Waterfront Features At Alexandria's Power Plant Redevelopment Up For Feedback

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As planning continues for the redevelopment of the power plant in Alexandria's Old Town North, the developer wants to hear feedback on plans for a waterfront open space.

The site at 1300 N. Royal Street operated as a coal-fired power plant for over 60 years and emitted an estimated 3.15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. But in 2012, advocacy by Alexandria residents led to the power plant's closure.

Hilco Redevelopment Partners purchased the site in September 2020 and is planning environmental remediation and redevelopment of the approximately 20-acre power plant site. A redevelopment aligns with the city's 2017 Old Town North Small Area Plan, which envisions a mixed-use district at the site.

The redevelopment already gained its first key approvals in 2022, when City Council voted in favor of master plan amendments, zoning text amendments, rezoning and a Coordinated Development District conceptual design plan associated with the project. The conceptual design plan called for up to 2,000 residential units. At least 20 percent of the redevelopment will contain non-residential uses, such as retail, office, an arts and cultural anchor and potential hotel.

While the Mount Vernon Trail already runs along the waterfront at the site, additional waterfront open space will be added with the redevelopment. The waterfront space will connect to existing National Park Service land hosting the trail, and the existing pump house at the site will make way for a new use. On the other side of the development, open space is also being planned as a linear park along old railroad tracks.

Hilco Redevelopment Partners will be presenting a preview of open space plans at a meeting on May 24 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Residents can register in advance for the meeting. Residents may provide comments and questions at the meeting or submit them in advance to HRPInfoMidatlantic@hilcoglobal.com.

In addition, a survey on open space features is open from May 1 to 31. The survey asks about potential features residents would like to see at the 8-acre waterfront open space and 5-acre railroad open space.

Potential ideas shared for a passive waterfront area include a woodland trail, ecological trail and signage, birdwatching, fishing, overlook and seating.

Potential waterside facilities include a kayak launch through a floating dock, kayak stairs, ADA-compliant kayak launch, and kayak drop-off.

Ideas for an active waterfront area include a flexible lawn, terraced seating with a river view, shade structure, swing benches, separated bike facilities, native planting garden, passive lawn, plaza area, and art installation.

Potential ideas for reuse of the pump house include an overlook with flexible seating, waterside dining, expanded waterfront view, and replacement of the cage.

For the 5-acre railroad open space, ideas for recreational facilities include a basketball court, pickleball court, bocce ball court, sand volleyball court, fitness trail and outdoor fitness stations. Ideas for a children's play area include slides, nature-based play, climbing structures, interpretive play elements, water play, sand play, and swings.

For a plaza portion at the railroad open space, ideas include shaded seating, movable seating, game carts, educational signage, art installation, shade structures, pop-up activation, dog park, farmers market, and art fair.

Landscape ideas for the site include a passive lawn, native planting garden, pollinator garden, seasonal garden and walking trails. For linear open spaces, ideas include a cafe or ice cream shop, bike repair station, restroom, vending machine, arts component, and drinking fountain.

Design of the waterfront and railroad open spaces are expected to be up for city review in early 2024.

The development of the waterfront open space is just one small piece of the redevelopment process. The city approval process for entitlements is underway. Hilco Development Partners submitted a development special use concept in November 2022 for three blocks. City review is expected to happen in much of 2023. The Coordinated Development District approval in 2022 already set maximum building heights — 70 feet for Block A, 172 feet for Blocks B, C and D, and 160 feet for Blocks E and F.

A project website has more information about the redevelopment and past community meeting presentations.