Business Improvement Service District For Old Town Alexandria Pursued

ALEXANDRIA, VA — After Business Improvement Service District guidelines were updated in 2022, a district for Old Town Alexandria's commercial corridor is being sought.

Old Town Business, an organization representing business interests, announced it is leading a renewed effort to form a Business Improvement Service District. A Business Improvement Service District involves a special tax charged to property owners on top of the city's regular real estate tax. The special tax would go toward promoting and improving the business landscape within the district boundaries.

The Business Improvement Service District would organize and manage services, activities and events as well as provide amenities beyond what the city provides. Neighboring Arlington County has Business Improvement Districts for National Landing, Ballston and Rosslyn.

An effort to create a district for Old Town Alexandria failed in 2017 after drawing supporters and opponents. Supporters of Business Improvement Service Districts helped get a new concept and guidelines approved by the city last year, but ALX Now reported that the focus has turned to areas of the West End like Landmark.

The proposed boundaries of the Old Town district include King Street from the waterfront and King Street Metro, waterfront areas east of Union Street between Queen and Wolfe Streets, the west side of Union Street between Queen Street and Duke Street, Diagonal Street between King Street and Duke Street, and streets intersecting with King Street between Prince Street and Cameron Street.

Old Town Business envisions transitioning from a volunteer-run advocate for businesses to a Business Improvement Service District. These districts are typically led by an executive director and staff and overseen by a board of directors.

"The proposed BISD (to be named the Old Town Business – Business Improvement Service District, or OTB-BISD) aims to focus on improving the experience for employees, visitors and residents within the boundaries of the OTB-BISD and to protect and grow the economy of the OTB-BISD for the benefit of business owners, property owners and residents," Old Town Business said in a news release.

Old Town Business plans to begin the formal approval process with the city government in March with a goal of full approval later in the spring. Before the city review, Old Town Business will hold public forums in February to explain the plans and anticipated timeline. It has also started a petition in support of the Business Improvement Service District.

Community members may register to attend one of the public forums:

Wednesday, Feb. 15

• 8:30 a.m - 9:30 a.m., Lorien Hotel & Spa, 1600 King Street, Alexandria, VA
• 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., virtual Zoom meeting

Wednesday, Feb. 22

• 8:30 a.m - 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m.-1 p.m., 4 p.m.-5 p.m. , Lorien Hotel & Spa, 1600 King Street, Alexandria, VA
• 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., virtual Zoom meeting