King Street Pedestrian Zone Gets Positive Feedback As Permanent Zone Considered

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As the City of Alexandria considers making the King Street unit block pedestrian zone permanent, it received overall positive feedback from the public.

Over 1,800 respondents provided feedback in a survey on the pilot program, which closed the unit block of King Street and the northern part of the Strand to vehicular traffic starting Memorial Day weekend. Of 1,694 respondents, 89 percent indicated they wanted the pedestrian zone to continue permanently, while 7 percent said they did not and 3 percent were unsure.

Of the 1,694 who rated their experience with the unit block closure, 78 percent called it very positive, 12 percent said positive, 2 percent said neutral, 3 percent said negative and 2 percent said very negative.

When asked what elements of the pedestrian zone they liked, 1,681 answered. The top choice was respondents saying it feels safer for pedestrians (82 percent), followed by the street providing a benefit to people using the public space (78 percent), more space to eat or shop outside (77 percent) and the street feels like an extension of the park (74 percent).

Some respondents also shared challenges associated with the pedestrian zone. Of 1,367 respondents, 26 percent said traffic backs up on Union Street more than before, while 23 percent each said trash cans are full more often and people riding bikes in the space creates more conflict than before. There were 21 percent who said parking or turning around on the Strand was more difficult.

If the pedestrian zone would continue permanently, 62 percent indicated they want more public seating options, 57 percent want more outdoor dining and 46 percent want access to public bathrooms. On the entertainment side, 37 percent want more activation of the space with musicians, 30 percent want more public art and 20 percent want more non-musician street performers.

The pilot program would have originally ended after Labor Day weekend but was extended through Nov. 20 due to its success. The extension gives businesses and city staff time to prepare for permanent recommendations for the area. The 100 block of King Street is already permanently closed to vehicular traffic.

The closure to vehicular traffic applies to all vehicles except emergency and municipal maintenance vehicles.