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
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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...
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