Help Shape the Future of Market Square
MARKET SQUARE SERIES #3 ENGAGEMENT: REFINED CONCEPTS UPDATE
The City is pleased to announce the third round of community meetings for the City Hall and Market Square Renovation Project. In this next phase, the City will share refined concepts of Market Square Plaza that were informed by the community! Also, attendees will be given a peek into the historical research the design team has gathered as they begin to shape the future of City Hall!
The first series of meetings were focused on listening, and hundreds of locals from the West End, to Old Town, to Arlandria, expressed their thoughts and hopes for Market Square. To date, the community has joined in-person and virtual meetings and pop-ups at Farmers’ Markets around the city. In the second series, four concepts were shared that each propose different approaches to incorporating a stage, water feature, and shade structures. After a robust engagement period and digital survey, this third series will present two refined concepts incorporating the public’s feedback. You won’t want to miss it!
Request a Pop-up or Speaker
Request a pop-up or speaker at your venue, event, or organization meeting, where we can share details about the project and get feedback from your group or members.
Community Engagement & Design Timeline
Current Project Phase: Architectural and Engineering Design of City Hall and Market Square
The City is currently working on early design and programming activities as part of the community engagement process.
Past Community Engagement Events
Community Meetings
- September 19, 2024
Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. - September 23, 2024
Del Pepper Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Dr. - September 26, 2024
Minnie Howard Campus, Alexandria City High School - September 30, 2024
Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 W Reed Ave - October 10, 2024
Watch the Virtual Meeting | View the Presentation - October 28, 2024
Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. - October 29, 2024
Watch the Virtual Meeting | View the Presentation - December 9, 2024
Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. - December 12, 2024
Watch the Virtual Meeting | View the Presentation
Pop-Ups
- September 14, 2024
- Old Town Farmers' Market
- Southern Towers Farmers' Market
- Del Ray Farmers' Market
- September 15, 2024
- Old Town North Farmers' Market
- Four Mile Run Farmers' & Artisans Market
- West End Farmers' Market
- October 7, 14, 21, 28, 2024
- Old Town North Farmers' Market
- November 2, 2024
- Old Town North Farmers' Market & Beatley Central Library
- November 9, 2024
- Old Town Farmers’ Market
- November 10, 2024
- West End Farmers’ Market
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What work is being done?
The current Market Square Plaza and Garage require significant structural repairs, resulting in an opportunity to evaluate the design and function of the garage and plaza alongside City Hall. City Hall will require HVAC, plumbing and electrical upgrades along with more modern workspaces for City staff to serve residents and visitors.
Why is this work important?
The current City Hall is an Alexandria landmark, but it is well over a century old. Market Square has been the center of civic activity for Alexandrians since the City’s founding in 1749. Both facilities need major updates to repair aging building components, improve operating systems, optimize space utilization, improve building circulation and wayfinding, enhance security, and facilitate community engagement.
When will construction start?
Construction is currently anticipated to begin in the spring of 2026.
How long will construction take?
Construction is currently anticipated to take approximately two years.
Who will be designing the new City Hall and Market Square Plaza?
The City has contracted design firm LEO A DALY to lead the renovation of the 153-year-old City Hall building, while long-established Alexandria firms Rust Orling Architecture and LandDesign will bring local knowledge to the design of Market Square.
Will City Hall remain open during construction?
City Hall will be closed during construction. City Services will be relocated to nearby facilities.
Where will City Services be relocated to during construction?
The following City services will be relocated to 421 King Street:
- City Manager Office
- Office of the Mayor and City Council
- City Clerk
- City Attorney Office
- Office of Communications and Community Engagement
- Planning & Zoning
- Office of Performance Analytics
- Office of Management and Budget
Office of Climate Action
The following City services will be relocated to 100 North Pitt Street:
- Finance
- Housing
The following City services will be relocated to 2331 Mill Road:
- General Services
- Information Technology Services
- Department of Project Implementation
The following will be permanently relocated to 4850 Mark Center Drive:
Code Administration
The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services will be permanently relocated according to the following:
- Stormwater Management: AlexRenew
- Administration, Mobility Services, and Transportation Engineering: 2900 Business Center Drive
Will Market Square Garage be accessible during construction for Farmers Market customers?
