COA Contact Us - City of Alexandria

Comments:
Now
Del Ray is a destination for people outside of the neighborhood. I was in
New York last week for an event. Seated at my table were New Yorkers who
has visited the Cheesetique during a recent trip to DC --they raved about
the neighborhood. Imagine, New York City dollars flowing into Del
Ray!
Pork Barrel Barbeque and the other planned restaurants will only
enhance the activity on the Avenue. The owners are our neighbors and we
should be thrilled that they want to invest in Alexandria, rather than DC
or Arlington. I am amazed and actually embarrassed by what the owners have
had to endure because of a vocal minority of neighbors who apparently has
no issue with the filthy, smelly, eye-sore of a gas station that occupied
the spot for years. A nasty gas station which was there when they
purchased their homes, yet no one petitioned to close it because of the
emmissions or trash that swirled around that place.
I also support the
owner's request for extended hours. Let the market determine if late hours
will work in Del Ray. As I understand it, they have already scaled back
their initial request. But personally, my husband and I would love to have
a place to eat after 10:OO p.m.. Like so many in this area, we work late
and travel, a nice meal out instead of a bowl of cereal at 1O:OO p.m. would
be great more times than we'd like to admit.
Finally, I think the city
of Alexandria needs take into account the risk of developing a reputation
as anti-business. Small businesses have always been the backbone of the
American economy. We should applaud and support individuals who want to
invest in this community, not make it more costly and difficult. Pork
Barrel has done what they need to do. Please help us welcome and support
them.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Karen Johnson