To the Editor:
There is no plan to sell, privatize, redevelop or otherwise dispose of Alexandria’s City Hall.
The acting city manager has proposed that the city taxpayers spend $56.5 million over the next eight years on a renovation of City Hall. While long overdue, this project comes at a challenging time for major city infrastructure investment.
With significant education, sewer, transportation and recreation infrastructure bills coming due, the voters of our city should expect their City Council to pause and consider all options when making an investment of that magnitude. That may mean reducing the scope of the renovation, different financing models, alternative ways to transition into the new space, or other ideas.
That does not mean the City Council wishes to privatize the seat of our municipal government. It does mean the City Council is fulfilling its fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers who pay the bills.
John Chapman, Tim Lovain, Del Pepper, Paul Smedberg and Justin Wilson Members of the Alexandria City Council