Trump Boulevard? Not in Lowes Island

Supervisor Suzanne Volpe (R-Algonkian) last week made clear to her constituents—particularly those in Cascades—that any attempt by Donald Trump or Trump National Golf Club to change the name of Lowe Island Boulevard to Trump National Boulevard (or any other derivation of Trump’s name) would have to go through the Loudoun Board of Supervisors, and would fail if she can help it.

“I promise that I will fight with everything in me to keep the name that not only identifies a road, but also defines an entire community,” Volpe wrote in an email to her constituents. “While I am in office, Lowes Island will always remain Lowes Island.”

In 2009, The Donald purchased Lowes Island Golf Club and did what he tends to do with things he buys: he put his name on it. Last month, the Cascades Community Association Board learned of discussions about changing the name of one of their community roads as well. The board president, Steve Olekszyk, sent a letter to Gov. McDonnell and copied the community’s local and state elected officials to express the board’s opposition.

In the letter, Olekszyk explains that one of the largest clusters of homes in Cascades is Lowes Island, a name shared by a condo community, the Overlook, an elementary school, a community … and a road.

“This sense of identification with Lowes Island unites thousands of homes and residents with a sense of neighborhood and pride,” Olekszyk wrote in the letter. “The identification with Lowes Island is not limited to the old private golf course. Each and every resident who lives in the Lowes Island section identifies themselves with this name.”

Olekszyk expressed concern that such a change could possibly occur without a formal public process, a notion Volpe attempted to dispel.

“Both the Virginia State Code and the Loudoun County Codified Ordinance state that such action cannot be taken without direct action from the Board of Supervisors,” Volpe wrote in her message, explaining that the state cannot override the county on street names.

A PDF of the Cascades letter is attached and Volpe's message is printed below:

Dear Neighbors,

I am sure you have all seen the letter written by the Cascades Home Owners Association Board President regarding a possible change of name of Lowes of Island Boulevard. My staff and I have personally met with representatives of Trump National Golf Club to discuss their desire to change Lowes Island Boulevard to Trump Boulevard. In June, I informed the Cascades HOA Board of Directors and the Community Manager about this inquiry and stated that I do not support the name change. From my understanding, at the July HOA Board meeting, there was discussion with representatives of Trump National about their desire to change Lowes Island Boulevard. The Cascades Board of Directors again restated their opposition to Trump National’s request. 

Both the Virginia State Code and the Loudoun County Codified Ordinance state that such action cannot be taken without direct action from the Board of Supervisors. No state action can override the County in this matter. Current Board policy states that a street may be renamed by the board when the designated name presents a hazard to public safety. Since there is no current hazard associated with Lowes Island Boulevard, the name will not be changed.

For the record, I whole-heartedly disagree with the change of name as I stated to the Cascades Board of Directors and the Trump National management. Lowes Island is much more than a road designation. Rather, it is a name that has defined a community for over two decades. Those that live within its limits are not residents of Trump National Golf Club. Instead, they are residents of Lowes Island. Period.

As such, I promise that I will fight with everything in me to keep the name that not only identifies a road, but also defines an entire community. While I am in office, Lowes Island will always remain Lowes Island.

Most Sincerely,
Supervisor Suzanne Volpe