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City unveils draft FY26-27 long-range planning work program; Duke Street and flood resilience among priorities
Summary
Staff presented the draft two-year interdepartmental work program prioritizing Duke Street small-area planning, flood resilience (Flood Action Alexandria), River Renew implementation, housing 2040 actions, parks and urban forestry updates, and feasibility studies including Cameron Run.
City planning staff presented a draft FY26-27 interdepartmental long-range planning work program to council on Feb. 18, asking for guidance on sequencing and community engagement for major initiatives including the Duke Street small-area plan, flood resilience, and housing and parks master-plan updates.
"This is the interdepartmental long range planning work program and it's our opportunity to coordinate work across departments to coordinate resources to coordinate the constraints that we run up against," Carrie Beach of Planning and Zoning said in opening the segment. Staff described a two-year timeline with internal preparatory work, community engagement phases and public hearings mapped to the FY26-FY27 cycle.
Transportation staff previewed Duke Street transitway design and several access and sidewalk projects tied to redevelopment sites (Landmark Mall area, Potomac Yard). Jesse Mains (Stormwater Management) highlighted Flood Action Alexandria and a Flood Resilience Plan launching as a 12-to-18 month effort; staff said Chesapeake Bay TMDL Phase 3 compliance work will continue and corresponding zoning amendments to Article 13 of the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance will be brought forward.
Erin Douglas Carver (sanitary infrastructure) updated council on River Renew and associated schedules: the state approved an extension moving the implementation date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026 and staff said substantial completion is expected in April 2026.
Housing staff reported that Housing 2040 remains active with a needs assessment and community engagement; a bundle of actionable items is expected later in 2025. Parks and recreation staff outlined plans to update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the urban forestry plan and a Cameron Run regional park feasibility study ahead of a 2028 lease expiration.
Councilmembers asked staff to return with more detailed timing, budget implications, and how this work will coordinate with ACPS on an updated long-range educational facilities plan. Staff said they would coordinate and provide summaries and timing on shared-service opportunities, grant dependencies, and federal funding uncertainties.
Ending: Staff will return with a refined draft in May or June after council and planning commission input and noted the work program will inform the CIP and upcoming budget conversations.
