City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 6, 2018
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction of a Deed of Lease with Amtrak to Operate a Transit System at Alexandria Union Station
BODY
ISSUE: Consideration of a Deed of Lease with Amtrak to fully operate a transit system and maintain portions of the premises at the City-owned Alexandria Union Station, located at 110 Callahan Drive.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Receive this report recommending a Lease Agreement between the City of Alexandria and Amtrak; and
2. Schedule a public hearing for June 23, 2018, and, after the public hearing is concluded, authorize the City Manager to execute the Lease Agreement (Attachment) substantially in the form attached between the City of Alexandria and Amtrak.
BACKGROUND: Alexandria Union Station opened on September 15, 1905 and served passenger trains of the C&O, Washington Southern Railway and Richmond, Frederick & Potomac (RF&P) Railroad. Following an $840,000 grant funded renovation coordinated by the City of Alexandria and completed in 1997, the City Council accepted a gift of Alexandria Union Station on behalf of the City three years later in 2000 from Commonwealth Atlantic Properties (the corporation formed to serve as the real estate arm of RF&P Railroad Company).
Amtrak had been operating under a lease with the station's former owner which subsequently expired. Since the City assumed ownership of the station in 2000, Amtrak has been operating the station without a lease agreement with the City. The City has actively worked with Amtrak staff over a long period of time to come to detailed terms on a lease Final Agreement on all lease details occurred this month.
DISCUSSION: The draft lease agreement between the City and Amtrak includes an initial lease term of five (5) years and two (2) additional five-year terms unless the agreement ...
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