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Planning Commission presses for in-person community engagement on George Mason Elementary modernization
Summary
Commissioners reported concern about a compressed, largely virtual outreach process for the George Mason Elementary modernization and said they had sent a letter asking for more robust in-person engagement; staff and the Alexandria City Public Schools indicated they will pursue closer coordination.
Members of the Alexandria Planning Commission raised concerns during "other business" about the public outreach process for the George Mason Elementary School modernization.
Commissioners said the projects engagement timeline was compressed and that public meetings held entirely online limited opportunities for neighborhood residents to exchange views in person. In response to those concerns, the commission drafted and transmitted a letter to city leadership asking for more substantive public engagement and urging coordination between Planning and Zoning and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS).
Commission leadership said ACPS responded constructively: School Board Chair Karen Reeves (referenced in the meeting) and other school officials held follow-up discussions with Planning Commission leadership about improving engagement and better integrating planning staff into the projects development. Commissioners described commitments to ongoing staff-level collaboration and the potential to adjust outreach methods for future school capital projects.
Commissioners said they supported the school design team and its technical work but emphasized that community engagement should include in-person opportunities and clearer consultation at departmental and commission levels as the project moves to future milestones, including a May hearing date referenced by ACPS.
The commission will continue liaison discussions with ACPS staff and expects further coordination on upcoming school projects and facility planning.
