City Council to rededicate three Confederate-named streets Tuesday
Torpedo Factory operator process, Duke Street plan, McPike vacancy also on docket
City Council will vote Tuesday to rededicate three streets named for Confederate military leaders — part of an ongoing effort to address what officials call “historical injustices” stemming from a 1953 ordinance that directed city streets be named for Confederates.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center — on the same night voters head to the polls for two special elections.
Street rededications
Under the proposal, Calhoun Avenue, Stevens Street, and Frost Street would be rededicated to honor new namesakes who share the same surnames but made “significant, positive contributions” to Alexandria:
Robert “Bob” Calhoun — A Yale-educated attorney and Republican member of City Council from 1976 to 1982 who served as vice mayor. He helped establish the DASH bus system and advanced child-custody law reform.
Moses Stevens — A Black businessman who operated a successful livery business in post-Civil War Alexandria, founded Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church, and was an early adopter of telephone and automotive infrastructure in the city.
John Frost — A Union soldier from Alexandria buried in Alexandria National Cemetery, representing the nearly 4,000 men of the Union Army of the Potomac interred there.
The rededication approach allows the city to provide a “new civic narrative” while minimizing logistical challenges associated with full street renaming, according to the resolution. Rededicated streets will receive markers providing historical context.
Many of the city’s Confederate-named streets originate from a 1953 ordinance adopted one year after Alexandria annexed the West End — where many streets had not yet been named — and just before the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, similar acts during this period reflected a broader segregationist backlash.
Staff will also proceed with public engagement on a proposed full renaming of Iverson Street to Edmonson Street.
Torpedo Factory
Council will consider a revised ordinance to launch the search for an outside operator of the Torpedo Factory Arts Center — its second attempt after council unanimously sent the original proposal back in January.
The delay came after concerns that the solicitation failed to address an 18th-century ship hull being conserved for return to the city in 2028. Council wanted potential bidders to know the vessel could end up at the waterfront arts center.
The revised ordinance now calls for the grantee to operate the facility “to the highest art, history, and cultural center industry standards” — language that appears designed to accommodate the ship’s potential role.
Proposals are due April 27, with bids to be publicly opened at a May 12 City Council meeting. Tuesday’s vote is first reading; a public hearing and final passage are scheduled for Feb. 21.
The effort to find an outside operator for the city-owned building at 105 Union Street began with a stakeholder task force in 2021. The ordinance contemplates a minimum five-year lease, with possible extensions up to 40 years.
Duke Street Land Use Plan
Council will receive an update on the Duke Street Land Use Plan, including draft principles and proposed land use themes for the 3.5-mile corridor connecting Old Town to the West End.
The corridor is home to 130 small businesses, more than 6,600 rental units — all affordable up to 80% of Area Median Income — and a 35% foreign-born population. Staff said the plan will shape the corridor’s future over the next 15 to 20 years.
More than 1,500 stakeholders have participated through over 40 pop-up events, three community meetings, and open houses. Top concerns include traffic and safety, housing affordability, and preserving neighborhood-serving retail and small businesses.
The draft framework groups the corridor into four land use themes: Opportunity areas for new housing and retail; Affordability and Growth areas where existing affordable rentals should be retained; Small Business areas to support entrepreneurial activity; and a Civic and City Campus theme for the 55-acre city-owned property.
A full draft plan is expected this fall, with adoption anticipated in late 2026 or early 2027. The next community meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25 at the Masonic Memorial.
McPike vacancy
Council will formally certify the vacancy created by Kirk McPike’s resignation from City Council, which took effect Monday, and authorize a writ of election to fill his seat.
The action comes on the same night voters are casting ballots in the House District 5 special election, where McPike is the Democratic nominee facing Republican Mason Butler.
Five Democrats have filed for the Feb. 21 firehouse primary to fill the Council seat: Sandy Marks, Tim Laderach, Roberto Gomez, Charles Sumpter, and Cesar Madison Tapia.
Affordable housing at Potomac Yard
Council will consider designating the Potomac Yard Landbay G-G site a “Revitalization Area” to support Wesley Housing’s application for low-income housing tax credits.
The 89-unit affordable housing project at 601 East Glebe Road will serve households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the Area Median Income. JBG Smith is donating the land — valued at approximately $2.5 million — and has committed to addressing the project’s financing gap.
A separate item on the docket includes a $450,000 Housing Trust Fund grant to Wesley Housing for rental subsidies at the project.
Snowstorm emergency
Council will vote to affirm City Manager James Parajon’s declaration of a local emergency for the January snowstorm. State law requires council to affirm the declaration within 14 days.
The declaration, issued Jan. 24 and extended Jan. 28, positions the city to take advantage of any state or federal assistance that may become available.
Also on the docket
General Assembly update — Staff has reviewed 584 bills for potential city impact. Priority areas include addressing federal workforce and funding reductions, advancing housing affordability, rebuilding school infrastructure, and strengthening transit and clean energy. Crossover is Feb. 17; the session adjourns March 14.
State of Economy report
Climate Action funds — Release of $200,000 in contingent reserves for programs including a Community Choice Aggregation feasibility study exploring alternatives to utility rate increases, a Virginia Tech heat mitigation study, and grants for health and climate improvements in affordable housing
George Washington Birthday Celebration Month proclamation
Grant applications — Resolutions supporting applications to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments for the Regional Roadway Safety Program (safety improvements on Mt. Vernon Avenue) and the Transportation Land-Use Connections Program (bicycle network gap analysis)
EV charging — Ordinances allowing electric vehicle charging equipment encroachments in public rights-of-way
Polling place change — Ordinance temporarily moving the City Hall precinct to Lyles-Crouch School during City Hall renovations
How to participate
The meeting will be held at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive. An executive session begins at 5:30 p.m., with the regular meeting at 7 p.m.
The meeting can be viewed on cable channel 70 or streamed on the city’s website. Residents can participate via Zoom.
Written comments can be submitted to CouncilComment@alexandriava.gov.
The full docket is available at alexandriava.gov/Dockets.