Politics & Government

Alexandria Vice Mayor Commends BRAC Ad-Hoc Committee for Its Hard Work

Donley praises group for its ability to get concessions from the Defense Department related to the BRAC-133 move.

City of Alexandria Vice Mayor Kerry Donley praised the work of the city’s BRAC ad-hoc group during City Council’s monthly report on the ongoing Mark Center saga.

Donley said the group has garnered more concessions and clarity from the Department of Defense, something that has proved difficult throughout preparations for the opening of the massive Mark Center building scheduled for September.

“It’s been huge to be able to get concessions, like to get the Springfield-Franconia Metro stop as a transfer spot [to the Mark Center],” Donley said at the Tuesday evening City Council meeting.

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For their efforts, members of the ad-hoc group, which is made up of residents and others who have been charged to work with BRAC officials, will receive congratulatory letters from the city.

During the presentation, city staff said it is moving forward on enhanced bus transit to the Mark Center. Donley said non-government employees will be able to ride shuttles to and from the King Street Metro station and potentially the Pentagon.

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“This is getting drivers off the road,” he said.

The city is still working to reach some sort of agreement with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority on improved bus service to the Mark Center. Alexandria’s mayor, Bill Euille, sits on the board of WMATA.

During the report, it was also announced that short-term road improvements to key intersections around the office will be funded by the Department of Defense and that long-term improvements, including HOV lanes and transit infrastructure, will be funded by the Virginia Department of Transportation. 


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