Old Town Business (OTB) is leading the a new effort to establish a business improvement service district (BISD) in Old Town Alexandria.
OTB has been advocating and hosting programs and events that benefit the community and independent businesses for more than 40 years, including events like the annual Cookie Crawl.
BISDs are defined areas in a city or county in which property owners pay an additional, annual special tax (on top of the standard real property taxes). That tax is used to promote and improve the business environment. The OTB-BISD "aims to focus on improving the experience for employees, visitors and residents within the boundaries of the OTB-BISD and to protect and grow the economy of the OTB-BISD for the benefit of business owners, property owners and residents."
This is not the first time a BISD has been proposed in Old Town. A prior effort in 2017 failed after a number of businesses opposed it for financial reasons, and residents reportedly felt locked out of the process.
Old Town Business focused on community engagement phase. OTB is holding a series of public forums (in person and virtual) in February with members of the community to explain the plans.
Old Town Business plans to begin the formal approval process with Alexandria City Council in March, with the goal of having the OTB-BISD fully approved later this spring.
Members of the Alexandria community are encouraged to register here and attend one of the public forums (dates are listed below).
Proposed Boundaries
According to OTB, "The proposed boundaries of the OTB-BISD create a limited district area running from the “river to the rails,” which would include parcels that (i) have frontage along King Street between the Potomac River and the King Street Metro; (ii) are east of Union Street, between Queen Street and Wolfe Street; (iii) have frontage on the west side of Union Street between Queen Street and Duke Street; (iv) have frontage along Diagonal Street between King Street and Duke Street or (v) have frontage along the streets which intersect with King Street, between PrinceStreet and Cameron Street (the north/south component of Cameron Street, at its western end, shall be considered a side street)."
Wednesday, February 15
In Person: 8:30 a.m - 9:30 a.m.
Lorien Hotel & Spa, 1600 King Street, Alexandria
Virtual Zoom Meeting: 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (go to oldtownbusiness.org to register)
Wednesday, February 22
In Person Meetings: 8:30 a.m - 9:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m
Lorien Hotel & Spa, 1600 King Street, Alexandria
Virtual Zoom Meeting: 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (go to oldtownbusiness.org to register)
