One Of Jefferson Davis Highway Renaming Hearings Cancelled

ALEXANDRIA, VA—One of two hearings to gather feedback for the renaming of Jefferson Davis Highway is cancelled. The hearing would have happened on Aug. 17. The other hearing is still set for Sept. 25. The advisory group expects to make a recommendation to the city manager in October.

The Alexandria City Council voted to remove the name of Confederate leader Jefferson Davis from the city's section of U.S. 1 in 2016. Then in June, the city appointed an advisory group to collect public feedback.

The change will apply to the portion of the road between Arlington County and the north end of Old Town Alexandria. Arlington County also has representatives in the advisory group in the case that it should approve a name change as well. The portion of U.S. named Jefferson Davis Highway ends in Alexandria, as it is named Richmond Highway south in Fairfax County.

Residents are able to share name suggestions through the advisory group's survey over the next month. It allows respondents to suggest up to three new street names. Arlington residents are also encouraged to complete the survey. Residents will indicate whether they live in Alexandria or Arlington. The survey will be open through Sept. 15. Residents and businesses located on Jefferson Davis Highway are also being contacted by mail.

City spokesperson Craig Fifer told WTOP in May changing road signs could cost around $20,000.

The Sept. 25 hearing will be held in the Community Room of The Station at Potomac Yard (650 Maskell St., Alexandria) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Do the events in Charlottesville change your take on removing Confederate names or objects? Let us know in the comments.

Image via Famartin/Wikimedia Commons