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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Councilman John Taylor Chapman will host three public roundtable sessions this summer, bringing community members together to discuss economic development, nonprofit partnerships with Alexandria City Public Schools and policies supporting the city's nightlife economy.
The Summer Roundtable Sessions will be held at the Charles Houston Recreation Center on July 15, July 22 and July 29, from 6:30-8 p.m. each night. The events are free and open to the public.
Chapman announced the forums at the June 23 city council meeting, saying he and his aide would use the summer recess to engage residents on issues he sees as underdiscussed. "We are going to be working with community members on talking about issues of international economic development — what does Alexandria look like in that space," he told council.
The three sessions will cover international economic development, improving nonprofit partnership with ACPS and improving the city's night scene. Chapman said he will partner with school board member Chris Harris for discussions on how organizations and businesses can better connect with city government and ACPS. "How do you talk to somebody at ACPS if you are interested in partnering? If your nonprofit is interested in working with different populations within the city — trying to demystify that is one of the things," he said.
On the nightlife front, Chapman said he wants to discuss how Alexandria can support its restaurant, bar and arts scene as a policy matter. "We have a thriving arts community, we have a thriving restaurant scene and bar scene — how do we talk about those things as policy matters?" he said.
The sessions will be held at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. For more information, call (571) 512-6666 or register here. Attendees can also submit questions in advance through the registration form.
