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Polk Avenue Sidewalk Safe Routes to School Project

Page updated on Dec 28, 2022 at 12:17 PM

Transportation Planning

  • Alexandria Mobility Plan
  • Alexandria Transit Vision Plan
  • Bicycle Parking
  • Bus Rapid Transit Network
  • Complete Streets
  • Dockless Mobility
  • Smart Mobility
  • Traffic & Parking Board
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*Update* 90% design plans now available.

Project Background

The purpose of this project is to fill a sidewalk gap on Polk Avenue near Pelham Street. Currently, the existing sidewalk on Polk Avenue ends, forcing people to either walk in the street or cross Polk Avenue to continue along their route. Filling this sidewalk gap would provide a more continuous path for people walking to the park, to Polk Elementary, and to Hammond Middle School.

This project was recommended as part of a Safe Routes to School Walk Audit for Polk Elementary School. It also supports the adopted Alexandria Mobility Plan policy to provide a safe, connected sidewalk network.

Map of Polk Avenue Sidewalk Project Area

Project Development

Community Engagement

Status: Ongoing

City Council Public Hearing, September 17, 2022

Following the July 25 Traffic & Parking Board Public Hearing, a group of residents filed a petition to appeal the Traffic & Parking Board recommendation. At the September 17 City Council Public Hearing, Council voted unanimously to uphold the Traffic & Parking Board's recommendation and deny the appeal.

City Council Docket Materials

Traffic & Parking Board Public Hearing, July 25, 2022

On July 25, 2022, the Polk Avenue Sidewalk Project was presented at the monthly Traffic & Parking Board Public Hearing. Final docket materials and meeting information are available on the Traffic & Parking Board webpage. The Board voted unanimously to remove 9 on-street parking spaces on the north side of Polk Avenue to allow for the installation of the sidewalk.

Community Meeting, July 13, 2022

On July 13, 2022, the City held a community meeting, hosted by the Brookville-Seminary Valley Civic Association (BSVCA), to provide information on the proposed project plans, answer questions, and gather feedback from residents. The meeting presentation is provided below:

Polk Avenue Sidewalk Community Presentation - July 13, 2022
Meeting Recording (Passcode 0#.0UywE)

Community Feedback Period, Spring 2022

*Update* The comment period was extended until Sunday, July 17.

Residents are invited to provide input on the project by Sunday, May 22. See the project flyer below for more details, and send comments to Alexandria.Carroll@AlexandriaVA.gov. 

Project Flyer

Polk Elementary Safe Routes to School Walk Audit, 2017

In 2017, the City worked with ACPS, APD, and parents to identify safety and access issues for students walking to Polk Elementary School. The report includes multiple recommendations for improving mobility, access, and safety for schoolchildren and their families.

Polk Elementary Safe Routes to School Walk Audit Final Report

Planning & Design

Status: In Progress

Project Concept Plan

Project Concept Plan - Revised
The draft concept plan has been revised in response to resident concerns about impacts to the adjacent park space. The revised plan reduces impact to trees (preserves the largest tree) and further reduces new impervious surface, with 82% of the sidewalk proposed to be built on existing pavement.

90% Design Plans

Illustrative rendering of the Polk Ave Sidewalk Project.
Rendering of a new sidewalk on Polk Avenue. For illustrative purposes only.

Construction

Status: Not Started

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where would the proposed sidewalk be installed?

The City is proposing to install a sidewalk on the north side of Polk Avenue, between N Pelham Street and Palmer Place, where currently no sidewalk is available. The proposed sidewalk is entirely within City street right-of-way, and over 80% of the new sidewalk would be installed on the existing footprint of the street.

Why is the City proposing a new sidewalk on Polk Avenue?

The City has a robust Safe Routes to School Program, which funds safety improvements near schools. The City has worked with ACPS staff and parents to perform safety audits for elementary and K-8 schools and identify safety challenges. The Walk Audit Report for Polk Elementary included a recommendation for a sidewalk on Polk Avenue between N Pelham Street and Palmer Place.

While a Safe Routes to School walk audit has not yet been completed for Francis Hammond Middle School (this is planned for 2022-2023), many Hammond students walk on Polk Avenue and would also benefit from a continuous sidewalk in this area.

The City has a Council-adopted Complete Streets Policy to provide streets that allow for safe and convenient travel for everyone, especially near schools. The adopted Alexandria Mobility Plan also calls for a continuous, connected sidewalk network. This sidewalk would allow people walking to continue along their route rather than being forced to cross the street and be unnecessarily exposed to moving traffic.

