Real-Time Parking In Old Town Alexandria Garages Up For Approval

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Real-time parking information could be coming to three city-owned Old Town Alexandria parking garages.

On Wednesday, the Board of Architectural Review will consider LED lighting to display parking availability at 108 N. Fairfax Street, 111 S Pitt Street and 220 N. Union Street. City government must obtain approval from the board due to the wide angle lens of the proposed LED lighting and the parking garages' location in historic Old Town Alexandria.

Currently, the three city-owned garages cannot show parking availability, unless staff manually place a sign saying the garage is full. A city staff report says the signage supports the Alexandria Mobility Plan by directing drivers to off-street parking.

"This improved information will decrease driving around hunting for parking and therefore decrease traffic and pollution," the city staff report states.

The effort to display parking availability comes as the city tries to encourage off-street parking away from residential streets. Last year, City Council approved an expansion of the residential pay-by-phone parking program in Old Town Alexandria and allowed city staff to change pricing at city-owned parking garages, metered lots, and residential pay-by-phone blocks. In September 2022, the city increased the hourly parking rate from $1.75 to $3 on select residential streets east of Washington Street in Old Town.

The Market Square Garage at 108 N. Fairfax Street is a popular option for Old Town visitors and during events like the Old Town Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. The 220 N. Union Street is also popular during events near the waterfront. The price for both garages $2 per hour, $10 daily, or $5 maximum on evenings after 5 p.m. and weekends.

The Courthouse Square garage at 111 S. Pitt Street is less utilized, which led the city to decrease the parking rate to $1 per hour or $5 per day on evenings after 5 p.m. and weekends.

Patch will update this story in the coming days after the Board of Architectural Review's action.