ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The City of Alexandria’s two‑year City Hall renovation remains on schedule, despite the discovery of additional asbestos that forced the city to tap the majority of its contingency budget for cleanup.
Mayor Gaskins outlines the challenge
Mayor Aliyah Gaskins explained that about ten weeks ago workers uncovered far more asbestos than originally anticipated. “We noticed that there was a lot more asbestos than we originally anticipated, and so we’ve had to use the majority of the contingency for this project in order to do additional remediation,” she said. “But we’re still on schedule.”
Project scope and timeline
The remodel, which is not a full gut but is close, will give the historic building a new interior, an open‑floor plan, gathering areas and a small splash park to replace the former fountain. The city also plans to make the building fully accessible, leveling all entrances with the street to meet modern accessibility standards.
According to the construction firm Grunley, the project now costs roughly $138.5 million, a figure that likely rose after the unplanned asbestos work. The city has not yet released an updated cost estimate, and requests for comment from the city manager and director have not been answered.
Community response
Local residents expressed mixed feelings. One longtime resident called the spending “a waste of money,” while another, who has lived in Alexandria for two decades, said, “I think it’s worth it. I like to see the progress.”
Looking ahead
Despite the added expense, the city’s timeline remains intact, with the renovated City Hall slated to reopen in the fall of 2028. The project is expected to improve municipal operations, provide a more welcoming public space, and enhance accessibility for all citizens.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
