Alexandria investing $140 million to revitalize City Hall, public square

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The city of Alexandria, Virginia is laying out plans to renovate City Hall and Market Square Plaza, reimagining the space’s aging facilities and amenities to better serve residents and visitors. The $140 million project is expected to kick off construction in the spring of 2026. 

City Hall and the adjoining public square are cultural and historical landmarks, but they’re showing their age as the infrastructure deteriorates. Extensive repairs and replacements are needed to ensure the 153-year-old building, along with the square and underground parking garage, can continue operating safely and effectively. 

The project focuses on major renovations to repair outdated infrastructure, upgrade utility systems, optimize space usage, improve accessibility and enhance security Plans include making significant structural repairs to City Hall, prioritizing its operational capacity and utility system integrity. This will include upgrading the building’s HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems and modernizing the workspaces. 

The Market Square Plaza will receive the most significant changes, featuring a full restructuring to provide better opportunities for cultural events and community engagement. City officials are working with residents to refine the final design for the plaza, gathering feedback on community needs and wants. The plaza’s current configuration is largely inaccessible, inflexible and doesn’t contribute to the visitor experience. 

Updated project designs emphasize outdoor spaces conducive to gatherings and public activities. In addition to providing multiple circulation routes, the city will incorporate a covered stage, permanent shade structures, trees, gardens, water features and an elevator connecting to the underground garage. 

The city will redesign entrances to improve the arrival experience. Some solutions include removing visual barriers, relocating trash areas and incorporating accessible entryways. 

Photo courtesy DiscoA340, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons