What's In A Name? (I)
Besides dealing with sex businesses next Thursday, Planning Commission will also be hearing a staff proposal to name new private streets to be created by the James Bland redevelopment project.
Normally when new streets are being planned, City staff will research historic land ownership records to determine who originally owned the property. In the case of Bland, one of the most prominent property owners were the Alexanders, for whom the City was named.
In the case of Bland, the City has apparently rejected the notion of naming streets after any whites in favor of honoring the African-American community.
No problem with that. A few years ago when the Berg was redeveloped as Chatham Square, the City made fitting choices for street names by honoring the City's first African-American mayor William D. Euile and Earl Cook (today Alexandria's new police chief). Both were raised in the Berg and their lives have demonstrated how hard work, education and perseverance can lift individuals from the shackles of poverty.
If the City were to again follow this practice, the new streets at Bland might include one named for James Henson, whose family moved to Bland soon after it was opened in the 1950s. Mr. Henson, a great-nephew of famed Polar explorer Matthew Henson, later became the first African-American Assistant County Solicitor in the Howard County Office of Law. Such a street naming would continue the practice of honoring individuals once sheltered by public housing who found a way out through achievement.
If a direct tie with Bland wasn't necessary, other living individuals who could be honored might include people like Earl Lloyd, the Parker-Gray High School graduate who broke the color barrier in the National Basketball Association. Or Jube Shiver, the former Parker-Gray teacher turned enterpreneur who became a prominent developer in southern Fairfax County. Or Ira A. Robinson, the first black elected to City Council since Reconstruction and served from 1970-1973.
What about Lionel Hope, a member of Council and the City's first black Vice Mayor? Hope Street has a great ring to it, don't readers agree?
Then there's Major General Leo A. Brooks, Sr. (USA-Ret.), a graduate of Parker-Gray High School. According to New England's largest African-American newspaper this gentleman not only attained the military rank of General but has two sons who have also achieved the same rank.
Perhaps the City is reticent about naming streets for living individuals. There is still a wealth of names to choose from, including George Soloman, a free black man recently identified to have lived on property in the 1830s that ultimately became the Bland project. Leon Day, an Alexandria native, was a star baseball player in the legendary Negro League and was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.
What about John A. Seaton, the first black after the Civil War to serve on Alexandria's Board of Aldermen from 1871-1873? Or his brother George L. Seaton? And let's not forget T.B. Pinn, who served on the Common Council as a member of the 4th ward from 1871-1873.
Samuel Tucker, the young man behind the 1939 library sit-down strike, has been honored by a school naming. But what about the others who participated in the landmark civil rights action?
So with this banquet of choices available, City staff are recommending naming an Alexandria City street for an individual who was born, raised and died as a resident of public housing and many of whose children are (or were) long-term public housing residents. And it's the same individual who as head of the ARHA Resident Council helped stall the redevelopment of the Berg for nearly eight years with a flurry of lawsuits against ARHA.
One more illustration that even as City staff think they are being most sensitive they are actually at their most condescending, sacrificing an opportunity to do justice to some of the most important and illustrious African-Americans who lived in this community.
What's In A Name? (II)
The Growler is intrigued by the suggestion that something at Bland be named for ARHA Chairman A. Melvin Miller.
Which of his names should rightly be used? The one he is known by in Alexandria or the one he used throughout his career at the Department of Housing and Urban Development — Albert M. Miller?
What's In A Name (III)
Many readers have noted with amusement that developer EYA has dubbed the James Bland redevelopment site as "Old Town Commons" in its sales materials. (Click on the "Coming Soon" tab on EYA's Web site to read the description.)
Let that be a lesson for those who raised eyebrows when the Inner City Civic Association recently voted to rename itself the "West Old Town Citizens Association."
Younger readers may not know that in the early 1980s the City of Alexandria proposed adding our community to Old Town by placing it in the Old & Historic District and subjecting it to a single board of architectural review. Outcry among the ardent separatists in the community (most of whom are now dead) resulted in the City setting up a distinct Parker-Gray Historic District with its own BAR.
But the original intent was to fold us into Old Town.
65 comments:
I hope the City has a consultant in mind to help EYA figure out how to fit those long names on a street sign.
The idea of naming the streets for schools has real appeal however.
Snowden Way
Hallowell Way
Parker-Gray Way
Miller...NO WAY
"In the case of Bland, the City has apparently rejected the notion of naming streets after any whites in favor of honoring the African-American community. No problem with that."
Really? Why is it OK to rule out every demographic group other than African Americans?
Alexandria prides itself on being is an inclusive, caring community. Why not name the street after a gay person? What about an Hispanic activist? Alexandria is nearly 15% hispanic, after all. Do we have any streets named after a gay person, an Hispanic person, a disabled person, a woman? Why must we limit the search to African Americans? That is truly offensive.
Alexandria has had 15 police officers killed in the line of duty. Why not name the streets after them?
"Perhaps the City is reticent about naming streets for living individuals."
Perhaps you should quit making excuses for them. Euille St? Cook St.? Cromley Alley? Caroline St? Rumors of their demise are greatly exaggerated.
I think we need a blue ribbon task force Hamer. We need studies and reports on this.
And the fact they are naming a street after Flip is just insulting and stupid.
why not name a street after James Bland?
--"In the case of Bland, the City has apparently rejected the notion of naming streets after any whites in favor of honoring the African-American community. No problem with that."
Just another example of how the screechers just totally overwhelm the ability to have rational debate or decision-making.
I could care less if they name streets after African Americans but it continues to set the precedent that African Americans as a group as to be pandered to and treated monolithically.
Furthermore, to use Pete Jones as a model example for naming a street is ludicrous. Does anyone pn P&Z staff even understand his backstory, or how he took pride in keeping all his relatives in public housing? Thats the example u want to set for African Americans?
BTW his nickname is not Flip.
This is simply disgusting.
So ARHA chose the names that would be meaningful for the community? How is Pete Jones meaningful for the community? Most of the community doesnt even know who he is, and if they did, they might not like what they find.
This is just ridiculous pandering that further splits the community along racial lines.
Thomas Pete Jones? Are you fricken kidding me?
So street names are supposed to replace years of neglect and mismanagement by ARHA?
Lovely job Hamer. Just lovely, you are officially enshrining yourself as someone who serves as a punchline or joke.
--"And it's the same individual who as head of the ARHA Resident Council helped stall the redevelopment of the Berg for nearly eight years with a flurry of lawsuits against ARHA."
I know I cannot believe what I read in the proposal. Pete actively tried to stop Berg redevelopment. Everyone knows this, is Hamer too new to realize this? Is she that dumb?
There are numerous non-living African Americans far more deserving of a street name. Furthermore, I find it incredibly insulting as an African American that street names are so important to preserving heritage. How about some better educational opportunities, more businesses in Parker Gray to provide jobs, and closing down the loitering and other activities that contribute to the perception of Bland and Madden as trouble spots?
Mrs. Hamer certainly is being more insulting to the African American community than she must realize.
I suggest Leonard Harris Way, Marye Ish Street, and Willaim Dearman Way as appropriate names that are "meaningful" to the community.
It doesnt appear that P&Z even understands that the people in the "community" despise ARHA, are shamed and disgraced by its mismanagement over the years, and find no meaning in what they suggest.
The majority of the community (including some African Americans) cant stand ARHA or what they have done and continue to do in the destruction of opportunity in Parker Gray, yet they are the best choice to select names that are "meaningful" to the community?
I am speechless
"Alexandria has had 15 police officers killed in the line of duty. Why not name the streets after them?"
Do you even have to ask why ARHA would be loathe to naming streets in an ARHA-managed area after police officers?
Although I find it more to have William Ford Avenue than Pete Jones Way. Ford is instrumental in the clampdown on trouble in ARHA projects, works with the community, and has done an amazing job with little to no reward for his effort.
Pete took advantage of a messed up ARHA management structure, took pride in keeping all his kids in public housing, sued ARHA and the City regarding Chatham Square, preventing it from being built, and was notorious as a "screamer".
So Ford does it the right way and has to put up with the consequences of ARHA mismanagement unit and Pete gets a street.
I wonder how many anchor stores we are going to see on Thomas Pete Jones Way, Councilwoman Pepper.
Growler, was the community even consulted on this naming idea?
It looks like they just asked ARHA.
Let me be the first to say it
WE MISS YOU EILEEN FOGARTY!
Is it not ironic that P&Z plans to name a street after an individual who would adamantly oppose the residency of many of the invididuals who would evenutally love on that street?
"Such a street naming would continue the practice of honoring individuals once sheltered by public housing who found a way out through achievement."
How about Sotomayor Street? That would honor someone who grew up in public housing and went on to achieve great things. And it would honor an Hispanic.
Oh, but wait. I forgot. Blacks only.
It's Gerald Ford, not William Ford.
Sotomayor has no connection to this neighborhood, so the naming isn't as appropriate. On the other hand, James Bland didn't either although he graduated from Howard University. (FYI, he was the late 19th century composer who wrote such classic tunes as Carry Me Home to Ole Virginny and Oh Dem Golden Slippers).
I like "James Bland Boulevard".
"Carry Me Home to Ole Virginny" is Virginia's State song.
What is UP with the P&Z staff????? Do any of them actually live in Parker Gray (or even Alexandria??).
Out of curiosity, I googled Dick Geratz, the P&Z staff person who had recommended approval of this outrageous application. Seems Mr. Geratz has had a few problems of his own.
Check this out: http://annapoliscapitalpunishment.blogspot.com/2007/07/new-plans-in-store-for-city-planner.html
I'm beginning to see why Alexandria's P&Z office acts the way they do!!!!!!!!!!
"Why must we limit the search to African Americans? That is truly offensive."
No more offensive than an all-black neighborhood advisory committee for the Charles Houston Center. It is the kind of $14 million insult that sticks in the craw.
"Mrs. Hamer certainly is being more insulting to the African American community than she must realize."
Hamer knows exactly what she is doing. She's a political panderer who did herself and us in when she asked an ex-con to lecture the rest of us about neighborhood history during the Braddock planning process. Where the hell is Hartmann's good judgment?
So now we hire crooks to important positions in P&Z agree it fits logically.
How this clown could think its a good idea to name a street after Thomas Pete Jones is beyond my comprehension. This does more to inflame the community than he can possibly imagine.
And that person espusing support for Deeds wonders why people are getting frustrated.
I am a liberal BLUE as can be Democrat who supports liberal ideas and even I know its stupid as all get to even imagine naming a street after someone like Mr. Jones, who epitomizes what is wrong with Alexandria public housing policy.
Why not name the streets after some of the murder victims who have lived in ARHA projects, and in many cases have been murdered by other ARHA residents?
Greene was a nice person but I fail to see how he has any relevance to Bland. Jones is beyond flabbergasting, unless they also plan to name some alleys after his 8 kids as well.
"Outcry among the ardent separatists in the community (most of whom are now dead)"
No I'd say they are on neighborhood advisory committees, street naming committees or hanging at Queen and Fayette.
OK everybody, A St, B St, C St, etc
Easy solution so we can discuss important issues. This is so "Planet Alexandria"--waste time on BS so we really can't accomplish anything that matters.
"we really can't accomplish anything that matters."
what are the things that really matter?
"when she asked an ex-con to lecture the rest of us about neighborhood history during the Braddock planning process."
Hamer does have peculiar notions when it comes to race-related issues. But do you assume her knowledge of black history is really that good? She purposely blurs the facts in order to gain political advantage.
"But do you assume her knowledge of black history is really that good? She purposely blurs the facts in order to gain political advantage."
Yeah, like the American Legion project. Not good history. Too much city hall.
"Where the hell is Hartmann's good judgment?"
No where. He was one of two dummies who appealed the PGBAR decision.
Must streets always be named after people? As recent posts show, such a policy invites contentiousness, especially if the people to be honored are living or offensively limited to a certain color.
"Where the hell is Hartmann's good judgment?" Hartmann's appeal of PG BAR set him against the citizens.
Hamer's Braddock Plan approach still has me steamed.
I'm a Dem who will vote against the Dems on Tuesday as my only real opportunity to protest the disaster known as Alexandria.
And in four years, if the then-incumbent screws up, I will vote against that party also.
Local, state, federal .... no more of this "well, you don't want XXX to happen, so vote the status quo, it could be worse."
It already IS worse.
"Hamer does have peculiar notions when it comes to race-related issues."
peculiar or practical? ARHA nearly went belly up the city wants its loan repaid so the lender wants the development to move forward quickly. The city screw up the back end she panders now.
"Where the hell is Hartmann's good judgment?"
"No where. He was one of two dummies who appealed the PGBAR decision."
Will SOMEONE explain to me why these people appealed the demolition of the American Legion but not Bland?? I personally can't see any difference between historical value of the two properties, yet they appealed the demolition of one but not the other.
The only explanation I can think of is hypocrisy. I'd like to think there is another more rational reason, though. Anyone?? Mr. Walker? Please explain!!
"Will SOMEONE explain to me why these people appealed the demolition of the American Legion but not Bland??"
Hamer told a neighbor that she was purposely delaying the PG nomination process so as not to complicate the Bland project. I go with your hypocrisy theory. Not only does she willingly sacrifice Bland to satisfy ARHA's financial needs but also the 14 West Street properties located near the Braddock Metro. Defending the Legion's "integrity" is jackass.
"Hamer told a neighbor that she was purposely delaying the PG nomination process so as not to complicate the Bland project"
Wow. That's scandalous! I have to say that I was stunned that the PG BAR approved the Bland project. It's a staggering monstrosity. Usually, they quibble over light fixtures but this time it sailed through. That really makes me wonder.....
"that she was purposely delaying the PG nomination process so as not to complicate the Bland project. I go with your hypocrisy theory."
P&Z admitted as much early in the consultant process then Hamer confirmed it by handing out a printed timeline. The West Street properties were discussed as part of the Adkins redevelopment. BEAG was nothing more than a rezoning exercise undertaken exclusively for the benefit of ARHA. What's the BFD? ARHA has been poorly managed and the city wants its loan repaid.
"BEAG was nothing more than a rezoning exercise undertaken exclusively for the benefit of ARHA."
The BFD is that the City expects the rest of us to follow their rules to the LETTER, but makes all kinds of exceptions for ARHA. If they didn't have the money to lose, they shouldn't have loaned it to a pathetic agency like ARHA. Instead, they allow a totally inappropriate development (both architecturally and public policy wise) just so they can get their money back? I don't think so.
"this time it sailed through. That really makes me wonder....."
why does the fact that Bland sailed through surprise you? P&Z is now hopelessly political ARHA is in a financial mess Ring once asked if their loan be forgiven it wasn't so ARHA is building big in order to increase land value. everything is situational including the street names.
P&Z admitted as much early in the consultant process then Hamer confirmed it by handing out a printed timeline. ... What's the BFD?
What's their excuse nowadays for it not having gone through? This is not the first time the PG nomination has disappeared.
"asked if their loan be forgiven it wasn't so ARHA is building big in order to increase land value. everything is situational including the street names."
Good luck increasing the land values around Bland with Adkins and Madden still in place. People arent stupid; they see the total lack of revitalization and who wants to move near the mess?
"Good luck increasing the land values around Bland with Adkins and Madden still in place. People arent stupid; they see the total lack of revitalization and who wants to move near the mess?"
Even when Alexandria Commons is complete and the economy is likely on the rebound, it's still going to have to compete with the new residential developments likely underway at Potomac Yard by then. Now which will be more desirable?
It certainly won't be like Chatham Square's opening with the people waiting 3 days in line in order to plop down near 1 million. It's going to be anything but that.
It was a much different housing market when Chatham Square was ready for sale. That project pretty much hit the market at the peak of the housing frenzy.
I have grave concerns about Bland. The number of ARHA units there is so much higher than at Chatham. Plus, there is the proximity to several other problem ARHA properties. As well as the issue of backing up onto Rt. 1 and being on the west side of Washington. Never mind the well publicized problems the Chatham Sq. people have had dealing with ARHA and its residents.
Given that the market is bad and is projected to remain that way for a while, what will happen when EYA can't sell the market rate units at the price they'd hoped?
"Even when Alexandria Commons is complete and the economy is likely on the rebound, it's still going to have to compete with the new residential developments likely underway at Potomac Yard by then. Now which will be more desirable?
"
Forget Potomac Yard, ask yourself about the City.
Arlington, Moco, DC, all keep revitalizing and moving forward and making themselves more attractive to young professionals.
What are we doing here in Alexandria to attract the prospective homeowners for Alexandria Commons? You dont think people buying there are going to take a gander around the area to see what is going on?
I sense complete overconfidence on P&Z's part regarding Braddock Road Metro, like its some kind of privilege to live here.
So now we are at the point where Hamer wants to name a street after someone who lived off the public dole most of his life and took pride in having his kids on the dole too?
What kind of message does that send?
"I sense complete overconfidence on P&Z's part regarding Braddock Road Metro, like its some kind of privilege to live here."
The multifamily homes scheduled for Patrick Street remain toublesome. Concentrated public housing excused and diluted was never a good idea. We've always thought there was a perverse relationship between the units proposed location and the new Charles Houston Center. Patrick Street containment.
"Good luck increasing the land values around Bland with Adkins and Madden still in place."
ARHA's land values increased with BEAG's rezoning.
"Given that the market is bad and is projected to remain that way for a while, what will happen when EYA can't sell the market rate units at the price they'd hoped?"
City will buy it and use it for affordable housing. Not being cynical or sarcastic here. Wait and see.
"ARHA's land values increased with BEAG's rezoning."
Land values are not just based on zoning. They are based on the surrounding area, comps, the state of the market, etc...
You could build a 40 story building there or a 2 story building and the value of the 2 story building could be more depending on other factors.
"The multifamily homes scheduled for Patrick Street remain toublesome."
I completely agree. When the Bland project was up for consideration, I wrote council, and spoke against the project at both the BAR and Council hearings. Not that I think having 100 people speak would have changed the outcome, but when Bland was up for consideration did you speak at any of the hearings?
"So now we are at the point where Hamer wants to name a street after someone who lived off the public dole most of his life and took pride in having his kids on the dole too?"
So, is anyone planning on speaking out against this at Thursday's hearing?
"but when Bland was up for consideration did you speak at any of the hearings?"
Did I communicate my displeasure? Absolutely. Think about it. Naming a street for Jones is wholly consistent with P&Z's dilution strategy. The city and ARHA achieve their financial goals and no one has to move as a result. The city claims the problem is economics. There is no money to off site existing public housing resident. I compliment those who secured changes in the Housing Trust Fund allocations but compared to need its little more than a drop in the bucket.
"So, is anyone planning on speaking out against this at Thursday's hearing?"
Does the street naming make me sick to my stomach? Yes. Do I plan to speak out at the hearing? No.
I've wasted enough time sitting through Braddock Road charrettes and BEAG meetings, emailing city council, meeting with staff and council members, signing petitions, etc. I've essentially been slapped in the face on each and every occasion.
