AVOIDING EMINENT DOMAIN MEANS FINDING A SUITABLE COMPROMISE

So what does this have to do with the parking lot?

First, as we all know, it prevents the connection of the two parks. Both parties understand this, and I believe a compromise eventually will be reached.

Second, the parking lot is an abomination to the eye of residents and visitors. The chain-link fence, decorated with dead vines on the park sides and barbed wire at the entrance, should have all the boat club members who support Old Town ashamed and embarrassed.

I truly believe that a compromise lies in leasing a suitably wide path of the waterfront area to the city to connect the parks. This would require the boat club’s commitment to building either a red brick wall around their parking lot or — if that’s prohibitively expensive — building a high privacy wooden fence. Of course, that fence must receive the aesthetic approval of the old and historic district board.

…

Instead, we should enhance our historic appeal and charm, while providing more attractive accommodations. And of key importance, we should find a more affordable way of transporting visitors to and from our two centers of attraction. We should unite as tourist attractions, not compete.

The steep $16 fee for the short roundtrip boat ride will not appeal to tourists, much less shoppers and diners. Just like our trolley, there should be a way to drop the cost through subsidization, if necessary. In this case, cooperation between Alexandria and National Harbor could reduce the cost to a nominal fee.