Waterfront PlanOverview and Update

Waterfront CommissionDecember 17, 2019

Alexandria’s Waterfront

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Waterfront Plan Time Line

• January 2012 – Plan adopted• Earlier Plans in 1982 and 1992

• March 2013 - Waterfront Zoning adopted

• June 2014 – Schematic Landscape and Flood Mitigation Design adopted

• March 2019 – Interim Waterfront Park opened

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Goals of the Alexandria Waterfront Plan

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• Completes the final chapter of the Waterfront’s transformation

• At the heart of the Waterfront, a new gateway to the City

• Creates a Strand that is lively, fun and uniquely Alexandrian

• Provides more and better public spaces of all kinds

• Guides redevelopment to achieve Plan goals

• Resolves the parking problem

• Weaves art and history into every aspect of the Waterfront

• Improves environmental conditions. including flooding.

• Is practical, cost-conscious, and economically sustainable

Realizing the VisionContinuous public access for all

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Realizing the VisionMore and better public spaces of all kinds

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Waterfront Plan – Identified Redevelopment Sites

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Waterfront Plan – Illustrative Map

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Waterfront Plan – Olin Schematic Design (2014)

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Waterfront Plan – Olin Schematic Design (2014)

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Waterfront Zoning / W-1 (amended 2013)

• Permit additional density (with SUP) in exchange for increased developer contributions and increased control over new development

• Allow additional land uses, like hotel and cultural uses, to support the vision of a waterfront that welcomes the public

• Must meet Development Goals and Guidelines to utilize

• Prohibition against ground-floor residential 11

Key Sites and Progress

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Waterfront Plan Implementation Progress Tracking

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Realized Private Development Projects

• Hotel Indigo (2014) • Old Dominion Boat Club (2015)• Robinson Landing (2015)• Watermark Condominium (2018)

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Robinson Terminal North (2015 plan)

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• 66 multifamily residential units

• 25,000 sq. ft. of commercial

• 132-room hotel

• One level of below-grade parking under each building

• Open space amenities, including plazas, a pedestrian promenade and an improved pier.

RTN – Waterfront Plan Details

16Robinson Terminal North detail from

Waterfront Plan Illustrative MapRobinson Terminal North detail in illustrative Waterfront Plan model

RTN – Waterfront Plan Development Goals

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1. Employ a land use mix and design which invites the public and encourages activity within the proposed development and adjacent public spaces.

2. Provide extensive public amenities and free access to and along the water’s edge.

3. Improve access by extending Pendleton Street as a pedestrian connection to an improved pier.

4. Pay homage to historic West’s Point through public space design and interpretive features.

5. Maintain a building scale compatible with the existing fabric to the south and west.

6. Maximize water views from buildings, streets and rooftop open spaces.

RTN – Waterfront Plan Development Guidelines (part 1)

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1. Active ground-floor uses2. Mixed use, with emphasis on arts, history & culture3. Residential use and design located away from water and

compatible with high level of public activity4. Residential use should not be primary use and no ground

floor residential permitted.5. Enhance streetscape and pedestrian experience on N.

Union St.6. Historic interpretation should inform every aspect of the

design.7. Encourage modern design inspired by historic precedent8. BAR advisory review

RTN – Waterfront Plan Development Guidelines (part 1)

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9. Parking on site and below grade10.Step down from Union St to water11.No curb cuts on water or Union St 12.Shoreline treatment should include native plantings13.Compatibility with bioremediation efforts at Oronoco Outfall14.On and off site public amenities

• Public art• Open space with public access easements/dedications• Retention of pier and creation of public space on pier• Environmental amenities

15. Maximum FAR per chart on page 105 (and Settlement Agreement

Old Town North Small Area Plan (2018)

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Principles (selected)• Importance of design excellence• Balanced mix of residents and office• Compatible land uses and heights• Encourage arts and cultural uses• Enhance public realm• Variety of open spaces• Incorporate history

Recent Projects • Crowne Plaza• 1201 N. Royal• Bus Barn• Towne Motel

Upcoming• Transpotomac Plaza

RTN – Review Process

Reviewing Bodies• Waterfront Commission• Urban Design and Advisory Commission

(UDAC)• Board of Architectural Review (advisory)

Master Plan Conformance• Waterfront Plan• Old Town North Small Area Plan

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��������������������Waterfront Plan�Overview and Update���Alexandria’s WaterfrontWaterfront Plan Time LineGoals of the Alexandria Waterfront PlanRealizing the VisionRealizing the VisionWaterfront Plan – Identified Redevelopment SitesWaterfront Plan – Illustrative MapWaterfront Plan – Olin Schematic Design (2014)Waterfront Plan – Olin Schematic Design (2014)Waterfront Zoning / W-1 (amended 2013)Key Sites and Progress Waterfront Plan Implementation Progress TrackingRealized Private Development ProjectsRobinson Terminal North (2015 plan) RTN – Waterfront Plan DetailsRTN – Waterfront Plan Development GoalsRTN – Waterfront Plan Development Guidelines (part 1)RTN – Waterfront Plan Development Guidelines (part 1)Old Town North Small Area Plan (2018)RTN – Review ProcessSlide Number 22