Allison BarnetteThe city of Alexandria is planning a substantial modernization and renovation of the city’s historic city hall and Market Square, a rich chapter of American and local history that still in active use.
Under the proposal, city hall, built in 1871, will undergo structural repairs, infrastructure modernization, improved accessibility and security, upgraded technology, and more efficient workspaces for city staff. Market Square, a gathering place since 1749, will remain intact, while the adjacent garage will be repaired and redesigned.
International firm LEO A DALY will handle engineering and design of city hall, and local firms Rust Orling Architecture and LandDesign will lead design of Market Square. The design phase is expected to continue through early 2026, with construction likely beginning in spring 2026 and continuing through 2028.
The final renovation cost has not yet been announced, but the city’s proposed fiscal 2026 capital budget allocates $19.3 million for the renovation of city hall, Market Square Plaza and the parking garage. Earlier estimates had placed the full renovation cost with a broader scope of improvements at over $110 million, with $93.4 million specifically designated for city hall and garage upgrades. These figures suggest that the ultimate cost may evolve as the design process and priorities develop.
Both City Hall and the garage will be closed during that period, and relocation of more than 400 city employees is underway. Employee and service relocations include sites such as 421 King St., 100 N. Pitt St., 2331 Mill Rd. and 4850 Mark Center Dr.
The city seeks to create a space that honors Alexandria’s past, reflects the present and welcomes the future. Community participation is central to that goal. Residents can share their input via an online survey open through Aug. 29, by attending pop-ups at farmers markets in August and September, or by joining community meetings at the city hall, Del Pepper Center, or Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center in September.
Photo by Craig Moe from Cohoes, NY, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
