A new city facility occasionally called West End City Hall had an official ribbon cutting last week that honored the building’s namesake: longtime City Council member Del Pepper.
The building at 4850 Mark Center Drive is a hub for several city services like the Department of Community and Human Services, the Alexandria Health Department, a permit center and more.
“This is more than just a building for our community just like Del was more than just another member of the City Council,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “This is an embodiment of the services we provide to this city, the heart of this city, just like Del was the heart of this city council for so, so long.”
The naming honored Pepper’s 36 years on the City Council, which ended with her retirement in 2021.
“The building is awesome,” Pepper said. “There’s just no other word for it… It has been carefully and thoughtfully planned. It’s new and truly beautiful.”
Pepper said the building will help facilitate better services for the West End, a cause for which she advocated for decades.
“Over the years, I have sat on a number of boards and commissions and I like to think our workers are the brightest and the best,” Pepper said. “To add to that, they are the most welcoming and helpful. That’s what you’re going to need for the kind of activities that go on here: people who can hear the pain.”
