City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 18, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: HASHIM TAYLOR, DIRECTOR, RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL
ACTIVITIES
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of Extending Leases to Artists through March 31, 2027 and Galleries and Founding Members through September 30, 2027, at the Torpedo Factory Art Center located at 105 N. Union Street.
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ISSUE: Consideration of Extending Leases to Artists through March 31, 2027 and Galleries and Founding Members through September 30, 2027 at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (“Art Center”) located at 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council schedule a public hearing on July 1, 2026 regarding the form and content of the proposed lease extension for leases at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and at the conclusion of the public hearing authorize the City Manager to extend current leases in good standing for artists and arts organizations.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: The Torpedo Factory Art Center leases most of its space studios and galleries to approximately 110 artists and arts organizations. During the course of a year, leases are also amended as the artists within a studio change or studio space is sublet.
In 2022, the City undertook re-jurying for artist studios. Existing studios were divided into three groups with each group undergoing re-jurying and new artists being eligible to apply for studios. Selected artists were granted three-year leases for their studios. Founding members (artists who have maintained studios since 1974) and galleries were exempt from the re-jurying process and are offered year-to-year leases. In 2025, all studios and galleries were given a one-year extension on their leases.
Due to the issuance of the Request for Proposal (RFP) to lease, operate, and manage the facility earlier this year, staff is recommending extending leases in good standing for studios and galleries whose leases were set to expire September 30, 2026. Studio leases would be extended six months and leases for galleries and founding members would be extended one year. This will provide time to review the proposals submitted in response to the RFP and determine next steps for future governance of the Art Center.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Art Center operates as an enterprise fund within the City government with approximately 80% of earned revenue coming from studio and gallery rent.
The current lease rate is $18.45 per square foot per year for both studios and galleries. In accordance with the current lease, the rent will increase by 3% to $19.00 per square foot per year.
This lease rate is intended to cover nearly all the costs of staffing, utilities, property taxes, marketing, programming, and operational costs such as custodial services. It should be noted that the City, unlike some other art facilities and galleries, does not charge a commission fee to the artists for work sold at the Art Center.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Lease Extension of Real Estate Lease of Art Gallery/Studios in City-Owned Torpedo Factory Art Center
2. List of studios and galleries that will be extended
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Julian J. Gonsalves, Assistant City Manager
Hashim Taylor, Director, Recreation Parks & Cultural Activities
Diane Ruggiero, Deputy Director, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities