This essay is part of a series in which we’ve asked Alexandrians to envision our region in 2050.
Learn more about the series and read more essays on the Alexandria 2050 project page here.
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Patricia Washington, Visit Alexandria
It’s an early morning in March 2050 and the temperature is already in the mid-60s. You head out the door of your condo at PowerPlace, where just 30 years ago the old GenOn plant still hulked and now there is a gleaming maritime museum and performing arts center cantilevered over the water.
Biking along Alexandria’s winding trails, you wind your way along the waterfront route, sharing stunning views with people of all ages and backgrounds. Off to your left, the high-speed water taxi glides along the Potomac River carrying a mix of commuters and visitors back-and-forth throughout the region.
You arrive in Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site still graced by 18th- and 19th- century architecture and tall tree-lined streets. You complete your bike ride at the lower King streetery, lined with al fresco dining options oozing with international flavors and sounds of music drifting through Waterfront Park.
You pop into the Torpedo Factory and delve into the immersive beauty of art and technology combined, then get your caffeine fix with ease as a retinal scan captures your regular favorite brew — fair trade of course, because all coffee is these days. With a coffee in hand, you board one of the free electric trolleys that departs every 10 minutes from King Street to any of the city’s neighborhoods — Potomac Yard, Inova West, Carlyle, Arlandria, Del Ray and more.
When I think about what Alexandria might look like in 2050, much has changed, but a lot still feels the same. That’s because I believe we are already investing today in the core elements that will guide our future: transportation, the environment, neighborhood hubs, flood mitigation and the waterfront. And because Alexandria has always been simultaneously committed to both progress and preservation.
One of the things of which I am most proud as an Alexandrian, is that our leaders and residents are clearly guided by the core values that shape our evolution and create a foundation for the future. They continue to embrace a local environment rich with an inclusive history, a walkable lifestyle and a thriving independent shopping and restaurant scene. So, it’s exciting to think about Alexandria in 2050, because it enables us to see the work we are doing today come to fruition.
The core adaptation in the next 30 years will entail a shift from being consumers to sustainers. We’ll get better at sharing resources, favoring showrooms over big box retail and infusing more plant-based cuisine into local restaurants. Our shift from material goods to experiences, already underway, will deepen. And travel will be an important part of that. The core values that drive us to travel remain constant — expanding our understanding of other cultures, exploring new environments and dedicating time with family and friends. But the way we achieve those values will change. We will see more local discovery, especially in distinctive, authentic places like Alexandria. So, here’s to 2050… and to 2021 and the work we will do together this year to move another step closer to that bright, sustainable future.
Patricia Washington is president and CEO of Visit Alexandria, the membership-based organization that works to promote tourism and economic activity in the City of Alexandria.