Will the proposed sidewalk impact the designated open space at 5325 Polk Avenue?

No. The proposed sidewalk is entirely within the City right-of-way, and no work would be performed on land designated as open space. Over 80% of the proposed sidewalk would be installed on the existing paved street footprint.

What would the impacts to trees be?

The proposed sidewalk would require the removal of four trees, which are 3”, 6”, 12”, and 12” in diameter. With the revised concept plan, staff was able to preserve the largest tree (18"). The City recognizes the value of trees and actively plans for and funds the expansion of the City’s tree canopy citywide. This does not mean trees will never be removed, but rather means that the City aims to produce a net gain in trees to expand the tree canopy overall.

Will this project impact the stability of the park?

No. City engineering and park staff have examined this area and identified no concerns related to the stability of the park as a result of the proposed sidewalk. A 1’ curb is proposed to provide the necessary retention between the back of the sidewalk and the hill.

What are the drainage impacts of this project?

Over 80% of the sidewalk is proposed to be built on the existing paved street footprint to minimize the amount of new impervious surface. As a result, no significant drainage impacts are expected.

What would the impact to on-street parking be?

Because the sidewalk is proposed to be built mostly on the existing, paved street footprint to minimize new impervious surface, nine existing on-street parking spaces will be removed on the north side of Polk Avenue.

The City performed a parking study of the area and determined that there was sufficient on-street parking in the immediate vicinity to meet parking demand, even with the loss of nine parking spaces. Both the Traffic & Parking Board and City Council approved the removal of the nine on-street spaces.

Has a feasibility study been performed for this project?

A formal feasibility study is neither required nor necessary for the scope and scale of this project. City staff have examined the area and determined that installing a sidewalk is feasible.

Is an Environmental Impact Statement required for this project?

No. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required if a proposed major federal action is determined to significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Examples of projects that may require an EIS include pipelines, new rail corridors, major highway projects, and major bridge projects. An EIS is neither required nor appropriate for small, locally-funded projects.

What City departments have been involved in this project?

The City’s Department of Transportation & Environmental Services, Department of Project Implementation, Department of Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Activities, and Alexandria City Public Schools have coordinated on this project.

What is the role of the Virginia Department of Transportation in this project?

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has no role in this project. VDOT provided grant funding for the Safe Routes to School Walk Audit for Polk Elementary School as part of its statewide Safe Routes to School Program but did not play any role in the development of infrastructure recommendations. The City owns and maintains its own roadways and has no obligation to VDOT to implement this sidewalk project.

Can the City provide crosswalks on Polk Avenue?

The City can consider the addition of crosswalks on Polk Avenue at Palmer Place, though this will require the removal of up to 6 additional on-street parking spaces. Crosswalks will not be considered on Polk Avenue at North Pelham Street due to the curvature of the roadway and insufficient sightlines that are needed to provide for a safe crossing.

What opportunities have there been to provide input on this project?

The City has engaged with multiple groups to share information and solicit feedback, including Brookville-Seminary Valley Civic Association, Seminary Hill Association, Parkside at Alexandria Condominiums, Polk Elementary Parent-Teacher Association, Hammond Middle Parent-Teacher Association, and the Alexandria Council of PTAs. Project information was mailed directly to residents in the project area. Interested residents were invited to email the project manager with their comments between April and July 2022.

On April 26, the City met with the Polk Elementary Parent-Teacher Association. On July 13, the Brookville-Seminary Valley Civic Association hosted a neighborhood meeting where the City shared project information and gathered additional community feedback.

On July 25, the project was presented to the City’s Traffic & Parking Board, which included a public hearing. Final docket materials are available on the Traffic & Parking Board webpage. The Board voted unanimously to recommend the removal of 9 on-street parking spaces on the north side of Polk Avenue between N Pelham St and Palmer Pl to allow for installation of the sidewalk.

After the Traffic & Parking Board Public Hearing, the City received a petition to appeal of the July 25 Traffic & Parking Board recommendation. This appeal was presented at the September 17 City Council Public Hearing. At the hearing, Council voted unanimously to uphold the Traffic & Parking Board recommendation and deny the appeal.

Contact

For more information about this project, contact Alex Carroll, Complete Streets Program Manager, at Alexandria.Carroll@AlexandriaVA.gov.

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