Waterfront Parking & Circulation

The Waterfront Small Area Plan outlines a vision for a more active and vibrant waterfront. Testing the Plan’s proposed changes with the area’s multi-modal transportation and parking systems has been an essential element of the waterfront planning process; the City will only support a future vision for the waterfront that has adequate transportation and parking systems to support it. It has therefore been imperative in planning for the City’s waterfront that any increase in private or public activity not overwhelm the existing multi-modal transportation and parking systems by increasing vehicular or pedestrian congestion or parking impacts for residents, businesses or visitors beyond which this area can support. The Plan contains a number of recommendations to ensure the transportation and parking systems are adequate to support the needs of visitors and residents.

Such recommendations include:

• Completion of a comprehensive transportation study that addresses parking, motor coach, loading and other impacts along Union Street. (Recommendation 4.3, p. 108);
• Use of pedestrian counters to aid in frequent tracking and monitoring of counts in order to address pedestrian congestion  (Recommendation 4.8, p. 110);
• Exploring the use of shuttle service to facilitate remote parking for events and other activities (Recommendation 4.21, p. 115);
• Pursuing expanded water taxi service to destinations north and south of Alexandria (Recommendation 4.25, p. 116); and
• Creation of a Waterfront Parking Implementation Plan to ensure strategic application of parking programs and technology, such as valet and smart phone applications, which will help protect existing residential parking areas and make the most efficient use of existing parking facilities (Recommendations 4.32 - 4.37, p. 123).

Union Street Study: The goal of the study is to assess conditions within the area and make recommendations which will support and promote a safe, lively and compelling waterfront where pedestrians, bicyclists and all users can feel safe and comfortable, minimizing intermodal conflicts. The Study has been completed and the recommendations approved by the Planning Commission, Transportation Commission in November 2012 and City Council on December 15, 2012. Additionally, the Waterfront Commission approved the recommendations in a letter dated October 15, 2012.

Old Town Area Parking Study Work Group: The Old Town Area Parking Study Work Group is a City Manager appointed stakeholder group, which was established to discuss key findings and recommendations from the recently conducted Old Town Area Parking Study and to advise staff. The Work Group was originally convened in summer 2010 and then it was reconvened in summer 2012. The meetings were open to the public. Many of the recommendations under the Old Town Area Parking Study were implemented in 2012 and progress continues to be made in 2013:

• Multi-space parking meters have replaced most single space meters in Old Town.
• The multi-space meter rates are $1.75 per hour. Metered street spaces in Old Town require payment Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and are free on Sundays and state holidays.
• New public parking directional signs are now installed in Old Town under the City’s Wayfinding Program. Additionally, parking signs are being installed on public garages as well.
• The City Parking garages have been upgraded to accept credit cards.
• The City has introduced a new application that allows eligible City residents to obtain and print guest permits under the City's permit parking programs, including the Residential Parking Permit Program.

Capital Bikeshare in Alexandria: Alexandria has joined the regional Capital Bikeshare network, beginning with implementing a pilot program providing eight bike share stations, with potential to add more stations as funding becomes available. Of the eight locations, one is at the Waterfront at Prince and Union Streets.