Q

When will Lee Highway's name change take effect and what will the new name be?

A

On December 9, 2020, the Working Group On Renaming Lee Highway selected its top choices for Lee Highway's new name. Their preferred name is John M. Langston Boulevard. Arlington's Delegate Rip Sullivan introduced a bill (HB 1854) that would grant the Arlington County Board the authority to rename the portion of Lee Highway located in the County in January 2021. The bill was passed by the VA House and Senate in January 2021 and signed into law by Governor Northam in March 2021. The Arlington County Board is set to vote on the new name on July 17, 2021, however, the functional operations (signage, addressing, etc.) of the roadway will be unchanged through the beginning of 2022. For updates on the renaming, click here.

Q

How much will renaming cost taxpayers?

A

All costs associated with producing, placing and maintaining new street signage will be covered by Arlington County. 

Q

What do I need to do when my address changes? Will the name change impact mail services?

A

The name change will have no impact on mail services through the United States Postal Service (USPS). You do not have to contact USPS to file a change of address form — Arlington County will notify USPS directly and their Address Management System will be updated. As of June 2021, it is our understanding and expectation that USPS mail addressed to both “Langston Boulevard” and “Lee Highway” addresses in Arlington will continue to be delivered in perpetuity. The name change will also be reflected in the address management systems for major delivery services such as FedEx and UPS.

Mobile applications such as Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, Mapquest (and the applications that use them) gather data from multiple sources, including local governments. As such, Arlington County’s update in our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data should then be reflected in these other applications. To assist in a smooth transition, Arlington County will notify the major mapping firms as soon as possible.
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Recommended actions for business owners:

• Updates to websites and related social media
  
• Vendors, utilities, payroll, and taxing authorities must be notified in writing
• Amend leases
• Monument signage, letterheads, and business cards should be altered if address is shown

Although such changes do take administrative time, the financial burden is low. For questions or concerns about topics not covered here, please contact our staff.

Q

Will my street number change?

A

County staff is evaluating the renaming proposal for both Route 29 and Route 309. At this time, they believe no street numbers will be changed. Their intent is that the only change will be to the street name itself — no other portion of the address will change. 

Q

Why is Lee Highway being renamed?

A

Lee Highway is being renamed in order to realize the years-long grassroots community effort to create a welcoming Main Street by removing the word "Highway" and to begin to reconcile the painful racial history that many in our community have experienced by removing the name "Lee." 

• Lee Highway was not named in the 1800s after the Civil War. The Corridor got its name during Jim Crow in the 1920s - more than sixty years after Lee surrendered.  
• Robert E. Lee represents a dark era in American history that continues to impact life today. Lee Highway should be renamed to represent a forward-thinking, equitable, and welcoming community, not the Confederacy and Jim Crow. 
• The word “Highway” does not convey an attractive place that is consistent with the Main Street envisioned by the thousands of residents, property owners, and businesses that have already weighed in during the Visioning Study and the Plan Lee Highway Process. 

Q

What is being renamed?

A

The Working Group On Renaming Lee Highway worked to change both the words "Lee" and "Highway" from the 4.6 mile stretch of Lee Highway in Arlington County. Name changes will also take place for the Lee Arts Center, the County's Plan Lee Highway program, and Lee Highway Alliance.  

Q

How was the new name for Lee Highway selected?

A

LHA assembled a Working Group of 25 Lee Highway residents and business owners, and formed 5 Advisory Groups to support the process. During meetings held throughout the fall and early winter, the Working Group on Renaming Lee Highway:

• Agreed upon Evaluation Criteria and Rules. 
• Evaluated names submitted by the public based on the Criteria and Rules. 
• Reduced the long list to a shortlist of 20 names. 
• Sent the shortlist to be evaluated by Special Advisory Groups on Branding, Transportation, Business, Institutions, and Neighborhoods and be publicly polled by the community.
• Based on Advisory Group and community input and dialogue during meetings, selected one preferred name and 2-4 alternatives. 

The LHA Board submitted the names chosen by the Working Group to the Arlington County Board who will vote on their preferred choice from the Working Group's list. 

To view the Working Group Charge, and members of the Working Group and Advisory Groups, click here. To watch recorded meetings and view documents, click here. 

Q

Were Lee Highway residents and business owners involved in the renaming process?

A

It was very important for LHA to include the community in every step of the renaming process. All Working Group meetings were held over Zoom and were open to the public. Arlingtonians were asked to submit name suggestions and were asked to fill out a poll indicating their top name choices. We. received 500 messages, 186 names suggestions, and over 3,400 people filled out the poll. Additionally, over 8,000 families received flyers through Peachjar and over 8,000 postcards were mailed out. LHA also held meetings with community groups, churches, and local business owners, released all collateral in English and Spanish, and created and shared educational videos.

Q

How did Lee Highway get its original name?

A

The Lee Highway Corridor was previously made up of Little Falls Road and Georgetown and Falls Church Road. Lee Highway did not formally receive its name until the 1920s, decades after the end of the Civil War. For a full history on the naming of Lee Highway and Robert E. Lee, click here.

**For additional questions and answers, visit Arlington County's FAQ on the renaming.