City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 4, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Public Hearing and Consideration of the Report of the City Council Naming Committee on the Proposed Naming of the Gazebo at the Alexandria Waterfront in Honor of Engin Artemel.
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ISSUE: City Council consideration of the City Council Naming Committee's recommendation on the proposal to name the gazebo and surrounding fountain at the Cameron Street entrance to the Alexandria Waterfront in honor of former Planning Director Engin Artemel.
RECOMMENDATION: That Council hold a public hearing and adopt the recommendation of the Naming Committee's recommendation and proposal to name the gazebo and surrounding fountain at the Cameron Street entrance to the Alexandria Waterfront in honor of former Planning Director Engin Artemel.
DISCUSSION: Engin Artemel, as Alexandria Planning Director, coordinated all public and private-sector planning and development on the Alexandria waterfront during a significant period (1974 to 1984) in the history of the City. During this time, the waterfront area began to transition from a heavy industrial and warehouse center to a more diverse economic base focused on recreation, open space, scenic vistas and a vibrant mix of residential, commercial and office uses. Through his expertise on waterfront issues, he assisted the City in negotiating the complex waterfront title suit settlement agreements and the formation of waterfront principles used to guide waterfront planning. He was instrumental in preserving important historic resources and open space along the waterfront area, including the Torpedo Factory, the Canal Lock at Montgomery Street, Oronoco Bay Park and Waterfront Park.
Mr. Artemel’s service to Alexandria during this crucial period enhanced a renaissance of the downtown area resulting in improving the quality of life for City residents and precipitating Alexandria’s status as a tourism destination. His vision to integrate elements of Alexandria’s history into new developments projects supported the evolving concept of what is now referred to as “Heritage Tourism” and has played a major role in the City’s economy over the past forty years.
The gazebo and surrounding fountain at the Cameron Street entrance to the Alexandria Waterfront were recently renovated as part of the Waterfront Plan implementation. Agnès Artemel submitted the attached petition to recommend that the gazebo be named in honor of Engin Artemel.
The City Council Naming Committee (Councilwoman Pepper, Mayor Euille and
City Manager Representative Lance Mallamo) considered this request at its meeting on September 30, 2015. The committee voted unanimously to recommend its support of the proposal to name the gazebo and surrounding fountain at the Cameron Street entrance to the Alexandria Waterfront in honor of former Planning Director Engin Artemel, and that the recommendation be presented to City Council at its November 10 Legislative meeting, set for public hearing and consideration on Saturday, November 14. The Committee recommended that Council approve naming the gazebo and surrounding fountain in honor of Engin Artemel.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Request and petition dated March 2, 2015
Attachment 2: Summary of Waterfront Planning document dated February 1, 1983
STAFF:
Emily Baker, Deputy City Manager
J. Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria
Jeremy McPike, Director, Dept. of General Services
James Spengler, Dept. of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Jack Browand, Division Chief, Dept. of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities