Hearing To Rename Confederate Streets Set For Tuesday In Fairfax City

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax City Council is hosting a public hearing at its regular meeting Tuesday night to solicit feedback on a proposal to rename 14 streets in the city whose current names are associated with the confederacy, slavery or the "Lost Cause."

In late 2020, the council established the Connecting Fairfax City for All Stakeholder Advisory Group to initiate a community-wide conversation about racial and social equity, as well as systemic racism, and how such issues are represented within the city.

In early 2021, the 16-member stakeholder group participated in a series of Community Listening and Learning sessions, which were put together by Susan Gray, the city's director of Historic Resources. The group submitted its final report and recommendations last September.

Related: Confederate Street Renaming Process Up For Council Consideration

A city council subcommittee conducted four work sessions between September 2021 and April 2022 to discuss the entire project, including which streets should be renamed due to their association with slavery, the confederacy, or the "Lost Cause." Those streets are: Lee Highway, Old Lee Highway, Mosby Road, Plantation Parkway, Confederate Lane, Raider Lane, Ranger Road, Reb Street, Scarlet Circle, Singleton Circle, Traveler Street, Mosby Woods Drive, Stonewall Avenue and Lee Street.

At its April 12 meeting, the city council approved a new street naming policy and adopted the process by which it would rename the streets on May 10. In addition to an April 18 Community Outreach Open House at the Sherwood Community Center, the city has received public input about the street renaming proposal via petitions, private emails and the Engage Fairfax website.

The city council originally budgeted $100,000 to facilitate the process of changing the city seal and removing or updating the language of historic monuments or markers, as well as addressing the changing of street signs, according to City Clerk Melanie Crowder. She added that the city spent $45,000 to hire a consultant to help facilitate its public engagement efforts regarding diversity, equality and inclusion.

Related: Islamic-American Group Supports Effort To Rename Confederate Streets

Since the city can fabricate and install street signs in-house, the actual cost of changing a sign is about $35 for materials.

Tuesday night's public hearing is an opportunity for city residents to let the council know their thoughts about the street renaming proposal before the council votes to take action on each of the 14 streets at its June 28 meeting.

Members of the public can speak in-person during the meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. Sign-up sheets will be available in the lobby of the City Council Chambers Room 100. People can also participate by calling 571-282-3524. Comments may also be submitted by email to publichearing@fairfaxva.gov or by visiting the eComment website.