City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 6, 2016
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing an Consideration of the Report of the City Council Naming Committee on a Proposed Plaque to be Installed on the Washington Street Urban Deck in Memory of Ronald F. Kirby.
BODY
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ISSUE: City Council consideration of the City Council Naming Committee's recommendation on the proposal to install a plaque on the Washington Street Urban Deck, adjacent to the western end of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge pedestrian walkway, in honor of Ronald F. Kirby.
RECOMMENDATION: That Council hold a public hearing on April 16, 2016 and adopt the recommendation of the City’s Naming Committee to install a plaque on the Washington Street Urban Deck in honor of Ronald F. Kirby.
DISCUSSION: Ronald Franklyn Kirby was one of the most influential transportation planners in the Washington, D.C. region. Over the course of his long career, he successfully implemented strategies that reduced the impact of traffic and pollution on the continually growing metropolitan area surrounding the nation’s capital, enhanced economic development opportunities in the area and preserved the health and quality of life for millions of people. A resident of the City of Alexandria, Mr. Kirby was the Director of the Department of Transportation Planning at Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) since 1987. During his 26 years of service of the region, his major projects included the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge, the I-495 express lanes, the HOV lanes, the ICC Corridor and studying the concept of telework and how it affected traffic patterns.
After Mr. Kirby’s sudden death in 2013, family members, professional peers and friends sought a proper memorial in his honor that recognized his service and commitment to the Washington, D.C. region and the Alexandria community. After considering several alternatives, the City’s Naming Committee reviewed a proposal to install a plaque with the following inscription on the Washington Street Urban Deck, adjacent to the western end of the pedestrian walkway/bikeway
across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge:
“In Memory of Ronald F. Kirby
Born 1944: Adelaide, Australia
Died 2013: Alexandria, Virginia
“A consummate public servant, role model, and leader whose tireless work for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governmentsý, including planning for the new multimodal Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the promotion of walkable, bikeable communities, is exemplified in this public space. This memorial placed in gratitude by the citizens of the City of Alexandria and all who loved him.”
The City Council Naming Committee (Councilwoman Del Pepper, Councilmember Tim Lovain and City Manager Representative Lance Mallamo) considered this request at its meeting on March 7, 2016. The committee voted unanimously to recommend its support of the proposal to install the above inscribed plaque on the Washington Street Urban Deck in honor of Ronald F. Kirby, and that the recommendation be presented to City Council at its April 12
Legislative meeting, set for public hearing and consideration on Saturday, April 16. The Committee recommended that Council approve the installation of the plaque in honor of Ronald F. Kirby and to authorize staff to coordinate a dedication ceremony with City Council and the Kirby Family between May 13 and May 17, 2016.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Commemorative Plaque Location
Attachment 2: Commemorative Plaque Text
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
J. Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria
Yon Lambert, Director, Dept. of Transportation and Environmental Services
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
Pierre Holloman, Dept. of Transportation and Environmental Services
Karl Mortiz, Dept. of Planning and Zoning
Al Cox, Dept. of Planning and Zoning