City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 6, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: JEREMY MCPIKE, DIRECTOR, GENERAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Request to Exercise the First Renewal Option to the Lease Agreement with Amtrak to operate a Transit System at the City-owned Alexandria Union Station located at 110 Callahan Drive.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a request to exercise the first renewal option to extend the Lease Agreement with Amtrak to 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 and set the first renewal option to the Lease Agreement between the City and Amtrak for public hearing on June 17, 2023, and after the public hearing approve the proposed extension of the Lease Agreement for an additional five (5) years; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the first renewal option to the Lease Agreement with 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 until 1971 when ownership of the station building was assumed by Amtrak and the rails of CSX Transportation. 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).
After operating without a lease agreement since the City assumed ownership of the station in 2000, the City entered into a five (5) year lease agreement with Amtrak ...
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