The City Council approved the Development Special Use Permit for Robinson Terminal North, a two‑block waterfront redevelopment that will construct two mixed‑use buildings, provide more than one acre of publicly accessible waterfront open space, and deliver a series of public benefits and environmental remediation obligations.

Staff and the applicant described the project as consistent with the Waterfront Plan and the historic waterfront settlement agreement. The proposal covers two blocks on the Potomac River and includes: a five‑story west building with 38 residential units and two restaurant spaces; a separate east building with 35 units and a circular restaurant facing a new waterfront plaza; a north‑south promenade; three covered pavilions; and a one‑acre waterfront open space area that will be dedicated to the city. The applicant offered a $2,700,000 contribution for open space and waterfront improvements and committed to a $30,000 per year contribution from project residents for maintenance of public waterfront space. The project is expected to provide continuous pedestrian access along the waterfront and to fund or construct improvements to Orinoco Street and adjacent RiverRenew enhancements.

Community members expressed two major concerns during the public hearing. First, neighborhood groups requested earlier and clearer temporary public access to the waterfront during construction. NoTICE (North Old Town Independent Citizens’ Association) asked the developer to fence a 10‑foot strip along the waterfront and create a lit temporary path while larger construction is underway. Staff said the applicant will be required to provide a temporary path and related lighting when the East block is not under active construction and that Alexandria Renew’s northern plaza portion will open in the near term and remain accessible throughout construction.

Second, numerous residents and technical commenters raised contamination and remediation questions. Staff and T&ES representatives explained the city’s contaminated lands review and the role of the Virginia DEQ voluntary remediation program (VRP). Staff described an enhanced, multi‑step review that requires submittal of a site characterization, risk assessment, remedial action plan, soils‑management plan and targeted health and safety plan at final site plan. As part of the DSUP approval the council adopted additional conditions pushed by staff and discussed with the applicant that require: a public project website that will host VDEQ/VRP and contaminated lands documents; a community meeting to review the approved remediation and health and safety plan before construction permits are released; and added language clarifying that the applicant must hold a meeting for adjacent property owners before final determinations on specific haul routes.

Applicant counsel and residents urged transparency. The applicant said it has been following state and city protocols, enrolled in the VDEQ VRP, and completed substantial site work (including pier removal and some pre‑construction measures). The applicant asked for council support; the council approved the DSUP with the condition changes reflected in staff’s updated memo (conditions cited in the hearing record included revisions to conditions 2, 103, 125, 159, 161 and 167 addressing the temporary waterfront trail, website disclosure, meetings about haul routes, and the timing of “clean fill” under the FEMA map revision process).

Ending: The council approved the DSUP by roll call and directed staff to administer the contaminated‑lands reporting and public‑engagement requirements during final site plan and construction. Staff will monitor remediation reporting under the city’s contaminated lands program and review all proofs of remediation and monitoring reports before permits are released.