Access Improvements at Landmark Project

The City is redesigning the sidewalks around the former Landmark Mall site to provide improved access to multiple modes of transportation, including nearby pedestrian and bicycle trails, as well as the new West End Transit Center.
Page updated on May 27, 2026 at 6:21 AM
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Project Update: VDOT’s “Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing” Process Begins

From Wednesday, May 27 to Monday, June 15, the City of Alexandria will complete Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)'s Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing process for the Access Improvements at Landmark project.

What does VDOT’s “Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing” Mean?

A “Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing” is a public outreach process that gives community members an opportunity to review proposed construction plans, ask questions, and provide feedback before a project moves forward.

During this process, City Staff are available to answer questions, meet with residents, and walk through the project plans and proposed improvements in detail so the public can better understand what is being proposed and how the project may affect the surrounding area.

For the Access Improvements at Landmark project, the proposed improvements are intended to improve safety, accessibility, and connectivity around the former Landmark Mall redevelopment site and the future West End Transit Center. Planned improvements along North Van Dorn Street include expanded sidewalks, additional crosswalks and pedestrian signals, ADA-compliant curb ramps, upgraded street lighting, guardrails, and stormwater infrastructure improvements to better connect pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and the surrounding community.

At this stage, the project is not being formally approved or voted on. Instead, the process is intended to ensure residents have access to project information, understand the proposed improvements, and can share comments or concerns with staff.

If significant concerns are raised that cannot be resolved during the review period after meeting with staff, a formal public hearing may then be requested. Per VDOT guidelines, public hearing requests may be submitted by mail (only) to: Demond Frazier, Project Manager, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services – Project Implementation, City of Alexandria, 2331 Mill Road, Suite 302, Alexandria, VA  22314. Otherwise, the project may proceed following the public comment period and completion of required reviews. 

Here are links to project materials: 

  • Notice of Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing: This is a formal notice letter with content established by VDOT which was mailed out to the community with information on the project. It includes information on the project scope, a parallel environmental review and ways to review the plans in person and request information. 
  • 30% Design Plan Set: The design plans for Access Improvements at Landmark are being developed into technical documents that could be used for construction purposes. To see the draft technical design plans, click the link below. Plans can also be viewed in person at Department of Transportation and Environmental Services – Project Implementation office located at 2331 Mill Road, Suite 302, Alexandria, VA.
  • Pedestrian Signs: If you’ve been walking around the project area and seen yard signs with information on the project, click the link below to read the signs online. 
  • Deadline: Please note that all questions, comments, and public hearing requests must be postmarked by Monday, June 15, 2026. 

If you have any questions or would like to meet with a project manager to discuss the plans, its benefits, and anticipated construction timing, please feel free to contact project managers, Demond Frazier at Demond.Frazier@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4632, or Sara Brandt-Vorel at Sara.BrandtVorel@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4264.

Project Summary

Phase: Design

Status: Active

Location: Landmark/Van Dorn

Managing Dept.: Project Implementation

Sponsor Dept.: Transportation & Environmental Services

Map of Alexandria with a red box indicating the project location adjacent to the former Landmark Mall site.
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Project Description & Area

The Access Improvements at Landmark project will provide new, modified, and enhanced facilities connecting pedestrians to the redeveloping Landmark Mall site and the future home of the West End Transit Center, which will serve both the Duke Street Transitway and West End Transitway.

A variety of enhancements are planned for North Van Dorn Street from approximately Duke Street to Holmes Run Parkway, including:

