For Immediate Release: August 31, 2022

Members of the public are invited to a consensus-building workshop to discuss potential alternative approaches for the Taylor Run and Strawberry Run projects aimed at reaching a consensus approach for improving the health and function of these two streams in the City. 

The workshop will be held at Alexandria Renew Education Center & Meeting Space, 1800 Limerick Street on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and a hybrid option is also available via Zoom link. The workshop format will include presentations in the morning on the different alternatives, a lunch break and breakout discussions around community goals on improving the two streams. 

This consensus-building workshop will be led by the Institute for Engagement and Negotiation (IEN) at the University of Virginia and co-hosted by the City of Alexandria’s Transportation and Environmental Services, Stormwater Management Division and the Department of Project Implementation. A consensus building group (CBG) was formed from identified stakeholders and members of the Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) to weigh in on the alternatives. Members of the public can weigh in along with the CBG at the workshop. This workshop and subsequent meetings are an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback and comments on alternative approaches to restore and improve the health of the streams. It’s one of the multiple workshops set up with the goal of reaching a consensus. 

Comments and discussion points during this phase will be captured in a final report by IEN that will be presented to City Council during a public hearing in December. 

It follows the initial phase that included creating a stakeholder advisory group (SAG) to inform the collaborative process, during which IEN conducted interviews with the SAG and other stakeholders and created a report to capture the responses.

City Council directed staff to ‘pause’ the projects in April 2021 to collaborate with EPC and the community on potential alternatives to the design approach. The workshop is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to collaborate with community members to determine the path forward to restore and improve the health and function of the streams. 

Please RSVP to attend the workshop in-person using the online form. The workshop will also be streamed on Zoom, meeting ID: 926 1353 9498 and Passcode: 411757.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact geralyn.taylor@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4990, Virginia Relay 711.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact the Office of Communications & Public Information at newsroom@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3969.

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/3926.