Council Overturns BAR Decision Concerning Windmill Hill Park Fence

Alexandria City Council overturned a decision by the city’s Board of Architectural Review on Saturday, approving the construction of a nautical post and rope fence at Windmill Hill Park as opposed to a BAR-endorsed split-rail fence.

The fence would be designed to prevent park visitors from walking on an unstable and deteriorating bulkhead along the Potomac River.

While council sided with the petitioners, the discussion in City Hall focused more on the state of the bulkhead and what needs to be done to replace it.

Council ultimately opted to expedite analysis for design and funding the bulkhead project ahead of upcoming budget discussions for the new council that will be sworn in on Jan. 2, 2013.

“We need to protect the public,” Vice Mayor Kerry Donley said. “I would not like to be on the council who has to face someone whose child or relative fell and got hurt because the bulkhead failed. … It’s not a question of liability.”

Nearby residents petitioned to overturn the BAR decision to build a less-stylized, more historically accurate split-rail fence. The rope fence carries a $32,000 price tag, while the split-rail fence would run $8,500. 

“The 57 citizens who signed that appeal agreed that not only is a split-rail fence ugly but it’s totally out of character for the Old Town Historic District,” Old Town resident Van Van Fleet said. “Regardless of a fence, the opinion is the bulkhead will just sit there. … It’s time to grab the bull by the horns and fund the whole project. … Let’s forget about the fence and fund this long overdue project immediately.”

The city has attempted to gain money for the project in the past. A grant proposal to the Army Corps of Engineers was rejected. U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th) attempted to gain funding through a congressional earmark, which have since been banned.

“Most likely, it will be city money to address this issue,” Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks said of the bulkhead.

The city, which is currently in fiscal year 2013, has earmarked $4 million for the bulkhead replacement in fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

The bulkhead is in danger of collapsing and beyond repair, according to city engineer Emily Baker. She said bulkhead replacement could cost $5 million. The fence is needed only to protect the city from liability.

Councilwoman Alicia Hughes said it “would be irresponsible” not to get the money moved up in the city’s Capital Improvement Project budget to replace the bulkhead.

The decision on Saturday was about the fence, however, though council did ask city staff to plan for addressing the bulkhead sooner rather than later.

“We have to be committed to funding,” Mayor Bill Euille said. “And this is where we want to get to.”

Along with the fence, new signage will be posted to warn about the state of the bulkhead.