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1995 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 295
Requesting the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to study the feasibility of locating an International Convention and Exposition Center in Northern Virginia.

Agreed to by the Senate, February 23, 1995
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 22, 1995

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth, through the Virginia Retirement System, and its subsidiary the RF&P Corporation, owns a substantial and valuable parcel of real estate located in the City of Alexandria and Arlington County, known as Potomac Yard; and

WHEREAS, Potomac Yard is one of the largest parcels of undeveloped commercial land in a metropolitan area on the east coast of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the proximity of Potomac Yard to major employment, population and transportation centers in Northern Virginia, Washington, D. C., and Maryland makes Potomac Yard a prime site for development; and

WHEREAS, any plans to enhance the economic growth and value of Potomac Yard must be consistent with local land use plans; and

WHEREAS, the feasibility of locating a convention and exposition center at Potomac Yard was first considered by a 1993 joint task force between the City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce issued a report in November of 1994, entitled "Alexandria 2000 and Beyond", which recommended that a first tier convention and exposition center be established in Northern Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the Alexandria City Council has recommended that the state, in cooperation with officials of local government and members of the business community, analyze the economic costs and benefits to the Commonwealth and the affected localities of locating a first tier convention and exposition center in Potomac Yard or elsewhere in Northern Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of a first tier convention and exposition center in Potomac Yard could benefit the citizens of Virginia by attracting and expanding business investment, creating entrepreneurial and employment opportunities, and increasing tourism in Northern Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Secretary of Commerce and Trade be requested to study the feasibility of locating an International Convention and Exposition Center in Northern Virginia.

In conducting the study, the secretary shall appoint a task force composed of business leaders, citizens, and elected officials primarily representing the City of Alexandria and the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun and shall utilize the services of a consultant with experience and knowledge in commercial land development and economic and fiscal feasibility studies. The Secretary shall determine the demand for and the likelihood of success of a convention and exposition center in Northern Virginia; the economic and fiscal impact on the Commonwealth and on affected localities; the manner of financing and operating such a center, including the establishment of a public authority for this purpose; the appropriateness of Potomac Yard or alternative sites for the center's location; and the role of the state and local governments, if any, in financing and operating the center. To reduce duplication of effort, the secretary shall first review any prior studies and reports addressing these issues.

The Secretary shall complete his study in time to submit his findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.