Market Square Garage will also be closed for renovation. Additional nearby garage options are available at Tavern Square located at 418 Cameron Street or at the Courthouse located at 111 South Pitt Street. Parking fees are being negotiated with the landlord.
How will the Farmers Market be accommodated during Market Square Plaza renovation?
The Farmers Market will remain open during the renovation. The temporary location has not been confirmed but the current proposal assumes that the Market will be moved next door at Tavern Square and along the portion of Royal Street between King Street and Cameron Street.
How can I learn more about this project?
We invite you to attend one the community engagement opportunities listed on the project webpage.
How can I receive future announcements and updates about this project?
Subscribe to the “City Hall Renovation” eNews topic to learn more about the Alexandria City Hall, Market Square Garage, and Plaza Renovation Project. You can also follow the City’s social accounts on Facebook, X and Instagram for periodic meeting reminders and project updates.
How can I submit feedback?
We’re glad you’re interested in being a part of shaping our City’s future; we value your input! You can submit feedback through this intake form or at any in person or virtual engagement opportunity.
Project History
Design Process Begins
City of Alexandria City Manager James Parajon is pleased to announce the design team has been selected for the renovation of City Hall and Market Square. International design firm LEO A DALY will take the lead on the renovation of the 153-year-old City Hall building. Long-established Alexandria firms Rust Orling Architecture and LandDesign will bring local knowledge to the design of Market Square. Design is anticipated through early 2026, with construction taking place 2026-2028.
“This is an exciting first step in a long-awaited process,” City Manager James Parajon said. “City Hall and Market Square should reflect this great city, our history, and the commitment to equitable services that our community expects. We look forward to reimagining how to ensure 301 King Street is a source of pride for our employees and residents.”
Market Square has been the center of civic activity for Alexandrians since the City’s founding in 1749. The current Market Square Plaza and Garage require significant structural repairs, resulting in an opportunity to evaluate the design and function of the garage and plaza alongside City Hall.
The current City Hall, built in 1871, is a great source of community pride and serves as a workplace for more than 300 City employees. After many years of service, major updates are needed throughout City Hall to repair aging building components, improve operating systems, optimize space utilization, improve building circulation and wayfinding, enhance security, and facilitate community engagement.
The City Hall Renovation Project will provide a revitalized safe and sustainable environment to better serve City staff, Alexandria residents, and visitors well into the future. The City of Alexandria is committed to maintaining City Hall as the seat of government for many years to come.
Urgent City Hall Repairs Started
In Spring 2014, the City engaged an architectural/engineering consultant to conduct a feasibility study addressing required immediate and priority City Hall repairs. As a result of this investigation, the following projects have been undertaken, with more initiatives to follow:
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Latrobe Bell Tower Structural Monitoring
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Roof and Attic Framing Repairs
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Repairs to Exterior Walls, Windows, and Roof Trim
Workplace Guidelines Developed
In 2015, the City developed Workplace Guidelines and studied current and future space needs for each City Hall department. Space is at a premium in City Hall, and the post-renovation usable square footage is not expected to accommodate the future needs of the current functions and occupants. This presents an opportunity to examine which functions best serve Alexandria in City Hall and which would provide better service at other locations.
Ad Hoc Joint City-Schools Facility Investment Task Force (the Task Force)
The Task Force study, released in 2018, challenged the City to actively consider alternatives to the traditional means of doing business and look for opportunities to co-locate City services in a more central location. This aligns with the City's initiative to examine how and where services are provided, in preparation for the City Hall Renovation Project.