Project Summary
Phase: Design
Status: Active
Location: Landmark/Van Dorn
Managing Dept.: Project Implementation
Sponsor Dept.: Transportation & Environmental Services
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.
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.
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.
VDOT “Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing” Process
The City of Alexandria completed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing process for the Access Improvements at Landmark project from May 27 through June 15, 2026.
About the Public Noticing Process
The Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing process provided community members with an opportunity to review proposed construction plans, ask questions, and provide feedback before the project advances to the next phase of development.
During the review period, City staff were available to answer questions, meet with residents, and discuss the project plans and proposed improvements in detail to help the public understand the project and its potential impacts on the surrounding area. Community members were invited to submit comments, questions, and requests for a formal public hearing in accordance with VDOT requirements. Following the close of the comment period, the City and VDOT reviewed all submitted comments and will continue advancing the project through final design and required approvals.
Project Materials
Notice of Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing
This formal notice letter, prepared in accordance with VDOT requirements, was advertised in newspapers, as well as mailed, emailed, and posted throughout the community. The document provided information on the project scope, environmental review process, opportunities to review project plans, and methods for submitting comments.
- Read the letter in English
- Read the letter in Spanish
- Read the letter in Amharic
- Read the letter in Arabic
30% Design Plan Set
The design plans for Access Improvements at Landmark are being developed into technical construction documents. The following 30% design plans were made available for public review during the VDOT outreach process:
Pedestrian and Roadway Signs
Pedestrian and roadway information signs installed throughout the project area during the public review period.
- Pedestrian Yard Sign
- Roadway Sign
VDOT Approval of Environmental "Programmatic Categorical Exemption" (PCE)
As noted in the formal notice letter, VDOT completed a preliminary environmental review and determined that no significant environmental impacts are anticipated from the project.
NEXT STEPS
No requests for a formal public hearing were received during the comment period. The City and VDOT will now review all submitted comments and will continue advancing the project through final design.
Public Comment
The City received two comments during the public noticing period. The comments and City responses are available for review in the Willingness Communications Report.
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:
- The City's The West End Transitway
- The City's Landmark Mall I-395 Ramp Improvement Projects
- Construction at WestEnd, including INOVA's new Campus and residential development.
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.