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Overview

On June 23, 2018, the Alexandria City Council voted 6-0 to approve an ordinance renaming Jefferson Davis Highway to Richmond Highway in Alexandria, effective January 1, 2019. This action regarding a portion of U.S. Route 1 followed three years of extensive public input. A docket memo provides more detail about the history of the renaming process. The adopted ordinance may be used as proof of the name change.

Street numbers will not change (e.g., "123 Jefferson Davis Highway" will be "123 Richmond Highway"). Residents and businesses should notify individuals or businesses who may visit or send mail or packages, including family and friends, employers, customers, vendors, subscriptions, financial institutions, and government agencies. It is not necessary to notify the U.S. Postal Service or City of Alexandria departments, or change property deeds.



In 2015, City Council established an Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Confederate Memorials and Street Names. Based on five public meetings and hearings and hundreds of in-person and written comments, the group recommended changing the name of Jefferson Davis Highway. After a public hearing in 2016, City Council voted unanimously to direct the City Manager to begin the renaming process.



In 2017, the City Manager announced an Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Renaming Jefferson Davis Highway, to solicit public feedback and consider potential new names. After holding a public hearing and conducting an online survey, this group unanimously recommended Richmond Highway as the new name. City Council adopted the recommendation following initial discussion on May 8, written notice to affected residents and businesses, and a final public hearing on June 23.



Public Input

On August 10, 2017, the Advisory Group launched an online survey and scheduled two public hearings to solicit potential new names:

The survey was open from August 10 to September 15. The following names, listed in alphabetical order, were suggested by at least 100 respondents in Alexandria, Arlington, or Fairfax and fall within the scope of City Council's existing guidance on inclusiveness and the decision to rename Jefferson Davis Highway. This was not a vote, and the Advisory Group's consideration is not limited to these suggestions. Abraham Lincoln Alexandria-Arlington Barack Obama Heather Heyer Mildred and Richard Loving Patrick Henry Richmond U.S. Route 1





The Advisory Group held a public hearing on September 25, 2017, for those who wished provide feedback in person.



Meetings and Public Hearings

Thursday, June 15, 2017, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

City Hall (301 King St.), Sister Cities Conference Room 1101

Meeting Agenda

At the Advisory Group's first meeting, the members adopted a schedule for a survey, meetings, and public hearings.





Thursday, August 17, 2017



This meeting was cancelled.





Monday, September 25, 2017, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Dr. Oswald Durant Arts Center (1605 Cameron St., Alexandria)

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Video

This meeting consisted of a public hearing, followed by discussion by members of the Advisory Group.





Thursday, October 5, 2017



This meeting was postponed.





Monday, October 16, 2017, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Dr. Oswald Durant Arts Center (1605 Cameron St., Alexandria)



Meeting Agenda

Meeting Video

This was the final meeting of the Advisory Group, at which the group unanimously adopted the recommendation to rename Jefferson Davis Highway to Richmond Highway.

Members

The Advisory Group includes the following members:

Laurie MacNamara (chair), Alexandria

Lynnwood Campbell, Alexandria

Gerry Laporte, Arlington

Elmer Lowe, Sr., Arlington



Contact Information

For additional information, please contact Craig Fifer, Director of Communications and Public Information, at craig.fifer@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3965.



