Council Approves Purchase of Polk Avenue Open Space

Alexandria City Council unanimously approved Tuesday the purchase of a parcel of land on Polk Avenue to preserve open space in the city’s West End.

The city plans to acquire the 2.4-acre lot, located at the intersection of Polk and North Pelham Street, for $1.9 million.

“The [Beauregard Rezoning Advisory Group] considered a number of different spots,” Vice Mayor Kerry Donley said. “This one graded out on top for their criteria. We’re getting more land for less cost than some of the others under consideration. … It will more likely be used for passive recreation as opposed to active recreation, and that’s dearly needed in this area.”

The Department of Defense has given the city $1.5 million in compensation to establish an open space in the Beauregard corridor as part of the BRAC negotiations. The additional $400,000 to pay for the property would be taken from the city’s Capital Improvement Program Open Space Fund.

Councilwoman Alicia Hughes supported the acquisition “even though we’re going to have to tack some extra money to do so.”

The property is heavily wooded and steeply sloped and includes the foundation of a house that was destroyed by a fire in April.

“This is a much-needed open space in the West End,” Councilwoman Del Pepper said. “It is a very difficult patch of land to be developed and there have been several offers that have come forward … and all of them in my opinion packed on a bunch of townhouses. That was inappropriate in my mind.”

Many residents spoke in support of the acquisition at a Dec. 4 Planning Commission hearing.

“This is coming with broad-base support from the residents and that’s certainly good news,” Mayor Bill Euille said.