WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Alexandria officials are struggling with wayward tour buses that clog the city's narrow streets and have a frustrating habit of parking wherever they want.

“We really have to get our arms around this,” Councilman Paul Smedberg said at a recent City Council meeting. “My fear is that … we're going to have a much higher level of tour buses coming to the city because of National Harbor.”

With its historic buildings and cobblestone charm, Alexandria is a popular destination or lunchtime stopover for tour companies. Residents have long complained that tour buses double-park, block parking garages or idle for hours in front of restaurants, blowing exhaust at outdoor eaters.

Smedberg raised the problem, which the city unsuccessfully tried to solve three years ago by assembling a task force, after he had trouble entering the City Hall parking garage because it was blocked by a tour bus.

“The driver had no concern at all, and what he said to me is, 'Well, I don't have to move it — they don't have any rules here,”’ Smedberg told his council colleagues.

Alexandria has a limited number of parking spots for the buses, including two spots in front of City Hall on Fairfax Drive, four spots in a lot on Union and Oronoco streets, and about six spots that buses can rent for the day at the Masonic Temple parking lot.

By comparison, the District of Columbia has more than 700 spots set aside for tour buses near attractions throughout the capital city.

Alexandria will be adding two more bus spots to Fairfax Drive by converting some of its metered spots for the remainder of the busy spring tour season, Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks said.

“It’s a constant challenge for us to cooperatively work with the buses, particularly when we don't know when they’re coming,” Jinks said.

“There are few options for where they can go,” Councilman Rob Krupicka said. “Without building a place for buses to go that is convenient or efficient, I don't think we’re really going to solve this issue.”

tluntz@dcexaminer.com