Take NOTICe Weekly - Riverfront Review

For the first time the Alexandria Waterfront Commission took its annual walk along the Potomac in North Old Town on June 21^st rather than through the more settled neighborhood to the south.  Here’s some of what NOTICe members learned while strolling with the commissioners.

--In Oronoco Park a new public promenade, the RiverRenew Plaza, is expected to open in the fall.  Someday additional promenades will extend south from there along the river to Founders Park.  The next step in this process, expected to start soon, will be the demolition of the Robinson Terminal Pier. Separately, the City Council recently approved the eventual construction of a major residential and retail complex at the site, one that will stretch from the river west to the other side of Union Street.

--At Canal Center repairs on the bridge over the replica canal lock are expected to be finished this summer.  The lock is where the city’s mighty waterway began its  seven-mile route from Alexandria to Georgetown.

--The Tidelock. The two towers are scheduled to be finished by early 2026, offering 165 rental units, 65 condos and perhaps a café or wine bar as well. The complex also includes 5,000 square feet available for an arts or culture facility.

---MetroStage. Winstanley Architects has been chosen to design a home for both live theater and film in this space in the Venue on Fairfax Street across from the tennis courts. The MetroStage board hopes to open the planned 130 seat showcase in October 2026 and welcome the Alexandria Film Festival in November.

--Power Plant. It will be at least a year before the deconstruction of this imposing neighborhood fixture begins. Because the plant will likely leave a large amount of hazardous rubble in its ruins, it is hard to guess when the site will be clean enough for a successor building.

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