City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 21, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: ADRIANA CASTANEDA, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Recommendation on the use of Pride+ colors in Crosswalks on King Street at Royal and Fairfax Streets.
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ISSUE: Should the City implement pride artwork on King Street?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve staff recommendations on the locations, color scheme, and design of Pride+ colors in crosswalks on King Street at Royal and Fairfax Streets.
BACKGROUND: On June 13, 2023, City Council directed staff to explore opportunities to incorporate pride artwork on King Street in response to a request from Councilman McPike (Attachment 1). The following three requests were outlined in the memo:
1. That the City Manager work with staff to report back to Council by October/November 2023 on the feasibility of completing pride artwork elements at the plaza located at
the 100 block of King Street or the 300 block of King Street crosswalks before June 2024 in order for Council to make a recommendation on which project to pursue;
2. That the City Manager have staff coordinate with the Human Rights Commission, the LGBTQ+ Task Force and the Commission for the Arts to develop recommendations for Council to consider for pride artwork in the identified location, including ways such a project could involve local artists; and
3. That the City Manager then work with the relevant departments of the City to implement the approved pride artwork before the City's June 2024 Pride Celebration.
DISCUSSION: In response to these requests, staff determined that it is feasible to address these requests. Since the memo was submitted, subsequent discussions with City Council further defined the scope of work by focusing on rainbow art in crosswalks along the 300 block of King Street, adjacent to City Hall. The proposed crosswalks will be located on King Street at Royal Street (East Intersection Leg) and Fairfax Street (West Intersection Leg). Staff have determined that it is feasible to complete this request prior to June 2024.
Staff met with the LGBTQ+ Task Force and members of the Human Rights Commission in October 2023 to get feedback on various rainbow crosswalk designs. The discussion highlighted the process and design options. The group expressed full support for the installation of inclusive rainbow art in the public realm, suggesting that the rainbow include all colors from the Progress Pride flag to represent the full diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. The Pride flag contains red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple and represents the entire LGBTQ+ Community including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people. The Progress Pride flag also includes black and brown, representing marginalized communities of color, as well as light blue, light pink, and white, which represents transgender and non-binary people. Staff discussed the updated proposal with staff members of the Arts Commission, who concluded that this type of proposal does not require review or approval through the Public Art process.
Staff has researched and evaluated various design options, color availability, material durability, and maintenance requirements to determine a final design. The final design recommendation will incorporate feedback from City Council regarding the locations, color scheme, and design of Pride+ colors to be used in crosswalks on King Street at Royal and Fairfax Streets (Attachment 2).
FISCAL IMPACT: For the two proposed locations, the cost could vary from $10,000 to $15,000, depending on the design, materials, and maintenance, should the improvements not endure. All expenses incurred in FY 2024 could be covered within the existing funding levels of the street resurfacing capital improvement program (CIP). However, incorporating additional intersection legs would add costs for FY 2024, and ensuring ongoing maintenance would necessitate securing additional funding to address in the future years.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Memo from Councilman McPike dated June 13, 2023
Attachment 2: Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Jean Kelleher, Interim Deputy City Manager & Office of Human Rights Director
Joanna Anderson, City Attorney
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director of Transportation, T&ES