Outdoor Dining Areas Expanded For Phase 1 Reopening In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The City of Alexandria is giving more outdoor seating flexibility to restaurants and closing a block of King Street for outdoor seating as phase one of reopening begins. Outdoor dining at 50 percent capacity with tables spaced apart is allowed under phase one, which begins on Friday, May 29 in Alexandria.

Alexandria City Council approved the temporary outdoor dining program on Tuesday. For restaurants within the designated King Street Outdoor Dining area, outdoor dining can be set up on sidewalks and parking spaces outside businesses with adherence to social distancing guidelines. Other restaurants in the city can have outdoor dining on restaurant property and in the public right-of-way such as sidewalks, parking spaces and parking lots.

Restaurants must apply for the outdoor dining allowances and follow the state's phase one guidelines.

The city will close the 100 block of King Street to vehicular traffic for restaurants to use part of the street and sidewalk for outdoor dining. Lee Street will be open to local traffic only between Cameron and Prince Streets.

The eastbound side of the 200, 100, and unit blocks of King Street had closed to vehicular traffic during Memorial Day weekend to give more space for physical distancing. With the 100 block closure, a wider path in the center of the street will be provided to give pedestrians more space to walk and access for emergency vehicles. These 100 block changes will continue through phase one, and the city will make a decision about how to approach phase two later.

A city statement says the 100 block closure isn't meant to create a pedestrian plaza or encourage people to congregate. Signage placed outdoors remind the public to maintain six feet from others, wear face coverings and not consume takeout alcoholic drinks in public places. Alexandria Police will increase their presence on lower King Street and the waterfront to monitor compliance.

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