Downtown Alley and Walkways Discussed During Input Session

A public input session was held Wednesday night regarding a downtown improvement project, which is scheduled to begin this spring.

Assistant Town Manager Scott Parker and Acting Deputy Director Tom Brandon discussed alley improvements near the Town Hall parking garage including two walkways linking to King St.

“The work is primarily to make the alleys more attractive and more pedestrian friendly,” Brandon said, while making a nice gateway from the garage to the downtown business area.

“Tonight is to show people what we’ve actually designed, give them a schedule of when we expect to build it, give them some indication of what to expect during construction and how we will address businesses downtown during construction.”

One of the biggest concerns during the meeting was if the project would affect downtown businesses during regular operation hours.

Brandon said that most of the project would take place during daytime hours and only one walkway would be closed at a time in order to minimize any impacts.

There may be some limited nighttime and weekend work, he said, but only with specific town approval. Downtown business owners would be contacted prior to any work. 

Brandon said that the entire project is estimated to take three months and will begin as soon as two utility poles in the alley are relocated sometime next month.

The project will include the replacement of a storm drainpipe in Leesburg Walk and modification of the storm drain system within the alley. 

Other improvements will include the placing of bricks within the walkways, the installation of decorative lighting and gateway signs at the King Street end of both walkways.

Once the work is completed, Brandon said the appearance and safety of the area will be improved. More effective connectivity and utilization of the town parking deck will also be accomplished.

“The downtown businesses and the elected officials have been talking about downtown improvements for a number of years now. There’s been a number of studies that have indicated that some improvements, to show an investment in town, that we’re open for business, are needed,” Parker said. “The decision was made to make that investment into some of our infrastructures downtown to make it more attractive, pedestrian friendly and business friendly as well.”

Other downtown improvements projects include the , Loudoun Street and King Street, which still remains unresolved. The estimated cost for the alley/walkway project is approximately $400,000. All of the projects combined for phase one totals $4,275,000.