Rather, I'm just voting against them. I plunked last election and I'll do it again. And last time, I convinced a few neighbors to do the same. This time, I'll work harder to have even more people do it. I've found that most people are uninformed. When they learn the truth about what the council has done, they become outraged. I'd rather spend my time educating the neighbors than beating my head against a brick wall by trying to reason with council and staff.
"So, is anyone planning on speaking out against this at Thursday's hearing?"
So I can get yelled at by the screechers and called every name in the book?
No thanks, I look forward to the laughter when I dump trash on Pete Jones Way to pile up with the rest of it.
"Younger readers may not know that in the early 1980s the City of Alexandria proposed adding our community to Old Town by placing it in the Old & Historic District and subjecting it to a single board of architectural review. Outcry among the ardent separatists in the community (most of whom are now dead) resulted in the City setting up a distinct Parker-Gray Historic District with its own BAR"
Can you tell me more about this? Who were the separatists? Predecessors of today's screechers? I don't understand. What possible objection would they have had to being under the same historic district as Old Town?
Is there any movement to making us back into one district? I'd like to see this. Given that the PG BAR essentially bent over for ARHA in the Bland plan, I've lost all faith in them to do the right thing when it comes to protecting our neighborhood. I'd like to see PG given the same consideration as Old Town when it comes to architectural design. The new Bland is simply hideous. And so is Monarch, although I understand that it is not in the historic district.
"What possible objection would they have had to being under the same historic district as Old Town?
"
Ask Helen Miller and Eudora Lyles
"No thanks, I look forward to the laughter when I dump trash on Pete Jones Way to pile up with the rest of it."
Speaking of trash at ARHA properties, why is it that Chatham Square is so beautifully kept and trash free, while Adkins and Bland are absolute dumps? Seriously, the amount of trash, particularly at Adkins, is shocking. Why can ARHA keep Chatham Sq. clean but not Adkins and Bland. Or is it the owners at Chatham who are picking up after the slobs?
"Can you tell me more about this? Who were the separatists? Predecessors of today's screechers? I don't understand. What possible objection would they have had to being under the same historic district as Old Town?"
The Growler has some newspaper articles posted on this issue at the My Parker Gray Website link -http://www.parker-gray.com/. See the neighborhood in transition section and the articles dated around 1984.
"Why can ARHA keep Chatham Sq. clean but not Adkins and Bland"
Chatham Square has an HOA. Adkins and Bland dont
Its really that simple.
Since the City is going to continue to use houses located in the Old and Historic district as comps when determining my assessment in PG, then hell yes I'd be in favor of combining Parker Gray and Old and Historic.
One set of rules. Everybody play by them.
Hows that for a new idea for City Hall?
"Why can ARHA keep Chatham Sq. clean but not Adkins and Bland. Or is it the owners at Chatham who are picking up after the slobs?"
ARHA is treated like any market rate homeowner. If they leave trash in their areas, they can receive a financial penalty just like any other homeowner. Enforcement is the key. No concessions are made. Chatham Square also pays for a cleaning service as part of the HOA dues.
Adam Hardinger
Chatham Square HOA - Treasurer
Melvin Miller is a real piece of work.
I had an opportunity to sit in at an ARHA board meeting recently. As Roy Priest presented info on the budget and various projects, Miller chastised him! At one point, the subject of barring came up and Miller mentioned that some of his friends are barred from ARHA properties, implieing that they should be allowed to visit. Roy Priest shot back "You haven't seen their police records!"
Miller needs to go, Euille needs to go. And ARHA needs to start using vouchers... for housing in Manassass...
The good part of the meeting was that it is clear that ARHA's new leadership is competent, and working towards a better Alexandria for everyone. Clearly the ARHA board, Melvin Miller, and some city staff are not on the same page. They certainly are not standing by the very folks that pay their saleries, Alexandria City homeowners...
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