  • Expanded sidewalks;
  • Additional crosswalks and pedestrian signals;
  • ADA compliant curb ramps;
  • New guardrails;
  • New street lights; and,
  • Relocated stormwater inlets.
A site map for the proposed location of Access to Landmark Improvements located adjacent to I-395, N Van Dorn Street and Duke Street. The map includes red dotted lines, indicating the locations of proposed work which start at the intersection of the eastbound Duke Street off-ramp and N Van Dorn Street and proceed northward on N Van Dorn Street to the intersection of Holmes Run Parkway.
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A site map for the proposed location of Access to Landmark Improvements located adjacent to I-395, N Van Dorn Street and Duke Street. The map includes red dotted lines, indicating the locations of proposed work which start at the intersection of the eastbound Duke Street off-ramp and N Van Dorn Street and proceed northward on N Van Dorn Street to the intersection of Holmes Run Parkway.
A site map for the proposed location of Access to Landmark Improvements located adjacent to I-395, N Van Dorn Street and Duke Street. The map includes red dotted lines, indicating the locations of proposed work which start at the intersection of the eastbound Duke Street off-ramp and N Van Dorn Street and proceed northward on N Van Dorn Street to the intersection of Holmes Run Parkway.

Planning in the Landmark/Van Dorn Area

Plans for the Landmark/Van Dorn area within the City of Alexandria have been periodically updated to reflect changing land use patterns and needs within the community. Initially approved in 2009, the Landmark/Van Dorn Corridor Plan, a subset of the Landmark/Van Dorn Small Area Plan, was updated in 2019, and amended in 2021 to include updated recommendations for the former Landmark Mall site.  Specific recommendations at, and around the former Landmark Mall site can be found in Chapter 10 of the Landmark/Van Dorn Corridor Plan, including improved access to the former Landmark Mall site as proposed with this project.

COMPLETE STREETS

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT THE CITY IS DOING TO MAKE IT EASIER TO WALK, BIKE AND RIDE TRANSIT.

BUS RAPID TRANSIT NETWORK

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CITY'S PLANS FOR EXPANDING BUS RAPID TRANSIT.

VISION ZERO

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT THE CITY IS DOING TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY.

ALEXANDRIA MOBILITY PLAN

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CITY'S ADOPTED TRANSPORTATION PLAN.

Funding

Project Budget: $6,830,000

Funding Source: Virginia Department of Transportation SmartScale program

CIP Section: Transportation

Learn more about the City of Alexandria's Fiscal Year Budget.

 

Schedule

  • Planning: September 2023 - September 2025    
  • Design: October 2025 - May 2027    
  • Construction: March 2027 - August 2029

Project Status

DESIGN UPDATE

The City is working closely with their design team, and with the project managers of adjacent projects, such as the West End Transitway and improvements at I-395, to integrate the design for Access Improvements at Landmark into the corridor. Continuous coordination and refinement are ongoing to minimize disruptions and coordinate impacts. Detailed design and the development of construction documents shall proceed through early 2027.

Planning 

The City has completed the of planning the infrastructure improvements at Landmark. This webpage will be updated with additional information about concept development as it becomes available. Thank you for your interest in the redevelopment of Landmark.

Frequently Asked Questions

To help fund the design and construction of the Access Improvements at Landmark Project, the City applied for and received federal funds, known as "SmartScale" funds, which are administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). As part of VDOT's management of the funding, the City must undertake additional notification and outreach per VDOT's guidelines, in addition to the City's typical outreach and engagement. The "Notice of Willingness" materials sent out by mail encompass the materials required by VDOT, but simply put, it's an opportunity for the City to share an update on the project and answer any questions the public may have regarding the project. Please use this website to find project materials available for your review.

A number of nearby projects are planned for construction, or already under construction, such as: 

As the Access Improvements at Landmark Project moves closer to construction, our team is in contact with adjacent projects to coordinate construction timelines and potential impacts to minimize disruptions to traffic, commuting and the community.

This project includes a number of safety improvements which will better connect pedestrians and the community to the redeveloping Landmark Mall site and the City's future West End Transitway, including: 

  • Expanded sidewalks;
  • Additional crosswalks and pedestrian signals;
  • ADA compliant curb ramps;
  • New guardrails;
  • New street lights; and,
  • Relocated stormwater inlets.

We're still early in the design process and a timeline isn't yet finalized. The project is still working through the full technical design process to develop construction-related documents. Once those documents are done, the City will go through a competitive construction bidding process to identify a qualified construction team and negotiate a final timeline for project construction.