Art League which previously operated some of its classes from this space consolidated its classrooms in the Montgomery Center on Madison Street in September 2012.

• Carr Hospitality, in working with Historic Preservation staff on addressing issues related to the Old and Historic Alexandria District Board of Architectural Review (BAR), has also solicited comments on its Concept 1 drawings dated July 2012  from other City departments. The Development Division of the Department of Planning and Zoning has coordinated the comments from the other City review agencies and provided them to Carr Hospitality. The comments are provided here.  
  
  Concept plans submitted for departmental review are not an official application. The concept review process is not required by law and does not constitute any type of regulatory approval – it is simply a tool for discussing technical and substantive issues related to potential development project(s). Any member of the public interested in viewing the Concept Plan may contact Gary Wagner or Katye North in the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703.746.4666.  

• View the concept plans submitted for review by the Old and Historic Alexandria District Board of Architectural Review (note: heights shown on pages 7 and 8 reflect the finished roof elevation (59') and average finished grade (AFV) elevation (9'), making the effective height of the building 50'.) The concept plans were discussed at the Old and Historic District Board of Architectural Review meeting on July 25, 2012.  Watch the discussion here.  Additional related materials are available under Section 5, Other Business, of the docket.
• Read more about the Carr Hospitality proposal at 220 S. Union Street

Cummings-Turner Block: 204-206 S. Union Street - Mid-19th Century Historic Warehouses

204-206 S. Union Street, two mid-19^th century warehouse buildings located on the northern portion of the Cummings/Turner block, were acquired by Lawrence N. Brandt, Inc. in 2012. These historic structures are being adaptively reused in accordance with the Board of Architectural Review and related City guidelines. The buildings’ heavy timber interior framing and massive solid masonry walls are being accentuated under the rehabilitation and preservation processes to convert them from warehouse to office use. Since no change was requested for their massing, and because office uses are allowed under the existing zoning, a Special Use Permit was not required. Work on these buildings is expected to be completed in summer 2013.

Other Development Activity in the Planning Area:

601 N. Fairfax Street - The Oronoco Residential Project

EYA, a development firm based in the Washington Metropolitan area has built several urban-style residential properties in Alexandria and in 2011 acquired the Sheet Metal Workers Office Building at 601 N. Fairfax Street (northeast corner of North Fairfax and Pendleton Streets).  It is converting the building from office to residential use with 60 large condominium units, primarily two and three bedrooms with terraces and common amenities such as a pool and concierge service.   EYA has posted a video related to the Oronoco.

EYA has held two public meetings on the project, a Pre-construction and Community Meeting on July 24, 2012, 5:30 PM, the The Oronoco Sales Office, 119 Oronoco Street, and on September 18, 2012, it presented an update on the project to the Waterfront Commission. All Waterfront Commission meetings are open to the public. Conversion of the building began in late 2012 and is anticipated to continue through 2013, with occupancy in early 2014. No change is required to the building’s overall envelop; therefore, neither a site plan nor Special Use Permit is required, however, conversion of the building did require regular staff administrative approval of a grading plan and building permits.

EYA has committed to contributing $25,000 towards the Art Walk which is a recommendation within the Waterfront SAP to create an artistic experience as one walks along the Waterfront.

• Read more about The Oronoco residential project 

The Beachcombers Restaurant

The Beachcombers Restaurant, built in the mid-20^th century, is a 3,630 square foot former restaurant building that was constructed over water at the corner of The Strand and Prince Street. Over time the water around the building was filled in, in part with the excess from a concrete business located adjacent to this building. The building operated as a restaurant for only a few years and later became a gun shop and military surplus store for the next 50 years. There is some interest in the public and the private sectors in restoring the building and accordingly a recommendation to restore it is included in the Waterfront SAP if the use is found to be economically viable. To explore this possibility further, the City Council on September 27, 2012 approved issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for The Beachcombers Restaurant. The RFP was issued on February 28, 2013 and proposals are due to the City on June 10, 2013.

• Summary of The Beachcombers Restaurant RFP (August 2012)