City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 25, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: LEAH RILEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing and Consideration of a License Agreement with the United States, Army Corps of Engineers to Permit the United States to operate a previously installed telecommunications system in the City of Alexandria’s public rights-of-way.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Right-of-Way License Agreement with the United States, Army Corps of Engineers to assume operation and maintenance responsibilities for existing telecommunications facilities currently located within the City of Alexandria's public rights-of-way and previously authorized under license agreements with Qwest Government Services, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council set this matter for a public hearing on July 1, 2026, and after hearing public testimony approve the attached license agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and authorize the City manager to execute the agreement and to take any other actions that are necessary to implement the same.
BACKGROUND: The proposed Right-of-Way License Agreement authorizes the continued use of existing telecommunications facilities within City right-of-way that were originally installed and operated under prior agreements with Qwest Government Services, Inc. and related affiliates. The facilities support federal communications infrastructure serving government operations in Alexandria, including facilities associated with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Under this updated agreement, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will assume control and operation of the existing facilities. The transfer is necessary due to changes in operational needs and responsibilities associated with the communications infrastructure. While the agreement modernizes and updates provisions from the prior Qwest license agreements, the core purpose and use of the facilities within the City’s right-of-way remain substantially the same.
The agreement establishes updated licensing terms, maintenance responsibilities, and operational requirements for the continued use of the existing telecommunications routes and related infrastructure within City right-of-way.
DISCUSSION: The essential aspects of the Agreement are as follows: The term of the License extends five years. Licensee is authorized to use the facilities already in place under the existing Qwest License; the Agreement sets terms for any proposed expansion to Licensee’s facilities. As compensation for use of the public rights-of-way the City receives the statutory right-of-way fee of $3.50 per annum per linear foot of Licensee’s facilities.
Any proposed relocation or assignment of facilities to third parties must be cleared by the City under the Agreement. Steps and procedures for any damage occurring to City or personal property through Licensee’s operation in the rights of way are set out within the Agreement. The Licensee is required to obtain and provide general liability insurance under the Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT: Though the license does not present a change in the amount of facilities within the rights-of-way from the previous Qwest license, the City will be compensated in the form of fees for the use of the public rights-of-way. These fees are statutorily set and standardized under Virginia Code § 56.468.1 and City Code § 5-2-160, et seq., at $3.50 per annum per linear foot. At a total of 36,537 linear feet, the annual compensation to the City is $127,879.50.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Amendment Number 1 to Qwest License Agreement
Attachment 2: Amendment Number 2 License Agreement
Attachment 3: Army License Agreement City
Attachment 4: Previous License Agreement with Qwest Government Services
STAFF:
Emily Baker, PE, Deputy City Manager
Bryan P. MacAvoy, Assistant City Attorney
Alex Boulden, PE, Acting Deputy Director of Engineering and Right-Of-Way