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2020 SPECIAL SESSION I
WHEREAS, Engin Mehmet Artemel, an esteemed city planner, architect, and civil engineer who served both Alexandria and various municipalities abroad, died on June 17, 2020; and
WHEREAS, born in Ankara, Turkey, Engin Artemel graduated from the prestigious Galatasaray High School in Istanbul before moving to the United States in the 1950s to continue his studies; and
WHEREAS, after studying at Santa Ana College and earning a degree in architecture at California Polytechnic State University, Engin Artemel taught at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, where he would ultimately earn master’s degrees in urban planning and civil engineering; and
WHEREAS, following a sojourn in Istanbul as a naval officer to fulfill Turkey’s military service requirement, Engin Artemel returned to the United States and began a career as a city planner with the City of Alexandria; and
WHEREAS, serving as director of the City of Alexandria Department of Planning and Community Development from 1977–1984, Engin Artemel led efforts to transform the historic Alexandria waterfront from a derelict industrial site into the vibrant mixed-use area it is today; and
WHEREAS, to accomplish the Alexandria waterfront revitalization project, Engin Artemel deftly resolved longstanding land disputes between Alexandria and the federal government while negotiating agreements between the city, private entities, and residents; and
WHEREAS, as a result of his efforts, several public parks were created and historic landmarks were preserved, including the Torpedo Factory, the canal lock at Montgomery Street, Oronoco Bay Park, and Waterfront Park, ensuring the public’s access to both the river and Alexandria’s history for years to come; and
WHEREAS, Engin Artemel founded the company Artemel International in 1984, utilizing his experience in waterfront design, tourism, and infrastructure development to facilitate projects both locally and throughout the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his contributions to the community over the years, Engin Artemel was named a “Living Legend of Alexandria” in 2009 and honored with a dedicatory plaque at the City of Alexandria Marina in 2016; and
WHEREAS, Engin Artemel will be dearly remembered and fondly missed by his wife, Agnes; his children, Steve, Suzan, Deniz, Sibel, and Ali, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Engin Mehmet Artemel, a masterful city planner who opened the Alexandria waterfront for the enjoyment of countless residents and visitors; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Engin Mehmet Artemel as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s respect for his memory.