A Torpedo Factory artist has started a petition to stop proposed changes to the arts-focused building along Alexandria’s waterfront.
Some of the proposed changes include putting a restaurant and art supplies store in the bottom floor of the historic building and moving some of the ground-floor studios upstairs. A rooftop observation deck could be added to the building if future structural studies allow for it.
Currently, artist studios and the gallery space take up the majority of the historic building and would likely continue to do so going forward. In addition, the Art League takes up a large section of the building, as does the City’s Archaeology museum. Those would stay in place, according to a “Torpedo Factory Art Center Implementation Strategy” presentation given by Alexandria city officials earlier this month. The presentation is filled with images of what the Torpedo Factory could look like in the coming years. See the presentation here.
“Some of these plans include [reducing] the number of individual artist studios in the building by up to 40%, as well as sweeping aside ALL artist studios on the first floor and replacing it with cheap money-making venues such as restaurants,” according to the petition started by M. Alexander Gray, an artist with a first-floor studio near the King Street entrance of the Torpedo Factory. Gray is one of the artists whose studio would move.
The building is in dire need of millions of dollars in renovations and rehabilitation, including upgrades to the electric systems and structure. City of Alexandria officials want to reestablish the art center’s identity, curate the building and rebuild the art center’s role in the community. Multiple studies and reports on this are available at www.alexandriava.gov/TorpedoFactory.
The next steps include a preliminary estimate of costs and financial feasibility study. Community outreach is ongoing, and a city council presentation is scheduled for December.
The petition has more than 320 signatures out of a 500-signature goal, and says, in part: “Make your voice heard! DO NOT let hardworking artists get booted out and replaced with cheap entertainments! DO NOT let the City tamper with this unique cultural treasure!”
What is now the Torpedo Factory Arts Center was built in as a naval munitions plant — its name came from its role in creating torpedoes during World War II. After the war, the building was essentially a large storage facility for the military. In 1969, the City of Alexandria purchased the building from the federal government for just $1.6 million and gave the General Services Administration five years to move out. In 1974, The Art League leased the space and the building started its new life as an arts center.
